Led Zeppelin II A1 / B1 (2nd red/plum pressing)

This very early pressing plays with immaculate audio and is Mint- for the vast majority.  The iconic laminated cover is also super impressive and remains in fantastic condition.

This is the first pressing after the 'Turquoise' edition so is regarded as the second red/plum pressing and has the Warner Bros/Jewel Music publishing credit on the labels.

Identical to the Turquoise cover it is fully laminated with orange lettering and has the silver band/strip on the bottom edge.  It has 'Printed and Made by MacNeill Press Ltd, London SE1' and 'Uptight an' Outasight' info on the back of the cover.

588171 (2nd 8 crossed, replaced with etched 8) A // 1  1 3  4 5

588171 (2nd 8 crossed, replaced with etched 8) B // 1  1 3  2 4

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

The audio on S2 is Near Mint (Mint- for the majority / track 1 intro Ex-)

The laminated cover is Ex+

Visual grading

Overall this vinyl is in great condition and the audio reflects that.  There are a small number of sleeve removal hairlines and it still retains a lovely glossy sheen despite its age.  There are two obvious hairlines on the final track of S1 but having play tested every second of this stunning LP I am pleased to say they have no affect on the immaculate audio.  There is relatively little spindle wear and indeed the quality of the audio confirms that it has not been played that much.  Aside from those two hairline marks this is a visually stunning vinyl with super clean run out grooves to match.

Play grading  

'Good Times Bad Times' has barely any static on the intro and then plays loud and true with no distortion which is a rarity.  There are no clicks or pops and for an original red/plum press the dynamic range and power on offer is very impressive.  An example of this is the guitar solo that plays with stunning clarity and definition.  100% perfect!  There is perhaps just a hint of mega quiet background static but it is exactly that, in the background and totally non-intrusive.  A superb version overall with basically no interference and even the fade out plays with perfect precision.

There is then complete silence in the dead wax prior to 'Babe I'm Gonna Leave You' starting.  The intro on this track is impressive to say the least.  Again there are no clicks or pops, just the odd mega light static sound that you often get with new vinyl let alone one that is near 50 years of age!  With so many quiet sections the clarity is astounding and this is prevalent across the entire track.  I cannot adequately describe just how good this sounds!  The louder sections also play with great definition and there are only a couple of obvious distortion type sounds on the top level of the vocal.  Aside from that this is 'high end' version the likes of which is rarely heard today.  The super quiet end section is incredible, so clear and free of any 'background'.  Just a hint of barely audible background hiss - but a stunning end to a stunning version.

'You Shook Me' again impresses with great clarity from the very first groove.  I heard a couple of very faint ticks only and that is about it really.  The audio quality throughout is of a sublime standard and I would go so far as to say this is one of the cleanest versions I have ever heard.  This bluesy classic has such a strong bass line and the sonic quality is just stunning - such clear separation and no distortion.  There is no crackle and no loud clicks or pops whatsoever.  Again there are so many quiet sections and yet they all play with the same superlative quality.  This is quite simply stunning audio of the highest caliber - I can't quite believe this is on such an early red/plum press!

The quiet bass intro on 'Dazed and Confused' plays incredibly well with only one light click - apart from that the sound is crystal clear.  This classic alternates between very quiet and very loud (as per many Led Zepp tracks!) and not one section disappoints.  The clarity and depth is so impressive and once more there is no distortion on the top end.  The instrumental section is nigh on perfect apart from a handful of very light ticks towards the end.  The crescendo build up that follows is absolutely STUNNING!  The power is so strong and it plays 'as new' with no interference of any kind.  The guitar solo just has to be heard to be believed!  You can turn it up mega loud with no need to turn it down due to distortion etc.  This is audio of the highest quality and the two obvious hairlines on this track have no affect at all.  It would be so difficult to find a better A1/B1 red/plum press better than this.  With only a touch of crackle on the last two seconds this is a side that delivers immaculate audio from start to finish.

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As is so often the case there is some static and a little crackle on the 'Your Time is Gonna Come' organ intro but it soon decreases.  Once you reach the percussion the audio is exceptionally clear and plays to the same standard as per S1.  The odd dust tick but to all intents and purposes this is 'high end' audio once more.  So aside from the intro this is a near perfect version and the seque into the next track is impeccable with no 'background' at all.

'Black Mountain Side' then shows, as if further proof was needed, how well this vinyl has been preserved.  It easily grades as Near Mint, I just heard one faint click.  A superb version nonetheless that displays stunning clarity of sound.

'Communication Breakdown' then plays with the power and depth it had on the day when first released back in '69.  A couple of dust ticks only this is a rock gem that is truly immense.  No distortion and no clicks or pops and obviously no skips or jumps.  Loud and proud 'rock' as is should be heard - on vinyl in other words!  It 'rocks out' in supreme style and the fade out plays perfectly.

For fear of being repetitive the quiet intro on 'I Can't Quit You Baby' is mega impressive with hardly any static.  I heard a couple of light dust ticks only and it continues to play with sublime quality.  The first extended bluesy guitar section is just incredible and plays 'as new' it is that good.  With so many quiet sections you expect there to be interference on such an early pressing but there is nothing that detract from the immaculate quality on offer.  Again not one single click or pop.  I keep on about clarity but that is how any record should be judged and the audio is just so clear on this track.  The sonic quality is just breathtaking as is the separation i.e. every instrument can be heard so clearly.  Near Mint if not better!

The bass intro on 'How Many More Times' is quite simply Mint and it carries on in the same fashion!  The bass is so prevalent here and plays so strongly and the depth of the overall is again of the highest standard.  There is no distortion on the top level and this plays with 100% precision.  The instrumental mid section has immense power and the guitar solo so clean and precise - absolutely incredible!  The very quiet section that follows displays great clarity with only a couple of mega light dust ticks and I only hear them because I sit so close to the speakers.  You would have to travel far and wide to find a better version.  This superlative audio does not diminish, I am running out of adjectives to describe the Mint audio quality here!  This is up there with the best I have ever heard.  No distortion and certainly no lack of power or definition.  So often the end section has some distortion but that is not the case here.  A stunning finale to an album with 'high end' audio that is for certain.

In summary this is a final upgrade archive A1/B1 red/plum pressing without doubt.   With hardly any obvious 'background' the depth, power and clarity is second to none and it is plainly obvious this record has not been played that much.  There is no groove wear and the vinyl still has an impressive glossy sheen as stated.  It is worth re-iterating that the two marks on S1 have absolutely zero affect on the quality of the audio.  I can honestly say the vast majority of this album plays with Mint- quality audio and I grade honestly as my feedback confirms.  A stunning album that will not disappoint the avid Led Zepp collector.

The Cover

Now this is one impressive laminated 'MacNeill' cover!  It is in lovely condition with only very minor shelf wear and I mean minor!  There is absolutely nothing that stands out.  The edges and thin pinched spine are in superlative condition and are as practically as clean as the day when first released back in '69.  The corners have hardly any 'rub' providing another example of a cover that has been so well preserved down the decades.  Unsurprisingly the opening edge is almost 'as new' with barely any handling wear.  The front cover is very pleasing to the eye and has no obvious marking whatsoever, it is so clean.  Perhaps just a mega faint tinge of fading in a couple of areas and a couple of tiny laminate creases but only very minor.  As is common there is some a little lifting of the laminate next to the spine but, I hasten to add, there is no splitting anywhere.  The back cover is equally as impressive and again remains very clean.  No obvious marking and only a couple of small hard to spot laminate creases.  Overall a highly impressive 'silver strip' cover that will add to any collection.

Inner sleeve

The poly-lined 'Plastic Bags Can Be Dangerous' sleeve in in superb condition with no splits and hardly any creasing.  No age related fading either!  Not often removed from the cover I would say!

The labels

The red/plum labels are in fantastic condition I have rarely seen better.  They retain their strong colours beautifully with no fading and there is no marking or writing either and very little spindle wear also.  It would be difficult to find cleaner ones.

Play tested on a Pro-Ject Essential III Turntable / B&W 684 Speakers

This record has been professionally cleaned on a Pro-Ject VC-S machine

588171 (2nd 8 crossed, replaced with etched 8) A // 1  1 3  4 5

588171 (2nd 8 crossed, replaced with etched 8) B // 1  1 3  2 4

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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