Stones on Decca

Their Satanic Majesties Request

Mono TXL103

Stereo TXS103

Issued in UK on December 8th 1967. This one exists in both Mono and Stereo versions.

The sixth album on DECCA in UK is musically totally different from anything they had done before, or after. It really stands out from the rest of their production, either you like it or you don't. But it is an interesting LP from a collecting point of view. It is mostly famous for the 3D picture on the cover. The manufacturing of the picture is said to have been a very costly matter, even more costly than the actual retail price. So Decca and London actually lost money for every copy sold. It sold pretty well in the beginning so the 3D cover is not that rare.

This LP has the same LP numbering and label colour system as Big Hits. TXL is a mono LP with a blue label and TXS is a stereo LP with a green label

Vinyl versions

Grooved label

Both Mono and Stereo LP's can be found with grooved and non grooved labels. This indicates that mono LP's were pressed up to the end on the 60's. No other differences are existing. Satanic was the last Stones LP on Decca to have the grooved label

True Mono and fold down from Stereo to Mono, two different mixes existing

The mono LP of Satanic is existing in two different versions. The original master tape was mixed two times, the first one was used for mono records only and the second one was used both for mono and stereo records. The two mixes used for pressing mono records can be identified by the matrix number

The first mix that was used on mono records has the following matrix number:

ARL-8126-1P on side one and ARL-8127-P1 on side two

The second mix that was used on later mono records and on all stereo records has:

Mono: ARL-8126-T2-2K for side one and ARL-8127-T2-2K for side two

Stereo: ZAL-8126-T2-5K for side one and ZAL-8127-T2-5K for side two

The last two digits may change from one record to another, the letter is identifying the person who cut the original Master Laquer, also called acetate. The last number before the letter indicates how many times Mr K has recut a new Master Laquer. The key indicator on Satanic is the T2. Decca used to identify a new mix by adding the code T2 and Satanic is the only LP that has been cut and pressed from two different mixes and where it is possible to confirm this through the matrix numbers. This way of working was common on 7” single records, they had T1 indicated that it was Take 1 of the title. If the producer rejected the take he would remix the track and then it become Take 2.

A LP that do not have the T2 in the full matrix numbers is a true mono mix. If the LP has the T2 code, then it is basically a stereo mix that has been folded down to one channel for mono sound. You can actually hear the difference in between a “non T2” true mono pressing and a T2 stereo fold down to mono pressing. Take the song “The Lantern” for example, there is a bell tolling in the beginning of the song:

A true mono record has the bell tolling three times befor the music starts (matrix ARL-8127-??)

A fold down from stereo to mono AND a real stereo LP has the bell tolling two times before the music starts. (matrix ARL or ZAL-8127-T2-??)

There may also be other differences on the sound. For more information on Decca matrix numbers in general, please go here.

Cover versions

Test covers

No less that three different test sliks and cover versions have been found. They are presented on a separate page:

The Padded Silk cover / The Octagonal slik / The Velvet cover

The originl 3D cover vs non 3D cover

The three dimensional picture on the cover of Satanic was used for the first issue of the LP. Majority of the non boxed LP's are found in the 3D sleeve.

Early boxed stereo LP’s with the green label can also be found i 3D covers. Some of the reprints from 1983 did also have 3D covers. Two different pictures were used for the cover, Jaggers hat is leaning to his left on the 3D picture and to his right on the non 3D covers

Another feature on the cover is that all Beatles members heads can be found there. Some members of the two bands were hanging out with each other at this point in time. Several Stones members had participated in the "All You Need Is Love" recording and TV broadcast and "The Rolling Stones" text was also included on the Sargent Pepper album

And here are some of the 3D's. This is probably some of the pictures found in Deccas warehouse in the early 80's.

Back cover / version 1, 1967-1968

All 3D covers has the Mono and Stereo numbers printed in the lower right corner.

3D cover with green boxed stereo LP

Decca still had a set of original 3D sleeves at the time when they changed over to boxed logo on the LP's. The first boxed Stereo LP's in 1970 had a green label and they can sometimes be found in 3D sleeves. I have a copy in my collection that is in a stereo sleeve. That is label design 10 / version 1 a bit down on the page. It has a plain white innerbag.

Another boxed green Stereo copy is known to be in a Mono sleeve and the innerbag has a date code as 6-70. This picture is from that original Mono sleeve. They have just added a sticker to change it into a Stereo LP It does not have the Mono/Stereo hole on the back as it is an original 1967 sleeve.

Back cover / version 2, 1968-1970

The Mono / Stereo hole as can be seen on the next picture was probably taken into use in 1969. This sleeve was mainly used for boxed LP's. I do have a Stereo non boxed LP in this sleeve as well. No 3D pictures have been found on sleeves with the hole.

Back cover / version 3, 1982

The 3D did make a return in 1983. Rumor is that boxes with original unused 3D pictures were found when cleaning out Deccas warehouse in the beginning of the 80's. They decided to use the pictures and therefor a set of stereo LP's were pressed for them as well as new sleeves. The 1982/83 reprinted glossy sleeve used for the original 3D pictures is looking like this on the back side. Left picture is upper right corner and right picture is lower right corner. It is therefor easy to identify it as a reprint. Blue boxed label design 12 / version 1 is inside this cover.

The same cover is also existing without the 3D picture.

The inner bag in one of the 3D covers has this dating. Another known copy has an innerbag with the same patent number and dated as 1/83

Back cover text

There are two versions of the Copyright text existing. The first one has only Decca in England noted as copyright owner. The second version has also London US noted as copyright owner in addition to Decca UK. All 3D covers has the first version and all non 3D covers has the second version. The reson for this change was probaly that Decca pressed a small set of "London Records" LP’s in UK in 1968 for export to Japan and the copyright owner in Japan at the time was London Records.

Text on covers with 3D pictures

Text on covers with Mono / Stereo hole

Printed By

All covers have the same Printed By text on the back cover. "Printed in England by Robert Stace." No variations are known to exist.

Label versions

Lots of label version are existing. Here are a few of them. Mono LP's has so far been found only with the non boxed label and Stereo LP's can be found with both non boxed and boxed labels

Mono nonboxed labels

Side 1

Side 1 / Design No 5 / Version 1 (TXL103/S1/D5/V1)

Font: Time New Romans looking font style

Tax Code: Missing

Publishers: On the left side of the label

Bill Wyman is as big as The Rolling Stones on this version. Side 1 is on the right side of the spindle hole. The title name of Sing This All Together on one line.

Side 1 / Design No 5 / Version 2 (TXL103/S1/D5/V2)

Font: Time New Romans looking font style

Tax Code: Missing

Publishers: On the left side of the label

The Rolling Stones is as big a Wyman on this version. Side 1 is on the left side of the spindle hole. The title name of Sing This All Together is divided into two lines

Side 1 / Design No 5 / Version 3 (TXL103/S1/D5/V3)

Font: Ariel looking font style

Tax Code: Missing

Publishers: On the left side of the label

Font style is changed into Ariel. Side 1 is on the right side of the spindle hole. The title name of Sing This All Together is on one line.

Side 1 / Design No 5 / Version 4 (TXL103/S1/D5/V4)

Font: Time New Romans looking font style

Tax Code: Missing

Publishers: On the left side of the label

Bill is in small fonts. Side 1 is on the left side of the spindle hole. The title name of Sing This All Together is devided into two lines.

Mono nonboxed labels

Side 2

Side 2 / Design No 5 / Version 1 (TXL103/S2/D5/V1)

Font: Time New Romans looking font style

Tax Code: Missing

Publishers: On the left side of the label

Side 2 is on the right side of the spindle hole.

Side 2 / Design No 5 / Version 2 (TXL103/S2/D5/V2)

Font: Time New Romans looking font style

Tax Code: Missing

Publishers: On the left side of the label

Side 2 is on the left side of the spindle hole.

Side 2 / Design No 5 / Version 3 (TXL103/S2/D5/V3)

Font: Ariel looking font style

Tax Code: Missing

Publishers: On the left side of the label

The font style has been changed to Ariel and Side 2 is again on the right side of the spindle hole.

Label combinations on nonboxed Mono

Side 1 - Design No 5 / Version 1 Side 2 - Design No 5 / Version 1

(S1/D5V1 + S2/D5/V1)

Side 1 - Design No 5 / Version 2 Side 2 - Design No 5 / Version 2

(S1/D5V2 + S2/D5/V2)

Side 1 - Design No 5 / Version 3 Side 2 - Design No 5 / Version 3

(S1/D5V3 + S2/D5/V3)

Side 1 - Design No 5 / Version 3 Side 2 - Design No 5 / Version 2

(S1/D5V3 + S2/D5/V2)

The matrix number on this LP is 1P on side one and P1 on side two. The same label combination is also known to exist with Matrix 1K on both sides. This means that two different masters cut by different persons are existing with the same label combination. LP is in the Stonerelics collection

Side 1 - Design No 5 / Version 4 Side 2 - Design No 5 / Version 2

(S1/D5V4 + S2/D5/V2)

Stereo nonboxed label

Side 1

Side 1 / Design No 9 / Version 1 (TXS103/S1/D9/V1)

Font: Time New Romans looking font style

Tax Code: Missing

Publishers: On the left side of the label

Side number is on the right side of the label and the REG. after the DECCA logo is missing. Bill Wymans is as big as The Rolling Stones. Speed 33 is missing as well

Side 1 / Design No 9 / Version 2 (TXS103/S1/D9/V2)

Font: Time New Romans looking font style

Tax Code: Missing

Publishers: On the left side of the label

Side number 1 is on the left side of the label and the REG. after the DECCA logo is in place. Bill Wymans ego is put back to being smaller than The Rolling Stones. Speed 33 is in place. The title name of Sing This All Together is divided into two lines

Side 1 / Design No 9 / Version 3 (TXS103/S1/D9/V3)

Font: Ariel looking font style

Tax Code: Missing

Publishers: On the left side of the label

Side number 1 is on the left side of the label and the REG. after the DECCA logo is in place. Bill Wymans ego is put back to being smaller than The Rolling Stones. Speed 33 is in place. The change from S1/D5/V2 is that text is in Ariel on this label.

Side 1 / Design No 9 / Version 4 (TXS103/S1/D9/V4)

Font: Ariel looking font style

Tax Code: Missing

Publishers: On the left side of the label

Side number 1 is on the right side of the label and the REG. after the DECCA logo is in place. Bill Wymans is as big as The Rolling Stones. Speed 33 is missing again. This label can be found on grooved pressings as well as on non grooved pressings.

Stereo nonboxed label

Side 2

Side 2 / Design No 9 / Version 1 (TXS103/S2/D9/V1)

Font: Time New Romans looking font style

Tax Code: Missing

Publishers: On the left side of the label

Side number is on the right side of the label and the REG. after the DECCA logo is missing. Speed 33 is missing as well

Side 2 / Design No 9 / Version 2 (TXS103/S2/D9/V2)

Font: Time New Romans looking font style

Tax Code: Missing

Publishers: On the left side of the label

Side number is on the left side of the label and the REG. after the DECCA logo is in place. Speed 33 is also given

Side 2 / Design No 9 / Version 3 (TXS103/S2/D9/V3)

Font: Ariel looking font style

Tax Code: Missing

Publishers: On the left side of the label

Side number 2 is on the left side of the label and the REG. after the DECCA logo is in place. Speed 33 is also icluded. Font style has been changed to Ariel.

Side 2 / Design No 9 / Version 4 (TXS103/S2/D9/V4)

Font: Ariel looking font style

Tax Code: Missing

Publishers: On the left side of the label

Side number 2 is on the right side of the label and the REG. after the DECCA logo is in place. Speed 33 is missing again.. This label can be found on grooved pressings as well as on non grooved pressings.

Label combinations on nonboxed Stereo

Side 1 - Design No 9 / Version 1 Side 2 - Design No 9 / Version 1

(S1/D9/V1 + S2/D9/V1)

Side 1 - Design No 9 / Version 2 Side 2 - Design No 9 / Version 2

(S1/D9/V2 + S2/D9/V2)

Side 1 - Design No 9 / Version 3 Side 2 - Design No 9 / Version 3

(S1/D9/V3 + S2/D9/V3)

Side 1 - Design No 9 / Version 3 Side 2 - Design No 9 / Version 1

(S1/D9/V3 + S2/D9/V1)

Side 1 - Design No 9 / Version 4 Side 2 - Design No 9 / Version 4

(S1/D9/V4 + S2/D9/V4)

Grooved pressing

Nongrooved pressing

Stereo boxed label

Side 1

Side 1 / Design No 10 / Version 1 (TXS103/S1/D10/V1)

Publisihing year: At the bottom of the label

Font style: Times New Roman looking font

Estimated use: 1970 to 1972

This is the green boxed label taken into use in 1970. This LP is in an original 3D sleeve.

Side 1 / Design No 10 / Version 2 (TXS103/S1/D10/V2)

Publisihing year: At the bottom of the label

Font style: Ariel looking font

Estimated use: 1970 to 1972

An Ariel font is used for this label. The color is still green

Side 1 / Design No 11 / Version 1 (TXS103/S1/D11/V1)

Publisihing year: On the right side of the label

Font style: Times New Roman looking font

Estimated use: 1972 and later

The color of the label vas changed into the standar grayish blue version in the end of 1972. This is the same color used for all other boxed stereo LP’s at the time.

Side 1 / Design No 12 / Version 1 (TXS103/S1/D12/V1)

Publisihing year: On the right side of the label

Font style: Times New Roman looking font

Estimated use: 1982

This is a 1982 pressing on thin vinyl with the rim around the edge of the label.

Stereo boxed label

Side 2

Side 2 / Design No 10 / Version 1 (TXS103/S2/D10/V1)

Publisihing year: At the bottom of the label

Font style: Times New Roman looking font

Estimated use: 1970 to 1972

This is the green boxed label taken into use in 1970. This LP is in an original 3D sleeve.

Side 1 / Design No 10 / Version 2 (TXS103/S1/D10/V2)

Publisihing year: At the bottom of the label

Font style: Ariel looking font

Estimated use: 1970 to 1972

An Ariel font is used for this label. The color is still green

Side 2 / Design No 11 / Version 1 (TXS103/S2/D11/V1)

Publisihing year: On the right side of the label

Font style: Times New Roman looking font

Estimated use: 1972 and later

The color of the label vas changed into the standar grayish blue version in the end of 1972. This is the same color used for all other boxed stereo LP’s at the time.

Side 2 / Design No 12 / Version 1 (TXS103/S2/D12/V1)

Publisihing year: On the right side of the label

Font style: Times New Roman looking font

Estimated use: 1982

This is a 1982 pressing on thin vinyl with the rim around the edge of the label.

Label combinations on boxed Stereo

Side 1 - Design No 10 / Version 1 Side 2 - Design No 10 / Version 1

(S1/D10/V1 + S2/D10/V1)

Side 1 - Design No 10 / Version 2 Side 2 - Design No 10 / Version 2

(S1/D10/V2 + S2/D10/V2)

Side 1 - Design No 11 / Version 1 Side 2 - Design No 11 / Version 1

(S1/D11/V1 + S2/D11/V1)

Side 1 - Design No 12 / Version 1 Side 2 - Design No 12 / Version 1

(S1/D12/V1 + S2/D12/V1)

Stereo boxed white label

Design No 10 / Version W (TXS103/S1/D10/VW) & (TXS103/S1/D10/VW)

White label version from early 70’s

Stereo Sample Record

Design No 9 / Version 3 (S1/D9/V3 + S2/D9/V3)

Promo copies of Satanic had this sticker on the label. No “promotional” is mentioned anywhere on the LP, only Sample Record on the sticker

Cover and LP combinations existing

Cover: 3D cover - Mono TXL103 Vinyl: non boxed / blue
Cover: 3D cover - Stereo TXS103 Vinyl: non boxed / green

Cover:          3D cover - Stereo TXS103                   Vinyl:             boxed / green
Cover:          3D cover - Stereo TXS103                   Vinyl:             boxed / blue
Cover:          non 3D - M/S hole with Mono LP          Vinyl:             non boxed / blue
Cover:          non 3D - M/S hole with Stereo LP        Vinyl:             non boxed / green
Cover:          non 3D - M/S hole with Stereo LP        Vinyl:             boxed / white
Cover:          non 3D - M/S hole with Stereo LP        Vinyl:             boxed / bluegray
Cover:          non 3D – with Stereo LP                       Vinyl:             Silver colored 80's print

Explanation on label design numbering can be found here

Their Satanic Majesties Request photo session

Three nice pictures from the cover shoot by Michael Cooper

BACK

Created February 2010
Addition April 9th 2010, Factory Sample non boxed Stereo labels

September 29th 2010. Changed label number from De4 version 3 to version 4, added a new version 3 pair and a combination of version 3 and 1

November 21st 2010 SILK SLEEVE added!!!!!!!!!!!
December 18th 2010, new subpage for the test sleeves
December 20th 2010, two mono mix versions

December 10^th 2011. Lgrooved label S1/D9/V4 and S2D9/V4 added