1979 Australian Reissue
PCSO-7088
Matrix:
Side A: YEX 749-3
Side B: YEX 749-2
Banded
The second Australian pressing I actually got when I was hunting for a cheap alternative for a -2/-1 matrix. Alas, the version I bought was mislisted on Discogs, and therefore I got a 2nd Australian pressing (that happened not before 10 years after the first). Nevertheless, I found it very nice-sounding, so I was interested how it plays against the -2/-1.
In direct comparison, I was quite baffled.
In comparison to -2/-1, the Australian actually… sounds really exciting! The basses go slightly lower, the cymbals are a tiny bit more brilliant, without damaging the integrity of the mix. The middles are also very nice and pronounced. Good examples: “Come Together” and “Something” which sound both punchy and clear, while retaining good detailed middle range.
Though “Abbey Road” is a tricky beast. On “Here Comes the Sun”, the Aussie version, while still being more bassy than the -2/-1, it loses out some power in the middles, the singing sounds a little more muted. The -2/-1 is more consistent in its overall quality.