JIMI HENDRIX, ELECTRIC LADYLAND, 1968 UK TRACK DOUBLE

	£		162
	$		215

betsy50 Store

Important Information

All UK bidders please read the domestic postage information in red at the bottom of the LP description.

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 iconic studio double album by THE JIMI HENDRIX EXPERIENCE titled “ELECTRIC LADYLAND”, Catalogue Number 613008/009. This is an ORIGINAL 1968 UK STEREO 1st ISSUE on the TRACK RECORD LABEL, with a fully-laminated E. J. Day Ltd. gatefold sleeve featuring the infamous naked ladies.

It is important to explain the differences between the original Track 1st issues and subsequent Track and Polydor re-issues. Only genuine Track 1st issues feature the original “soundscape” mix. This took Hendrix's visions of a soundscape behind his music to give it context, experimenting with odd microphone techniques, echo, backward tape, flanging, and chorusing, which were all new techniques at the time. What Hendrix sonically achieved on this record expanded the concept of what could be achieved in a modern recording studio in much the same manner as Phil Spector had done a decade before with his Wall of Sound. The soundscape pressings have the following features:

·        All 4 sides have matrix numbers ending in 1

·        The record labels have a small inverted catalogue number and side letter, printed above the catalogue number on the left side of the labels

·        The record labels do not have a Set No. printed under the Stereo logos on the right side

The records for auction here have all of these features confirming that this is a genuine 1st issue of Hendrix’s masterpiece, and therefore a very important album indeed.

The fully-laminated gatefold sleeve, printed and made by Ernest J. Day & Co. Ltd., London, is in VG condition with only light wear and a few creases. The track-listing text on the inside is in white print. The front and back covers and opening gatefold spread are unmarked. The spine is square and solid with only minimal rubbing. There is clear tape/tape residue around the edges (for protection) and a little wear to the opening corners, but nothing serious. Overall this is still a very tidy sleeve.

Both records are very solidly pressed with square-cut rim edges. They retain a lovely shine and sit flat and true on the turntable. 

The Matrix Numbers and stampers are:

Side A – 61300##8  A//1   1  2    1  3?

Side D – 61300#8   B//1   1    1 7

Side B – 61300#9A##//1   1  2    1 6

Side C – 61300#9#B#//1   1  2    5

Visually I would grade the records as being in somewhere between VG and EX condition, as there are a few very light surface marks evident under bright light. These are only superficial and do not cause any audio problems whatsoever. The matt black Track labels are unmarked apart from some spindle traces near the centres. The records have clearly been played quite a few times, but they have obviously been handled with care and played on decent equipment.

PLAYGRADE ASSESSMENT:

The original Track soundscape pressings of this album are very special. The stereo playback is particularly loud-cut and vibrant and the sound quality is outstanding. The whole effect is very atmospheric. Both records play to a very high standard. There is barely any discernable deterioration in sound quality and hardly any unwanted noise at all (just occasional very light surface sound which is never intrusive and only mentioned for complete accuracy). I think that it will be very difficult to find a significantly better-playing 1st issue copy of this essential album.

The white poly-lined inner sleeves are both in EX condition.

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.

DOMESTIC POSTAGE

The free 2nd class postage option referred to above only applies to LPs paid for by UK cheque or Postal Order.

Due to PayPal’s Buyer Protection Policy, LPs paid for by PayPal must be posted using a fully trackable postal service, i.e. 1st class recorded at £4.25 or Special Delivery Next Day at £7.25. These options will be specified on the invoice. If a PayPal payment is received which does not include payment for one of these trackable services, an additional payment will be requested. This is not negotiable.  If you are not happy with the domestic postage charges please do not bid.

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 - £9.95

Europe over £39 value - £12.15

Worldwide up to £39 value - £13.45

Worldwide over £39 value - £15.65

A postage discount will be given for multiple LPs