This is the original numbered release from USA NOT a contemporary repress (and you can tell by the very rough condition of the cover!)
Oh my wordie yes, it has been played quite a few times and not well cared for so I have gone into forensic detail with each track!
The Beatles - White Album
Apple Records
Cat# SWBO-101
1968
USA numbered release
Gatefold record cover is in very POOR condition, practically a "write off" with taped seams, considerable dampness/graphic damage (not there is much by way of graphics!) to the rear of the cover in particular - a bit grubby too! I am supplying the cover for the sake of authenticity (numbered cover) and nothing more. The 2x vinyl will be supplied in nice new clean plastic sleeves and a couple of white paper sleeves too, it is the white album after all!
New inner plastic sleeves (inside the white paper sleeves)
This is an album that can fetch big (meaning stupid) money if in top condition i.e more than A$500!!! Obviously this copy is not in top condition but I felt it was important to detail VERY CAREFULLY the condition of each record and how each track sounds ...
SIDE 1
Visual inspection shows quite a few very light ~ light scratches AND what's worse, something that looks like pink nail polish right on the run-in area edge!
Record label this side has no writing
Individual Track listing and comments:
Back In The USSR - NO issues with that hardened polish or whatever it is, the styli doesn't even notice it and the complete track plays without issues (Phew!)
Dear Prudence - no issues at all
Glass Onion - no issues at all
Obladi Oblada - no issues at all
Wild Honey Pie - no issues at all
Bungalow Bill - no issues at all
While My Guitar Gently Weeps - no issues at all
Happiness Is A Warm Gun - no issues at all
No issues means that the surface noise is not a problem and there are not excessive click/pop events
SIDE 2
Visual inspection shows quite a few very light ~ light scratches
Record label this side has no writing
Individual Track listing and comments:
Martha My Dear - no issues at all
I'm So Tired - slightly elevated surface noise but only slightly and no other issues at all
Blackbird - the elevated surface noise remains but is not a significant issue and otherwise no issues at all
Piggies - the elevated surface noise remains but is not a significant issue and otherwise no issues at all (but a very strange song!)
Rocky Racoon - the elevated surface noise remains but slowly reduces after a minute or so and is not a significant issue and otherwise no issues at all
Don't Pass Me By - no issues at all
Why Don't We Do It In The Road - no issues at all
I Will - no issues at all
Julia - a very gentle, quiet song so the surface noise becomes more apparent but still does not "crowd out" the vocals, no other issues at all
No issues means that the surface noise is not a problem and there are not excessive click/pop events
SIDE 3
Visual inspection shows quite a few very light ~ light scratches
Record label this side has some previous owner writing near the spindle hole
Individual Track listing and comments:
Birthday - (very short mistrack right at the guitar intro) but the remaining track has no issues
Yer Blues - no issues at all
Mother Nature's Son - this is a low level track so you can notice the underlying surface noise slightly more than the other tracks
Everybody's Got Something To Hide Except Me And My Monkey - no issues at all
Sexy Sadie - no issues at all
Helter Skelter - no issues at all
Long Long Long - no issues at all
No issues means that the surface noise is not a problem and there are not excessive click/pop events
SIDE 4
Visual inspection shows quite a few very light ~ light scratches
Record label has no writing
Individual Track listing and comments:
Revolution No.1 - no issues at all
Honey Pie - no issues at all
Savoy Truffle - some low level click/pops at times but nothing too intrusive
Cry Baby Cry - again some low level click/pops, particularly in the first minute or so but then she quietens down!
Revolution No. 9 - still some low level clicks/pops, particularly as the audio from John is fairly low level as well "number 9 number 9 number 9" (very psychedelica)
Good Night - some very low level click/pop events at the beginning but gradually these decrease throughout the duration of the track
No issues means that the surface noise is not a problem and there are not excessive click/pop events
2x new outer protective sleeves are provided, one for the vinyl records with sleeves and the other for the rather sad cover.
SUMMARY:
To be frank I wasn't expecting a great sound but as is often the case with this older vinyl, it is "tougher" than modern plastics and even though I can clearly see these very light to light scratches on all four sides, there isn't a really big issue with any track - take a trip with the Beatles, this album is very different to the often played "pop pulp", very trippy at times.
