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Beatles on vinyl -- what to look for ...

... and what to avoid.

I'm hoping to buy some Beatles LPs, but I'm confused by all the choices out there. I'm no kind of collector. Nor am I llooking for the absolute best, with cost no object. But I've really been enjoying vinyl again, and it's long past time to get me a bunch of Beatles LPs. Are there certain labels -- or countries -- that are considered as usually good quality? Are there others that ought to be generally avoided? (I understand that the British releases in the earlier years were not the same as the ones that folks my age grew up with in the 1960s in the US, with different songs, different mixes and all.) What I want is to be able to spin some LPs and hear the Fab Four doing their thing. But all in all, I'm overwhelmed. And a look at the archives hasn't made things a whole lot clearer. Do I search for specific stuff on eBay? Are there new pressings that are worth anything? Any direction would be much appreciated. Thanks.
hodu
narrod
1,064 posts
 
Since cost is no object the very best are yellow and black Parlophones for titles up through SPLHCB. They are very expensive in Mint condition but will smoke anything else and are far, far superior to the MoFi discs. For titles from The White Album on the very best are first pressing
UK Apples. Again, not cheap but nothing touches them. A complete catalog in mint condition will be several thousand dollars and will take time to collect but you will have the very best.
audiofeil
4,011 posts
 
The Beatles MOFI releases are very good to excellent. However, if you take some time and seek out original Capitol, Parlophone, and Apple pressings the MOFI are basically a waste of money.

My opinion is based on ownership of the original and MOFI pressings.

If you can't find originals another option is the Japanese Toshiba/EMI reissues from a few years back. I own 5 of them and the sonics are excellent. I haven't checked prices lately but they are invariably much better value than the MOFI versions.
wberdan
86 posts
 
... or you could wait and see if Classic records gets to release the catalog in the next couple years.
tmhaudio
122 posts
 
For the best info on the Beatles LP versions, visit www.stevehoffman.tv. The "Forums" have lots of info.

Generally, the early UK pressings are the most musical. The "Blue Box" is also good albeit not of the same sonic quality as the earlier pressings.

Here's a website with in depth information re: each album and how to identify the different pressings.

http://www.jpgr.co.uk/i_beatleslp_date.html

The MFSL has a "smile" EQ. The US Capitol are the absolute worst sounding versions in part due to not using the master tapes. The early Japanese are quite good when analog tapes were used but avoid the latter versions especially the "new" digital" sourced re-pressings. Some German versions are very good esp for the MMT album.
audiofeil
4,011 posts
 
>>The US Capitol are the absolute worst sounding versions in part due to not using the master tapes.<<

As a blanket statement that is totally untrue.

I have multiple copies of Beatles albums from the US, UK, Germany, and a few other countries. First pressings of the US Revolver, Abbey Road and the White Album (an issue with a low number) are very nice thank you.

Maybe you haven't heard them.
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