Index
v.0.01
This database is to log different UK cuts of Beatles records.
The term “cut” technically refers to the lacquer cut of one side of a record, so a normal 2-sided LP consists of 2 cuts (a double-LP of 4, etc.). As opposed to the German database, we will regard cuts of each one of the sides of an album separately. The reason is, while in Germany, usually both sides got cut and pressed at approximately the same time, in UK, changeovers happened more gradually, so that there was some overlapping. Therefore, each album entry contains information on two cuts (or four on double albums).
A cut is not equal to a pressing. One and the same lacquer cut could be repressed several time over the years. While different pressings, the way e.g. TheBeatles-Collection regards them, usually can be distinguished by slight changes in label design, new cuts can only be identified by the physical appearance of the disc itself, especially by its runout matrix.
The list is 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 (an exception was made for Magical Mystery Tour and Hey Jude though). Foreign contract pressings like the ones made by Pathé Marconi, are excluded, as well. However, later AAA reissues like the 2014 Mono box will be included as well.
The main source for this research are, in fact, the EMI tape boxes, which often contain info on when the master tapes were checked out, for instance, to cut a new lacquer. Other sources are Discogs, TheBeatles-Collection (TBC) and the Stevehoffman forum. Nevertheless, this list is prone to errors (as far as accuracy of matrix numbers and release years are concerned, especially for early albums). Also, variations in mothers or stampers are not considered here (there was, in fact, a system at EMI UK to document these, which is explained elsewhere).
As for the dating of the cuts, this is another issue. Discogs is very unprecise as far as dating is concerned, so actual dates can be off by several years. Where the release year is in question, it will be marked as such. Where we could obtain exact info, for example from the tape boxes, we of course are using it.