Hi, Can anyone please recommend a decent sounding copy of Rubber Soul LP (Stereo) that is not the original pressing (way out of my budget) ? Also i just do not trust modern digital vinyl reissues. Are the German or Spanish Odeon pressings from the 1970s decent? What abouta 1980s UK pressing? My budget is around 30 euros . I recently picked up a mint copy German 1970s pressing of Magical Mystery Tour and it blew me away sound wise. Thanks in advance.
Rubber Soul is a very "funny" album in terms of sound because parts of it are pretty high ended...the wrong pressing-such as the EAS Japanese pressing from the 70's-can cause sibilance headaches (Michelle downright distorts). If you're looking for an original mix version, I'd try to find a reasonably priced MFSL pressing from the 80's (and I know that's not easy). The 80's Capitol rainbow pressings are quite good but here you'd get the American version as opposed to the U.K. I respect your dissent for digital versions but I have to tell you, the 2012 stereo pressing (from the EU) sounds great. It's not the original 60's mix but I actually find this to be a good thing for the most part. While i can live without the added reverb on Nowhere Man, the rest of the album sounds smoother and more rounded than the original mix versions. And I agree, the German MMT does sound phenomenal...especially if your ears were at one time used to the Capitol album with the fake stereo on three of the side 2 tracks.
I like the EU 2012 too if you dint want to search and pay $$$. Good price. Maybe the one Beatles album where the US betters the U.K. trackwisee even though it’s not the artist’s intention. Grab a nice US Capitol too.
The UK pressings up until 1987 will all be fine and have the original stereo mix. Before I found an original stereo pressing I had a mid 70s one and absolutely loved it. It still had the laminated sleeve too.
That would probably be fine. Or you could go with the one EMI box version which still used the 1965 cut: The Beatles - Rubber Soul
I’d grab a 2014 mono LP because if you continue to wait, it might go out of print similarly to what’s happening with Sgt. Pepper’s.
I love Rubber Soul. My favorite Beatles album, but in my opinion, there isn’t a satisfying sounding version of this album in stereo. Both stereo mixes leave a lot to be desired. I’d go with the 2014 mono.
2014 mono LP. I know you are looking for stereo, but you might as well grab the very best at the most reasonable price, IMO. Typically, they can be had for around 20 bucks (Amazon, etc...)..which is a miracle for new, sealed vinyl these days. I wish you good luck in your search!
UK 2 box if you want the original mix. Ive read the purple label wally capitals w british track listing (‘87?) are nice but may be from digital? Someone here can fill in the blanks. Edit: am i thinking of purple or rainbow? Anyone have thoughts on the ‘95 press?
Those '87's are digital...and so is the '95. They're both of the '87 George Martin remix. I don't think they really sound much different from one another but overall, they sound pretty good. But that might also be attributed to the remix...the other digital vinyl versions-especially those from the earlier days-sound somewhat shrilly. With The Beatles in particular is awful.
Obvious answer - late '70s/early '80s UK 2 box. Around $20. This place, I swear...the guy says he doesn't want digital, mono or pay a lot. So he gets digital, mono and expensive (1 box) suggestions more than anything else.
Because we all love to recommend the very best! And the 2014 mono LPs are cut direct from the original tapes.
Ya prefer the martin mix mostly because i grew up w/ the cd and was always curious of how it sounds on vinyl, if at all different. And my 2box is pretty sibilant. Was the martin remix done all digitally or did he remix the analog but bounced to digital for mastering?
I have a copy of the original '65 Capitol US stereo pressing, which still sounds pretty good...better than the mid-70s Apple reissue.
I get your point, but not everyone likes their Beatles in mono. I understand this, because I'm one of those people.
It's one of the best contributions of a discussion board to question the premise, especially when it's flawed.
I'm sorry...sometimes I am stereo-sensitive concerning The Beatles. I only truly enjoy Abbey Road and Let It Be in stereo. But I do seem to remember my older brothers' Capitol stereo Rubber Soul (pressed in 1965) sounding decent to my young ears in the 70s.
Any UK 2-EMI box pressing from the 1970s will do fine. Credits on the rim should start from: EMI RECORDS LTD... It costs today about $20-25. $30 will be already too much IMO.
For the US version, the best pressing is the purple Capital label pressing from late 70s-80s. That’s my favorite version and Beatles album.
