Favourite vinyl version/pressing of Abbey Road?

Discussion in 'Music Corner' started by Strat-Mangler, Jun 21, 2017.

  1. Cronverc

    Cronverc Forum Resident

    Location:
    Brooklyn,NY
    As far as I know Harry T. Moss (HTM) has been mastering Beatles and other records long before he started placing his initials on the dead wax. In other words - even if his initials missing it still could be mastered by him.
     
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  2. topekatj

    topekatj Forum Resident

    Location:
    NorCal, Bay Area
    Thank you, @Cronverc, I guess that I’m stubbornly attempting the confirm whether or not someone in the Hoffman universe has seen a copy of Abbey Road with -4 and HTM on Side 1. The version I purchased appears to be this one:

    The Beatles - Abbey Road

    I realize that Discogs is not definitive but this entry seems to suggest that a -4 HTM version exists. I have other ‘70’s and ‘80’s Beatles vinyl with HTM on each side (SPLHCB, LIB). I’m hoping to confirm that I have a copy of “the best 2nd best” pressing of AR. Thank for your patience!
     
  3. Funi

    Funi Forum Resident

    Location:
    Italy
    It seems that a "regular" version (black vinyl) of the original 1969 Japan AP-8815 was pressed:

    The Beatles - Abbey Road

    I own it, but I cannot say if it's different from the red/burgundy one.
     
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  4. I can confirm my -4/-3 also only has HTM etched into side 2.
     
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  5. marcb

    marcb Senior Member

    Location:
    DC area
    It shouldn’t. His initials would have been inscribed on the lacquer itself, so all -4’s would either have his initials or they wouldn’t. It is possible - and it does happen - to make additional inscriptions or imprints later on individual stampers, but that wasn’t really the M.O. of Harry Moss (or cutting engineers generally).

    I wouldn’t worry about the initials. It was likely cut by him and he simply didn’t initial that cut. If you really need to satisfy the urge, try find a pic of the master tape box for Abbey Road. You might be able to confirm he checked it out to cut that -4 lacquer.
     
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  6. TLMusic

    TLMusic Musician & record collector

    "HTM" '75 '76 '78 '81

    [​IMG]
     
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  7. Sax-son

    Sax-son Forum Resident

    Location:
    Three Rivers, CA
    I actually have (2) copies of this pressing and in my opinion, think it's the best. I bought the first copy new when Abbey Road was first released. For some reason, the record stores in the LA area stocked the UK version before the US version was pressed. The UK was all they had for a few weeks(I don't know the reason for that). The second copy I have I found at a swap meet. It didn't have a jacket and was exposed to the sunlight. I didn't think it would be worth a @#$%, but I paid the 50 cents for it anyway. Miraculously it plays pretty well. A few little pops here and there, but way better than I thought it would be. You just never know.
     
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  8. topekatj

    topekatj Forum Resident

    Location:
    NorCal, Bay Area
    You guys are awesome! Thanks for your insights!
     
  9. Adamski777

    Adamski777 Forum Resident

    Location:
    London, UK
    Assumptions are dangerous, but I would assume the black vinyl version must be very similar. Sadly I don't have the burgundy one anymore for checking the deadwax, but I'd be interested to know.
     
    Funi likes this.
  10. Funi

    Funi Forum Resident

    Location:
    Italy
    Thanks for your reply. I'd be interested too.
     
  11. Louis

    Louis Well-Known Member

    Location:
    Napa
    Hi, when was the HTM -4/-3 release? When I search it up I get a release from 1976. Is this the correct one?

    The Beatles - Abbey Road
     
  12. Yes that is the one. I believe there is also a German version that is the same pressing.
     
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  13. topekatj

    topekatj Forum Resident

    Location:
    NorCal, Bay Area
    This Discogs entry led me to inquire about the Side 2 HTM initially. But it seems no one has ever seen HTM etched on Side 2 (or HAVE they?)
     
  14. Ben Sinise

    Ben Sinise Forum Reticent

    Location:
    Sydney
    Don't believe everything you read at Discogs, it's awash with errors unfortunately.

    For the late 1976 -4/-3 pressing cut by Moss, he only signed Side 2, as others have already reported.
    For the 1978 green vinyl export pressing, he also only signed Side 2.
    For the late 1981 -6/-4 pressing, he only signed Side 1.
     
  15. topekatj

    topekatj Forum Resident

    Location:
    NorCal, Bay Area
    Correction, I meant to inquire “Has anyone seen HTM on Side A?”
     
  16. marcb

    marcb Senior Member

    Location:
    DC area
    You’ve already asked this question and it’s been answered.
     
  17. tjannace

    tjannace Well-Known Member

    Location:
    Long Island
  18. marcb

    marcb Senior Member

    Location:
    DC area
  19. tjannace

    tjannace Well-Known Member

    Location:
    Long Island
    is that bad? only $20. i think originals are way more in nm condition
     
  20. marcb

    marcb Senior Member

    Location:
    DC area
    It’s the Beatles. You can find pretty much any opinion you want about it if you look for it.

    IMO, it is what it is. Could be worse, but it’s nothing to write home about.
     
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  21. Cronverc

    Cronverc Forum Resident

    Location:
    Brooklyn,NY
    So forget the original, any UK 1970s reissue sounds good enough, much better than 2012 digitally sourced reissue. And they can be found for much less than original.
     
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  22. tjannace

    tjannace Well-Known Member

    Location:
    Long Island
    hmm really? good info

    I have a purple label let it be repress that sounds fantastic
     
  23. danielkov86

    danielkov86 Playing Devil's Avocado Since 1986

    Quick question: Would a Pathe Macroni UK export (using the -2/-1 master) sound better than a 70's UK pressing?
     
  24. marcb

    marcb Senior Member

    Location:
    DC area
    It’s the same thing simply pressed at a different plant. Any differences would be attributable to the eqpt there, the vinyl quality, etc.

    I don’t have any Pathe Marconi pressings so I can’t comment on the quality of pressings coming from there. But I’m sure a search would provide some info.

    And technically it’s not a UK export, but rather a UK import. UK export LPs were pressed in the UK for distribution elsewhere.
     
  25. ndoheny

    ndoheny Forum Resident

    Location:
    Sacramento, Ca
    I own a few Abbey's. More than I thought originally, I remember doing a deep dive on this subject on the forums years ago and snatching up a lot of different pressings. I own:

    UK -2/-1 (1969)
    UK -4/-2u (1978?)
    Australia - -2/-1 (1969)
    Japan - EAS (1976)
    Germany - 1-A/A-1 (1969)

    Now I don't own the Japanese Pro-Use or AP, the MFSL, or a UK HTM cut but I have heard all of them. Still for my collection my favorite by far is the 1978 -4/-2U. Side 2 in particular is amazing.
     
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