BID WITH TOTAL CONFIDENCE . YOUR SATISFACTION IS GUARANTEED: COMPLETE MONEY BACK GUARANTEE IF NOT TOTALLY SATISFIED

SERVICE YOU CAN TRUST, QUALITY ASSURED. I HAVE A 100% POSITIVE FEEDBACK RATING AND A 100% TRACK RECORD OF OFFERING GREAT PRODUCTS, SERVICE, COMMUNICATION AND DELIVERY – GUARANTEED!!

Stunning ORIGINAL press of THE JIMI HENDRIX classic; 

SMASH HITS - STUNNING 1ST Press - with TOP AUDIO throughout.

CAT NO:....

613 004  on the UK press TRACK RECORDS label 

LABEL PRESS DETAILS:

TRACK RECORDS 1st press labels FLAT Matt Black. With the TRACK RECORDS logo above the central hole on both labels as found on the 1st Press labels. The record labels state - THE JIMI HENDRIX EXPERIENCE SMASH HITS just below the spindle hole.

MATRIX NOs. ON RUN-OUT GROOVE

side 1. 613003 - A // 1

MOTHER STAMPERS:

Side 1.  1   1      1      4

Side 2.  1  1   9    1  

An Exceptional Rare pressing from HENDRIX in TOP condition throughout,  from my own personal collection.

Track Listing:

1. Purple Haze  2. Fire  3. The Wind Cries Mary  4. Can You See Me   5. 51st Anniversary   6. Hey Joe

7. Stone Free   8. Stars That Play with Laughing Sam's Dice  9. Manic Depression  10. Highway Chile  11. Burning of The Midnight Lamp  12. Foxy Lady

Smash Hits is a compilation of singles by The Jimi Hendrix Experience, released in the United Kingdom in 1968 on Track Records 612004, and a year later in stereo in the United States on Reprise Records, catalogue 2276. It peaked at #4 on the British album chart and #6 on theBillboard 200, and has been certified double platinum by the RIAA.

The 1st version appeared only four months after the second studio album, Axis: Bold as Love, while the band worked on their third. It contained their first four UK hit singles, "Hey Joe", "Purple Haze", "The Wind Cries Mary", and "Burning of the Midnight Lamp", along with respective B-sides, supplemented by four tracks taken from the debut LP Are You Experienced: "Fire", "Can You See Me", "Manic Depression", and "Foxy Lady". It marked the first appearance on album of "Burning of the Midnight Lamp", five months ahead of its placement on Electric Ladyland.

As no new studio album was on the horizon in 1969, partly owing to the disbanding of the Experience by Hendrix exacerbated by tensions with Noel Redding, the label decided to issue a different compilation with the same title. To include three British hit singles on the American configuration of the debut album, there were also the tracks that had yet to be released on album in the States, or in stereo.

Smash Hits remains a massively influential collection of Hendrix music and a very rare vinyl in its original format. 

ALBUM PLAYED FOR GRADING:

Yes – brilliant! - TOP AUDIO throughout.

This classic Hendrix record plays with a super strong crisp sound, which is so hard to find on original pressings of 'Smash Hits' . Strong, undistorted sound free of loud pops, clicks or distortion. It has a brilliant vinyl sound, and what a great way to hear this classic Hendrix collection.

There is minimal sound between the tracks, and the vocal clarity is amazing, with all the layering being crystal clear. Great music with great clarity, and so hard to find with this type of sound. 

This is an exceptional 1st stereo press example, with incredible Strong, undistorted sound, and a minimum of static or surface sound. Channels are clean and unstressed. The music jumps out, with definition and clarity, particularly on the percussion instruments, and vocals which come through with tremendous power. All the instruments and every breath of Henrix's voice are bright and clear. I will give a detailed account below:

Smash Hits is a complex and varied collection of music, and VERY hard to find in clear audio condition. Worn copies can have a lot of surface sound even on musically complex and busy tracks like 'Fire.' This pressing has unbelievable strong undistorted audio, with super clear strong audio throughout. NO  interference, and NO loud pops or clicks or Distortion. Any static is extremely low level, and that is unusual for any vinyl. It really sounds great and plays with great sound separation and clarity!

The album starts with extremely clean run ins, following the burst of 'Purple Haze', which plays superbly with really bright audio. 'Fire' also comes in with amazing power and clarity, a complex track with complex audio layering, all crystal clear. There are a couple of light pops in the middle of the track, but certainly not a hint of distortion and nothing obtrusive. A wonderful 'Wind Cries Mary' sounds like it has only ever been played a couple of times its so clear, and this is the first very delicate track on the vinyl. It sounds superb, with a few light static tics only. No pops or clicks and very little surface sound. 'Can you see Me' again plays beautifully, with that layering on the vocals in the chorus, nearly always lost, sounding superb. '51st Anniversary' plays superbly with minimal static. Unbelievable, great clear sound, minimal surface sound, certainly nothing near obtrusive or even that noticeable. 

The classic 'Hey Joe' sounds absolutely brilliant. There is some very faint surface sounds, the kind found on all vinyl, but the track plays so clearly, and this track is nearly always heavily obstructed with static, even on little played examples. There are no pops, no clicks. Great separation with all the layering and vocals in tact. A great first side, and absolutely fantastic bright example of a record that is so hard to find with even near decent audio. 

'Stone Free' powers in side two, again with Crystal clear audio, the opening reverb powers in. 'Stars That Play With Laughing Sam's dice', plays with great clear sound, I couldn't make out any distant surface static, just incredibly clear audio, you can actually hear the plectrums on the bass guitar.  'Manic Depression' plays with amazing bright sound, the definition is amazing. I've heard numerous pressings of the track and its so hard to find clarity like this. No pops or intrusions.

The sparse intro to 'Highway Chile' plays with beautiful clear sound, as with 'Burning of the Midnight Lamp', super bright super clear sound with no loud pops or clicks, just a few light tics near the start of Highway Chile and a couple between the two tracks, but I have to say these are just very light static tics and certainly nothing loud or obtrusive. Rounding off the album with the classic 'Foxy Lady', it sounds great, with some very light occasional background  static only. Finishing off this great album, again with what can only be described as superb bright audio, a wonderful piece with great separation and clarity. 

The tonal quality make this a sensational pressing. With the clear and extra loud First cut engineering giving the audio a vibrant sound which cannot be beaten.

This press has strong undistorted audio, with Super clear sound and minimal background static. There is some light occasional static as found on all vinyl, and there are some light pops and tics, as described, but there is certainly no dominant  interference, and NO loud interferences. HOW RARE! It really sounds great and plays with great sound separation and clarity!

A great all round example of this classic vinyl. I would have to give this vinyl an EXCELLENT PLUS to  NEAR MINT sound grading.

Great bassy first stereo mix, unlike the re-issues which lack the impact. As pressings of Smash Hits included so many Hendrix favourites, they usually were pretty abused or at least played a lot. Not this one! So rare to find a pressing in this stunning condition!

THE RECORD – VISUAL GRADING 

A superb piece of glossy vinyl, and a really thick pressing. Deep clear grooves that can only be found on the original early pressings, this vinyl has been barely played. In normal light this glossy vinyl looks completely unmarked. Under a spot light it does have some very faint sleeve removal marks, but the are light and have no effect on the sound. 

There are a few faint handling marks, this vinyl has been played carefully and shows no groove wear. Unbelievable to think this vinyl is over 40 years old! Grades at EXCELLENT PLUS to NEAR MINT.

THE LABELS 

A stunning set of labels, deep matt these are so prone to wear and tear, finger prints and scuff marks. not here, virtually unmarked with some light spindle traces only. 

Grades at EXCELLENT PLUS condition. 

VINYL TESTED FOR ANY SIGNS OF WARPING:

Yes, NONE visible what so ever when tested be sight and on a moving turntable.

THE COVER 

This is a great example of the classic Hendrix album cover. An original 1st ever UK press cover, laminated on the front only and in single format. The original Track UK issue came with the cover photo of the group by Dezo Hoffman. 

This is a stunning example of the original 1st press cover. The opening edge is square and un frayed. The Spine shows barely any wear, and is one of the squarest examples I have seen. This is a stunning all round example, with little to fault it. Easily grades at 

EXCELLENT PLUS to  NEAR MINT

THE INNER

Comes with the original poly lined white inner sleeve, to protect the records -  NO SEAM SPLITS, a superb example. Grades at EXCELLENT condition. 

The record will of course come in a replacement inner to protect the original. 

RARITY

Finding a great pressing of Smash Hits is very rare. 1st pressings that are in even decent condition are extremely rare indeed. This is a superb example, with stunning audio, stunning cover and a stunning vinyl. An unbelievable rarity and a great opportunity to own a top audio highly collectable press of the Hendrix classic. This is a fabulous opportunity to own a UK TRACK 1st press of this classic Hendrix album in stunning all round condition!

 A FANTASTIC OPPORTUNITY TO OWN AN EXTREMELY RARE PIECE OF MUSICAL HISTORY

GREAT COVERS WITH NO SEAM SPLITS, NO TEARS, NO WRITING, NO STICKERS.

GREAT VINYLS WITH NO LOUD CLICKS OR POPS, NO JUMPS OR REPEATS - GUARANTEED!

SCRUPULOUS EXAMINATION and TESTING; PLEASE NOTE:

This record has been play tested on highly sensitive equipment to ensure the sound quality and accuracy of description. I aim to give a precise and concise description of the sound quality, pointing out any defects so that you know what you are buying. I will not go into screeds of information about the nature of the songs, as I imagine that you already know them well. I aim to describe all items as accurately as possible, and offer a full refund on return if for any reason you are not completely happy with the item description.

.

VINYL SOUND - PLEASE NOTE:

The highest quality vinyl with clear sound is rare, and is what I always aim for. I only sell records that play with TOP AUDIO performance, super clear sound uninterrupted by hiss or other interference. Even with the cleanest copies you will find occasional static sound or occasional light tics during playback, caused by a build of dust in the grooves. This is clearly different from the distortion, loud pops, repeating tics or clicks that are found on heavily played and worn pieces of vinyl. Any static build up will reduce when played, and I advise a light clean should be given between plays for optimal performance. 

VINYL

Large format art work covers with the original sound and mix unique to vinyl and of the highest quality audio. Vinyl record have always been loved and have become a great investment opportunity, with prices soaring over the last ten years, making classic pieces a great financial as well as a cultural investment.  

.

IMAGES and INFORMATION

I only use my photographs taken with a high quality professional digital camera of the item for sale. The images are designed to be as clear as possible, giving an exact image of the item. I aim to give sufficient and accurate detail as possible, so that you know exactly what you are bidding on. Please let me know if you need any further information and I will be only to happy to oblige.

.

ABOUT ME 

I am a visual artist, working internationally, a collector of art and rare objects including rare vinyl, which I have been collecting for over 25 years, and an art and music enthusiast. I specialise in the  highest quality rarest items, selling to collectors the world over. I want you to know what a great item you are bidding on. If there is anything that is unclear in the listing, or you have any questions about this or any other item, please feel free to get in touch. All the best to you.  

SERVICE YOU CAN TRUST, QUALITY ASSURED. I HAVE A 100% POSITIVE FEEDBACK RATING.

SOME EXAMPLES OF FEEDBACK –

BRILLIANT LP MINT CONDITION,AWESOME SELLAR,1ST CLASS PACKAGING, NO PROBLEMS A+

ITEM RECEIVED.. AS DESCRIBED... PACKED GREAT...MANY THANKS..RECOMMENDED.. A*******

Great LP from a great seller. Thanks !! Very well packaged. AAA+++

received today! great record!! thank you!!!

Item arrived quickly, well packaged and in excellent condition. Very pleased.

fast delivery, superb communication, good item, great ebayer AAAAA+++++

.

RETURN POLICY:

100% Satisfaction Guaranteed ; - returns accepted with out question. If you are not happy then it can be returned, I cant say fairer that that!

I ONLY SELL RARE GOODS THAT ARE IN GREAT CONDITION, IF THERE IS ANY SLIGHT DEFECT, IT WILL BE CLEARLY STATED.

If in the unlikely event that you may want to return an item, or that I have missed something in the listing, I offer a no quibble return policy. Items must be returned within 12 Days of receipt, and returned in the same condition that they were sent out in. Return postage must be paid by buyer, unless there is a particular fault with the item, and then I will pay the full postage costs!

MY RECORD GRADING SYSTEM IS AS FOLLOWS - (BASED ON RECORD COLLECTOR MAGAZINE U.K. )

MINT: Virtually unplayed. The record itself is in brand new condition with no surface marks or deterioration in sound quality. Cover is pristine.

EXCELLENT: The record shows some signs of having been played, but there is very little lessening in sound quality. The cover and packaging might have slight wear and/or creasing.

V.G PLUS: The record will still be nice and shiny, but may have a few light marks, and will play well. Slight wear and tear on the cover.

V.G: The record has obviously been played many times, but displays no major deterioration in sound quality, despite noticeable surface marks and occasional light scratch. Normal wear and tear on the cover or extra items.

GOOD: The record has been played so much that the sound quality has noticeably deteriorated, perhaps with some distortion and mild scratches. The cover and contents suffer from folding, scuffing of edges, spine splits, etc.

FAIR: Fair. It is noticeable that the record has been played so much that the sound quality has deteriorated very noticeably. The cover and contents are showing signs of folding, scuffing of edges etc.

.

POSTAGE AND PAYMENT DETAILS : -

Items will be extremely well sealed and securely wrapped using the best possible packaging for safe handling and delivery. I send items all round the globe with 100% success! I sell top quality rare records to discerning buyers. I do not make money from the postage costs and aim to keep the prices at a reasonable rate, but please don't expect a cheap second rate service. 

IT IS AN ABSOLUTE PRIORITY THAT THE ITEMS YOU BUY GETS TO YOU IN PERFECT CONDITION. All RECORDS ARE REMOVED FROM THEIR MAIN COVER AND PLACED IN A BRAND NEW REPLACEMENT INNER SLEEVE TO AVOID ANY CHANCE OF EDGE SPLITS OR KNIFING. THEY ARE HELD SAFELY IN EXTRA THICK PLASTIC SLEEVES, AND THEN THEY ARE SECURED WITH SEVERAL EXTRA LAYERS OF REINFORCED CARD BOARD AND PADDING AND MAILED IN EXTRA STRONG PROFESSIONAL RECORD CONTAINERS TO ENSURE THEIR SAFE ARRIVAL. AS I HAVE STATED I HAVE A 100% SUCCESS RATE AND AIM TO KEEP IT THAT WAY.

Example of packaging used

UK - First Class Signed For Recorded Delivery with Insurance : = £5.00

UK Special Signed For Next Day Delivery with Insurance : = £8.90

EUROPE - International Airmail Signed For Recorded Delivery with Insurance : = £11.95

INTERNATIONAL, Non-Europe e.g. USA, Japan, Russia, Australia etc. International Airmail Signed For Recorded Delivery with Insurance : = £18.95

.

MULTIPLE PURCHASE REDUCTION

Reduced postage of course for multiple items up to 30% off extra items.

POSTAGE WILL BE FIRST CLASS OR THE FASTEST AND SAFEST POSSIBLE ALTERNATIVE, RECORDED WITH TRACKING AND INSURANCE. ALL ITEMS ARE FULLY INSURED AND COVERED FOR THE SAFEST DELIVERY POSSIBLE, AT NO EXTRA COST TO YOU. GUARANTEED!

POSTAGE RECEIPTS AND PROOF OF POSTAGE IS ALWAYS AVAILABLE. MANY THANKS.

.

PAYMENTS 

Payments must be made within 3 days of purchasing unless an alternative arrangement has been agreed upon. Pay Pall ONLY for International buyers. We will accept Pay Pall, cheque or postal order within the UK, but no cash or bank transfers. Items sent out immediately on receipt of payment

Please Note: If no contact is made by the winning bidder following the mandatory Ebay 3 days, I will reserve the right to offer the item to the runner-up, unless prior notice of any delay is arranged beforehand.  Any bidder who has missed the chance to purchase an item from me can still email to make a priority second chance.