The Jimi Hendrix Experience : Electric Ladyland 1/1/1/1 1st Press 1968

This is the most stunning example of a genuine Track Record first pressing that I have ever encountered.  As my regular customers are aware I grade with complete honesty and the audio here is practically Mint from start to finish.  Only one track on Side B falls below this 'high end' standard and yet still grades as Near Mint+!

I have never heard clarity, warmth and depth as impressive as this before but due to the pristine condition of the vinyls this is perhaps not that surprising.  The vinyls are immaculate and clearly have hardly ever been played and indeed there are still some vinyl flecks/cuttings around the spindle hole to support this theory.  There are no clicks, pops or crackle and only a handful of barely audible static sounds.  I cannot stress enough just how STUNNING this first pressing is and to find one in this condition is a real rarity, a time-warp classic as it were.  The audio is 'as new' in my educated opinion.

The iconic laminated cover is also in wonderful condition with only very minimal shelf wear and the original inners are also in superb shape.  A true FINAL UPGRADE first press for sure.

A first pressing is denoted by a number of things.  It has the 1/1/1/1 matrix info and each label the catalogue number is repeated above in smaller inverted numbers.  The labels on a true first press do not have 'Two Record Set' on them and they also have a slightly textured 'feel' as opposed to the smooth affect on subsequent pressings.

Royal Mail shipping costs have massively increased recently and these are shown below.  Please could you wait before making payment so I can calculate the exact cost.

Side A / 61300##8 (hand etched 8) A // 1   1  2

Side B / 61300#9 (hand etched 9) A # // 1   1 2

Side C / 613009 B (all hand etched) ####### // 1   1 8

Side D / 61300#8 (hand etched 8) B // 1   1 1 1 2

The audio on S1 is Mint(-)

The audio on S2 is Mint(-) (Track 2 Near Mint+)

The audio on S3 is Mint(-)

The audio on S4 is Mint(-)

The cover is Ex+

The labels are Mint-

The inner sleeves are Ex++

The vinyls are visually stunning with an immaculate jet-black glossy sheen and put simply I have never seen a first pressing as pristine as this.  There are no marks or scratches and as stated they have barely been played as confirmed by the audio quality, the minimal spindle wear and the fact that there is still some vinyl 'flecking' around the spindle holes!  Under a bright light I can only detect a handful of mega faint sleeve removal hairlines but they are incredibly difficult to find!  Side C does have a very small, faint hairline scuff on the final track but it has no affect on the audio quality.  To be honest 'scuff' is too harsh a description as it really is very faint.  To think these vinyls are over 50 years of age, they have been so well preserved down the decades and I can safely say I have never seem them in such pristine condition.  I fact I have never a 'Track Record' label pressing as good as this so please keep in mind this is a genuine first pressing!  The run out grooves and labels are also in fantastic condition with no marking.

Play grading  

The lead in grooves are super clean so immediately you can tell this is going to play with stunning quality!  The quiet intro on 'And The Gods Made Love' has no 'background' of any kind and it progresses in exactly the same way.  There is not even a dust tick and swirling tape loops have no interference either.  This is audio of the highest standard and is a Mint start for sure.  It's so rare for the opening grooves on any record to be so 'clean' let alone one that is over 50 years of age!

The 'clock' intro on 'Electric Ladyland' is 'as new' on and the track continues to play with sublime clarity as the vocal begins.  From start to finish there are no ticks, clicks, pops or static and the fade out has no 'background' giving you a really good idea of the clarity on offer here.  A Mint grade is again deserved.

'Crosstown Traffic' plays with supreme power and depth from the first note to the last with no sign of any interference.  Again the long fade out has literally no intrusion.  Mint

The segue into the classic 'Voodoo Chile' is unlike anything I have ever heard before.  The intro is Mint there is no other way to describe it and this standard is maintained as the vocal comes in.  From then on the audio could not be any more impressive and it plays with a clarity and definition that is exceptional.  Every section plays beautifully and even the 'high octane' moments have no distortion at all.  In essence this is the most 'complete' version I have ever had the pleasure in listening to and I cannot overstate just how STUNNING the audio is!  It may not be Redding's bass on this track but the rhythm section just adds so much to this track and being such a 'clean' underplayed vinyl the bass sound has lost none of its original quality.  There is no need to mention Hendrix' sublime work of course!  Stevie Winwood's hammond organ has never sounded better and having now played this timeless classic twice I can confidently say it is Mint in every sense of the word.  There is no interference and during the very quiet section around 11 minute there is not so much as a dust tick.  The 'high octane' finish is incredible with no distortion and the final 'audience' section again has no 'background'.  What a version!  This provides further evidence, if it was needed, that this record has hardly ever been on a turntable.

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The acoustic intro on 'Little Miss Strange' plays perfectly and it continues in the same way with no interference.  A Mint start to S2 for sure.

Again the intro on 'Long Hot Summer Night' cannot be faulted and thereafter plays with great clarity and depth.  There are a very small number of light static sounds but they are so quiet/minor and totally insignificant.  I am sure many would grade this as Mint but I believe it is still worthy of a Near Mint+ grade.

'Come On' is exceptional!  The intro alone shows just how strong the sonic quality is here.  This has to be the most impressive version I have heard.  Audiophiles will appreciate you get a clarity of sound on a hardly played record that is markedly better than one that has been played a number of times and the clarity here is phenomenal!  Hendrix's work here has never played any better - honestly I am just blown away by this quality.  I hope I'm not over-selling it, I just write what I hear and the clarity, power and definition of the audio is just MINT in every way.  Play it loud, there is no distortion, and this is as good as it was back in '68, maybe better with the audio equipment we have now!  Wow what a version!

I am running out of superlatives now.  'Gipsy Eyes' so often plays with distortion but that is certainly not the case here.  The clarity and depth of the audio is so good and again the bass is so strong and deep.  Every note plays with incredible precision and again Mint is more than deserved.

What follows is an absolutely stunning version of the classic 'Burning Of The Midnight Lamp'.  From the 'wah wah' intro to the very end it plays with a quality that I have never encountered before.  There is just no distortion and you don't need me to tell you how rare that is!  This is another sign that this record has hardly been played.  For this final track that 99% of the time displays static/distortion to play as clearly as this is practically unheard of!  Mint from start to finish.

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Onto to S3 now or Side C.  The 'cough/sniff' intro (!) on 'Rainy Day, Dream Away' is nigh on perfect with only a couple of light ticks and as this bluesy number gets going the depth of the audio is so impressive.  There is no interference and every note can be heard with sublime precision.  From then on it plays with outstanding sonic quality and there is just nothing to fault.  A couple of barely audible light ticks and Mint- is richly deserved.  The long fade out is immaculate.

The segue into '1983 (A Merman I Should Turn To Be)' plays so clearly and this is the case as the vocal begins.  The first extended vocal section could not play any better and I am delighted to say there is no decrease in quality as it progresses.  A personal favourite of mine, this classic plays beautifully throughout and the long psychedelic section is just STUNNING in every way!  You can just shut your eyes and you're transported back there.  Of course so many sections are so quiet and yet the clarity is quite simply sensational - there is not even a single dust tick!  Again every note plays with such delicate precision and I am seriously wondering if this has ever been played before?!  I have listened to many Near Mint versions of this epic but never one as impressive as this and I just wish I could adequately put into words just how 'clean' and mesmeric the audio is here.  No word of a lie I heard things here I have never heard before!  There is clarity and then there is 'as new' clarity such as this.  The 'high octane' section towards the end is Mint and the final verse is the same with no 'background' of any kind.  This is as 'complete' a version that you could wish to hear and the final guitar section also plays 'as new'.  I am 100% confident in grading this as Mint but you probably gathered that already!

The brief 'Moon, Turn The Tides Gently Gently Away' again plays with amazing clarity for a final track.  There is one tick but this is hardly intrusive and the rest is just perfect.  It's so rare for these final few grooves to play as clearly as this and yet they do here!  A Mint- end to the side.

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'Still Raining, Still Dreaming' is superb from the get go and continues to play with jaw-dropping quality!  The vocals play perfectly and the amazing guitar work has no distortion whatsoever.  Again the rhythm section adds so much and especially the bass.  An immaculate Mint version from beginning to end.  The power and definition on this track is incredible.

'House Burning Down' more than keeps up the standard and anyone that is familiar with this track will be aware of the distortion that is so often prevalent on the intro.  Not here!  It plays with a rare precision and the remainder is equally as good.  I know I may be getting a little repetitive now but you will not find a more stunning version than this.  There are no negatives, there is no intrusion on the audio, and 'as new' is again no exaggeration.  The vocals and guitar work are so high in the mix and yet there is no audio deterioration caused by the intervening years at all.  Just listen to the final few seconds - it is as perfect as could be.  Yet another Mint track.

The 'definitive' version of 'All Along The Watchtower' is stunning.  When you find a pristine vinyl such as this the clarity and depth of the audio on this classic is taken to another level.  It goes without saying there is no interference and the clarity and power is undoubtedly the strongest I have ever heard.  Not one dust tick, no clicks, pops, static or audio this is just pure Mint audio from start to finish.

The quiet intro on 'Voodoo Chile (Slight Return)' has no 'background' and as the volume increases?  Woah the playback is incredible!  There is no inner groove distortion and again I cannot believe what I am hearing!  This is a good as a finale that I have ever listened to and yes you can turn it up to loud as it deserves.  I cannot emphasise enough how fantastic the audio is and 'as new' is infinitely deserved.  The 'high octane' guitar work is sensational and from start to finish, I repeat, there is no distortion at all.  It ends so abruptly of course which is a shame as you just want it to carry on (!) but needless to say this is a MINT version to close this PERFECT album.

In summary this genuine first pressing plays to a standard that is quite frankly exceptional.  There is literally no interference across all four sides and the sonic quality is unlike anything I have ever found on an original pressing.  It is patently obvious both vinyls have hardly ever been played and the clarity and depth of the audio is amazing.  With more or less complete silence in the dead wax between tracks this has been so well preserved down the years and it's worth pointing out again that there are no clicks or pops, obvious static or pops.  I would go so far as to say there is no intrusion on the audio whatsoever.  I may well never find a first pressing as impressive as this ever again and the winning bidder I am certain will be equally as impressed.  This is why we listen to vinyl as you just do not get this level of clarity, warmth and definition from any other medium.  A FINAL UPGRADE album for sure i.e. no need to buy another as this audio quality could not be bettered.

The Gatefold

The laminated cover is also in superb condition with only minimal wear.  The top edges have no wear and only the bottom edge of the front cover has a small amount of rubbing.  The wide spine is unmarked and has only a couple of minor laminate splits that you hardly notice anyway and the corners have barely any wear either.  The right hand corners are also extremely clean and you can only see a minimal amount of wear on the bottom corner of the front cover.  The opening edges are also in fantastic shape with hardly any handling wear.  The front cover is incredibly clean with no marking and I can only see one very small laminate crease and the back cover is even better!  The inside of the gatefold is also near perfect with no marking and the inner spine is relatively unscathed also.  It is so often badly damaged/stained and whilst the laminate has 'lifted' a little it is only minor and certainly not obvious.  Overall this is a lovely example of this 50+ year old cover and you can see it has not been handled very much during its time.

The Inner Sleeves

The original poly-lined 'Plastic Bags...' inner have no side splits or tears and only minimal creasing and a couple of minor 'spots'.  Great examples.

The Labels

The 'Track Record' labels are near perfect with only very minimal spindle wear.  Just three traces on Side A, just the one on Sides B & C and one mega small trace on Side D.  They have no marking or writing and are in beautiful condition.

Play tested on my Pro-Ject Essential III Turntable / B&W 684 Speakers

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

Side A / 61300##8 (hand etched 8) A // 1   1  2

Side B / 61300#9 (hand etched 9) A # // 1   1 2

Side C / 613009 B (all hand etched) ####### // 1   1 8

Side D / 61300#8 (hand etched 8) B // 1   1 1 1 2

I grade according to "Record Collector" guidelines.

Any questions please feel free to ask

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Postage & Packaging

I SHIP WORLDWIDE BUT WHEN SENDING ITEMS TO ITALY, RUSSIA/UKRAINE AND SOUTH AMERICA I WILL ONLY SEND THEM VIA TRACKED SHIPPING AND THIS COSTS AN ADDITIONAL £5.00.

WHEN ITEMS SELL BETWEEN £50.00 AND £250.00 AND ARE TO BE SENT TO ANY INTERNATIONAL DESTINATION TRACKED SHIPPING IS AGAIN NECESSARY AND COSTS AN ADDITIONAL £7.50 AS EXTRA INSURANCE IS REQUIRED.

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ALL VINYLS ARE PACKAGED IN STRONG CUSTOM MADE OVER-SIZED MAILERS WITH EXTRA CARDBOARD PROTECTION. THEY ARE PLACED IN SEPARATE POLY-LINED INNERS OUTSIDE THE COVER IN ORDER TO AVOID SEAM SPLITS IN THE POST. EVERYTHING IS THEN PLACED INSIDE A PVC SLEEVE TO PROVIDE EXTRA PROTECTION. I PRIDE MYSELF ON MY HIGH QUALITY PACKAGING AS MY FEEDBACK TESTIFIES AND IF ANY CUSTOMER HAS ANY SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS I WILL ALWAYS ENDEAVOUR TO HELP.

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LPs/12" singles : £5.75 (recorded) up to 1kg then £0.95 per extra item 

7" singles / CDs : £1.95 then £0.35 per extra

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