Simon & Garfunkel - Best Vinyl summary

Yep thats the right stuff - the stereo has the S in front of the BPG and that one has 33 1/3 on the left under the ' <stereo> ' writing.

So the mono wont have the S and hopefully just 33 - doesnt matter if it doesnt - the matrices are what matter - 1A B2 or B3

 

Thanks. What I remember doesn't look like the matrix you quote. I am not sure but I don't remember seeing a minus sign anywhere in that series, and the A was at the beginning.

I think it probably doesn't make that much difference as this is a UK mono and there weren't that many issues, looking at discogs, but I will check.

 

Hmmm..well the matrix should be BPG62690-A1 and BPG62691-B2 or B3

Take a photo of it and then write it up and well see what it is

 

O.K. That seems pretty clear now. Will do.

 

Cos its it not that it must be something else not UK which seems unlikely

 

Any one know if that holds true for the Japanese pressing:

“GREATEST HITS”
JAPANESE
COLUMBIA # 25AP 1367

LABEL: RED CBS SONY. JASRAC

BACK COVER: On bottom, in tiny print, among other stuff: Manufactured by CBS SONY Inc. (Tokyo Japan)

STAMPERS:
A: (machine stamped) 25AP-1367A1 [squiggle in circle logo = JVC?] 1 C 9(?) +
B: (machine stamped) 25AP-1367B1 1 G 2

??

 

Don't know about the Japanese version, it might sound better. The LP is worth having for the live tracks anyway, so why not score it?

 

Thanks, McLover.

 

The only S&G where I have both the stereo and mono is Parsley and Bookends.

Parsley mono is a little beefier than it's stereo counterpart, but seems to bury a lot compared to what's on the stereo.

Bookends - no contest, mono all the way. But, if you're stuck only finding stereo - definitely go with the first batch (360 Sound). The later 1970-and-beyond pressing is a hollow weak mess.

 

My UK mono deadwax information is 62690-A4 and 62690-B4. There are NO letters before the number and the matrix is machine stamped.

I am not sure there are mono versions with A or B1 or A or B2 matrices.

I would personally recommend the US two eye mono over the UK release.

 

In the shop where I saw the UK mono, they wrote MAT -4/-4 on the information slip, so maybe it's the same as yours.

 

Let us not forget the QUAD cut of BOTW. A few alternate edits (mostly just added notes on a few intros, no vari-speed on Baby Driver, IIRC), but some of the mixes are much nicer than the stereo counterparts. THE ONLY LIVING BOY IN NY is essential in Quad, as it eliminates the artificial double-tracking/flange effect on the vocal and gives us to it clean (albeit wet with reverb which sounds beautiful)

 

Definitely worth checking the deadwax before buying.

I have a mono labelled Bookends but the cut is stereo. That said it's actually easily to tell a UK mono Bookends as the matrix is hand etched unlike the stereo which is machine stamped.

 

Thanks. I'd forgotten about the handetching. So should I be looking for a hand-etched something or other for SOS? I am sure that the number is machine-stamped. I still have to go back and check the matrix yet.

 

No. SOS is machine stamped. Only Bookends mono is etched.

 

I bought a brand new 180g German pressing and while I love the sound, it has never played quietly. Lots if surface noise and artifacts.

I do need a good version of this on vinyl too.

 

I have two UK copies of "Bridge Over Troubled Water" on the orange CBS label, could someone please tell me which is the first pressing?

Copy one has a laminated front cover.
Matrix numbers are:
Side 1 - S63699-A followed by a small bump in the vinyl which prevents me from reading the figure that comes here
Side 2 - S63699-B8

Side 1 label has the mention "Trad.: Arr. Jorge Milchberg/Paul Simon" under "El Condor Pasa"

Copy two has a non-laminated front cover.
Matrix numbers are:
Side 1 - SBPG 63699 A1
Side 2 - SBPG 63699 B1

Side 1 label has no specific mention for "El Condor Pasa".

Thanks for any info!

 

If you can't get originals I would strongly recommend the Sundazed reissues pressed at QRP. I do think S&G are best heard in stereo (based on hearing a mono PSRT). If you can, seek out the Classic Records BOTW.

 

In the UK, A1's/B1's are often first.

 

The SBPG is first.

 

Thank you Jae and MrGroove.
I was assuming the record with the laminated sleeve came first.

 

Found a sealed Bookends "Best Seller Series Silver Nice Price" re-issue w/barcode the other day at the thrift, how's the sound on this puppy? If it's good i'll open her up an play/keep it, if not I'll sell it, thanks!

 

I have inherited two Simon and Garfunkel BOTW vinyl pressings.. One two eye and a 1972 pressing with Grammy hype stickers on shrink.. Both sound superb.. If you want to get an excellent pressing cheap then ignore the first hyped two eye and go for the 1972 Columbia,Columbia label..

 

Spindle holes are very easy to enlarge!

 

UK orange A14/B8 here. Sounds lovely to me but not got any other copies to compare