The Jimi Hendrix Experience / Axis : Bold As Love A1/B1 1st Mono Press

This highly collectable second LP from the 'Experience' plays to a superb standard with very little 'background'.  No loud clicks or pops at all!

Unfortunately there is no original insert but the cover is in excellent order with only minimal shelf wear.  The original inner has been de-faced somewhat with some Hendrix articles from the day.  An interesting read though!

612 003 A? 1  1 5

612 003 B? 1  3 1

The audio on S1 is Near Mint for the majority (Tracks 1 & 7 Ex+)

The audio on S2 is Ex+ (Near Mint for the majority)

The cover is Ex-

The labels are Near Mint-

The original inner sleeve is G+

Visual grading

This vinyl is in excellent condition and retains a very healthy glossy sheen.  There are some faint hairlines but only a handful that are a little more obvious.  There are however no scratches and overall it has been very well maintained down the years and the superb audio reflects that.  There is not very much spindle wear and whilst the run out grooves have some radial type lines you can still clearly read the matrix info.  The labels are very clean with no marking.

Play grading

'EXP' has only minimal light static at the beginning and plays very clearly throughout.  There are just couple of light clicks towards the end so overall this is an Ex+ start to side.

'Up From The Skies' plays with stunning precision from the first note and continues in the same sublime way.  The clarity and depth is so impressive and this is without doubt a Mint- version.  A super clean fade out also.

I am pleased to say 'Spanish Castle Magic' plays with incredible power and clarity from start to finish.  There is no discernible static and is another Mint- track.  It really is a stunning version and rarely has no distortion at all.

'Wait Until Tomorrow' and 'Ain't No Telling' both play with audio that is so clean and the clarity is again stunning.  There is no static or crackle and no clicks or pops.  Judging by the clarity so far this record has only been lightly played.  Both these tracks grade as Mint- this really is audio of the highest order.

The evergreen classic 'Little Wing' has such a clean intro with no obvious static at all.  Superb!  As the vocal begins there is no decrease in quality and again the depth of the audio is clearly of a record that has been hardly played and so well preserved down the years.  I do not wish to repeat myself but this is Mint- again.

'If Six Was Nine' has only a handful of very light ticks on the intro, so light you could easily miss them!  There is perhaps just a hint of vocal distortion at the start but that may only be because this is a mono record being played through a stereo system.  Don't forget inner groove distortion is always a common feature on any record.  This track still plays with great audio and there is no interference.  The 'quieter' section has only a couple of very light clicks and the clarity here really is very impressive.  No annoying 'background' at all!  The final section plays with exceptional quality and only a minimal amount of distortion.  I will grade as Ex+ although I am sure many would grade higher!

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'You've Got Me Floating' plays with superb audio from the opening groove and continues in the same precise way.  There is perhaps just a hint of intermittent static in the background but it is so quiet and obviously non-intrusive.  I will grade as Ex+ just to be cautious but nevertheless provides a fine start to S2. 

'Castles Made Of Sand' has only light static on the intro and then plays very clearly with just one light click as you approach the end.  There is just light static on this quieter end section but again is not intrusive.  I am sure the majority of sellers would not even mention it!  Ex+ again but I may be underselling it!

'She's So Fine' plays with very strong audio and not one click or pop.  With barely any background static you cannot fault this version and the power and depth on this Redding number is very impressive.  I'm happy to grade this as Near Mint as the only 'background' is a minimal amount of light static at the end.

'One Rainy Wish' plays with great clarity on the relatively quiet intro, 'as new' in fact!  As the vocal begins the audio is of the highest calibre and to the end it plays with such a distinctive and powerful sound.  The depth of the audio is a real feature here and rarely have I heard this classic play as cleanly as this.  The fade out ending also plays with stunning precision.  A fabulous Near Mint for certain if not better!

The drumbeat intro on 'Little Miss Lover' could not play any better and it continues to impress.  Once again there are no clicks or pops and again the power and depth of the audio is so strong.  There is no obvious static and from beginning to end it is Near Mint the quality is 'high end'.

The quiet intro on 'Bold As Love' plays beautifully with no 'background' and there is barely any distortion as the volume increases.  There are couple of crackle sounds during the next verse but they are not loud and from then on it plays with stunning quality.  I have played it twice as I just had to hear that final section again!  The power that emanates from the speakers just encompasses the room and you can easily turn it up to loud!  I have rarely heard this section play with such sublime sonic quality.  I keep on about clarity and depth but the depth on this section is so impressive, so strong and the only 'background' is a little static right at the end of the fade out.  I would say the first half is a very strong Ex+ with the remainder as Near Mint you will not hear much better!

In summary there is very little to fault with this highly collectable first pressing.  The playback is so 'clean' and with only 3/4 light clicks the clarity is exceptional.  This record was certainly not trashed at parties and visually it is a very clean version.  A very respectable first press that has been very well preserved down the decades.  Sadly it does not include the insert but the gatefold is in excellent order with very little shelf wear.

The Gatefold

The iconic E.J. Day cover is in excellent condition with only a little shelf wear.  The edges are in superb shape and only the bottom edge of the back cover has a small amount of tiny 'rubs'.  The spine is also very clean with just one small scuff in the centre and a little wear on the corners.  The right hand corners do not have too much wear although the right hand one of the back cover does have a little more with a small split.  The opening edge has only a small amount of handling wear.  The laminated front cover is in lovely condition with no marking or scratching and only a handful of faint creases around the edges.  The back cover is very similar with no marking again, just the wear on the corners as stated, and the inside of the gatefold is super clean with only a small number of creases on the flipbacks as per usual.   An excellent example overall.

Inner Sleeve

The original poly-lined inner sleeve has certainly seen better days!  The previous owner decided to attach some Hendrix articles from the day and whilst they make interesting reading it has obviously affected the original 'look' you could say.  There is also one split down one side.plits or tears and only light creasing and a small amount of the usual age related fading around the edges.

The Labels

The Track Record labels are in superb condition with very little spindle wear and no marking or writing.  Stunning!

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

This record has been cleaned on a Pro-Ject VC-S machine

612 003 A? 1  1 5

612 003 B? 1  3 1

I grade according to "Record Collector" guidelines.

Any questions please feel free to ask

Please pay within 4 days of auction end

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