The Jimi Hendrix Experience : Electric Ladyland 1/2/2/2

This early pressing on the 'Track Record' label is the finest I have ever heard and is a FINAL UPGRADE version for certain.  The clarity and sonic quality is second to none and the total lack of distortion is such a rarity.  It plays to a Near Mint / Mint standard throughout and that in a way is not surprising as both vinyls are visually stunning in every way!  There is very little spindle wear and it is patently obvious it has only ever been lightly played.

This stunning double album has been so well preserved down the years and the gatefold is in superb condition with very little shelf wear and the original inners are also in great order.  What a 'package'!

This is a second pressing as determined by a number of things.  The matrix info of 1/2/2/2 is the first sign, a genuine first press will have 1/1/1/1 on the run out grooves.  The catalogue number is not repeated with inverted numbers on the labels and a second press and subsequent pressings will have 'Two Record Set' on the labels also.

This second press however came with the laminated gatefold that was issued with the first pressing.  A genuine first press cover has the smaller photos of Redding and Mitchell on the inside.  On the 'blue text' version their photos are larger.  There is now so much evidence to say the cover with the white text and smaller photos is the true first press.  Redding and Mitchell were not happy with the small photos hence why they are larger in later pressings.  The 'blue text' versions only exist in far fewer numbers and as Hendrix was a massive selling 'star' in '68 why would a cover be printed in such small numbers?  The 'blue text' is basically a misprint and the error was soon rectified.

Side A / 61300 ## 8 (etched 8) A // 1  1 3 4

Side B / 613009 A? 2  420   1 1 1

Side C / 613009 B // 2  420   1 1 1 2

Side D / 613008 B? 2  420  1 2 6

The audio on S1 is Mint- (Track 4 Near Mint)

The audio on S2 is Mint- (T2 & T5 Near Mint)

The audio on S3 is Mint-

The audio on S4 is Mint-

The gatefold is Ex++

The 'Plastic Bags...' inner sleeves are Near Mint and Ex+

The labels are Near Mint

The vinyls are visually stunning and retain the most immaculate glossy sheen I have ever seen on such an early pressing.  They have been so carefully handled down the years and only sparingly played in my opinion.  There is not too much spindle wear on the first record (Sides A and D) and even less on the second (Sides B and C).  Both records are so beautifully clean and it is true to say I have never seen any better.  There are no marks or scratches and remarkably only one small but faint hairline on Side A and it took me a long time to find that!  You would be mistaken for thinking they look 'as new' they are that impressive.  The run out grooves are exceptionally clean, the matrix info can clearly be read, and the 'Track' labels are also in great shape with no writing or marking on them.

Play grading

'And The Gods Made Love' plays beautifully from start to finish.  The opening grooves are of course so quiet and yet there is no obvious static whatsoever!  The playback is stunning and the swirling tape loops are 'as new', never heard better!  An immaculate Mint- start to the album.

The segue into 'Electric Ladyland' is super 'clean' with only a couple of barely audible dust ticks and the clock 'plays' perfectly!  From then on the audio cannot be faulted and there is no interference of any kind and the fade out plays with incredible precision.  Mint- again.

The classic 'Crosstown Traffic' has a clarity and definition that is so rare.  It is obvious this record has hardly been played as the playback so far is faultless.  This version is so strong with no distortion and plays loud and true and to say it plays with Mint quality is no exaggeration.  The fade out is immaculate, what a version!

The quiet intro on 'Voodoo Chile' has no 'background' - shut your eyes it's like you're there!  Just after 30 seconds there is one click sound but that is literally the only interference on this entire section.  From then on the audio is absolutely astounding!  On a barely played record such as this the clarity and depth shines through - Redding's deep bass is so strong and adds so much to the music and provides a perfect accompaniment for Hendrix's stunning work.  There are so many quiet sections and yet the clarity is unbelievably good and the louder sections have no distortion.  There is no underlying static or crackle and that is what I mean by impressive clarity.  There is one other click after 8.5 minutes but aside from that this classic plays with a quality that is so hard to find today.  Mitchell's percussive section is superb and as the volume increases the playback again cannot be faulted.  From then on it plays with delicate precision during the quieter moments and the 'high octane' end section is another example of a vinyl so well preserved.  So much power and barely any inner groove distortion and as I often say you can easily turn it up to loud!  The spoken 'crowd' section is also super clean with no interference.  In all honesty this has to be one of the finest versions I have ever heard and to think it's on such an early Track pressing!  With only two clicks over nearly 15 minutes is quite impressive!  A Near Mint grade is fair because the vast majority does play better than that!

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The acoustic intro on 'Little Miss Strange' is 'as new' and as the vocal begins the audio is 'high end' to say the least.  From then on it plays with superb precision and no 'background' at all.  A Mint version I am confident in saying.

'Long Hot Summer Night' is of a very similar standard.  There are a small number of very light dust ticks on the intro and it then plays supremely well with just one light click in the middle section.  Aside from that there is no other intrusion on the audio and grades as Near Mint with another stunning fade out.

'Come On' is immaculate from start to finish and the definition of the audio is like it was pressed only yesterday!  This is an exceptional version, the playback could not be any stronger or clearer.  Each note is so precise, this is pure Mint audio with a fade out that also plays to perfection.

I am pleased to say 'Gipsy Eyes' is of the same standard and this is in fact a rarity.  Why?  Well the vocal often has some distortion but that is certainly not the case here and the clarity is stunning.  There is no intrusion on the audio and once again I can hardly believe what I am hearing!  Another Mint version.

The classic wah-wah intro on 'Burning Of The Midnight Lamp' is 'as new' and it then plays in superb style with no interference.  There is perhaps just a minimal touch of inner groove distortion but that has to be accepted really and it still plays fantastically well.  There is no static or crackle and no clicks or pops and I will grade as Near Mint just to be cautious.

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The 'live' intro on 'Rainy Day, Dream Away' could not be any 'cleaner' and the sax/guitar instrumental is stunning!  Just no interference at all and as Redding's bass rises up the depth of the audio is sublime.  I know I'm running out of superlatives in which to describe this album but this is audio from the Stereo Gods I can assure you!  The vocals are so clear and the remainder of the track is flawless and has another superb fade out also.  This is Mint without question.

The classic '1983 (A Merman I Should Turn To Be)' has a mega impressive intro with only a couple of light dust ticks and as vocal begins it's like you're back there in '68!  The sonic quality is superb and this amazing psychedelic track continues to play with wonderful clarity and definition.  This is a FINAL UPGRADE version and each note can be heard so clearly.  Is this record really over 50 years old?!  I have no hesitation in saying this track has been hardly played I have never heard clarity like it!  The long psychedelic instrumental piece is a case in point.  So quiet in so many sections and yet there is no 'background' of any kind.  This is 100% STUNNING and any avid collector would be blown away by the audio here!  I have played every second and there is just nothing to detract from the overwhelming Mint quality of the audio.  Ok I might be over-eulogising just a little but when you find audio such as this on such an early pressing you can't help but get carried away a little!  There is no distortion on the top end and to the end this classic is 'as new'.  The final vocal plays with infinite precision as does the final instrumental section.  A Mint version if ever there was!

The segue into 'Moon, Turn The Tides...' is practically silent, just a handful of barely audible dust ticks but obviously not intrusive.  This 'minor' instrumental then plays with superb precision to the very end.

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  'Still Raining, Still Dreaming' on Side D plays with great clarity from the outset and continues in the same exact way.  The section where the bass volume is turned up to max coupled with Hendrix's playing is 'as new' and to the end you are again amazed by the quality of the audio on offer here.  Dare I say Mint again.  A mind-blowing version!

'House Burning Down' so often has some static distortion on the intro but there is none in evidence here.  I do not wish to sound repetitive but I have just never heard a more impressive version.  The depth and power cannot be improved upon and it plays with Mint quality throughout.  There is no distortion and that is another rarity for this track providing another example of a hardly played record.

The ultimate version of 'All Along The Watchtower' plays with tremendous sonic quality and has to be the strongest version I have heard also.  It plays with incredible depth, power and intensity and is deserving of a Mint grade without doubt.

The super quiet intro on 'Voodoo Chile (slight return)' is flawless, just a small number of mega quiet dust ticks, and the first riff plays perfectly.  As the volume increases there is no distortion and that is just so rare!  I turned this up to 'full blast' and it just sounded fantastic!  There is just no distortion at all and I cannot remember when I heard this 'reprise' play with such incredible precision.  This is the most dynamic version you could ever wish for and from start to finish it is STUNNING with a capital S!  To the final note this is MINT in every way and I have never heard depth and power like it!

In summary this FINAL UPGRADE second press plays to a standard that is so rare to find.  When I purchased this LP I suspected it may play well just by the visual quality but I didn't expect it to play this well!  I have more than adequately described the quality of each track and as always I have listened to every second so as to provide a 'complete' grading.  I know I have set the bar high regarding the price but the right buyer will not be disappointed with everything on offer here.  The clarity and definition is so impressive and the fact that there is barely any distortion is such a rarity.  The vast majority is 'as new' and the iconic laminated gatefold is also in lovely condition with only very minor shelf wear.  This early pressing has been so well preserved over the decades, only lightly played and perhaps some not at all.  This would add to any Near Mint / Mint collection of that I have no doubt.

The Gatefold

This first press E.J. Day cover is in lovely condition and is definitely one of the 'cleanest' I have seen in a long time.  The edges are fantastic with no 'rubbing' at all and the wide spine is practically 'as new'!  It doesn't even have any corner wear!  The other corners are also in sublime condition with hardly any shelf wear and the opening edges are again extremely clean with only the bare minimum of handling wear.  The laminated front cover has no marking and has only a small number of light laminate creases.  The back cover is equally as good with 2/3 small creases and another near the bottom left corner.  A hint of ringwear also.  The laminate on both sides has no splits or lifting and this is a rarity especially on a first press cover.  The inside of the gatefold is so impressive and provides further evidence of a cover that has not been handled very much.  It is near perfect!  It is so glossy and has only a couple of minor creases and incredibly the laminate on the inner spine remains 100% intact!  Superb!

This is an exceptional example of this iconic cover and is rarely found as 'clean' as this.  With only minimal shelf wear they don't get much better than this!  This is a very strong Ex++ and would impress any avid Hendrix collector.

The Inners

The original poly-lined 'Plastic Bag...' inners are in great condition with no splits and only one small tear on one of the central 'windows'.  They are very clean with no marking and very little creasing.

The Labels

The 'Track Record' labels are in superb condition with only barely any spindle wear on Sides B and C and only a little more on A and D.  They are mega clean with no marking or writing and could hardly look any better!

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

Side A / 61300 ## 8 (etched 8) A // 1  1 3 4

Side B / 613009 A? 2  420   1 1 1

Side C / 613009 B // 2  420   1 1 1 2

Side D / 613008 B? 2  420  1 2 6

I grade according to "Record Collector" guidelines.

Any questions please feel free to ask

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