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

I purchased this stunning album along with 'Axis : Bold As Love (1st press w/insert)' from the same previous owner who kept his records in superb condition.  Both the Hendrix albums I am selling have hardly been played and impress with immaculate audio.

There is 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 inside photos is the true first press.  Indeed on recordmecca.com there is a lot of evidence to confirm this view and that 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 is a very early second stereo press as it still has the small photos on the inside of the gatefold but has the A2/B2 matrix.

This particular EL I am selling plays with stunning immaculate audio and as always I have listened to every second so as to provide a comprehensive grading.  The gatefold is in superb condition and you can even tell it has never been opened fully!

Side A / 613008 A // 2   420  1 1  1

Side B / 613009 A // 2   420  1 1  1 1

 Side C / 613009 B // 2   420  2 7  1 4

Side D / 613008 B // 2   420  1 2

The audio on S1 is Near Mint (Mint for the vast majority)

The audio on S2 is Near Mint (Mint in many sections / tracks 4&5 Ex+)

The audio on S3 is Near Mint (Mint for the majority / first 2/3 seconds on track 2 VG-)

The audio on S4 is Mint- (Mint for the vast majority)

The gatefold is Ex+

The original inner sleeves are Ex

The labels are Near Mint

 Visual grading

  The vinyls are visually stunning and I can confidently say they are in near perfect condition.  In fact I have never seen such an early stereo pressing with vinyls looking as super clean and as impressive as this.  I have looked under various lights and I can only detect one faint hairline on S1 and there are certainly no scratches.  The first record (Sides A & D) has no obvious spindle wear and the second (B & C) only a little so it is obvious they have only been lightly played.  They are in fantastic condition and amazingly look 'as new' and both retain a jet black glossy sheen.  It is so rare to find a 'Track Record' pressing as clean as this and together with a mega impressive gatefold this will not disappoint the avid collector.  I am pleased to say they play as well as they look and this is detailed below.

Play grading

S1 begins with supreme quietness i.e. barely any static.  The clarity on the 'And The Gods Made Love' intro is stunning.  There is one faint click about 30 seconds in but aside from that it the 'swirling' tape loops then play 'as new' with impeccable audio quality, an absolutely stunning start to S1.  'Electric Ladyland' then plays to the same mega impressive standard.  Yes there is one faint tick on the 'clock' intro but for a 50 year old record the clarity is again superb.  There is no background static/crackle whatsoever and the fade out is just 100% perfect.  'Crosstown Traffic' is another highlight.  I often find this track has some distortion but that is certainly not the case here.  It plays loud and true and easily qualifies as Mint- with no 'background' at all.  I cannot stress enough how well the classic 'Voodoo Chile' plays.  I played every second of it and many sections more than once and to say it plays well is an understatement!  I have never heard a more perfect version.  For a track with so many quiet sections the clarity and depth is breathtaking.  Jimi's guitar work is obviously stunning but the bass is so strong and adds so much to the sonic quality of the recording.  There is NO intrusive interference it is absolutely superb!  It plays with such a strong dynamic quality I simply cannot fault it in any way.  I need more words to adequately describe the Mint- quality on offer here!  From the stunning intro to the end the clarity is of the highest caliber possible.  There are no clicks or pops and no obvious dust ticks either.  There is perhaps just a minimal amount of distortion on Jimi's crescendo end section but it still plays with fantastic power and depth.  The 'spoken' section that follows has just very light intermittent static which you expect on a vinyl, and I repeat, especially on one of this advanced age.

'Little Miss Strange' plays with sublime quality from the very first note to the last.  Again the clarity could not be any better and provides a superb start to Side 2.  'Long Hot Summer Night' has just a touch of mega light static on the intro but soon disappears.  The remainder plays with wonderful clarity and only the odd dust tick in the background.  This is not interference and does not intrude on the quality of the listen and there are no clicks or pops.  Just a little static literally at the end of the end of the fade out.  'Come On' plays with fantastic precision from the get go.  I always mention clarity but that is how any vinyl should be judged of course and the clarity here is exceptional.  It is incredible and the guitar work - wow!  It is so powerful and has no distortion on the top end.  This is the most impressive version I have ever heard, 'as new' basically.  'Gipsy Eyes' is equal to this and is yet another stunning highlight.  A hint of light distortion on the top end but certainly not intrusive and is more to do with how it was produced and recorded.  No static, clicks or pops again.  'Burning Of The Midnight Lamp' ends the side with real quality once more although there is a little more distortion here but again that will be due to the same aforementioned reason and the fact that that it is the final track where the grooves are often pressed closer causing said distortion.

For any opening few grooves to play cleanly on any collectable record is a rarity and the intro on 'Rainy Day, Dream Away' fits into that category.  There is no obvious 'background' aside from one faint tick and the clarity throughout is of a wonderful standard.  Special mention for the extended fade out here - so quiet and yet there is no interference whatsoever.  '1983...' does have three obvious pops on the intro but apart from that it is faultless and proceeds to play with fantastic depth and sonic quality.  Aside from the first 2/3 seconds you cannot fail but be mega impressed by the stunning audio here.  With so many quiet sections the clarity is very impressive indeed.  Even the psychedelic middle section is superb with only a minimal amount of very quiet static in a couple of sections that is barely worth a mention and is definitely not intrusive.  Turn the lights off you can get lost in the music here!  It is just so clear and there are no clicks or pops anywhere.  Astounding!  There is one light click towards the end but aside from that - near perfection.  This seques beautifully into 'Moon, Turn The Tides...' and the audio here is again exceptional.  No distortion on the top end and immaculate clarity on the quiet sections.  This plays 'as new' and the super quiet end section is absolutely stunning, I have never heard better.  100% mind-blowing!

'Still Raining, Still Dreaming' on S4 is superb from the opening note.  I know I am at risk of repeating myself but this is glorious!  There is no 'background' and the entire track plays as Mint the audio could not be any better.  Again there is no distortion on the top end and Jimi's guitar work has never played more clearly and with such incredible power on such an early pressing.  Wow what a start to this side!  I am pleased to say 'House Burning Down' continues in the same style with no obvious interference anywhere.  No clicks or pops just pure sublime audio from start to finish.  The classic and iconic 'All Along The Watchtower' plays with great depth from the very start.  The bass here is so strong and complements Jimi's work perfectly.  It is such a dynamic powerful version it would be nigh on impossible to find a better one.  This is audio at its very best.  'Voodoo Chile (slight return)' has only a handful of mega light dust ticks on the intro but they are barely audible if I'm honest.  It then plays with immense power for the remainder - this is a rarity being the final track and there is just no interference.  The quality is breathtaking and yes I have never heard better.  Again I am tempted to grade this as Mint the depth and strength of the audio is awesome.  The fact that there is no distortion is such a rarity and it provides a ending to this 'high end' that quite simply could not be any better.

In summary this is a final upgrade archive pressing.  With only one obvious 2/3 second section of interference you could not beat this classic double LP for sheer quality.  The vast majority plays 'as new' and that is no exaggeration and when you see how clean the vinyls are that is no surprise.  So many of these mega early stereo 'Track Record' vinyls have been overplayed and/or heavily marked but that is certainly not the case here.  Not forgetting the super impressive laminated gatefold this is a superb package overall.

The Gatefold

This is very possibly the cleanest and most impressive E.J. Day fully laminated cover I have ever seen.  So often found in poor condition this one has been preserved beautifully and has very little shelf wear.  In fact it has never even been fully opened!  It has that lovely 'crunch' when you attempt to open it and does not open fully so I wasn't going to force it!  The edges and wide spine look 'as new' with no rubbing/marking and even the corners have barely any wear.  The opening edges also look barely touched, so straight and so clean only the top of the first one has a little 'wrinkling'.  The front cover is in great shape with no marking and there are only three obvious laminate creases on the right hand side and there is no splitting.  The back cover is in fantastic condition with only a couple of creases and some minor lifting of the laminate on the bottom edge, very minor though!  The inside of the gatefold is in pristine condition it could not be any cleaner and even the inner spine has no splitting or staining.

You always expect some wear with this iconic cover but as I say this is without doubt the best I have ever seen.  Yes a handful of laminate creases but they are not glaringly obvious and any 'Hendrix' collector would be very pleased to have this in their collection.

Inner sleeves

The original poly-lined inner sleeves are in excellent condition with no splits or tears and only a little creasing.  336D has been written top left on both of them.

The labels

The 'Track Record' labels are very clean with no marking or writing.  As stated there is very little spindle wear and these are easily the cleanest labels I have seen on such an early press.  The run out grooves are also very clean.  Superb examples.

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

Side A / 613008 A // 2   420  1 1  1

Side B / 613009 A // 2   420  1 1  1 1

 Side C / 613009 B // 2   420  2 7  1 4

Side D / 613008 B // 2   420  1 2

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 TRACKED SHIPPING IS AGAIN NECESSARY PLUS INSURANCE AND THIS COSTS AN EXTRA £7.50 IN TOTAL.  PLEASE ONLY BID IF YOU AGREE WITH THESE TERMS AND CONDITIONS AND PLEASE WAIT FOR THE INVOICE, MANY THANKS.

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!