Watch AnalogPlanet Editor Michael Fremer Open ABKCO's "The Rolling Stones in Mono" Box Set!

The new ABKCO "The Rolling Stones in Mono" box set arrived today. I could not contain my genuine excitement so i dropped what I was doing, opened it on camera and posted it to YouTube. A full review will follow as soon as possible.

Don't expect much in the way of insight!

COMMENTS
AnalogJ's picture

If they had really wanted to do this with authenticity, they would have used time/sun-faded white rather than bright white for covers. And hand-scribed Angela Wayne's name on the back of Out Of Our Heads.

audiof001's picture

The covers wren't time-faded when first released... ? I guess they should have also sold each album for under $3.00.

Roy Martin's picture

-I'm really embarrassed at how much I enjoyed that video. However you need to up your "business casual" game.
-You want Bill Wyman bass? Try the single of "I Wanna Be Your Man" (flip side "Stoned") played on the Camp Leonard Leonore Wurlitzer juke box in the rec room.
-If "Fellator's Blues was included, which album would it be on?
-Does "Under Assistant West Coast Promo Man" have the long fade out with the naughty lyric: "Sure do earn my pay, break my ass everyday?"
-What's with the "Satanic Majesties" hate? Did you ever hear "2,000 Light Years From Home" on weed?
-I have the "Performance" album with Bob Bechtold's name written on the back in magic marker. Does he know Angela Wayne? They have a lot in common.
-"Last Time" vs "Satisfaction." Who ya got?

All the best as usual

-Roy Edelsack-

Michael Fremer's picture
Loved your comment! Will sort it all out when I listen. Yes "2000 Light Year's From Home" is killer when a system has BASS
Moodeez1's picture

...would anyone be interested in hearing mono versions of (many of these) LP's originally recorded in true stereo? Now, if they were to have discovered that the early Stones albums were actually recorded in stereo and were now being made available for the first time, THAT would be a revelation! $600+ for, yet another, box of so-called audiophile reissues? As Paul Simon so accurately put it 50 years ago, "I've been Rolling Stoned and Beatled 'til I'm blind!"

J. Carter's picture

What early Rolling Stones album was recorded in TRUE stereo? For that matter is there any Rolling Stones album that is recorded in true stereo? Most are recorded on multitrack and then mixed to be stereo but aren't recorded with two mics or a stereo mic to capture the true stereo ambience of the room that would classify it as a true stereo recording. Almost all of these albums except for maybe the last couple were originally mixed in mono and the stereo was done as an afterthought just like most albums before say 1967 were.

Moodeez1's picture

Well, Mr. Carter (I assume you're a Mr. because the chances of a female following the madness of audiophilia are extremely remote!), you seem to have nailed me on a technicality. I consider anything mixed to stereo without the fake eq-ing of "electronically re-recorded....." to be true stereo. Therefore, anything from "Aftermath" on, I regard as non-fake stereo Stones. Maybe there was a stereo mix prior to that LP but, not being a completist nor a fanatic of the group, I couldn't tell you the title(s). All I can say is, after hearing "Let It Bleed" in stereo (true or otherwise) I can't imagine it sounding superior in mono. And learning that this box is made from 14 year old digital files really rankles me. It's as if the packaging is all they really have to offer in the way of new and improved. Thanks for your technical clarification, however.

J. Carter's picture

Maybe you should keep an open mind instead of making assumptions. You know what happens when you assume right?

Most of the albums in this box were originally mixed in mono first so there is a good possibility that they will sound better.

Martin's picture

Chess stuff from 1964 all stereo. No mono mixes.
All mono are fold downs from the stereo.

J. Carter's picture

And how much of this box contains those Chess recordings?

Mazzy's picture

The LP box is actually around $360 or less. Nowhere near $600.

Rudy's picture

No makeup? No hair?? Dude, I'm otta here!

(Seriously though, looking forward to the full review.)

jtalaker1's picture

Can't wait to listen to. Also, can't wait to see them in the concert in the desert, l receive my tickets today

Snorker's picture

You think the packaging is as good as The Beatles in Mono? And of course, I am anxious to read your reviews of the sound quality.

Wimbo's picture

Do you use a humidifier? and is this your listening room or work room?

Michael Fremer's picture
Work and listen room...have Sharp air plasma generator air cleaner...no humidity issue
StonedBeatles1's picture

A Pleasure To View..

conjotter's picture

Enjoyed the video of what appears to be a first-class release.

Really looking forward to your review of how the records sound and the pressing quality before I decide to buy.

Could you use the Beatles Mono box as a comparison in your upcoming review?

The box retails for $617 where I live.

Thanks.

Celtic Bob's picture

Fantastic video, as always. Looking forward to hearing your comments on the actual records soon. I really want this set but the $600+ pricetag is preventing a purchase at the moment. May have to wait and gradually pick them up individually next year. I have been hearing that LIB and BB are not true mono and just fold downs so your review will be most welcomed.
Cheers
b.

Mazzy's picture

Do you guys lie in Europe or Canada? Where is this costing $600? In the US Amazon has it for $389 and I actually preordered for $311 from Music Direct awhile back when they had their 20% off sale.

Mazzy's picture

typo: Live NOT Lie

Celtic Bob's picture

Canada

Mazzy's picture

Yeah I keep hearing about excessive record prices in Canada and Europe. Still don't get what that's about. $240 pus more IS excessive.

touwell's picture

Can't wait, I ordered a copy. They were all pressed in the EU by CZ. There are many points to discuss, like the short 'tell me', that appeared by mistake on the first UK album, the so called 'shadow cover ' of the UK After-math....and as pointed out before: Bleed and Banquet are on real mono albums,but mixed back from stereo-take to mono. The sleeves look OK, but are not really replicas. Furthermore I believe that , with this project, records should have come in protective inner sleeves. This release deserves it. ABKCO promises a great audio quality with these records , who are mastered at Abbey Rd from DSD digital masters !! So it depends a lot on Bob Ludwig and Sam Magee how these final masters wil sound on vinyl and CD...

Luke's picture

Why aren't the DECCA logos on the appropriate sleeves and labels? Was it a licensing issue? Seems a shame.

Luke's picture

Mind you, I just noticed it's plastered all over a lot the 7" Singles that come with the first 1000 copies so not sure what's with that!

J. Carter's picture

I know its nitpicking but you would think for what they are charging for the box set they would at least include a hardcover book with it instead of paperback lik ethe Bowie and Beatles sets.

I hope it sounds at least close to the originals because I am a sucker and wil buy it.

LondonCalling's picture

Michael, I seem to recall reading among the comments added to one of the reviews on this site that the music the Stones recorded in Chicago at Chess was all recorded in stereo (I've searched but can't find the review, I think your response to the comment was "very interesting info" or soemthing like that). I know they recorded at Chess a few times around 1965, did they record any more sessions there after that? I'm wondering how much of this box set was actually recorded in stereo?

Dpoggenburg's picture

Satanic is XTC's Andy Partridge's favorite Stones lp. And with good reason.
Paul McCartney describes the Pepper concept of the fabs inhabiting a new identity to free themselves from their legacy.
I would propose Pepper never got past the concept stage, whereas the Stones LITERALLY fabricated an alter ego band.
Every song on Satanic is great; they're just not necessarily great "Rolling Stones" songs.
Pretend you're listening to one of the rarest Lost/Psych/Gem/Masterpiece and I GUARANTEE you will fall in love with this record. Plus it is great SOUNDING.
And yes, it does sound better when you're high.

Jeffrey Lee's picture

Why would Andy Partridge's opinion matter to anyone in the least?

Mile High Music's picture

Thanks so much for your first peak and your thoughts. Very helpful and enjoyable. At the glance the 'book' looks lightweight, more of a big, glossy flip book than a definitive tome (?) Too bad the jackets are also not flip backs too. That said I enjoy these albums and look forward to your review of the vinyl. Of course, any and all comparison(s) you have time to make with any earlier UK and/or USA releases are much appreciated MIkey. Enjoy!

(PS I'm seeing the lads at Desert Trip and if permitted here someone I know has to sell their floor ticket at a loss - thanks- http://www.ebay.com/itm/DESERT-TRIP-WEEKEND-1-BELOW-COST-ONE-FLOOR-TICKE...? )

.

Overboard's picture

In the early 1980's, in the long-defunct magazine "Modern Recording and Music", Chess Studios engineer Ron Malo said that all of his sessions with The Rolling Stones were mixed only in stereo, but that somebody re-copied them into mono, so that all releases (up to that point) were mono or simulated stereo.

LondonCalling's picture

Thanks Overboard, that was the reference I recalled but couldn't find when searching the site.
I still haven't ordered this box yet, it may have to wait until I get paid at the end of the month. It has been an expensive month what with the Bowie box ordered and the second batch of Floyd albums!

Martin's picture

Or, looking under the packaging.

There is a really good thread going on at the Steve Hoffman forums on this release
http://forums.stevehoffman.tv/threads/rolling-stones-in-mono-2016-conten...

The fanatics - and I actually mean this in a relatively positive sense - are full on at it and in their element.

It looks like most of this box set are the 2002 DSD transfers, either in the mono or folded down to mono in the digital domain. So the digi transfers are mostly 14 years old. Plus a whole lot of the "MONO", well, ain't.

An excerpt from one of the posts.
I just went back and checked all of the Chess tracks on 12 X 5; all are fold-downs of the 2002 stereo transfers except Confessin'. I also checked a few songs on Let It Bleed and cleaned a few things up. There's a bit of info from Flowers, but I still want to compare more there.

The Rolling Stones
- Route 66 - Different digital transfer from 2002.
- Little By Little - Different digital transfer from 2002, brighter.
- Tell Me - Different digital transfer from 2002, faded in mastering at 3:47.

12 X 5
- Around And Around - Same digital transfer as 2002 (fold-down; 2002 was stereo), slight level/EQ difference.
- Confessin' The Blues - Different digital transfer from 2002, probably taken from a mono dub since the intro has a noticeable tape drag on the 2002 (yet the tape drag on Around And Around was apparently unnoticed).
- Empty Heart - Same digital transfer as 2002 (fold-down; 2002 was stereo), slight level/EQ difference.
- Good Times, Bad Times - Same digital transfer as 2002, which was a stereo transfer. Fade not "helped" in mastering like on the 2002.
- It's All Over Now - Same digital transfer as 2002 (fold-down; 2002 was stereo), slight level/EQ difference.
- 2120 - Same digital transfer as 2002, full 3:37 version (fold-down; 2002 was stereo), slight level/EQ difference.
- If You Need Me - Same digital transfer as 2002 (fold-down; 2002 was stereo), slight level/EQ difference.
- Susie Q - Same digital transfer as 2002.

No. 2
- Everybody Needs Somebody To Love - Same digital transfer as 2002 (More Hot Rocks), dull/rolled off compared to 2002.
- Time Is On My Side - Same digital transfer as 2002 (Hot Rocks) (fold-down; 2002 was stereo).
- I Can't Be Satisfied - Same digital transfer as 2002 (More Hot Rocks) (fold-down; 2002 was stereo).

Now!
- Everybody Needs Somebody To Love - Same digital transfer as 2002, brighter.
- Heart of Stone - Same digital transfer as 2002. Possibly 2 digital remixes from same 3-track transfer? Vocal is lower in mono than folded stereo. Either that or CSG-esque phase manipulation was used to lower the level of the vocal. Matches 2002 Singles Collection.
- What A Shame - Different digital transfer from 2002.
- Down The Road Apiece - Different digital transfer from 2002, brighter.
- Little Red Rooster - Different digital transfer from 2002.

Out of Our Heads [US]
- Mercy Mercy - Same digital transfer as 2002.
- Good Times - Same digital transfer as 2002.
- Satisfaction - Same digital transfer as 2002.

Out of Our Heads [UK]
- She Said Yeah - Same digital transfer as 2002, same chewed up intro.
- Talkin' About You - Same digital transfer as 2002, same chewed up intro.
- Under Assistant - Same digital transfer as 2002.
- I'm Free - Same digital transfer as 2002.

December's Children
- You Better Move On - Same digital transfer as 2002.
- Look What You've Done - Same digital transfer as 2002 (fold-down; 2002 was stereo).
- Get Off Of My Cloud - Same digital transfer as 2002.
- Blue Turns To Grey - Same digital transfer as 2002, same chewed up intro.

Aftermath [UK]
- Mother's Little Helper - Different digital transfer from 2002 (Singles Collection).
- Stupid Girl - Same digital transfer as 2002 (Singles Collection). Nearly identical except slight level shift.
- Lady Jane - Same digital transfer as 2002 (Singles Collection). Slight NR in intro (as on 2002). Nearly identical except slight level shift.
- I Am Waiting - Compared to a well known needledrop, slightly more midrange. Fade is 3 1/2 seconds shorter.
- Think - Compared to a well known needledrop, slightly more midrange, slightly less high end. Fade is 6 seconds shorter.

Aftermath [US]
- Paint It Black - Same digital transfer as 2002 (Singles Collection). Nearly identical except slight level shift, at least for first half of song. Second half has some odd drift. Faded in mastering at 3:22.
- Under My Thumb - Nearly identical to the corresponding UK version.
- I Am Waiting - Nearly identical to the corresponding UK version, except the fade is full-length.
- Think - Nearly identical to the corresponding UK version, except the fade is almost full-length (it's still a hair longer on the aforementioned needledrop).

The ones that seem worthwhile, to me at least, are mono versions of Aftermath and Between the Buttons. Oh, and Satanic Majesties Request, if you're someone who actually likes that record. These have dedicated mono mixes.

Both Beggars Banquet and Let it Bleed are fold-downs of the stereo. Except for the mono Sympathy mix, that's dedicated.

Quite frankly, the mono box sets from Dylan and the Beatles were superb in every way, all analog, all the way and sound great. This box set is just, well, weird. And looks like some major cynicism and a cashing in (or up) where possible. Most of it looks pretty pointless.
The Dylan and Beatles mono box sets, both for me rate a 10. Or an 11 overall, they are great. This Stones set, maybe a 4 or 5 given the very good '64 - 71 set a couple of years ago.
Another wasted opportunity.

Will the Stones ever see a proper all analog reissue set?

Moodeez1's picture

Thanks Marttin. This is very interesting info which clearly points to another money grab taking place at the expense of people with more dollars than sense. You could take that same $600 and buy at least a half dozen copies of the Stones early Decca/London titles in original mono, pure analog and in very good condition. And to my previous post, why buy mono copies of LP's originally recorded in true stereo?

J. Carter's picture

Some people are never satisfied unless there is absolute perfection. Most of the DSD remasters were great and there would be no need to change something that is already great. For the couple of "issues" that are on this set it is very likely these are there because these are the best available sources and will still be 99% great. You have to expect some issues with this many masters that are this old.

I for one am excited to hear more about this set and am most likely going to get it since finding any of these albums in mono that will sound better than this will cost much more money.

Moodeez1's picture

....for an all-analog mastered set?

J. Carter's picture

Depends on the condition of the tapes. You can't assume they are in as good of condition as The Beatles ones were. They are over 45 years old.

Moodeez1's picture

....are also over 45 years old so why should we assume the Stones masters can't be in as good a shape? My point being that, if the people who put together this Stones mono box really wanted to do it right, they would have remastered the entire project in the analog domain. I feel this is all about packaging, not actually targeting the audiophile market at all.

J. Carter's picture

That you can't assume that the tapes are in as good of shape as the Beatles ones are. Many of the tapes from that generation aren't.

You can't make any assumptions as to conditions and reasons for doing what they did. Just because you feel that may be the best option it may not have been the case for these reissues.

They could have just been trying to save money too, who knows. It could just very well be that they felt that these were the best sounding options available to them for a number of possible reasons. We may never know.

Also if these were taken from DSD masters these will have the ability of being incredibly close to the sound quality of an analog master. Only people with systems at the level of Mr. Fremer would probably be able to notice a difference

Martin's picture

it ain't worth it.
This box costs around 400$
For the albums adding anything, you can find decent original Deccas. Plus they sound more authentic - to me - than any of the digital derived stuff I've heard.

J. Carter's picture

Good Luck finding any of these albums in great condition for less than $40 let alone the $23 they cost in this set not to mention the Stray Cats compilation of singles that would cost much more than the $23 price tag to round up all of those. If you have them great but I don't so this is a bargain in comparison.

Also, so you have heard these reissues to be able to surmise that they don't sound as good as the originals? I don't doubt that it is probable but unless you have actually been able to compare I would leave that opinion out of this.

Martin's picture

Nope, I won't be getting this set......

And I have a BIG Stones collection.... Including the LPs for both the original 2002 transfers and the box set from a couple of years ago. Which do sound great, I will agree. It's only when you do back to backs with original Deccas do you really hear the missing "something" in the DSD transfers.

swimming1's picture

Ah the story of Little Red Riding Hood never ends!

Concertkid's picture

I'm dying to pull the trigger on this, but am scared to do it for this much money without hearing your take!

pkf2's picture

When is the review of the stones mono box to be published. Have been waiting to read your review before I buy. The stones catalog has been mistreated sonically so badly.

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