JIMI HENDRIX, AXIS: BOLD AS LOVE, 1967 UK TRACK MONO

	£		242
	$		321

betsy50 Store

Hello and welcome to my auction. My name is Nick - aka “playgraderecords”. I have been an avid record collector for many years. Although I like lots of modern music, my passion is for classic blues, psych and progressive albums from the mid 60s to the early 70s. I don’t sell many records – the ones that I do sell are either duplicates from my collection or top quality examples sourced from record fairs or my local record shops.

I take pride in the care and attention that I give to every record that I list for auction. The records from my own collection have always been stored upright in polythene sleeves away from dust and light. These seldom require any cleaning other than just a quick dust using a sticky rubber Nagaoka Rolling 152 and a carbon fibre anti-static brush before play.

Each new find is sympathetically cleaned to remove visible dust, debris and fingerprints, before being critically assessed for the quality of play. If I think that the audio can be improved by a deep clean to remove a build-up of debris embedded in the grooves, I will clean it using a tried and tested isopropyl alcohol based record cleaning solution. I have refined my cleaning method over the years to a fine art, and am confident that the results are far superior to those achieved by the popular vacuum cleaning machines. In reality, the playback of most 35+ years old records will be improved massively by a proper clean.

Consequently, the records that I offer for sale will be immaculately presented and will play to a very high standard with barely any unwanted surface sound or static to spoil the listening pleasure.

Each record is strictly graded, and any significant defects to either the record or the sleeve will be highlighted. I will not conveniently forget to mention faults in order to sell for higher prices. If I grade a record as being in MINT- condition, you can rest assured that it will be both visually and aurally a near perfect copy which will be impossible to significantly improve upon!

Customer satisfaction is very important to me and I aim to provide a professional 5-star service to make the Ebay experience an enjoyable one.

Okay, now that I have given you little background information about myself– its time to get on to the important bit:

Here for auction is a lovely example of the second studio album by THE JIMI HENDRIX EXPERIENCE titled “AXIS: BOLD AS LOVE”, Catalogue Number 612 003. This is an ORIGINAL 1967 UK MONO 1st PRESSING on the TRACK RECORD LABEL, with a superb 1st issue laminated E. J. Day gatefold sleeve. The package comes complete with the elusive Paul Martin designed gatefold LYRIC INSERT which was only included with some of the earliest copies sold. [The matrix numbers are Av1, Bv1 and the record labels are the earliest Track double-ridged design].

The laminated gatefold sleeve, printed and made by Ernest J. Day & Co. Ltd., London, is in close to EX condition (strictly graded) with only very light wear and minor creasing. The front and back covers are unmarked. The psychedelic artwork retains its vibrant coloration and the lamination is excellent. The opening gatefold spread (with flip-backs top and bottom) is also unmarked. The spine is square and solid with just a little colour loss at the corners. The spine is square and solid. There are no rips, tears, writing or anything else. You can see from the photos that this is a truly excellent example of this iconic sleeve.

The solidly pressed Track record retains a nice shine and sits flat and true on the turntable. The playing surfaces are beautifully clean. 

The Matrix Numbers and stampers are:

Side 1 – 612 003  Av1    1   2   5

Side 2 – 612 003  Bv1    ?   1   2

Visually I would grade the record as being in VG condition as there are some light surface marks evident under bright light. These are mostly superficial and do not cause any significant audio problems. The matt black Track labels are unmarked apart from some spindle traces near the centres. There is barely any wear to the spindle hole.

PLAYGRADE ASSESSMENT:

This is a top quality Track pressing which plays with outstanding sound quality. The mono playback is particularly loud-cut and vibrant and the bass is very impressive. Both sides play to a very high standard with all frequencies crystal clear. There is no discernable deterioration in sound quality and only very low levels of unwanted noise (just occasional light tics which are not intrusive and don’t interfere with the enjoyment of the music). Please don’t be put off by my visual grading – the record really does play superbly.

The Paul Martin designed gatefold lyric insert is in close to EX condition. This has no splits or tears – just a few handling marks and minor creasing. 

GRADINGS

The records that I offer for sale have been critically play-graded, at loud volume, on a Rega Planar 3 turntable fitted with an Elys 2 cartridge. I will only sell records that play to a high standard. My gradings are strict and in accordance with the following descriptions:

·         MINT- Record is superb, almost like new, with just a few sleeve removal type surface marks and no deterioration in sound quality. Sleeve is near perfect in all respects.

·         EX Record is a top quality example, with just a few very light surface marks which do not sound, and barely any discernable deterioration in sound quality. Sleeve has slight wear and/or creasing.

·         VG Record has some visual surface marks, but still plays to a high standard without any major deterioration in sound quality – just a few clicks or light surface sound in places. Sleeve has normal wear and tear without any major defects. Still a very presentable sleeve.

PACKAGING

Records are sent out in new “Wrapro” record mailers. These are rectangular and strong, providing excellent protection to the edges and corners. Records are removed from both inner and outer sleeves in order to prevent seam-splits in transit.

INTERNATIONAL POSTAGE

Due to PayPal’s Buyer Protection Policy, LPs posted outside of the UK (paid for by PayPal) will only be sent International Signed-For with insurance at the following cost:   

Europe up to £39 value - £8.95

Europe over £39 value - £11.15

Worldwide up to £39 value - £12.45

Worldwide over £39 value - £14.65

A postage discount will be given for multiple LPs