The Rolling Stones - Sticky Fingers


Can someone recommend the best version of this on vinyl?  Looking for sound quality, mix, not collectability.  I've seen a remastered version 180 g on Amazon, Japanese pressings etc on Discogs.  Thanks!

Russell
russellp
A lot of people like an original Artisan press But condition can be problematic. I have a EMI 100 version that came out in 1997 that I think is quite good and it plays well. 
German pressings from early 1980s or so.

Definitely avoid Italian ones of that same age.
My take on the Better Records white hot stampers...

Please just go and read their method statement and methodology for selecting and finding said white hot/red hot stampers.
Then read it again, digest, toss it around in your noodle for a while.

Then apply equal parts logic, economics and common sense.

Hopefully you come to the right conclusion.
I usually recommend the Steve Hoffman Music Forum for discussions about the sound quality of different pressings. 


roberjerman- And anybody would be nuts to buy a copy from "better-records.com" for $300!

Uh, hello??! The OP asked specifically about sound quality. When the goal is sound quality you simply cannot do better than better-records.com its not even close.

Granted this is the Stones. They had a certain shall we say standard. One big Stones fan loaned me a whole bunch trying to win me over. One of them made my killer system sound exactly like we were inside a Ford F-150, 1973 I would say, listening to the 6x9 in the dash. Exactly like that. So no possible way the master tape somehow magically sounds good. It is what it is.

That said, if what you want is what was on that master tape you simply cannot get closer than with a White Hot Stamper. And I’m sorry you’re so triggered you can’t see that. No actually I’m sorry you feel the need to come post your unfounded based on nothing insults. You think I LIKE having to pay hundreds of dollars just to get good sound? I do not. Not at all.

I simply refuse to hide behind ignorance. I put a good deal of time and money into making a system that is freaking insane good sounding. A system that beautifully conveys whatever is on the record. So why would I want to feed it crap records? Look, if that’s your thing you should be happy. Crap records are everywhere. Crap records are cheap. Rejoice in your crap records! Just when someone comes along wanting something better, spare us your uninformed insults. Please. Okay?


Just get what’s now impossible- a clean domestic period press.

It’s the Stones.....you’re not supposed to be obsessed with audio hifi nonsense.

Finding BOTH the zip cover AND LP in good condition for a reasonable cost is an accomplishment, if it’s a British press....double gold stars!

Late edit:

According to discogs, I have a first batch press
  • Matrix / Runout (A Side label): ST RS-712189RI
  • Matrix / Runout (B Side label): ST RS-712190RI

I pulled out my  copy to blast "Cant you hear..." One of my favorite intro licks I've been perfecting as a hack guitar wanker for 40 years.

It sure sounds convincing. The crunchy Keef riff(or whoever actually did it), and solid Bill Wyman bass line are close enough to audio geek requirements.The sax solo is sounds like a sax solo. Micks vocals and backup aren't audiophoole perfect, but it's a R&R recording, not a ridiculous test record for your cartidge!

My copy is great with the exception of Brown Sugar, which skips every few seconds practically till the end.
The rest of the album is amazingly in good condition and quiet.
And not the Mobile Fidelity LP. Unbelievably low in level. Is that super uncompressed? Whatever. The sound otherwise is great though.
Get an early British or German pressing! Avoid any of today's pressings sourced from digital files. Ugh!

Avoid all Japanese pressings! They are mastered with tipped-up high frequencies. The typical Asian listener calls this "detail"! This goes along with their love of horn speakers!
Not a LP but I have a  SHM SACD that to me has the best sound quality I have heard.

ozzy