Jimi Hendrix : Band Of Gypsys A1/B1

This very collectable first pressing with the famous 'Puppet' cover plays to amazing standard with no clicks or pops.  The clarity and definition of the audio is so impressive and the vast majority is 'as new' no exaggeration.  This is a FINAL UPGRADE version in my opinion, in other words there would be no need to buy another as the audio for a first pressing could not be any greater.  The vinyl is visually stunning also!

The cover is also in superb condition and is easily one of the 'cleanest' you will find today.  The original inner is also in great shape with no side splits.

2406002 // A / 1   1 1 7 // B = 1   1 1 3

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

The audio on S2 is Mint- (T1 Near Mint but Mint- for the majority)

The cover is Near Mint-

The labels are Near Mint-
The original inner sleeve is Ex+

Visual grading

It doesn't get much better than this!  The vinyl has been so well preserved over the last 50 years and retains an immaculate jet-black glossy sheen.  There are no marks or scratches and only a small number of very faint hairlines on either side that have no bearing on the stunning audio.  At first glance it looks 'as new' and it is only on closer inspection that you can detect the hairlines.  There is a little spindle wear but it is obvious this record has always been so carefully handled based on the visual and audio quality.  The run out grooves have only a couple of faint marks and the Track Record labels are exceptionally clean.

Play grading  

The spoken intro on 'Who Knows' is so 'clean' and you're immediately thinking you're onto a winner!  It does not disappoint!  As the classic riff comes in the audio is stunning and there is no 'background'.  There are a couple of very light ticks as the vocal begins and from then on the audio is stunning.  The clarity and depth is phenomenal and as always Hendrix's work is so dynamic, there is no distortion.  The long quiet section around the half way mark is nigh on perfect - I cannot stress enough how brilliantly it plays and for this 50 year old record to play as well as this is a rarity.  There is barely any static and the almost silent section could hardly play any better.  It has only a couple of light static ticks but there is no underlying static and the playback is sensational!  Thereafter the audio is 'as new' and Hendrix's final extended solo is just out of this world right to the final note.  This is without doubt a Near Mint version but the vast majority is infinitely better than that!

With complete silence in the dead wax Hendrix's spoken intro on 'Machine Gun' has no 'background' and as the music begins there is no decrease in quality.  It continues to play with remarkable clarity and definition and up to the first solo I heard only one light tick.  That solo then plays 'as new' there is no other way to describe it, wow!  In all my years of selling on eBay I can safely say I have never heard this solo play with any greater precision or power.  As the vocal returns the audio is of the same 'high end' standard and the remainder also plays so well with no intrusion.  A small number of mega light ticks only but I am only hearing them because I sit so close to the speakers!  The very quiet section near the end plays beautifully with no intrusion and overall the entire 12+ minutes easily grades as Near Mint but again that could well be underselling it!  The majority is Mint I am confident in saying.  Not one click or pop and no static or crackle either.

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Hendrix's spoken intro on 'Changes' has no 'background' and it then plays with sublime clarity and precision.  The deep bass throughout adds so much to the depth of the sound.  From start to finish the audio quality is stunning - there are 3/4 static ticks during the quieter passage but this is vinyl and you expect that especially one that is half a century old!  It does not take away from what is as 'complete' a version as you are ever likely to find.  The final section is without fault and as per S1 I will grade as Near Mint overall although the majority is better than that.

The intro on 'Power Of Soul' plays perfectly with no sign of any interference.  This opening instrumental is Mint the playback is flawless.  As the vocal start the clarity is still there and it progresses in the same precise way.  Hendrix's mid solo is just awesome!  Never heard better, there is no distortion and to the end this classic plays with the same distinction.  I cannot adequately put into words how immaculate this is so Mint will have to do!

I may be repeating myself now but 'Message To Love' is of a quality that you so rarely hear today on these first pressings.  Hendrix's work is so 'clean' and again there is no distortion.  I have no hesitation in grading this as Mint as from the first groove to the last there is literally no interference, the audio is breathtaking and it plays as well as it did when first released in '70!

'We Gotta Live Together' ends the album with sublime quality once more.  The intro has no 'background' and it continues to play with stunning precision.  There is perhaps just a very minimal amount of inner groove distortion as the music build but it is totally non-intrusive and I only mention to be complete in my grading.  The first 'quiet' section has no clicks or pops etc and the solo that follows - wow!  It is so powerful and there is no distortion here.  The remainder is very strong and has barely any distortion i.e. you can easily turn it up to maximum!  A Mint- grade is a fair reflection of the dynamic quality here.

In summary this highly collectable first pressing plays to a sublime standard and is a FINAL UPGRADE version in my humble opinion.  It is certainly up there as one of the best examples I have ever had the pleasure in listening to and the audio cannot really be faulted.  There are no clicks or pops on either side and only a handful of non-intrusive ticks.  The sonic quality cannot be underestimated and there will not be many 50 year old first pressings that play as well as this.  As always I have played every second so as to provide a comprehensive grading and any avid collector would be hugely impressed by what is on offer here!

The Cover

This famous 'puppet' cover is of course very collectable and they are rarely found as good as this.  It is still very strong and robust so you can tell it has not been handled that much.  The only wear really is on the top edge which has some light rubbing but it is not that obvious and the bottom edge has even less.  The spine is super clean apart from a small rub on the first 's' of 'Gypsys' and a minimal amount of wear on the bottom corner.  The other corners are in superb shape with barely any wear and the opening edge is near perfect with hardly any handling wear.  The front cover is in beautiful condition with no marking or creasing and at first glance it looks 'as new'.  The back cover is in similar condition with only one minor pinch of the spine near the bottom corner.  Overall a fantastic version of this now 50 year old cover.

The Inner Sleeve

The original poly-lined 'Plastic Bags' inner dated '0970' is in excellent condition with no side splits or tears and only a couple of minor marks.  It has only a little age related fading on the top edges and minimal creasing.

The Labels

The Track Record labels have lost none of their original 'look' with no fading or spotting and not very much spindle wear.  They have no marking or writing either.

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

2406002 // A / 1   1 1 7 // B = 1   1 1 3

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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Postage & Packaging

I SHIP WORLDWIDE BUT WHEN SENDING ITEMS TO ITALY, RUSSIA/UKRAINE AND SOUTH AMERICA I WILL ONLY SEND THEM VIA TRACKED SHIPPING AND THIS COSTS AN ADDITIONAL £5.00.

WHEN ITEMS SELL BETWEEN £50.00 AND £250.00 AND ARE TO BE SENT TO ANY INTERNATIONAL DESTINATION TRACKED SHIPPING IS AGAIN NECESSARY AND COSTS AN ADDITIONAL £7.50 AS EXTRA INSURANCE IS REQUIRED.

FOR ITEMS OVER £250.00 PLEASE CONTACT ME AS THERE WILL BE A HIGHER INSURANCE PREMIUM AND WILL HAVE TO BE SENT VIA A COURIER SERVICE AND THE COSTS CAN VARY.  THE ROYAL MAIL ONLY INSURE UP TO £250.00 HENCE THE NEED FOR ANOTHER SERVICE.  PLEASE CONTACT ME FOR THE EXACT AMOUNT AND THEN WAIT FOR THE INVOICE.  PLEASE ONLY BID IF YOU AGREE WITH THESE TERMS AND CONDITIONS, 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.

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LPs/12" singles : £5.75 (recorded) up to 1kg then £0.95 per extra item 

7" singles / CDs : £1.95 then £0.35 per extra

EUROPE (Standard)

LPs/12" singles : £9.95 then £1.75 per extra 

7" singles / CDs : £5.45 then £0.95 per extra 

REST OF WORLD (Standard)  

LPs/12" singles : £13.95 then £1.95 per extra

7" singles / CDs : £6.95 then £1.45 per extra

I WILL LEAVE FEEDBACK ONCE I HAVE RECEIVED IT.  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!!