The Jimi Hendrix Experience : Are You Experienced A1/B1 1st Mono Press

This very collectable first mono pressing plays with superb audio for the majority with only interference on one track.  The clarity and sonic quality on offer here is stunning!  As any collector knows this is a classic debut and to think Decca turned them down!  This is also collectable for another reason in that it was Track's first release.

The cover is in very good condition with some shelf wear and the original inner sleeve is in great shape with hardly any wear.  It's the vinyl though that really stands out accept for that one section of interference.  So much of it plays 'as new' it is that good!

612001 A ? 1 7 1 3

612001 B # ? 1 1 2 1

The audio on S1 is Near Mint for the majority (Track 1 Ex+ / T3 G+ for the first minute then NM)

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

The cover is VG

The labels are Ex+

The inner sleeve is Ex+

Visual grading

Overall this vinyl is in lovely condition and retains a jet-black glossy sheen.  It has just one fault - on S1 there is a faint hairline which becomes a fine scratch causing interference on one track for one minute.  Apart from that the vinyl is so 'clean' and has no other obvious hairlines at all.  S2 in particular is stunning, just one faint fingerprint type mark, and I have never seen a first press side as immaculate as this!  There is some spindle wear although not an excessive amount and whilst it is a shame about the one scratch the remainder of the vinyl is in superb condition.  The run out grooves and labels are extremely clean with no marking

Play grading  

The classic 'Foxy Lady' has only minimal light static on the intro and then plays with excellent mono audio with only a little underlying static here and there.  There are a couple of light clicks but there is very little that gets in the way of the audio and overall this is an Ex+ start to the album.

What follows is a stunning version of 'Manic Depression' that plays with immense power and depth right from the start and I cannot praise it highly enough!  Hendrix's solo midway through is incredible with no distortion and the clarity on this track is so impressive.  The only interference are a couple of very light clicks near the end but they are so much in the background as to be totally non-intrusive.  This easily deserves a Near Mint grade the playback is so strong.

There are a couple of pops in the dead wax and then 'Red House' is the one track on the album that has some obvious interference.  There is a rather loud click once per revolution of the record for the first minute but on the plus side the actual music plays very clearly and there is no other 'background'.  Thereafter it plays with superb depth and clarity and no other interference.  This 2 min 45 section is stunning and grades as Near Mint but the first can only grade as G+ unfortunately.  

'Can You See Me' plays with wonderful precision throughout and no interference.  The sound is deep and rich and the quality of the Near Mint audio cannot be faulted in any way.

'Love Or Confusion' has a couple of dust ticks on the intro and from then on plays in fine style with no interference.  The clarity is again so impressive and you can turn up the volume without fear of distortion.  A superb Near Mint version with no clicks or pops and no static or crackle either.

'I Don't Live Today' ends the side with 'high end' audio and no sign of any interference.  There is no obvious distortion which is a rarity for any final track let alone one that is 52 years old!  It plays so well but as I am playing this through a stereo set up I am sure the 'sound' would be even better when played as 'mono'.  I have played it twice now and the power and sonic quality is stunning, there is no other way to describe it!  The clarity during the 'quieter' sections is phenomenal and the 'high octane' sections like I say play with such sharp definition and just no distortion.  An amazing Near Mint way to end S1.

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The opening few grooves on 'May This Be Love' play so 'cleanly' with hardly any static.  It then plays with great clarity and only a minimal touch of light static here and there which is certainly not intrusive.  It is very quiet and the playback is again so impressive with no clicks or pops and no crackle.  A fine Near Mint- start to S2. 

'Fire' has only a couple of light ticks on the intro and then plays with sublime definition for the remainder.  There is no interference worthy of mention and Near Mint is an honest assessment.  Again I can't quite believe what I am hearing!

The classic '3rd Stone From The Sun' has an intro that would be at home on a high quality repress!  Remember this is over 52 years old and this intro is Mint I am confident in saying and from then on it continues to play to the same high standard.  I cannot emphasise enough how fantastic the clarity and definition of the audio is.  Throughout this long epic all I heard was one faint tick and a minor hint of static on the fade out.  It has to be one of the most stunning versions I have ever heard!  With such a 'clean' version like this each note can be heard so clearly whilst Hendrix's work is of course immense, Redding's bass work here cannot be underestimated.  This has to be graded as Mint- it is awesome!!

'Remember' has barely any static on the intro and then plays to a very high standard...again.  There is only a minor amount of mega light static and perhaps I am just being too critical there.  It is so minimal and I am happy to grade this as Near Mint the audio is very strong indeed.  Not one single click or pop!

The intro on 'Are You Experienced' is breathtaking!  It is fair to say it plays with Mint quality the clarity and depth is incredible!  I am delighted to say the quality does not decrease and I am just mesmerised by the audio here!  This is a stunning version with no distortion and from start to finish is of a standard that is so rarely found today.  The clarity and definition of the audio is equal to that of a vinyl pressed yesterday - wow what a version!  A Mint- end to the side.

In summary this highly collectable first pressing as you can see plays with superlative audio for the vast majority.  It is only the opening minute on 'Red House' that you will find frustrating!  Aside from that the playback is so impressive and S2 in particular is out of this world!  Damn that small scratch!  It is fair to say so much of this album is 'as new' and if you can live with a few clicks on one track then you will be amazed by the rest of the audio!

The Cover

The Patent Pending E.J. Day cover is in very good condition with some shelf wear.  The top edge is very clean with barely any rubbing although the bottom edge does have a 2cm area of wear but is not a split.  The spine has some rubbing and is no longer legible.  There is also some corner wear over but not an excessive amount and the opening edge remains in superb order with no real handling wear.  The laminated front cover has no splits but there is some obvious creasing and a few small indentation marks in one small area.  The back cover is very clean with no major marking, just some light creasing and minor ringwear.  By no means a perfect cover but it is certainly not badly damaged like so many you see.

Inner Sleeve

The original poly-lined inner is in excellent condition with no side splits and only one mega tiny tear on the central 'window'.  There is hardly any age related fading and only minimal creasing.  It has the patent numbers and 'Made In England' and '25 69' printed on one side.  A fine example.

The Labels

The Track Record labels are in excellent shape with no marking or writing.  There is some spindle wear but not a massive amount.

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

612001 A ? 1 7 1 3

612001 B # ? 1 1 2 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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