@@Giggens The stereo mix introduced in the Sunshine tomorrow compilation is like night and day! WH went from being almost unlistenable to my ears.. to being my favorite Beach Boys album.
All of these pressings derive from the same second generation mono master of the album (the original mono mixes had so many edits within the songs that a sub master had to be made, as was the case with the SMILEY SMILE LP earlier that year). From that reel a “pseudo stereo” version of the album was made, and then safety copies were then made of those reels and sent to different territories for manufacturing. So they’re all the same mixes. The differences are in the mastering, the eq and limiting, the quality of the pressings, etc… In 2017 Capitol released the first true stereo mix of WILD HONEY as part of the SUNSHINE TOMORROW project, and there was a limited edition vinyl of the stereo album as well. Did you get a chance to hear that one?
Hi, Giggens. That Simply Vinyl pressing .. Pressed from CD 👀 (not even from a Hi Res digital file, just a plain vanilla flavour shop-bought CD). I found that out not long after I bought it and because of that .. it remains the first and last Simply Vinyl pressing that I ever bought.
Begs the question why a guy like Giggens (a Beach Boys fanatic and borderline expert who knows the album inside and out) thinks it sounds better than the others in a direct comparison using the same system. You are obviously biased due to the source, I couldn't trust your opinion on SQ if you gave one (you didn't lol). Giggens is listening with his ears. Just sayin..
Isn't the original 67 stereo duophonic rather than true stereo? Surprised that it sounds better than the mono, if that is the case. Also, did Analogue Productions release a version of Wild Honey? (PS, love this video concept, more please :) )
AP skipped this one unfortunately! I've got all the AP Beach Boys from Pet Sounds on, they're all amazing and back in stock at Acoustic Sounds (get em before they're gone!). Re '67 duophonic, it's possible some might find the (fake) stereo separation better suited to the music than the mono. I know purists/audiophiles will swear by the mono, but I tend to prefer a stereo mix unless the separation is just too ridiculous (as with many very early stereo mixes).
The interesting thing is that the original stereo mixes are fake stereo, which just takes the mono and rechannels it slightly. The drums might sound crisper there as one channel takes out the highs, and one takes out the lows, so the drums will sound slightly crisper.
I wasn't too crazy about the 1970s Wild Honey, at least on headphones. It was fake stereo, too bassy, and seemed to my ears to lean towards one channel. I never heard the 1967 stereo copy.
Thanks for doing this video. I’ve always had that copy packaged w/ 2020, with the bikini girl on the front. I’ve always felt that that vinyl sounded very muddy & poorly mixed. Sunshine Tomorrow compilation was a blessing, I was like DAMN so that’s what these songs are supposed to sound like!
You know I love this sort of thing. I would do terrible things for a mint green label Capitol pressing, but they just didn’t get imported over here sadly.
This was very interesting. Most of us have one copy of an album, never knew how many variations there could be. Nice you can share your collection with us!
Hi Giggens. Nice comparo between the different album offerings. The EMI album from 2001 just goes to show how important a GOOD sound mixing engineer is to the final product. They can literally make or break an album's production.
My favorite Beach Boys record. The 2017 stereo release on vinyl is my go-to way of listening to this gem.
Sounds so good!
@@Giggens The stereo mix introduced in the Sunshine tomorrow compilation is like night and day! WH went from being almost unlistenable to my ears.. to being my favorite Beach Boys album.
Have you heard the 2017 Capitol records release. It sounds amazing.
It is good, but that’s the stereo remix - which isn’t really comparable.
Yeah my go to Wild Honey is the 2017 remaster. The real stereo mix.
All of these pressings derive from the same second generation mono master of the album (the original mono mixes had so many edits within the songs that a sub master had to be made, as was the case with the SMILEY SMILE LP earlier that year). From that reel a “pseudo stereo” version of the album was made, and then safety copies were then made of those reels and sent to different territories for manufacturing. So they’re all the same mixes. The differences are in the mastering, the eq and limiting, the quality of the pressings, etc…
In 2017 Capitol released the first true stereo mix of WILD HONEY as part of the SUNSHINE TOMORROW project, and there was a limited edition vinyl of the stereo album as well. Did you get a chance to hear that one?
Thanks for the awesome info! I have not heard the 2017 vinyl sadly
I have the 1990 cd of Freinds and 20/20. I am no audiophile so I am wondering how good or bad the music is on it.
The CDs always sound great!
@@Giggens alright. Thanks for the response
Hi, Giggens. That Simply Vinyl pressing .. Pressed from CD 👀 (not even from a Hi Res digital file, just a plain vanilla flavour shop-bought CD). I found that out not long after I bought it and because of that .. it remains the first and last Simply Vinyl pressing that I ever bought.
Begs the question why a guy like Giggens (a Beach Boys fanatic and borderline expert who knows the album inside and out) thinks it sounds better than the others in a direct comparison using the same system. You are obviously biased due to the source, I couldn't trust your opinion on SQ if you gave one (you didn't lol). Giggens is listening with his ears. Just sayin..
Isn't the original 67 stereo duophonic rather than true stereo? Surprised that it sounds better than the mono, if that is the case. Also, did Analogue Productions release a version of Wild Honey? (PS, love this video concept, more please :) )
AP skipped this one unfortunately! I've got all the AP Beach Boys from Pet Sounds on, they're all amazing and back in stock at Acoustic Sounds (get em before they're gone!). Re '67 duophonic, it's possible some might find the (fake) stereo separation better suited to the music than the mono. I know purists/audiophiles will swear by the mono, but I tend to prefer a stereo mix unless the separation is just too ridiculous (as with many very early stereo mixes).
It's fake stereo, but not Duophonic.
The interesting thing is that the original stereo mixes are fake stereo, which just takes the mono and rechannels it slightly. The drums might sound crisper there as one channel takes out the highs, and one takes out the lows, so the drums will sound slightly crisper.
I wasn't too crazy about the 1970s Wild Honey, at least on headphones. It was fake stereo, too bassy, and seemed to my ears to lean towards one channel. I never heard the 1967 stereo copy.
Good point!
Thanks for doing this video. I’ve always had that copy packaged w/ 2020, with the bikini girl on the front. I’ve always felt that that vinyl sounded very muddy & poorly mixed. Sunshine Tomorrow compilation was a blessing, I was like DAMN so that’s what these songs are supposed to sound like!
It’s like the core songs themselves, if they were to go on MTV Unplugged, DO hold up as solid songs. Just shitty mixing on the original release.
Oh yeah, Sunshine Tomorrow blows them all away
You know I love this sort of thing. I would do terrible things for a mint green label Capitol pressing, but they just didn’t get imported over here sadly.
If I ever find another one, it's got your name on it buddy!
My uncle got me a first press for christmas this year, whoever owned it before i did mustve only played it a few times cause the album looks mint
This was very interesting. Most of us have one copy of an album, never knew how many variations there could be. Nice you can share your collection with us!
Happy to share!
I have several different pressings of this lp and always fall back on the 1967 mono. Punchy to say the least.
Hi Giggens. Nice comparo between the different album offerings. The EMI album from 2001 just goes to show how important a GOOD sound mixing engineer is to the final product. They can literally make or break an album's production.