Index
v.1.63
It is well known that in Germany that different Beatles pressings had some considerable difference in sound over the years. Some album versions are renowned for sounding exceptionally fine and are of international acclaim, while others sound rather mediocre. The reason being that the different cuts (i.e. the physical result of cutting the record on a lacquer or a copper disc), used different generations of master tapes, had different EQ settings etc.
The purpose of this list is to help, for instance:
- if you are looking for a good-sounding German pressing but cannot go by cover and catalog number, because several different cuts were using them
- if a certain pressing is considered acoustically splendid, but is expensive. Sometimes the same cut was reused in a more affordable later reissue.
Actually, the term “cut” technically refers to one side of a record, so a normal 2-sided LP consists contains 2 side cuts (and a double-LP of 4, etc.). Here, we view albums as singular entities, so that a cut in this list is a combination of all side cuts of an album. In Germany (as opposed to UK), it was actually rare that various side cuts were combined in different combinations during a single pressing – though it did occur.
A cut is not equal to a pressing. One and the same cut could be repressed several time over the years, especially with the albums from the late 60s, metal parts of which were sometimes reused until end-70s. While different pressings usually can be distinguished by slight changes in label design, new cuts were performed less often, and can usually only be identified by the physical appearance of the disc itself, and especially the runout matrix number.
One and the same cut can be reused across several reissues, having different catalog numbers. On the other hand, two different cuts can be released under the same catalogue number. Matrix numbers are sometimes also of no help, as one and the same cut can (rarely) appear under different matrix numbers. Such alternatives are pointed out.
The list is also limited to the analog masters era, meaning that issues from digital sources from 1989 on are not included. The list is limiting itself to the major body of Beatles’ LP work (so no singles or EPs) Also not included are compilation albums, purely German compilations (like The Beatles Beat) or German pressings of US albums (an exception was made for Magical Mystery Tour and Hey Jude though). We also excluded foreign contract pressings like the ones made by Pathé Marconi, EMI Bovena etc.
Discogs was the main source for this research, and thus the list is prone to errors (as far as accuracy of matrix numbers and release years are concerned). An attempt was made to compare different listings in order to reduce possible errors and compare them to real records, but it cannot be guaranteed that the numbers are exactly correct (especially when spacing of matrix numbers is concerned). An attempt was made to verify this info by comparing it to the own collection as well as to submissions from other contributors. Also we left out variations in mothers or stampers which can be seen by having additional etched numbers, X etc, as they still basically represent the same cuts.
As for the dating of the cuts, this is another issue. Discogs is very unprecise as far as dating releases is concerned, so actual dates can be off by several years. Where the release year is in question, dates are specified as such. However, even exact years should be taken with a pinch of salt and serve only for general orientation.
Cuts generally considered as being of special audiophile interest are marked as [Grail]. Cuts that were done with the help of the Direct Metal Mastering (DMM) process (which was in use at Electrola from 1983 on), are marked either as “Unmarked DMM” or “DMM“.
Acknowledgments:
- Pianoman99, Muzyck, BejittoSSJ5, Plattenmeister74, armin, Mlle. Aurora – for photos of matrices I didn’t have there
- RogerE, David75, Stan94, djwkyoto, john lennonist – for inspirational chats & constructive criticism
- Steve Hoffman – for hosting his forum
- Holger Schoeler & Thorsten Schmidt: The Beatles Mixes – for multiple occasions on precise dating
Hi Peter, I enjoyed your website so much. Very interesting and very well structred information you put together in here. if discogs came from catalogue numbers as a release entity, you came from the matrix numbers and that is the shortcut to truth. Catalogue number of each pressing though is a fingerprint for identifying a year the record was produced. Label details like fonts, copiright captions, colors etc.. would barely stay the same from pressing to pressing. As for the sound quality in general yes what really matters is a matrix number. Although a quality of vinyl material itself sometimes can add an extra crackling sound or a background noise. Keep up the good work Peter! ; )
Always No. 1 information source for German Beatles pressings. Very Helpful. Thank you so much!