Unboxing The Beatles 1964 Mono Box Set - Houston, we have a problem!

[@matthurn]

Picked up my copy from 1-2-3-4 Go! in Oakland, CA today, and I must say, it sounds great. I haven’t noticed any of the “dirt” Mike mentioned. Like many others, my parents were huge Beatles fans, and I bought this box as a companion to the original Capitol pressings I inherited from them. Those records are well-loved and hold so many memories, and scratches . Listening to this set feels like stepping back in time to hear the albums as my parents did all those years ago-warts and all. That said, big fan of The In Groove and Mike, and appreciate his candid reviews. Thank you.

[@matt6587]

Does it have the Dexter-added reverb echo that the original U.S. copies have?

[@loughrey101]

@@matt6587they have attempted to be faithful to the Original Dexter versions as that was what American fans in 64 heard. It's attempting to be a faithful recreation of how Americans heard the Beatles for the first time but enhanced so that you hear aspects of the recording that wasn't possible then. Historical accuracy takes precendence over removing Dexter's mix. They could have simply worked on the original British tapes but that would be historically accurate in the US context

[@matt6587]

@@loughrey101 Cool, thank you for the information! Yeah, it makes sense they would want to make something unique and to align it with the specifics of the original U.S. pressings.

[@shave-a-thon3415]

I still have my 1964 mono copy of The Beatles Story. It's not in the best of condition considering I was a grade schooler playing it on an old tube RCA Victrola record player that smelled of machine oil with a tone arm needle that looked like a sewing needle! It's amazing to think that in the span of 10 months starting in the 2nd week of Feb. 1964, I (or rather my parents on my behalf with me in tow) purchased "Meet The Beatles", "The Beatles 2nd Album", "Introducing the Beatles" on Veejay, "The Beatles Story", A Hard "Day's Night", "Something New, Something New", and "Beatles '65". That's 7 albums in 1 year from the same group PLUS all the singles released on Tollie, Swan, Veejay, Capitol and Atco! It wasn't until the end of the next year with "Rubber Soul" did I finally buy a Beatles LP in stereo and have a stereo record player.

[@dimebagdave77]

To read that for me was a lot of fun✌️🤘

[@sjbang5764]

I remember those days fondly

[@loughrey101]

Strange because in the UK and Ireland, record stores have an abundance of the box set and they're not sold out on the official Beatles store either. Amazon still seems to be taking orders everywhere too. I have yet to see them be marked as sold out anywhere. So don't understand why your orders were cut

[@JosephMcGonagle-ie4sr]

I have every Beatles album unopened since their original release. Always bought two copies. One for playing, one as a keeper.

[@HAL933]

Was it really sealed in early 60s ? Not sure but tell us !

[@JosephMcGonagle-ie4sr]

@ All with original seal as purchased in store.

[@Astro-bs4wv]

I remember most of the 2014 UK monos had lots of surface scuffs and hairlines out of the shrink as well. Most of mine visually grade VG but sound just fine.

[@user-zx1ir7jt4c]

I actually grabbed a still sealed copy of the 2004 Beatles on Capitol CD set and I must say that I really enjoy it. I enjoy the nuance of the Capitol stuff. It's different... and the Cds sound good.

[@mjanovec]

That’s a great box set, still worth owning today. Volume 2 is excellent too!

[@hovz-zo8lf]

Definition of "Million dollar move, ten cent finish"

[@cmealha]

I'm really interested to know what they sound like.

[@gregoryfeo6837]

I dont see how $130 extra for "Beatles Story" and the cardboard box? Yea, that's a punch in the face sir!

[@rcpsammy7186]

Exactly. Total bullshit. The other albums alone are less than $30 each.

[@Rockstaralan]

@@rcpsammy7186 Yep, another sad example of a major label shooting themselves in the foot with the exact same gun. Every. Stinking. Time.

[@LPS-R-US]

Mike, thanks for the info. Have a great THANKSGIVING.

[@alanabentrod3963]

I was amazed one KZbin person said in a few weeks there will be piles of copies and they will be discounted to $200

[@Gizzy411]

What a high price tag. It better sound like gold

[@drssexy2142]

yeah right

[@bjrnsjohnsen1278]

It never will sound gold due to the old mixes... shit in, shit out, no matter how hard they polishes it.

[@Gizzy411]

@ it’s true. Sometimes I wonder if John Lennon had lived five or 10 more years if they would’ve gone back into the studio and re-recorded their old hits in stereo with high-quality equipment and better mastering What if

[@jeffsimon9594]

@@Gizzy411 Yeah The Shadows did just that (in the late '80s) but I think it was due to losing ownership of the original recordings

[@mazzysmusic]

Oh Michael, you're such a tease 🙂

[@vinylrichie007]

How about an official release of the Decca tapes or the Rooftop Concert. Not interested in common albums that I already have. Well except for the Beatles Story. I don’t have that and I don’t want it.

[@poetsdreamsatc]

Mike the box set is still showing up as a preorder on the US Beatles site for anyone who needs to know.

[@scottgoehlert6052]

It's sold out on Collector's Choice Music

[@rmclain73]

Just ordered from Amazon

[@vincenzonapoles4371]

Direct to board jackets at that price. What a joke. Might as well be pressed at GZ

[@thomascars1]

GZ is a better plant than MPO is, not by much but the Revolver box was way better in quality compared to any MPO pressings. It’s like they looked for the worst pressing plants in existence. I get it, costs are probably cheaper, but there was absolutely nothing wrong with Optimal at all, they’re the gold standard

[@alanabentrod3963]

Just checked Amazon still taking orders.

[@edc.3761]

Amazon must have gotten Mike's allocation.

[@joecaramello4310]

I just placed an order with Amazon. It's scheduled for delivery Saturday.

[@SeanMorbo]

@@joecaramello4310Same here.

[@loughrey101]

My record stores here in Ireland have an absolute abundance of them so don't understand why he's getting it hard to secure them

[@user-zx1ir7jt4c]

These are available in various places for 300 bucks. Not too hard to find right now...

[@josephfigliolia3225]

Will buy only three: “2nd Album,” “AHDN,” and “Something New.” Would love an updated copy of “The Beatles Story,” too.

[@EddieJazzFan]

I can't imagine the multitude of people who worked on this project, yet they couldn't even make enough for the pre-orders? Just beyond ridiculous.

[@alanabentrod3963]

@@EddieJazzFan it was amazing all the KZbin audiophiles condemned this box set declaring they weren’t buying it and why would anyone? Might have made Apple cut production numbers.

[@fclefjefff4041]

99% of "audiophiles" (KZbin or otherwise) are obnoxious blowhards 😆

[@mr.george7687]

I'll be waiting for the UK version !

[@slowpawstevet3676]

the highly regarded UK version has been and gone, still available but £1000+ per set 😞

[@ladytron4220]

Essential review!!!

[@blachubear]

I didn't care about The Beatles Story record so I bought the rest of the albums separate. The box set I was waiting for is "Rubber Soul". If I was working with Capitol/Apple Records I would include the Giles Martin mix, the original George Martin mix, the Dave Dexter mono & stereo mix(2 record set), the blu-ray audio mix, a documentary(dvd/blu-ray/4K) and a book for The Rubber Soul box.

[@rmclain73]

Amazon seems to still have this in stock as well as Beatles official store. Get em while they’re hot! As a side note, I’m only mentioning this as this item is hard to get. I always have and always will support the independent and local record store.

[@loughrey101]

Plenty available everywhere so I don't understand why his orders were cut

[@rmclain73]

@@loughrey101 Other independent stores are reporting the shortage as well. I wonder if they help back from them to ship to the big box stores?

[@frankvaliulis877]

Thank you for the unboxing video. Were these cut on true mono cutting head?

[@alanabentrod3963]

They look so much better than originals. Dexter Jr didn’t do much to the mono albums just the stereo.

[@monaural2.988]

Man, not to knock this package, gotta love the fabs. But I wish we could get some of the original 1950’s Rock ‘n Roll albums by everyone from Buddy Holly and Jack Scott to some of the blues greats like Lightnin’ Hopkins and Freddie King. How many times are these going to be reissued?

[@mjanovec]

This is the first time that the mono US Capitol Beatles albums have been pressed on vinyl since 1968. (The stereo Capitol titles remained in print on vinyl until 1988.) That’s a long time between pressings!

[@DanEssayer]

The Beatles Store ran out of Red and Blue Album box sets at one point early on, but they came back into stock shortly thereafter. I wonder if this will be the case with this release, too. The box set price tag makes a little more sense when one considers that the individual albums on The Beatles UK website are going for $41.99 each. Still confusing, but a bit less so perhaps.

[@Jonny_C73]

Kevin Reeves is the guy who did the recent Jellyfish reissues. Read into that what you will…

[@trackingangle929]

He's done some really really poor work. Somehow these are pretty good.

[@FirePhoenixAudio]

​@@trackingangle929Was it his choice or the suits in charge?

[@rufus_the_cat]

Mike you look really healthy like you been working out hope all is well. Also…. Ship my pre-orders 😂😂😂

[@BeatleRick84]

Everyone has to get this. It’s going to go out of print like The Beatles Mono Vinyl Box from 2014. Thanks for showing! Can’t wait to get mine soon 😊

[@krwd]

those marks on the vinyl started in the pressing plant

[@false_binary]

I am guessing they are limited in number b/c they are not projected to sell well?

[@BeatlesOasisFan]

Mike, I see you're not accustomed to "consumer-grade" records. Even with a polyline sleeve, they're mostly dirty, like always. I never play a record without cleaning it - be it new reissue, or old pressing. The British mono set was on tip-on jackets.

[@mikealexander7126]

These are still available via Amazon, the Beatles store and Acoustic Sounds. What’s up with your allocation?

[@TheInGroove]

They’re not on AS. My recommendation would be The Beatles store. Who knows if Amazon ever ships all their orders.

[@jimmiescoffee]

@@TheInGrooveI agree. Amazon likely will not ship all of the preorders they have. It happens all the time.

[@JimMorrisonslizard]

Mine arrives today from Amazon.

[@markh.9822]

I think Universal took notes from all those Revolver and Let It Be box sets that just sat and sat and now they are eating money on them

[@bjrnsjohnsen1278]

You are probably right, they are everywhere, and can barely be given away. There must a ton of those.

[@NitroGummyBear]

11:00 very interesting. Production seems like a 7.7/10 at best

[@SonicPVC]

These could be a nice upgrade to my old beater Scranton 3's

[@Slappyhappychappy]

There are still pre orders up on the Beatles shop website. Is it possible they cut numbers to store owners to force sales on their website? Or maybe the demand is actually so poor so they couldn’t fill the pre orders? Don’t know enough about the business it just seems weird but they (I.e Apple) like to screw things up so who knows Good luck everyone

[@sjakovics]

The limit is 4 per person. I can't imagine they are too limited?

[@TheInGroove]

They may have kept a large chunk of it for direct sales.

[@tonyzitto7730]

What kind of watch is that Mike? Looks great!

[@matt6587]

what does it sound like? we await with baited breath... !

[@derekbock1177]

What do you mean when you say the order was cut 97%? Like if you ordered 100 they only sent you 3?

[@TheInGroove]

Bingo.

[@tubinonyou]

​@@TheInGrooveSo, if you ordered 200, they only gave you 6? And, if you ordered 400, they only gave you 12? Let's say, you ordered 500, would that mean they only sent you 15? I'm just trying to understand here.

[@Lamus13]

@@tubinonyou😂

[@DANVIIL]

I saw the Beatles live in 1964 at Atlantic City Convention Center when I was 13. The Democrats were nominating LBJ for President at the same time in Atlantic City. I loved the concert but no way I would buy the box set. I might not even buy the single albums because I'm not a mono fan.

[@thomascars1]

I’m insanely disappointed that the jackets are not tip on. That was my whole reason why I was buying the box. They did it for Magical Mystery Tour in the Beatles in Mono box, why cant they do it here? Now I’m really low on even wanting this box, why waste my time on a box that doesn’t even replicate? Might as well save my $300 and buy 2 of these titles

[@mazzysmusic]

There will be plenty of folks wanting the copy you pass on.

[@mjanovec]

These albums were never advertised as having tip on jackets. Given that the individual LPs are priced at $29.99, it was all but given that they would have standard jackets.

[@mazzysmusic]

@ they are not tip on but they are not standard either.

[@mjanovec]

@@mazzysmusic What I’m saying is that at that price point, the safe assumption is that you’ll probably get a standard jacket unless it’s advertised differently. The fact these are a little nicer than standard should be seen as a bonus.

[@fclefjefff4041]

"insanely disappointed" is a little dramatic 😄

[@chaffsalvo]

I still have my Beatles Story from the 70's, so don't need the box :D, assuming I want these Monos

[@analoguecity3454]

Wow, bummer, but at least the individual's will be a available!😮😢😊

[@mr.milehi9883]

That interview disc has been discarded by the record labels themselves for about 50 years now. It's sad this is the best thing they could offer you as an exclusive in the box set besides the book I guess all they forgot to give you is a screwdriver and a screw to screw yourself with.

[@LPS-R-US]

You must have a connection..lol....I'm still waiting. Hope to review this anticipated box set(if I actually get one) ASAP on my channel.

[@mjanovec]

He owns a record store. Records often arrive a couple of days before release date, so they have them available for sale first thing on release day when the store opens.

[@LPS-R-US]

@mjanovec I know. Only kidding.

[@yousellouts]

Both this and the TrackingAngle vid have 15k views right now.

[@sjbang5764]

Amazon has this set on sale for $299.98, scheduled for release Nov. 22. If this is so rare, maybe Amazon is selling a bootleg. Is that possible? Or maybe I'm reading it wrong, and it's not this box set. Check it out. I had all of these, including The Beatles Story back in 1964. I was a mere child.

[@ImthePaulshouldnotbeallowedtod]

I think Dave Dexter used a Canadian Capitol single for a couple of songs. Capitol Canada out she loves you in German language and the English version singles

[@87forte]

How do these differ from the 2014 mono remasters?

[@LPS-R-US]

@@87forte these are the U.S. versions released by Capitol. The 2014 mono sets contain the original Beatles albums as released in the U.k.

[@vinylrichie007]

Manufactured rarity.

[@Jamko1970]

You can buy the box sets everywhere.

[@NitroGummyBear]

I’m flooding comments I feel, but I love the way you handle records. So smooth.

[@festersuncle6298]

Thank goodness it's limited, because I don't care.

[@Rockmyer]

Dork

[@JustFortheRecord66]

Not having tip on style jackets for what these box sets cost, is BS!

[@bargemover4270]

This is as good as it gets. Because today's music is not as talented, creative, and self wrote and played by the groups. We now like movies reissue the old greats in different configurations for the 100th time. Nothing new the 90s grunge scene were the last of the greats. Maybe I'm the odd one but, what's wrong with wanting to see new great talent. Not the 30 different ways I can buy a album set or the same album.

[@automatedelectronics6062]

This is not really a 1964 U.S. albums set. The VJ albums are missing. As far as "The Beatles Story" album is concerned, it came with the "U.S. Albums" CD box of 2014. Universal evidently learned a lesson which was very costly in the past. When "The Beatles In Mono" LP boxed set came out, it languished for years on shelves collecting dust. They were discounted heavily to clear shelves. Now, those who felt they missed out on something are pushing prices to astronomical heights. The mono CD box is still available for very reasonable prices.

[@mazzysmusic]

It's a Capitol 1964 set which Vee Jay wasn't a part of ....

[@automatedelectronics6062]

@@mazzysmusic Right. But the title of the box set is "The U.S. Albums In Mono". The box shows nothing about Capitol albums only. Most of the Vee Jay albums were released in 1963 but they also had atleast one album released in 1964. All the tracks released on Vee Jay albums ultimately made it to Capitol, but, if it was a Capitol-only box, it should have been labeled "The U.S. Capitol Albums In Mono".

[@ralex3697]

Just bought it for the packaging, I probably wont play it.

[@djchancla2451]

You don't give anythong a fair rating unless its jazz

[@TheInGroove]

How about all the Rhino Hi-Fi titles I praise?

[@al-fred520]

Or the non jazz titles in the 100 in print all analog titles…

[@roscoejones4515]

Oddly, $300.00 is more than I paid for the full-on mono set.And at the time I thought that was a chunk of dough.

[@freightdawg6762]

Amazon has them for $299

[@user-zx1ir7jt4c]

Probably not "dirt" but more like paper/pulp particles😂

[@FrankieLovesElvis]

I love The Beatles, but I think I’ll pass on this. I really wish they would do an Elvis Mono box, but just heard Sony wants to do his 1950’s catalog in DES!!! 😮

[@JeffryHeise]

I still have my stereo "Beatles Story" with Apple labels, so I will hold on to that and skip this.

[@paulwaters753]

Can't wait to get this boxset

[@niallq8447]

We need rubber soul please.

[@michaeledwards7668]

The talking heads, Beatles and Gwen Stefani...which one don't belong..hmmm

[@NitroGummyBear]

I have seen way worse poly-lined sleeved records by ten fold. What’s the point if production doesn’t care :c

[@ChadMichael-e1v]

idk why you wouldn't just buy the original first pressings.

[@wingobingo]

Happy listening Americans 😂

[@krwd]

seems to me that this was a half hearted attempt, they did not press enough, the QC is suspect. makes me wonder if they care anymore

[@CBT5777]

Why would anyone buy this? Buy an original press or a early reissue. This is an old band; deserves to be heard on an old record.

[@davecummo8743]

Something very fishy here. Unlimited availability in Nova Scotia. Stockpiling to sell at ridiculous prices later on down the road is my guess. Mr. First press is conning us again.

[@NitroGummyBear]

I imagine you ordered like 15-50 and they gave you like 3-5 box copy’s. I feel for you Beatle fans. As big as they are, all I have to say is “What the f* are you all doing?”

[@robertbyington7715]

Sorry what the world doesn’t need is another Reissue of the Beatles or Grateful Dead

[@roscoejones4515]

How about 'Dark Side Of The Moon'?🤔

[@quinnmarshall8653]

I dont ever need to see another Beatles reissue.

[@ababab28]

Gimme an all analog UK stereo box and I'm set forever. Got the BC-13 of course... but the 2014 mono was so well done, if they'd do a similar deal with the stereo it would be well worth it IMO. Of course they will NEVER do this.

[@williamlathim4467]

This stuff never ends...selling and buying rarity, not music...give me an original pressing...oops, check that...I already own them all.

[@itsvladzino3246]

Streaming rules

[@markstevens1729]

I REALLY don't get this as anything other than a Capitol cash grab (with Apple's blessing..) as the US releases were Frankenstein's monsters, hacked together to get the most mileage out of the Beatles output, considering the US had screwed the pooch on the Beatles until early '64. I'm Canadian and really had no choice but to grow up on "Twist and Shout" and "Something NEW" LP's but now that I know the way the Beatles intended for their songs to be packaged together, I can't abide any other curation. Not that Capitol's butchery could be considered curation.

[@robertpannullo5687]

What a joke. I’ve been a Beatles fan forever .. saw them on Ed Sullivan.. don’t worry u don’t need this , Beatles 65 probably the only one worth while .. find UK pressings

[@martinfenton1275]

I’d go for Something New. Dedicated mono mixes for the USA.

[@marksironi3324]

MPO > GZ Media...

[@brentpietrok4758]

MPO, haha. Glad I cancelled this set off Amazon.

[@gringoloco4]

What a cash grab … you have to be a special kind of short busser to get that

[@LeeJosephreverberationsmedia]

Fold down from stereo tapes…

[@jimcollier7869]

I've seen that Beatles Story album around for years. I don't think that's anything special.

[@shackjr]

I played the beginning of this video at half speed--it's the only way to understand what the hell he's saying?

[@SPAZZOID100]

Mono suxxx.

[@TullFreak]

Before you you tell everybody who may be watching that if they pre-ordered this box set from anywhere that they're not going to get it, you had better be damn sure that you know what you are talking about. Otherwise to do so is to be grossly irresponsible.

[@TheInGroove]

I never said they wouldn’t get it. I said they may not get it.

[@TullFreak]

@@TheInGroove In so many words you implied that, based on what you got at your store, that 97% of pre-orders everywhere were "probably" going to get blanked. It is still up for pre-order everywhere I checked, including The Beatles Store U.S.

[@mjanovec]

@@TullFreak So Mike is not allowed to tell his own customers that he’s unable to fill most of the box sets that were pre-ordered through him? Get real.

[@mazzysmusic]

He literally said that his order was shorted and many of his customers won’t get their pre orders. Not his fault

[@TullFreak]

@@mjanovec HIs own customers, yes. Everybody else who pre-ordered it elsewhere? No!

[@hemantishwaran5741]

I hate box sets. They take up so much room and cumbersome to use.

[@poetsdreamsatc]

I agree

[@mazzysmusic]

Take the records out of the box. Google if you need instructions ✌🏼

[@robm.4619]

boxsets are for the Goober Patrol.

[@EliteXclutchX21]

I like to use the box sets as dividers when storing

[@mazzysmusic]

@ very articulate

[@Mark-j5h2b]

Fremer beat you to it, lol.

[@TheInGroove]

Huh?

[@derosa1989]

@@TheInGroove he means that Fremer also just dropped a video on the box

[@juliosanchez95]

@@TheInGroove Are the jackets sturdy or kinda flimsy? Thick cardboard?

[@TheInGroove]

Thin cardboard.

[@robm.4619]

Fremer is GOD.

[@hypatiastanhope4716]

☕😳

[@papabear1417]

Another Beatles cash cow. Someone must be down to their last $100 million.

[@bobburroughs6241]

Shame for America, they just got these mash ups, not the real thing.

[@silknoben5984]

If you want the real thing buy the originals. This is just an out of greed "hyped" up item.

[@Stuck_in_the_70s]

It doesn’t seem to be the same case in the UK I had an email yesterday to say my pre-order box set is on the way (from Chalky’s Records) and it’s only slightly cheaper to buy the individual albums - around £20 difference from what I can see.

[@TheInGroove]

From what I’m hearing I don’t think it was allocated in Europe.

[@jayhpaq]

A completely pointless cash grab. The Capital albums suck. Unfortunately it will be some time before the remainder of the Beatles catalog gets the Giles Martin treatment, which has included the mono mixes where applicable. Astute Beatles fans will have to wait for this to be completed.

[@invisibleray6987]

You lost the girl but won the BEATLES IN MONO CAPITOL 😂

[@rocksinger45]

Buyer Beware ~ George Martin and the Beatles hated what Capital Records did with the mix and tune placement of their music in the US market ~ To me, it sounds like a big waste of money or just another milking of the Beatle's Cash Cow ~