2. music
  3. 1164589260

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
Ag insider logo xs@2x
muzikat
920 posts
 
Try to focus on the US Capitol releases, the black label with rainbow colors around it. Mono pressings are better sounding in many people's opinion. They are usually going to cost more.
If you just want Beatles on vinyl, the other American Capitol pressings, green label, purple label, and the latest (put out a few years back) black/rainbow labels are OK.
You can get Get Goldmine's record pricing book if you want to get serious: http://www.amazon.com/Goldmine-Record-Albums-Guide-Album/dp/0873417801
It will help you identify all the different pressings and values.
Have Fun!
hodu OP
312 posts
 
I'm looking for sonically superior vinyl. Not necessarily the best, but better than average, if that's possible. Thanks, again.
steelhead
318 posts
 
The Parlophone Blue Box Set is definitely worth picking up.

Have Fun.
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.
More to discover