The Beatles – Abbey Road

The Beatles - Abbey Road album cover

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Label:

Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab – MFSL 1-023, Capitol Records – MFSL 1-023

Series:

Original Master Recording

Format:

Vinyl, LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo

Country:

US

Released:

Genre:

Rock

Style:

Pop Rock

Tracklist

A1Come Together
Written-By – Lennon-McCartney
4:16
A2Something
Written-By – George Harrison
2:59
A3Maxwell's Silver Hammer
Written-By – Lennon-McCartney
3:24
A4Oh! Darling
Written-By – Lennon-McCartney
3:28
A5Octopus's Garden
Written-By – Richard Starkey
2:49
A6I Want You (She's So Heavy)
Written-By – Lennon-McCartney
7:49
B1Here Comes The Sun
Written-By – George Harrison
3:04
B2Because
Written-By – Lennon-McCartney
2:45
B3You Never Give Me Your Money
Written-By – Lennon-McCartney
3:57
B4Sun King
Written-By – Lennon-McCartney
2:31
B5Mean Mr. Mustard
Written-By – Lennon-McCartney
1:06
B6Polythene Pam
Written-By – Lennon-McCartney
1:13
B7She Came In Through The Bathroom Window
Written-By – Lennon-McCartney
1:58
B8Golden Slumbers
Written-By – Lennon-McCartney
1:31
B9Carry That Weight
Written-By – Lennon-McCartney
1:37
B10The End
Written-By – Lennon-McCartney
2:04
B11Her Majesty
Written-By – Lennon-McCartney
0:23

Companies, etc.

  • Copyright © – Capitol Records, Inc.
  • Mastered At – JVC Cutting Center
  • Pressed By – Victor Company Of Japan, Ltd.
  • Manufactured By – Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab
  • Distributed By – Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab
  • Licensed From – Capitol Records, Inc.
  • Record Company – Mobile Fidelity Productions, Inc

Credits

  • Engineer [Thanks to, Uncredited] – Geoff Emerick, Phillip McDonald*
  • Lacquer Cut By [Runout Etch] – SR*
  • Photography By [Photographs By] – Iain MacMillan
  • Producer – George Martin
  • Remastered By [Half-Speed Mastering By] – Stan Ricker

Notes

Mobile Fidelity's first Beatles release.
Yellow banner at the top cover "Original Master Recording"
White label with Capitol "C" logo.

Early pressings came with a posterboard fold-out insert protecting the LP. On one side is a description of Mo-Fi's background called "An Audiophile's Dream Come True!" and the other side "Superdiscs Supertapes Superstars Super Quality"

Later inserts had a photo of historical-looking figures holding up Mo-Fi LPs stating "Limited Editions From the Original Masters"

Some later copies have a posterboard 4 page b&w foldout insert: front cover reads "Original Master Recordings" at top with an image of a man's back looking at the cover of the Beatles' White Album Original Master Recording. Page 2 has "What Is An Original Master Recording?". Page 3 has a catalog of LPs and cassettes. Back cover has UHQR and Geo-Disc information.

Most copies came with a warranty card and mail-in form.

The LP itself is translucent (hold it up to a bright light and you can see through it) and it comes in a paper-line rice paper sleeve.

Pressed in Japan.
Recorded in England.
© 1979

Runouts: Entire string is stamped, with the exception hand-etching of "SR/2" and the # in the following part of the string: "MFSL-1-023 - $#" (where $ is an letter that is also stamped).

Barcode and Other Identifiers

  • Rights Society: BMI
  • Matrix / Runout (Label A): MFSL 1-023 A
  • Matrix / Runout (Label B): MFSL 1-023 B
  • Matrix / Runout (Variant 1: runout side A ): MFSL1-023 - A5 SR/2 151 ⋮⋮⋮ ⁜
  • Matrix / Runout (Variant 1: runout side B): MFSL1-023 - B1 SR/2 111 ⁜
  • Matrix / Runout (Variant 2: runout side A): MFSL1-023 - A5 151 ⋮⋮⋮ ⁜
  • Matrix / Runout (Variant 2: runout side B): MFSL-1-023 - B3 131 ⁜ SR/2
  • Matrix / Runout (Variant 3: runout side A): MFSL1-023 - A6 161 ⋮⋮⋮ ⁜
  • Matrix / Runout (Variant 3: runout side B): MFSL1-023 - B6 161 ⋮⋮⋮ ⁜
  • Matrix / Runout (Variant 4: runout side A): MFSL1-023 - A12 SR/2 1 1 2 1 ⋮⋮⋮ ⁜
  • Matrix / Runout (Variant 4: runout side B): MFSL-1-023 - B5 SR/2 1 5 1 ⋮⋮⋮
  • Matrix / Runout (Variant 5: runout side A): MFSL1-023 - A3 SR/2 1 3 1 ⋮⋮⋮
  • Matrix / Runout (Variant 5: runout side B): MFSL1-023 - B5 SR/2 1 5 1 ⁜
  • Matrix / Runout (Variant 6: runout side A): MFSL1-023 - A11 SR/2 1 1 1 1 ⁜
  • Matrix / Runout (Variant 6: runout side B): MFSL1-023 - B2 SR/2 1 2 1 ⋮⋮⋮
  • Matrix / Runout (Variant 7: runout side A): MFSL1-023 - A5 SR/2 1 5 1 ⋮⋮⋮ ⁜
  • Matrix / Runout (Variant 7: runout side B): MFSL1-023 - B7 SR/2 1 7 1 ⁜
  • Matrix / Runout (Variant 8: runout side A): MFSL1-023 - A9 SR/2 1 9 1 ⋮⋮⋮ ⁜
  • Matrix / Runout (Variant 8: runout side B): MFSL1-023 - B8 SR/2 1 8 1 ⋮⋮⋮ ⁜
  • Matrix / Runout (Variant 9: runout side A): MFSL1-023 - A12 SR/2 1 1 2 1 ⋮⋮⋮
  • Matrix / Runout (Variant 9: runout side B): MFSL1-023 - B6 SR/2 161 ⋮⋮⋮
  • Matrix / Runout (Variant 10: runout side A): MFSL-1-023 - A10 SR/2 1 1 0 1 ⋮⋮⋮ ⁜
  • Matrix / Runout (Variant 10: runout side B): MFSL-1-023 - B2 SR/2 1 2 1 ⁜
  • Matrix / Runout (Variant 11: runout side A): MFSL1-023 - A5 SR/2 1 5 1 ⋮⋮⋮ ⁜ V
  • Matrix / Runout (Variant 11: runout Side B): MFSL-1-023 - B3 131 ⁜ SR/2
  • Matrix / Runout (Variant 12: runout side A): MFSL1-023 - A5 SR/2 1 5 1 ⋮⋮⋮ ⁜ 3
  • Matrix / Runout (Variant 12: runout Side B): MFSL1-023 - B8 SR/2 1 8 1 ⋮⋮⋮ ⁜

Other Versions (5 of 1045)

View All
Title (Format)LabelCat#CountryYear
Recently Edited
Abbey Road (LP, Album)Apple Records, Apple Records3C 062-04243, PMCQ 31520Italy1969
Recently Edited
Abbey Road (LP, Album, 2nd Release)Apple Records1 C 062-04 243Germany1969
Recently Edited
Abbey Road (LP, Album, Repress)Apple Records, Apple Records2 C 062-04243, 2C 062-04243France1969
Recently Edited
Abbey Road (LP, Album)Apple Records, Apple RecordsPCSM.7088, PCSM 7088New Zealand1969
Recently Edited
Abbey Road (LP, Album, Dark Green Apple Label)Apple RecordsPCS 7088India1969

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Reviews

  • webtv72's avatar
    webtv72
    Edited one month ago
    I will add my 2 cents regarding the sound of this pressing. Yes the bass is strong almost borderline overpowering midrange (but not boomy), the separation & sound stage is always the strong point of MFSL, the biggest difference, to me, is the the vocal part: it mixed at slight lower volume with top end rolled off, resulting a smooth, darker (meaty?), recessed and laid back presentation. To hear the same vocal volume as other pressing I need to raise the volume higher and letting drums and other instruments pounding harder than what I use to hear on other pressing. So is it that bad? Not really, if you have tight and clean bass control, you will have a nice open and punchy copy with smooth vocal. For this album, my other copy is the late 70's purple Capital. That copy has decidedly more 3D open sounding and breathy vocal, but compromised with noticeable sibilance and spity voice, therefore this MFSL offers nice alternative and worth having in my collection.
    (my system: Pro-ject RPM10/ZYX R1000 Airy 3/PS Audio Stellar Phono stage/Musical Fidelity A3 cr pre-power amp/B&W 805s, Nordost TYR 1/Analysis Plus Silver Apex cabling)
    • basslinesofallkinds's avatar
      basslinesofallkinds
      Edited one month ago
      I love this pressing! As someone who loves the Beatles’ music, but has never loved their sound, this remaster is how I’ve always wished they sounded: deeper bass, smoother midrange and more sparkling highs. Huge amounts of highly separates details live in a very well-located, 3D soundstage. As with most MoFi pressings of this era, it is impeccably pressed and practically silent. If your system is also noise-free, it’s no problem cranking it a bit! No, it doesn’t sound like the original, but damn does it sound good!!
      • beatles45rpm's avatar
        beatles45rpm
        Edited 11 months ago
        Such a contentious pressing but I find that although the bass is strong it is never muddy or boomy, and along with the fact that it's such a good recording anyway this MFSL pressing really stands out. Very smooth overall with lovely highs, a great soundstage and plenty of punch when turned up, all analogue too. I feel that the MFSL 'smiley EQ' really works here but it probably does depend on your system.
        Rega P6 with Ania Pro MC cartridge; Rega Aria phono stage; NAD 165BEE preamp & NAD 275BEE poweramp; Bose 901 Series IV speakers.
        • pointasch's avatar
          pointasch
          Just found it today for a decent price, yes it is bass heavy, but as I have a good sub, my system can take it. Beside the heavy bass it sounds very good, I like that but my OG is better balanced and Abbey Road always has enough bass.
          • lihei13's avatar
            lihei13
            Bought this back in 1983. Still sounds fresh today as then.
            • UAF93BIO's avatar
              UAF93BIO
              Got this for $125 in a local record shop. Love it even with the smiley face EQ.
              • Audiophile4Autism's avatar
                Audiophile4Autism
                UK 1st is phenomenal. This is great. Toshiba Pro-Use was taken from my collection before I listened :(
                • SiLic0ne.t0aD's avatar
                  SiLic0ne.t0aD
                  Sounds good, but not as good as my UK -1/-2 pressing. A fun listen nevertheless and probably worth picking up, if you find one cheap.
                  “¯\_(ツ)_/¯“
                  • Felixnotacat's avatar
                    Felixnotacat
                    Absolutely fantastic! Flat, dead quiet and sounds just amazing. I love it!
                    • JackdawTrading's avatar
                      JackdawTrading
                      Edited 2 months ago
                      Hold this up to a light its translucent !

                      I have this and also a copy of the new Giles Martin mix

                      The Giles Martin mix is super affordable and sounds amazing, not saying that this record doesn’t sound good but Giles Martin’s mix sounds way better and it’s cheaper. It's much warmer, louder too.
                      This sounds really good and gives that 70’s “audiophile” feel, really quiet which is good and everything is clear.

                      But the giles martin mix is better and so much more affordable, I got it for like $17

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