This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 3/26/2011
This original recording and mixing console was used by Jimi Hendrix in March, 1968 at New York City’s Sound Center Studios. Hendrix's sessions at Sound Center Studios are historically significant in that they stand as his first in America where he assumed the dual role of artist and producer. None of the material recorded during these March 1968 sessions were released during the guitarist's lifetime, but two songs from these sessions have been issued posthumously. "My Friend" initially appeared on 1971's Cry Of Love and is now a part of First Rays of the New Rising Sun. The unadulterated version of "Somewhere" was featured as part of the Jimi Hendrix Experience box set. The console comes with an original, boxed 1” 8-track master tape containing the unmixed versions of the released songs made on the console: “My Friend” and “Somewhere”. The tape also contains an unreleased, excellent, early version of “1983…A Merman I Should Turn To Be" as well as numerous studio takes of various material. The tape is in excellent condition and has recently been preserved to digital (not distributed to anyone). The console is currently on exhibit at The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, and is in great condition with just a few small pieces that were worn out and replaced with original parts. In addition to Jimi Hendrix, other artists who were recorded on the console include: Aretha Franklin, the Four Seasons, Barry Manilow, The Tokens, The Manhattans, Dion and the Belmonts, Jeff Beck and many others. The mixing console - complete with a producer's station - was custom designed and built by Lenny Stea and Gordon Clark for Sound Center Studios. Sound Center earned recognition during that period for having one of the first eight-track consoles in New York City. During these heady years, the recording industry witnessed rapid changes in technology. Monaural recording evolved into 2-track stereo to 3-track and the ability to overdub a performance on an existing backing track] to 4-track. Sound Center Studios was the second studio in NY to have a 4-track machine. By the time of Hendrix's March 1968 sessions at the studio, Sound Center had upgraded once more and outfitted the facility with 8-track recording capability. For further information please contact Gotta Have Rock and Roll at info@gottahaveit.com or via telephone at 800-950-1202 or 212-750-7900. (The title and description for this lot has been amended from the one appearing in the print catalog).