UK 5th Pressing (1st cut, 1973)
PCS 3062
Discogs | TheBeatles-Collection
Matrix:
Side A: YEX 142-1
Side B: YEX 143-1
This is the very same cut that was first released in 1964, and it stayed around for quite a long time, at least until 1973. My copy is in fact from that very year, near the end of the 5th pressing run.
So, how does it sound? Even among purists and mono aficionados who tend to demonize any stereo Beatles mix prior to 1969, the consensus about Beatles for Sale is, this is the one Beatles record where the stereo pressing trumps its mono counterpart.
The stereo mix is very pleasant indeed. Often, the rhythm section is placed in the left channel, the vocals are in the middle (sometimes with some stereo separation, like the harmonizing on “Lady’s In Black”), and the highlights are in the right channel: electric guitar licks, solos, tambourine etc. This way, the stereo separation works very pleasantly, widening the panorama just at certain highlight moments (solos, refrains and such). “No Reply” is a great example, where, during “I saw the light”, the piano, bass drum and cymbals suddenly come in from the right, extending the stage.
Overall: The overall sound range is excellent, with the basses having nice substance (the timpani on “Every Little Thing”!), whereas the trebles are also detailed (tambourines on “Honey Don’t”). The vocals are harmonically embedded into the acoustic stage, though where it’s necessary, they have the necessary power (“Kansas City”). The instruments, while having great detail, are in harmony, never feeling detached from each other. All in all, this is an excellent mixing and mastering job, and a very pleasant listening experience, being both smooth and intricate at the same time.
And the good thing, this first tube cut can still be obtained at an affordable price, as it stayed in production at least until 1973.