THE JIMI HENDRIX EXPERIENCE - AXIS:BOLD AS LOVE - US 1st pressing

	£		33
	$		44

THE JIMI HENDRIX EXPERIENCE - AXIS: BOLS AS LOVE

1st US Pressing on the "3-tone" Reprise Label RS 6281

Stamper matrixes 1A and 1B

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Some general remarks: This one brings up the question who came first: the hen or the egg? Many collectors consider the first UK Track releases as the real first pressings (especially the MONO versions) although Jimi was a US artist. To me it makes not much difference because AXIS would have been released simultaniously with the UK Track release in late 1968 but the record company feared that it will disturb the sales success of the first album so decided to release it only a few months later in the US. But there is one undisputed fact: the US boys did a much better job when they cut the lacquers. Compare "AXIS: BOLD AS LOVE" on the first UK Track Label with this first US Reprise issue and you know immediately what I mean. The sound on this one supercedes the UK version by far. It has bass and sparkling treble where the UK Track sounds thin, tubey and brassy. It is a big dissapointment when compared to this US release. It is interesting that this also applies to "Are you experienced" and the majority of the other Hendrix releases with one exception: Electric Ladyland sounds better as a UK Track 1st pressing (1/1/1/1 stampers) than the US 2-tone Reprise first pressing. If you have not heard the US 3-tone of "Axis" you really missed the spot.         

I grade my records on top notch equipment, using the expensive Lyra Kleos MC-cartridge. It reveals everything from any Vinyl which sometimes can be a curse, especially with 40+ year old records. When I grade a record as Excellent, I am pretty sure many other sellers would not hestitate to call it Near Mint. When I give a record the "Near Mint" grading it is practically flawless. I am collecting Vinyl since 35+ years and own hundreds of records from the day they came into the shops. I clean all records on my Keith Monks RCM II and add the Nagaoka N102 protective sleeve to each record.

The Vinyl: VG++

Held up into strong sunlight (!) I can see hairlines, some minor scuffs and thin non-sounding surface scratches. Although this copy is far from being beaten up it plays with scattered soft tics in some of the quieter sections but this is neither prominent nor distracting. In fact it is in very enjoyable. The sound is top notch. The Vinyl sits flat on the turntable.

The Labels: NEAR MINT

Original Sleeve: VG+(+)

Full bright colors but some edge and spine rubbing. No splits or tears. Very presentable. 

Plain White Inner Sleeve: EXCELLENT-

Just a bit of yellowing from age. No splits. Clean.    

The Vinyl is very hard to find in Near Mint condition and although this one does not make it to a top grade it still is very enjoyable and it is rare too. Don't let it pass by.

In case of any further questions please don't hesitate to mail me. I will answer promptly.

Due to the somehow weird eBay policies regarding postage please ignore the postage fee listed above. I decided to fix shipping at 7 GBP to anywhere in Europe and 9 GBP to the rest of the world. This includes the fees for "signed for/registered" and also Insurance to make sure the record arrives safely. It also allows to track it during its transit. The record ships from Germany.

Payment is required within 3 working days after auction ended.

I pack my records professionally in stiff record mailers leaving the Vinyl (housed in Nagaoka anti-static bags) outside the Sleeve.  

Good luck.