2. analog
  3. 1348893470

Why do my rolling stones albums sound bad?

When I first got into vinyl a few years ago, I purchased a few stones albums. I thought they sounded good at the time but now that I have collected quite a few more records the stones albums sound bad in comparison. A few that stand out to me are the sticky fingers re-issue by mobile fidelity and let it bleed by abkco circa 2003.I am really disappointed with both of those.
The MoFi pressing sounds like the vocals are in the background and it sounds overall muddy. This surprised me because of all the MoFi pressing I own of various artist, this stones album is the only one I was not satisfied with. Really sub par compared to the rest of their work I have. I don't own the original so I can't compare the two. I would hope the original sounds much better.
The abkco pressing is a DSD. I didn't know this at the time of purchase or I might have avoided it. I do own a few other DSD pressings of other artist and they sound pretty good. Let it bleed from abkco (2003) sounds like mick is singing underwater. The instruments sound really flat in this one as well.
I also own hot rocks from abkco (2003) which is also a DSD. It sounds a bit better than the let it bleed album but still nothing to be impressed with.
I thought the MoFi pressing would sound better because it is mastered from the original tapes and done AAA. In my opinion it has the worst sound quality of the pressings mentioned here.
I would love to have some stones albums that sound great but, I have been reluctant to purchase any more of them for fear of getting the same sound quality of the other pressings. Are there stones albums out there that sound really good? I want something I can be impressed with. What would you guys and gals suggest. What stones albums do I need to be on the lookout for. Thanks in advance.

Andy
andyprice44
viiu
34 posts
 
Let it Bleed. Get the UK boxed blue Decca, or the unboxed if you can find and afford one.

Beggars Banquet. There's a boxed blue Decca reissue on white vinyl that sounds good. Can be had for about $20

Sticky Fingers. The USA copies can sound good if you get the right one but most don't.

After Sticky Fingers, good USA copies can be found of all their titles. Look for copies pressed at Monarch in LA.

The caveat is you may need to get a few copies of each before you get good one due to variances in pressing quality.
andyprice44 OP
133 posts
 
thanks for the info Viiu. I will make sure to check them out if I find some
andyprice44 OP
133 posts
 
I did purchase a new pressing of some girls live in texas '78. It was recently remastered from the original multitrack tapes to a 2-channel mix by bob clearmountain. Hopefully this pressing will have more life. I will report back on it in a few days
aigenga
131 posts
 
Try Sticky Fingers on Japanese single layer SACD. I know it's not vinyl but I really like the album and can't listen to my original recordings. This SACD brings back the feeling.
acman3
4,282 posts
 
Just invite 20-30 people over for a party and BYOB. Move the speakers until you get that good midbass bump which helps muddy the mids. Then everything will sound good, because of all the people singing off key to the songs.

Not everything was meant to be just listened to.

BTW, If the music you are waiting for is the London Green Shoed Cowboys concert at Will Rodgers in Ft. Worth, It was a very sloppy set live. I don't think it can be real good sounding. A very raw, but great snapshot of them at time. Amazing but not pretty.
More to discover