Reel-to-reel: The Doors~US Orig'67 Elektra EKC-4007 7½ IPS 4-Track Stereo 7" Reel-To-Reel Tape

ORIGINAL ELEKTRA RECORDS 7 ½ IPS 4-TRACK STEREO 7" REEL MASTERED AND DUPLICATED BY AMPEX, ELK GROVE VILLAGE, ILLINOIS, U.S.A.

THE DOORS ~ THE DOORS

★★★★★★★★★★★★★

Up for an auction is the original 1st edition prerecorded 4-Track 7½ IPS Stereo reel-to-reel tape of The Doors debut album released by Elektra Records in January, 1967. The heyday of prerecorded reel-to-reel tapes was the mid-1960s. The format was oriented towards well-heeled audiophiles as the retail prices of reel tapes were significantly higher than those of LPs. But this wasn’t the only circumstance that attracted audiophiles. Prerecorded reel-to-reel tapes, especially the ones recorded with the 7 ½ IPS speed, had the superior sound quality compared to the other formats. The 7 ½ IPS speed that was used for recording these consumer tapes was already considered professional. This original tape was mastered and quality audited by AMPEX, one of the leading companies in audio tape technology, on Ampex professional recorders using Ampex tape. 1st print “Printed in U.S.A.” blue cardboard box with the “EKC 4007” catalog number. The back cover contains the AMPEX logo and “Elk Grove Village, Illinois, U.S.A.” address. 1st issue clear reel contains the original large “The Doors” white sticker. The tape is affixed to the reel with the original “AMPEX” Logo sticker.

The copy is in great condition for age with it looks like a dried sticker residue on the front of Cover right over Jim’s nose, but I believe it can be lifted off with the right type of Solution. I just didn’t want to try and do it myself without a professional taking care of it. The sturdy spine contains a fully readable text. The AMPEX logo.

I also took a photo of the signature on the inside cover but have no idea whose signature that is. It could possibly be just the owners signature, but usually they don’t sign their name in cursive.