Monarch (Stereo) First Pressing Shoot-Out:

74007A (M) MR (on BOTH sides) ("OHER" typo w/Witmark Credit) pressed in late 1966 vs.
74007A-2 (MON) MR (on BOTH sides) (corrected label) pressed in 1967

The (M) MR is the true first pressing; it sounds phenomenal --it's hard to describe, but even compared to the -2 (MON) re-cut, the (M) sounds more "alive" and spacious, the music bursts out of the speakers. Jim's vocals are crystal clear and out in front, instead of being muted as in later pressings. The -2 MON is still great, but it doesn't have the power and detail of the (M). Things to look for: the (M) jacket sleeve has a 'matte' finish whereas as the -2 (MON) as the semi-gloss sleeve, similar to what all pressings have to the present day. The (M) center label has a slighter darker gold color. Another thing to note: just because your copy might have the OHER mispelling doesn't guarantee its a (M) --you have to check the deadwax. I have a Monarch (Mono) with the OHER mispelling and its -2 (MON) in the deadwax with a semi-gloss cover. The (M) pressings from 1966 are extremely rare --in 20+ years of collecting I've only ever found one copy with (M) both sides w/typo. It is the grail and I feel should be listed as separate from the -2 MON which is slightly later. Maybe in the future the Discogs community will reach a consensus on this.

If anyone has just the record I am looking to match this up with my mono cover

Have yet to listen to a Monarch pressing so I can’t say if the Abbey pressing is inferior, but this is so far the best sounding version of this album that I’ve ever listened to! It’s far superior to Rhino’s 2009 release, not to mention the mid/late 1970s versions. One of most cherished albums, especially since I was lucky enough to find a copy that’s NM/M-.

Does this press use the same metal work of Monarch? It has RH etched and It's loud.

This one is a great sounding recored. Still it doesn't beat the Monarch OG, but I would place it right next to second Monarch press with "RE" in the deadwax. Kevin Grey did the best possible job with this almost 60 years old tape.

Genuinely up there with the best of the series so far and im not just saying this to sell a copy! I seem to either love or hate the Rhino Hifi cuts (assuming its also not been pressed badly). This has put paid to my AP45rpm (which i despised for its terrible choice of mix) and it just edges the 2010 Bernie 33rpm. This recording needs clarity and EQ at the top and bottom to sound even listenable and thankfully this mix and KPG's mastering has both. It has just a smidge more clarity over the Bernie G cut. Theres very little in them to be fair, at least at the start of each side but i found the KPG to stay more consistent to the end of sides where the Bernie cut suffers more (these are quite long sides at the end of the day!).
I still recommend a narrow tip to get the best out of these 33's.

Its also good to get an unwarped and non fill free copy. Not a given with Optimals work on this series!

No complaints and all positives with one caveat.... i wish it was a double 45rpm!!!

I have a copy of this release, record is in condition NM/NM – 75 $.
Link to photo of the cover and record Google Disc:
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1uGGu2dwZXXK4vqYLDnO73IWiOiUhtuN8?usp=drive_link

Variant 1— side 2 throughly trounces my 1st press monarch. I’ll be looking for a Variant 5 from now on.

Does anyone else get a bit of IGD/distortion on Light My Fire? All other tracks sound incredible but my turntable is struggling with that one

Quite a bit of gunk in the tracks, especially on side B. After cleaning the vinyl this album sounds, at least to my ears, excellent. I’m yet to listen to an original pressing, curious to hear if there’s a huge difference in quality.