The Beatles – Abbey Road

Practically identical to the first pressing in terms of sound due to using the same stampers and cuttings as mentioned below - no point shelling out for a good condition copy of the 1st press when you can find one of these in the same condition for a fraction of the cost. One of the best sounding LPs in my collection, absolutely superb.

Same stampers as the first UK pressing, and a wonderful sounding, essential piece of anyone's record collection. Massive, bassy soundstage, whilst still retaining a mellow, smooth analog sound, and not being too bright or muddy. Great instrument separation and balance as well, everything is where it should be, with the vocals up front and center to complete everything. These UK Abbey Roads are absolute no-brainers, and in terms of comparison with the US counterparts, the UK wins by a considerably large margin.

This is a really good sounding pressing of this classic and probably the best album by the Beatles. The sound is warm and nice soft crisp. Here we have an analog beauty.

how much do near mint copies of this album go for in cad?

As a Yank having the 1969 US Los Angeles Pressing, a 1970 US Los Angeles Pressing, several 1976 US pressings, and the 2019 Giles Martin pressing...... it was here the whole time. This 3rd press UK is so well balanced, better drum and bass spacing, just miles better than my US stuff. I was thankful to pick up a Vg+ copy here today, and I have to say the US got the short stick in 1969 with this album.

This is By Far and Hands Down the best pressing of Abbey Road in existence! The original Mix, for one. The mix the band originally agreed to be released. The UK pressings from the original 1969 to the 70’s and early 80’s were Superior! Their pressing quality as well. Forget that 50th anniversary Giles Martin mix, which was HIS reimagining of how this album should sound. And buries vocals and George’s guitars. This is the one to get! The sound stage is Wide, the separation of instruments, the vocal presence… I could go on, but.. this being my favorite rock album of all time, I’ve had this on Every format since 8-tracks! So I’ve heard it enough to know. If you’re a casual, go ahead and buy what’s available at Best Buy or Walmart. Or stream what’s out there. But if you’re a True fan of this album and you want to hear it as if The Beatles were playing in your living room… and you have a good system, then This is worth Every penny!

it is impossible to rate the quality of the material at hand here. this is their last great artistic statement; a portrait of the greatest band in their final days.
instead i will rate the pressing as best as I can. I have a VG/VG -2/-1 copy. her majesty is listed on the label but not on the sleeve. back cover apple is aligned with the text, front cover has the drain in the picture. it is widely agreed that the -2/-1 version is the best pressing you can get of this album, truest to their intentions on how it was meant to be heard. To my ears, it sounds like it lives up to the hype. Strong bass, clear vocals, bright highs and deep lows. vinyl is quiet (aside from scratches etc). the only real issue i had was distortion at the end of side 2, starting at Golden Slumbers and carrying through to Her Majesty. It is at this point that the sound become more muffled and distorted. Not sure if this could be the effect of inner groove distortion, or rather just groovewear from playing it on subpar equipment. Other than that, it really is a priviledge to listen to music at this quality, while also owning a piece of history. It is likely that the very copy I own was picked up by someone on the way home from school or work, or given to someone as a Christmas present, but now it is in my collection being cleaned and taken care of meticulously. We never see UK pressings in Canada, so to have one in my hands here is truly something.
For anyone wondering which pressing they should get, this is the one.

The 2/2U matrix was also shipped with a light green Apple label, as an export to the US (recently opened a vintage sealed copy with an older Jem import sticker, and noticed this variation).

So there it is : the best album ever recorded without the shadow of a doubt! Your mileage my vary, but to me this is simply incredible value. I never get tired of listening to it. Any new version I find is enough to give it a try. Favorites include the UK LP, the Toshiba Black and the fresh 2009 Remaster. Everytime I play it one more time i discover a few details i didn't notice before or find another tune that simply rocks me like never before. From the opening 1,2 snap attack double bass/hi hats of COME TOGETHER, the pro - metal tour de force of I WANT YOU, Ringo's dreamy 60ies fantasy about that OCTOPUS GARDEN, George's ballads HERE COMES THE SUN and BECAUSE; or (playing right now) the dreamy sequence including YOU NEVER GIVE ME YUR MONEY, SUN KING and POLYTHENE PAM - not to forget MAXWELL'S SILVER HAMMER, that bloody ballad this covers so many highlights, more ideas to be found here than on their grand opera : THE BEATLES aka 'White album'- The first album that was made to sound best on your Home Stereo, not meant to be played live. So George Martin and the engineers at Abbey Road Studios had just as much input than The Beatles. Finally. Respect goes out to the instrumental skills on display here, Paul's bass was never so exposed, Ringo's small Ludwig drum kit sounds larger than you can image on the final parts - simply check his drumming on CARRY THE WEIGHT on a true audiophile system with large bass sound. Before the final sequence with final 'So In The End The Love You Take Is Equal To The Love You Make' ends this fantastic recording you get pushed from one killer track to the next - it is Side 2, that has that special magic. You get many moods and many lyrics, melodies and emotions. So this was The Beatles legacy. Will there ever be a better album ? No, they just don't make them like that anymore...
This is the Beatles album that you should play to those who think they don't like or care about The Beatles ..:-)...Thought it is over ? not really THE END is a nice little da capo. Sweet and perfectly perfect, also to test your Stereo equipment... Can it carry the weight ?