The Jimi Hendrix Experience : Electric Ladyland 1/1/1/1

There is so much conjecture as to what a genuine first pressing is.  There is much debate online and the popular view is that the cover with white text and small photos is the true first press.  This is confirmed on the recordmecca.com site where there is a lot of evidence to confirm this view.  The blue text one was basically a miss-pressing.  A lot of eBay sellers like to perpetuate the myth that the blue one is the true first pressing :-)

This particular EL I am selling plays with stunning audio for the vast majority and I have listened to every second so as to provide a complete grading.

Side A / 61300 9 8 A // 1  1 1  9

Side B / 61300 8 9 A B // 1  1 6  5

 Side C / 613009 B XXXXXXX A // 1  1 3 1

Side D / 61300 9 8 B // 1  1 5  2

The audio on S1 is Ex+ (Near Mint in many sections)

The audio on S2 is Ex+ (Near Mint in many sections)

The audio on S3 is Ex (Near Mint for the majority)

The audio on S4 is Ex+ (Near Mint in many sections)

The gatefold is VG+

The inner sleeves are Ex+

The labels are Ex+

 Visual grading

  The vinyls are visually both very impressive indeed.  There are a number of very faint hairlines on the first vinyl (Sides A & D) but as per my grading below they have no affect on the wonderful quality of the audio.  The vast majority of them must surely be sleeve removal hairlines which all vinyls have.  Side A also has one longer but faint hairline and a couple of small speck marks but again have no bearing on the audio.  The second vinyl (B & C) has fewer hairlines - both vinyls have been very well cared for down the years and not heavily marked like so many and whilst there is some spindle wear there is by no means an excessive amount.  They have not been overplayed at all and this accounts for the excellent quality of the audio.  There are no scratches to be seen anywhere.  For such an early pressing you will not find many cleaner examples than this.

Play grading

'And The Gods Made Love' has only a minimal amount of static on the intro and the 'swirling' tape loops then plays with exquisite quality, an absolutely stunning start to S1.  'Electric Ladyland' then impresses with great quality and the only 'background' is a little static on the fade out.  This version of 'Crosstown Traffic' is stunning.  It plays loud and true with no distortion and hardly any 'background' on the fade out.  The classic 'Voodoo Chile' has a little static on the intro and then plays with wonderful clarity and depth.  Of course Jimi's guitar work is legendary but the bass here is so strong and adds so much to the recording.  There are no clicks or pops just some light static here and there although it has to be said the majority of this track plays with Near Mint quality as there are so many sections that have no interference at all.  So many of the quiet sections play with great clarity.  Yes some light ticks every now and then but overall this is a fantastic version of this classic and is one of the 'cleanest' I have heard in a long time.

'Little Miss Strange' plays with superb quality from the very first groove and the depth and clarity throughout is incredible and easily grades as Near Mint it is that good.  'Long Hot Summer Night' has some light static in the background but still plays very clearly with no clicks or pops.  'Come On' is another stunning track that has audio of an exemplary standard.  Wow it is stunning!  There is no distortion on the top end and rarely have I heard such power and pure clarity.  'Gipsy Eyes' also plays with great sound.   There is just a minor hint of static here but it certainly isn't intrusive and again not a single click or pop.  'Burning Of The Midnight Lamp' ends the side with superb sound once more.  A little distortion perhaps but nothing that detracts from the quality of the audio.

'Rainy Day, Dream Away' on S3 has a couple of light clicks on the intro but no static or crackle and then plays with fabulous depth and power.  This may just be the most impressive version I have heard on such an early pressing.  It plays so clearly, the sonic quality is just stunning and even the fade out has no interference.  This is why we listen to vinyl!  '1983...' has minimal static on the intro and once the vocal begins the audio is so clear.  I heard only one faint click on this verse and the clarity that follows is of a very high standard.  On the spoken fourth verse there are a small number of very faint ticks and a couple of clicks but once we get to the instrumental section the clarity is exceptional.  There are 4/5 light clicks on one section but overall the audio does not disappoint and the vast majority of it plays as Near Mint if not better!  This track of course merges seques into 'Moon, Turn The Tides...' and the audio here is of an equal standard.  With so many quiet sections I am just amazed at the breathtaking quality here.  So much plays 'as new'.  The super quiet end section has a little static only.

  'Still Raining, Still Dreaming' plays with stunning power and with just a minor amount of mega light static on the intro.  There is no distortion on the top end of the stunning guitar work and this is a superb start to S4.  'House Burning Down' has no clicks or pops but there is maybe a little distortion here.  In my opinion it doesn't intrude on the audio and it still plays extremely well.  There is a little static on the end section.  The classic 'All Along The Watchtower' plays with great clarity and precision from the start.  A handful of light ticks only you won't hear many better versions than this.  It is so dynamic and the bass so high in the mix here, absolutely stunning.  'Voodoo Chile (slight return)' has some static on the intro but then plays with immense power on the remainder and no distortion which is a rarity.  A superb end to a classic album.

In summary this mega early stereo pressing has exceptional audio overall.  With only light static here and there and a relatively low number of light ticks/clicks the audio displays great clarity.  There is not one single loud click or pop and there are definitely no skips or jumps.  So many of these 'Track Record' vinyls have been played a great deal and are heavily marked but that is certainly not the case here.

The Gatefold

Th E.J. Day fully laminated cover has some shelf wear but has stood the test of time very well overall.  The top edges and wide spine are very clean with no rubbing and it is only the bottom edges that have some wear with rubbing all the way along.  There is a small split on the bottom edge of the front cover.  There is also some corner wear but not a major amount.  The opening edges have only a relatively small amount of handling wear.  The laminate itself is in excellent order with no splits just some small creases here and there.  The inside of the gatefold is in lovely condition and the spine is in excellent order - so often it is has a lot of wear.  I would grade this cover as a strong VG+ and if not for the bottom edges it would be Ex in my opinion.

Inner sleeves

The poly-lined inner sleeves are in excellent condition with no splits or tears just some minor creasing and age related fading on the top edges.

The labels

The 'Track Record' labels are very clean with no marking or writing.  There is some spindle wear but as stated not too much at all.  The run out grooves are also very clean.

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

I grade according to "Record Collector" guidelines.

Any questions please feel free to ask

Please pay within 4 days of auction end

Recent Feedback

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Postage & Packaging

I SHIP WORLDWIDE BUT WHEN SHIPPING ITEMS TO ITALY, RUSSIA AND SOUTH AMERICA I WILL ONLY SEND THEM "TRACKED/SIGNED FOR" AND THIS COSTS AN ADDITIONAL £5.00. PLEASE WAIT FOR THE INVOICE. WHEN ITEMS EXCEED A SALE PRICE OF £50.00 AND ARE TO BE SENT INTERNATIONALLY EXTRA INSURANCE IS NECESSARY AND COSTS AN EXTRA £2.50.  PLEASE ONLY BID IF YOU AGREE WITH THESE TERMS AND CONDITIONS.

COMBINED POSTAGE IS ALWAYS OFFERED WHEN MORE THAN ONE ITEM IS WON.

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.

UK Postage Rates (First Class)

LPs/12" singles : £5.45 (recorded) up to 1kg then £0.95 per extra item 

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

EUROPE 

LPs/12" singles : £8.95 then £1.75 per extra 

7" singles / CDs : £5.45 then £0.95 per extra 

REST OF WORLD  

LPs/12" singles : £12.45 then £2.50 per extra

7" singles / CDs : £6.95 then £1.45 per extra

I WILL LEAVE FEEDBACK ONCE IT HAS BEEN LEFT FOR ME. THIS IS SO I KNOW THE ITEM HAS BEEN RECEIVED SAFELY AND THAT YOU ARE HAPPY WITH IT. IF YOU ARE NOT ENTIRELY HAPPY WITH YOUR PURCHASE PLEASE CONTACT ME BEFORE LEAVING FEEDBACK AND I WILL ALWAYS RESOLVE ANY PROBLEM, 100% GUARANTEED.  I WILL ALSO PAY THE RETURN POSTAGE COST IF I AM AT FAULT - yes this can happen as I am only human!!

In the coming weeks and months I will be selling plenty of Queen, Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, Beatles, Genesis and Marillion items so please keep a look out!  Many thanks.  Please look at my other items on now!