Jimi Hendrix : Band Of Gypsys A1 / B1 1st Press Track Record Puppet Sleeve

This first pressing plays with stunning quality and with no interference of any kind.  No clicks, pops and no underlying static either.  It has not been over-played judging by the spindle wear and that is reflected in the sonic quality - I cannot emphasise enough how well it plays!  The clarity, depth and power of the audio is up there with the best I have ever heard and you will not be surprised to hear that the vinyl is visually stunning also.  Another FINAL UPGRADE album.  

The famous puppet cover is in superb condition with hardly any shelf wear and the inner sleeve is also in excellent condition although I am not sure if it was originally with this record.

As this is a genuine first press it has Band Of Gipsies on the labels but Gypsys on the cover.

2406002 Aᐁ1   1 2  7

 2406002 B=1   1 1   1

The audio on S1 is Mint(-)

The audio on S2 is Mint(-)

The Puppet cover is Near Mint-

The Track Record labels are Ex++

The inner sleeve is Ex

Visual grading

The vinyl is in lovely condition and still has a very impressive glossy sheen with no marks or scratches.  Under a bright light I can only see a small number of very faint sleeve removal hairlines that obviously have no impact on the audio.  There is no groove wear and the Track Record labels are unmarked apart from a little spindle wear.

Play grading

The run in on S1 has no background and then the intro on 'Who Knows' plays with perfect clarity.  The opening vocal section is just as strong and it continues to play with sublime quality.  Hendrix's work is of course superb and there is nothing that detracts from the audio.  In fact even during the very quiet passage there is no background other than a couple of barely audible dust ticks.  Miles' vocal adds a different dimension to the sound as does the great bass line from Cox.  From start to finish there is no interference and Mint is an easy grade to give.

Hendrix's spoken intro 'Machine Gun' has no intrusion and the instrumental opening again shows just how infrequently the record has been played and how well it has been preserved.  I noticed only a couple of mega light dust ticks and the opening vocal is flawless.  Every section of this near 13 minute epic plays with exceptional quality and as always I have listened to every second.  There are no ticks, clicks, pops or static and I cannot praise it highly enough.  For once there is no distortion on the top end and I really cannot fault this version.  Perhaps a couple of minor statics but it's like I'm trying to find 'something, they are so so quiet.  It really does play with STUNNING quality and the quiet section at the end is a case in point.  I truly believe Mint is again deserved, it just could not play with any greater precision.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

'Changes' the first track from Miles plays with stunning quality throughout.  The intro is perfect as is the opening vocal.  Featuring another strong bass line the audio plays with wonderful depth and warmth and there is just no background to be heard.  A flawless version and Mint in every way.

There is no let up with 'Power Of Soul' which plays with stunning power and clarity through every section.  There are a number of high octane guitar passages here and yet they all play to the same precise standard.  So dynamic and strong and no distortion at all.  A breath-taking Mint version with not one dust tick, no background whatsoever - i.e. crystal clear audio.

'Message To Love' has a couple of very light statics on the spoken intro and then the intro from Hendrix plays perfectly.  It continues in the same way through every vocal and instrumental section and... not one single negative.  As 'complete' a version that you could wish for - a powerful track but again there is zero distortion and the clarity is comparable to a record pressed this year!  Mint

'We Gotta Live Together' ends this fine album with impeccable sonic quality once more.  From start to finish there is no interference and for a final track the clarity of sound is superb.  The audio is so strong and the high octane end section is spectacular!  Mint is again deserved.

In summary this first pressing plays to an incredible standard with no interference at all and it is no exaggeration to say it plays 'as new' that's how good it is.  The clarity and power of the audio is high end and as stated there is not one single click or pop and no background static either.  A beautifully preserved LP that delivers on every level and it also qualifies as a FINAL UPGRADE archive classic.

The Cover & Inner Sleeve

The famous Puppet cover is in superb condition with barely any wear.  It has a slightly grainy glossy quality but has been so well preserved and the only wear is one minor mark in the top right corner, probably a small sticker removal mark.  The edges, spine and corners are so clean and the back cover is so close to perfect with just one minor bend in the bottom left corner, it really is very minor and most would not even mention it.  A stunning example.

The plain white die-cut inner is in excellent shape with no side splits or tears and only a couple of minor marks.  It has some light creasing and has Patent No 1,125,555 and Made In England printed on one side.

Play tested on my Rega P2 with AT-VM95EN Cart / Denon PMA-520AE Amp / B&W 684 Speakers

The records have been cleaned on a Pro-Ject VC-S machine

2406002 Aᐁ1   1 2  7

 2406002 B=1   1 1   1

I grade according to "Record Collector" guidelines.

Any questions please feel free to ask

Please pay within 4 days of auction end

Recent Feedback

Postage & Packaging

I will only send items items worldwide via tracked shipping.  This provides 'peace of mind' in case of loss or damage.  The shipping costs are shown below and combined shipping is always offered.  Any over-payment will always be refunded.

The Royal Mail only insure up to a value of £250 so if an item sells for more it may be wise to use a courier service (e.g. Parcelforce or DPD).  An extra insurance premium will be required but I will not know the exact amount until the final sale price is known.  Because of this I will sometimes have to estimate the cost and this will be shown in the listing.  Please wait for the invoice before making payment and if you have any questions please feel free to ask.  Many thanks.

All vinyls are packaged in strong over-sized custom made mailers with plenty of extra cardboard protection.  They are placed inside separate poly-lined inners outside the cover so as to avoid seam splits in transit and then placed inside a PVC sleeve to provide even more protection.  I pride myself on my high quality packaging as my feed confirms and if any customer has any specific requirements I am more than happy to help.

The mailers I use cost £1.00 each and I will use anything between 3-5 cardboard stiffeners which cost approx £0.18 each.  There is also the cost of the poly-lined inner and PVC sleeve to consider, it all adds up!  Not forgetting that eBay take 10% of the shipping fee also!!

UK Postage Rates (First Class Recorded - Max 2kg)

LPs/12" singles : £5.95 up to 1kg then £1.00 per extra item 

EUROPE (Tracked - Max 2kg)

LPs/12" singles : £15.95 then £2.00 per extra

USA (Tracked - Max 2kg)

LPs/12" singles : £24.95 then £2.50 per extra 

REST OF WORLD (Tracked - Max 2kg)  

LPs/12" singles : £21.95 then £2.50 per extra

If you are not entirely happy with your purchase please contact me before leaving feedback and I will always resolve any issue, 100% guaranteed.  If you would prefer to send the item back I will also pay the return shipping cost if I am at fault, I am only human after all!!