I want to start building my early Rolling Stones LP collection.

[EasyRiderNYC]

The best early Stones was recorded at Chess studios in Chicago and RCA studios in LA. The Stones preferred the US engineers. That's why early US LPs have a different "mojo." Still, I find the early UK DECCA LPs are less muddy. On pre-"Aftermath" Stones, go mono for the LPs. London or DECCA comes down to personal preference and pocketbook (DECCAs cost more).

Their first (s/t in UK or "England's Newest Hitmakers" in the US) is great on UK London or UK DECCA. Early US London's were pressed in the UK and imported, so they are identical sounding. The US LP opens with "Not Fade Away" followed by "Route 66" for an amazing one-two punch. "King Bee" on DECCA (or UK-made London) will blow your mind it is so clear and crunchy. "Boxed" or "un-boxed" does not affect sound quality for pre-BtB Stones too much. $200 or more for a first pressing vs. $30 for a later pressing is the calculus. Again, US or UK is personal preference.

To bottom line pre-Aftermath Stones, 1) go mono; 2) slight nod to DECCA; 3) great sound if boxed or unboxed. Note that there are track differences, making the U.S. version of "Out of Our Heads" w/ "Satisfaction" essential.

"Got Live if You Want it" should be avoided in ANY version.

"Aftermath" -
Early stereo unboxed DECCA w/ "ear" and "ffrr" is amazing and in wide S-T-E-R-E-O. Later DECCAs beat out any US pressings. If you want the DECCA mono, it will cost you. US monos can be had for cheap if you have to hear the mono mix. 1980 German re-issues can be had for cheap and are quite good (red label although mono w/ a small black triangle with a "33" in it). These German re-issues are crystal clear but lack a bit in bass compared to early DECCA pressings.

"Between the Buttons" (BtB) -
No need for mono. UK DECCA is better. A UK mono "1A" first pressing LP of BtB just sold for $276. This mono is costly due to its rarity. I totally dig my UK stereo. Again, DECCA all the way. German re-issue is real good, too.

"Satanic" -
TSMR is better on London. US monos go for huge dollars. I do not have one. The US stereo version of this is EZ to find and inexpensive. No need to spring for the UK stereo or mono.

"Beggars" -
DECCA unboxed stereo with "ear" and "ffrr" is tops. I have this first pressing DECCA in mono and stereo. The mono is a fold-down except for "Sympathy for the Devil." The mono is my most expensive LP, but I almost always listen to the stereo.

"Let it Bleed" -
You guessed it - DECCA unboxed stereo. Mono DECCA LPs of this are super expensive. I do not have one. If this is your favorite Stones LP, it is worth finding a UK DECCA early pressing. Amazing analog goodness. The 2002 ABKCO LP is digitally-sourced (hi-rez), but is darn close to the old DECCA, nudging out plentiful and cheap US London LPs (but not by much).

"Ya Yas" -
Plain ol' US London stereo.

"Sticky Fingers" -
Depending upon the shape of the LP, the early US pressing "COC 59100" as opposed to later "COC 39105" is great. Also great is the first Japanese pressing and first German pressing. My fave is the German, but I preferred the Japanese just last week. Next month, it will be the US again. Avoid the "COC 39...." versions.

"Exile" -
Early US pressings. COC 2-2900. UK is close, but not better.

"GHS" -
Still looking for a good one. Early US with "COC 59..." rather than "COC 39..." is the way to go.

"IORR" -
Again, early US. Some folks swear by the Japanese on this one and one day I will purchase it. I believe this has the COC 5...

"Black and Blue"
Early US pressing is AMAZING. UK also rocks. Again, COC 5.... on the US. First US pressings might even convert Steely Dan fans that the Stones are audiophile.

Hope this helps.

Ken

Thank you very much.

Now on with the search.

I picked up two copies of Goats Head Soup today and they both sound pretty bad.

 

[drtool]

Now onto the bootlegs, nasty songs/bed spring symphony. 2 of my most enjoyed.

 

[EasyRiderNYC]

What about Aftermath in Mono?

 

[Sam Cogley]

What about Aftermath in Mono?

It sounds good?

 

[AnalogDigit]

All of their earlier records sound better in mono. The stereo versions never sounded right with me.

 

[JonL]

I just picked up a later pressing of It's Only Rock 'N Roll. Barcode on the back. The recording is very bass heavy -- I actually checked to see if my loudness switch had somehow gotten switched on. Vocals are a little thin. Doesn't really matter though, there's so much great music on this disc that it transcends any of the SQ issues. I'll still keep my eyes open for an early pressing, though.

 

[EasyRiderNYC]

It sounds good?

No idea. Saw about 6 copies at the WFMU Record Fair Today. Ranging from mint to not, from $60 to $12.

 

[davidk5]

For US Stones on the cheap, any London in great condition is a real joy. Just make sure anything before "Aftermath" is mono.

For DECCA Stones, the 1980 German red label issues are generally a treat. However, anything pre-"Aftermath" with this series is fake stereo except the first (s/t). S/T is in mono.

Hey Ken ,
thanks for all this info , great stuff to know .... I have been looking for a decent Mono copy of "December's Children " just love that album , I have seen a lot of Red label london pressings how do i tell if it's an original or re-pressing & does it really matter ? i see them from $10 - $80 in Vg+ shape , i just want a good sounding copy on Vinyl , thanks !

 

[Rykerdude]

I would stick with everything from "Exile On Main Street" and back.

 

[Sam Cogley]

No idea. Saw about 6 copies at the WFMU Record Fair Today. Ranging from mint to not, from $60 to $12.

I paid $10 for my first pressing. It's not mint, but it sounds pretty good when the receiver is switched to mono.

 

[KeninDC]

Hey Ken ,
thanks for all this info , great stuff to know .... I have been looking for a decent Mono copy of "December's Children " just love that album , I have seen a lot of Red label london pressings how do i tell if it's an original or re-pressing & does it really matter ? i see them from $10 - $80 in Vg+ shape , i just want a good sounding copy on Vinyl , thanks !

US labels:

http://www.beatzenith.com/the_rolling_stones/rslplabels.htm

DECCA labels:

http://www.stonesvikings.com/Decca initial page/DECCA Initial page.htm

Also - the US mono "Aftermath" is a fold down. The UK is a dedicated mono mix.

Ken

 

[davidk5]

US labels:

http://www.beatzenith.com/the_rolling_stones/rslplabels.htm

DECCA labels:

http://www.stonesvikings.com/Decca initial page/DECCA Initial page.htm

Also - the US mono "Aftermath" is a fold down. The UK is a dedicated mono mix.

Ken

Sweet , thanks so much ken , very helpfull in building up my stones collection :thmbsp: