Sold Date: April 27, 2020
Start Date: April 27, 2020
Final Price: $17.99 (USD)
Seller Feedback: 32
Buyer Feedback: 8

Axis: Bold as Love by The Jimi Hendrix Experience RS 6281

GRADES

Cover EX. Tear at bottom of Inner Sleeve. Gatefold, 1 LP. Outer Sleeve as price tag and note from prior seller. 

Vinyl EX. Scratch on Side 1, Tracks 1 and 2. Mark on Side 2, Track 2. 

Sound  1 Almost No Surface Noise EXCEPT Pop throughout Side 1, Track 1. 

NOTES - This pressing in post-mortem, pre Hendrix Estate, some time in the late 1970s. The inner sleeve has picture of Hendrix with date of birth and date of death on one side and promo listing of all his LPs up to his date of  death. Great Cover Art! 

MY VINYL GRADING SYSTEM

PLEASE NOTE  I do not consider myself an expert on the collectability or rarity of the album. E.g., I don't know the difference between a first pressing and a second pressing based on the placement of the logo on the label or the color of the palm tree. Please ask me to inspect for any of these types of details if that is important to you. I have developed my system of inspection to give you my best description of the album, physically and by sound. I clean it, then visually inspect the album to note the condition of the vinyl and the cover, and then partially play the album to assess the Surface Noise. My system of assessing Surface Noise is my own (and remarkably missing from other Sellers). My system for grading physical condition is similar, but not exactly the same, as other Sellers.

SURFACE NOISE (please read)

To state the obvious, the sound is the most important aspect of the record. What does it sound like when you play it? So many factors are involved. Full analog, the mix, the quality of the vinyl, care in handling, and wear from usage - the list is endless and subject to some very interesting discussions. Most of these discussions are based on unquantifiable factors. Not so for Surface Noise. It is the first thing one hears when they play a record. It is apparent the moment the needle hits the record. It is only measured by the ear. The visual condition of the vinyl is a good indicator, but only the ear tells the tale.

All vinyl, new or old, has some Surface Noise. There is a needle rubbing against vinyl. You can throw thousands of dollars at it to minimize the noise, but it cannot be eliminated. I have opened a brand new album, cleaned it, hit it with a static gun and played it on a dustless, kick-ass system. There was still some Surface Noise that lessened with each play, but never disappeared. A record that has been visually inspected and looks almost brand new can be played and the Surface Noise is too distracting. Another record with signs of usage will sound great.

I listen to the lead-in to the first track and the start of the first track (to assess hiss/static/crackle), any apparent scuffs or scratches (for skips/pops/clicks/repeats), a full track (to assess general Surface Noise) and the lead-out (to assess static/crackle). 

I measure Surface Noise in terms of distraction. This is different from "Mint" and "VG+" because it is my attempt to measure the sound, not the appearance, of the vinyl. There are five categories, 0-5, as follows,

No Surface Noise (0) This does not exist in vinyl. Instead, go to a live concert.

Almost No Surface Noise (1)  You can sit back, close your eyes and focus on the sound. You can play it loud. Everyone can listen to this, even the Novice. This includes a good, new record but occasionally a used record shows up in this condition. 

Minimal Surface Noise (2)   This is vast majority of well-kept, clean looking, used records. You can enjoy the record even though it has some hisses/crackle in the lead-in, the first part of the first track, between tracks and the quiet passages. You must shift just a slight bit of your concentration from the music to ignoring the Surface Noise (the Ninja skill of listening to and enjoying vinyl). This is the realm of the Regular Audiophile, the Super Audiophile will comment. The Novice will start developing their Ninja skill or just stop listening to LPs.

Noticeable Surface Noise (3)  In addition to Minimal Surface Noise, the hisses/crackles can be noticed throughout the entire record. It is apparent the moment the needle contacts the record. You must shift even more of your concentration from the music to ignoring the Surface Noise. A novice won't stop talking about it while you're trying to listen. A Regular Audiophile can listen only if the music is really good or rare or they love the artist. A Super Audiophile won't let this record on their turntable.

Significant Surface Noise (4)   The hiss/crackle is very loud when needle touches the record. It can be heard clearly throughout the record. Your speakers  pop. You buy it for the cover art or its rarity.  It distracts you to the point you cannot enjoy the music because your concentration focuses almost entirely on your cartridge and your speakers. Barely playable all the way down to not playable.

VINLYL (the record itself)

Here are my grades,

Mint (M)   Absolutely perfect in every way and has original seal (never been opened).

Near Mint (NM)   The vinyl looks glossy and clearly has only been played a few times. There are no marks on the vinyl.

Excellent (EX)   Same as excellent but very light marks where the vinyl has been in and out of the inner sleeve a few times or tiny signs of use generally. 

Very Good Plus (VG+)   A few further faults are acceptable, but nothing that really compromises the record visually. This includes a little rub and/or light inaudible marks.

Very Good (VG)   It's seen a bit of life, but is still usable. It is visually USED. 

Good (G), Poor (P), Fair (F)  Expect major noise issues, skipping or repeating. The record itself might be cracked, badly warped and has deep scratches. I don't sell these grades without a compelling reason and with full disclosure. 

COVER, SLEEVES and INSERTS

Mint (M)   The album is sealed so the insides are not available for inspection, but are assumed to be in like-new condition. In rare cases, a used cover can be meticulously preserved and maintained in this condition.

Near Mint (NM)   The record has been on a shelf between other records. The cover looks glossy. The corners are not pristine. There are no imperfections and the whole package is complete, including inserts, books, photos etc. 

Excellent (E)   Same as excellent but very light imperfections where the vinyl has been in and out of the inner sleeve a few times or tiny signs of use generally. Rubs, tears and wear will be specifically described. 

Very Good Plus (VG+)   A few further faults are acceptable, but nothing that really compromises the cover visually. Again, all defects should be specifically described. 

Very Good (VG)   It?s seen a bit of life, but is still usable. Defects are prominent. Inner sleeve might have been replaced.  To the extent that I am aware, all inserts (or lack thereof) have been noted. You can still use the cover, but it is visually USED.

Good (G) Poor (P), Fair (F)  Water marks, large tears,  etc. I  don't sell these grades unless there is a really compelling reason such as rarity of the cover. E.g., I would sell a Beatles butcher cover even without the record inside and with water marks, but with a full description of what you're getting.