Vinyl pressings
by The Jimi Hendrix Experience · 1973
Are You Experienced / Axis: Bold As Love was first pressed on vinyl in 1973. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
2 pressings came out in 1973, the album's first year. Compare the label and catalog number on your copy, then the codes etched or stamped in the runout groove (the dead wax around the label): they are the surest sign of an early pressing.
2343 073 A//1 420Side A runout stamped, variant 1
2343 073 B//1 420Side B runout stamped, variant 1
2343 074 A//1 420Side C runout stamped, variant 1
2343 074 B//1 420Side D runout stamped, variant 1
2343 073 A//1▽420 11 6 06Side A runout, variant 1
2343 073 B//1▽420 11 5 04Side B runout, variant 1
2343 074 A//1▽420 11 3Side C runout, variant 1
2343 074 B//1▽420 11 6Side D runout, variant 1
Not sure how to read the runout? See matrix numbers, runout and dead wax and how to tell a first pressing.
By decade, oldest first. Open a pressing for its full label, barcode and runout details.
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1973 | Austria | Polydor 2679 021LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo, LP, Album, Reissue, All Media, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo, LP, Album, Reissue, All Media, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1973 | Germany | Polydor 2679 021LP, Album, Reissue, LP, Album, Reissue, All Media, Compilation | LP, Album, Reissue, LP, Album, Reissue, All Media, Compilation |
| 1973 | Germany | Polydor 2679 021LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo, LP, Album, Reissue, Repress, Stereo, All Media, Compilation | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo, LP, Album, Reissue, Repress, Stereo, All Media, Compilation |
| 1973 | Germany | Polydor 2679 021LP, Album, Reissue, All Media, Compilation | LP, Album, Reissue, All Media, Compilation |
| 1973 | UK | Polydor 2683 031First yearLP, Album, Stereo, Mono, LP, Album, Stereo, All Media, Compilation · Mono | LP, Album, Stereo, Mono, LP, Album, Stereo, All Media, Compilation · Mono |
| 1973 | UK | Polydor 2683 031LP, Compilation, Test Pressing, White Label · Test pressing | LP, Compilation, Test Pressing, White Label · Test pressing |
| 1973 | UK | Polydor 2683 031First yearLP, Album, Stereo, LP, Album, Stereo, All Media, Compilation | LP, Album, Stereo, LP, Album, Stereo, All Media, Compilation |
| 1975 | France | Barclay 80 581/582LP, Album, Reissue, LP, Album, Reissue, All Media, Compilation | LP, Album, Reissue, LP, Album, Reissue, All Media, Compilation |
| 1975 | France | Barclay 80 581/582 / Barclay XBLY 80 581/582LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo, Mono · Mono | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo, Mono · Mono |
| 1975 | Germany | Polydor 2679 021LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo, LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo, All Media, Compilation | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo, LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo, All Media, Compilation |
| 1978 | Germany | Polydor 2679 021LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo, All Media, Compilation | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo, All Media, Compilation |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | France | Barclay 80 581/582LP, Album, Reissue, Mono, LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo, All Media, Compilation, Reissue · Mono | LP, Album, Reissue, Mono, LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo, All Media, Compilation, Reissue · Mono |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Germany | Polydor 2679 021LP, Album, Compilation, Promo, Reissue, Stereo, LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Compilation, Promo, Reissue, Stereo, LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo · Promo |
| ? | UK | Polydor 2683 031LP, Album, LP, Album, All Media, Compilation | LP, Album, LP, Album, All Media, Compilation |
| ? | UK | Polydor 2683 031LP, Album, LP, Album, All Media, Compilation | LP, Album, LP, Album, All Media, Compilation |
15 vinyl pressings of Are You Experienced / Axis: Bold As Love are listed here, from 4 countries, released between 1973 and 1980.
The earliest pressings are from 1973, in UK. One of them is Polydor 2683 031.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 2683 031) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 2343 073 A//1 420 and 2343 073 B//1 420. Later reissues often keep the catalog number but change the label design or the runout codes.
It depends on which pressing you have and on the condition of the record and its sleeve. Early pressings from the album's home country in near mint condition are usually worth the most; common later reissues are worth far less. Scan your copy with VinylLens to see its value for every grade.
