The Smiley Smile Message Board

Carried over from the insignificant questions thread:

So, this is an obscure question for the knowledgeable collectors out there...

I received that sealed Pet Sounds I had mentioned earlier as a gift and I've been inspecting it to make sure it's actually what it's claimed to be. While looking over it and comparing it to the open, original press of Pet Sounds I own, I noticed there's a small number on the bottom back right. On my open version, there's a "3", and on my sealed version, there's a "6". Other than that, they both seem to be the same in every other regard.

Does anyone know what these numbers represent? What numbers do you have and on what versions?

(Pictures forthcoming)

Sealed original:

(http://s27.postimg.org/s15yhlp2r/photo_1.jpg)


Open original:

(http://s18.postimg.org/8ga9dfgd5/photo_2.jpg)


The "limited edition" reissue:

(http://s16.postimg.org/lmz6zzbol/photo_3.jpg)

 thought this was going to be some kind of weird Beach Boys/Who mashup.  ;D  :lol

IIRC this has something to do with where it was pressed. Don't hold me to it, but I think I heard that when I was searching for a butcher cover.

My copy is the same as picture 2 which has the 3.

Other identifiers are:
Matrix / Runout (Side 1): T-1-2458-F-17
Matrix / Runout (Side 2): T-2-2458-F-17

The catalogue number on the inner label is T-2458, Cnumber on the sleeve is T 2458 (no dash)

: which according to Discogs and some stuff I just ripped off from the Hoffman board means the lacquer wasn't cut in LA.   Discogs say the LA Matrix / Runout (Side A/B): T-1-2458-G-30 * (with the asterisk etched).  Hoffman board say: Post-1963 mono lacquers have codes beginning with F or G if cut in Hollywood, or start with P or T if the lacquer was cut in New York.

Still unsure as to what the 3 or 6 on the sleeve is about, which of course doesn't help you determining your sealed copy provenance - I'm guessing the most useful differentiator is the matrix runout.

Which you can't get to unless you break the seal.   Which you probably don't wanna do (I wouldn't).  

Maybe post a few detailed cross sections of the whole thing - Lee Dempsey provided some good pointers, some visuals might help the big kids assist you.

Would like a special mention for my 1988 UK PS vinyl edition which was digitally re-mastered from an analog recording and Original Mono Recording re-channeled for Stereo - and someone forgot to put yellow toner in the cover printing press; as a contender for Worst Reissue Ever!

Is your second side not T-2-2458-F-19?

It is indeed the Capitol manufacturing plant number where the album was pressed.  This site gives all of the codes:

http://www.eskimo.com/~bpentium/beatles/pressings.html

I'll have to look at my sealed copy to see where it was pressed.

Lee

Ooh, okay, thanks Lee.
Are any of these different plants known to have made better versions than their counterparts?

Definitely ...17.

Thanks for the link, Lee, that site is pithy'n'groovey, label colour info too boot.

Bubbly, looks like you've done very well, you lucky thing - nice goin'

Howdy Trainspotters,

Here's some more stuff I've ripped off from the web and helps further pinpoint/confirm where your unsealed US vintage PS copies were pressed.  One of the following symbols should appear in the lead-out after the matrix number.  They're relatively small so don't look as chunky on the record.

        / \    
      /  I  \     Scranton, PA
     / A M \
     -------

       \  |  /
        \ | /
   ----      ----  Los Angeles, CA (ie, a star)
        / | \
       /  |  \

   _____
 /            \
|              | Jacksonville, IL
|              |
 \______/

             /|
     ___ / |    Winchester, VA (Venezuela?)
            \ |
             \|

Here's the source for they that may be interested, yes it's yet another page for those other Bea guys:
http://www.beatlesagain.com/barchive/capitol.html (http://www.beatlesagain.com/barchive/capitol.html)

Check it out because the imprints look better on that site - as per bgas below, the LA stamp looks like a star (perhaps old Senor Sol)

I t should be noted that many times the LA versions simply appeared to be a small star.

Those Crazy Cover Numbers by Frank Daniels

http://www.friktech.com/btls/CoverNumbers.pdf

Thanks, bgas, that's a good call - I've modified my post to reflect the sun symbol, and make a couple of other clarifications.

Nice one!

VA = Virginia