Led Zeppelin II A2/B2 Atlantic 58818 UK 1969 Red/Plum Label
On offer here is a stunning red/plum vinyl that has been played relatively little in my opinion.  There is a minimal amount of spindle wear and having listened to this album twice in its entirety I can confirm it plays to an immaculate standard.  There are still some vinyl 'flecks' visible around the S2 spindle hole!
I think it is fair to call this a first pressing as it does have the first A2/B2 matrix and the 'Copyright Control' publishing credit on the labels as opposed to 'Warner Bros/Jewel Music' which is on the later pressings.  It has 'The Lemon Song' credit on the label and not the 'Wreck' credit which was on the initial run of the first pressing.
It is becoming increasingly difficult to find any red/plum pressing in Ex+/Near Mint condition so to find one as Mint as this is a massive rarity.  The clarity and definition of the audio is of a standard that I have only heard once or twice before and is a FINAL UPGRADE archive pressing for certain!  The original light brown E.J. Day gatefold is very clean with many aspects in excellent condition but there are two areas of wear which are detailed below.
588198 // A /  2 // 1 5  6
588198 // B / 2 // 1 5  6
The audio on S1 is Mint(-)
The audio on S2 is Mint(-) (track 5 Near Mint) 

The gatefold is VG+ (although many aspects easily grade as Ex) 
The labels are Mint-
The 'Plastic Bags...' poly-lined inner sleeve is Ex+
Visual grading
This is one of the most impressive A2/B2 pressings I have ever seen, it is stunning!  It has a beautiful mirror-like glossy sheen and there are only a small number of faint sleeve removal hairlines that you can only see in strong daylight.  Under 'normal' lighting I can detect nothing.  They are superficial and have no bearing on the superb audio as detailed below.  There are no scratches or marks and you could not wish to find a more visually stunning vinyl.  There is barely any spindle wear and there is even a little vinyl 'flecking' around the S2 spindle hole!  Not only that but this record has been so well preserved down the years and these two factors account for the immaculate Mint- audio on offer.  The labels are also super clean as are the run out grooves.  A final upgrade archive vinyl for certain.
Play grading
I will start off by saying that this is one of the most powerful and stunning versions of this classic LP that I have heard.  To say it plays with superb audio is an understatement!  Now for the grading.  With no real static on the lead in grooves you just know this is going to play well and it does not disappoint.  From the very first note the classic riff on 'Whole Lotta Love' is so strong and plays with a depth and clarity that you so rarely find.  With only one very faint 'tick' the intro is so 'clean' and this 'high end' audio continues.  The first vocal is 'as new' and what can I say about the psychedelic section?  Wow about sums it up!  Quite simply it is Mint and that is no exaggeration with not one dust tick let alone anything more.  This clarity continues into the super quiet 'way down inside' vocal which has no 'background' whatsoever.  That is such a rarity!  To the end it plays with sublime quality and even the fade out is 'as new'.  I am known for my detailed descriptions but not a lot needs to be said about the clarity on offer here.  So as to adhere to Record Collector guidelines I will grade this as Mint- but I know Mint when I hear it and this is it!  It is so rare to find an A2/B2 pressing playing so beautifully, the sonic quality and depth of the bass is so strong.  This is without doubt the most impressive version of this classic that I have heard in many a year...and I have heard a lot!
  With complete silence in the dead wax the quiet intro on 'What is and What Should Never Be' then plays to the same immaculate standard.  Every second of this track plays with wonderful precision and there is no interference.  There are a number of 'silent' moments and yet they are all...perfectly silent with not even a dust tick.  There is no static distortion on the top end and again this grades as Mint- you could not wish to find a 'cleaner' version.  The definition of the audio is like it was 1969 only yesterday!  The fade out also plays perfectly.
'The Lemon Song' you won't be surprised to hear plays with Mint clarity from the very first groove and this quality is prevalent throughout.  When you find a barely played vinyl such as this the depth of the audio is so 'obvious' and you can hear each note with perfect clarity.  The bass is so strong and clear on this track and even 'higher' in the mix than you would usually find due to the immaculate clarity on offer.  Page's solo near the end has never played any better and yes there is another sublime fade out :-)
A real test for this vinyl is how well 'Thank You' plays.  As any Led Zepp collector knows this track will always will have some 'background' and it is just a matter of how much.  I am delighted to say this may well be the most stunning version I have ever heard!  The quiet build up on the intro plays without fault and with none of the distortion that you always find.  The first 'quiet' vocal then plays as clearly as it did when first released and as Bonham joins in again the clarity does not decrease.  Ok there may be hint of inner groove distortion but it is so minimal and non-intrusive and perhaps not even worthy of mention.  In a sense it is worth saying because this has the least amount of distortion that I have ever heard, the playback is absolutely stunning.  So far on this side I have heard no clicks or pops and no static or crackle either.  The brief 'silent' section prior to the 'if the sun refused to shine...' vocal is again perfectly silent and it then plays with sublime clarity and no 'background' of any kind.  The instrumental piece leading up to the fade out/in/out section is just so impressive, I do not have the words!  This always has some 'background' but the clarity here is exceptional!  I heard only 3/4 barely audible dust ticks and as for the relatively 'long' silent section after the first fade out - wow!  I have not heard it play any better.  The fade in and then final fade out plays to a standard that is so rarely heard i.e. never in fact!  A fantastic end to a side that qualifies as Mint- from start to finish.
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From the very first groove 'Heart Breaker' has no 'background' and plays with such a deep rich sound.  Again the sonic quality and definition could not be any better and it continues to play to the same impeccable standard.  It exudes power and the clarity is unbelievable.  With so many 'loud' sections you would expect some distortion but there isn't any at all.  This is pure Mint audio in all its glory, I can dispense with the minus here!  The relatively quiet middle guitar section is 'as new' and the instrumental section that follows?  Have I ever heard better?  No.  The power, depth and clarity is...well there isn't any better, it's like you're there in the studio!  The final vocal is faultless and to the end it plays 'as new'.
  'Livin' Lovin' Maid' keeps up the standard and plays with stunning precision from start to finish.  There is no interference and again there is no 'muddiness' to the sound whatsoever.  Pure perfect clarity and not even a hint of distortion.
When you find a final upgrade vinyl such as this it is difficult to describe each track in an original way so I will keep it brief now!  Needless to say the acoustic intro on 'Ramble On' is without fault and it continues in the same way.  It grades as Mint and it just goes to show the depth and clarity of the audio on these red/plum pressings cannot be beaten when you find a beautifully well preserved record like this.  A special mention for the mega long fade out here - there is no 'background' at all, not even a dust tick!
'Moby Dick' has 'high end' audio from the very first note and the guitar intro cannot be faulted.  The long drum solo then has to be heard to be believed!  It is exquisite and...there is no interference.  Any collector will know just how rare this is on this very quiet instrumental.  My stereo is 'sensitive' and will pick up any minor imperfection but there is not even a single dust tick here.  This is audio of the highest standard and the end section also plays with superb precision.
The very quiet intro on 'Bring It On Home' is stunning and could scarcely play any better.  With only a couple of mega faint dust ticks the clarity is exceptional and as the vocal begins there is just the one very faint tick, it is not a click!  There is a very minor hint of static on this quiet opening vocal but I only mention it because the rest of the album is just so incredibly good!  It still plays with wonderful clarity and as the volume increases it continues to impress.  There is a little inner groove distortion but it is largely non-intrusive.  This is generally unavoidable as this track will always have some on the first/early pressings.  It still plays loud and true and remains a superb listen.  The quiet end section ends the album with stunning precision and no interference.  What an album!
In summary this A2/B2 vinyl is a final upgrade archive pressing without doubt.  Aside from a little distortion on the final track the audio here is as 'clean' as you could hope for and to think the vinyl is 50 years old this year.  As stated there is hardly any spindle wear and with a record that has been hardly played the clarity and sonic quality is 'shop fresh'.  I cannot emphasise enough how well this plays and it is so rare to find one in this condition, especially a mega early A2/B2 'Lemon Song' pressing.  Any Led Zepp collector would be hugely impressed by the audio definition and just to re-iterate there is not one single click or pop and no intrusive static or crackle either.  A breathtaking vinyl!
The Gatefold
This is one of the 'cleanest' light brown E.J. Day gatefold I have seen but there are two areas of wear that I will describe shortly.  The top edge of the front cover and the two bottom edges have only a little shelf wear, definitely less than you generally see.  The top edge of the back cover has a little rubbing but also one 6cm centre split which is a shame.  It is however a 'clean' split if you understand what I mean.  The spine is in superb condition and this is very rarely seen on these very early 'light brown' covers.  It is 100% legible and has only a small amount of corner wear, a little more on the top corner.  The right corners have only light wear and the opening edge is also in great shape with minimal handling wear only.  The front cover is excellent condition overall with only a couple of small sticker removal marks top right.  A little frustrating because apart from that this is one of the cleanest 'front covers' you are ever likely to see with none of the fading/staining that is so often prevalent.  The back cover has also stood the test of time fantastically well and is in beautiful condition with no obvious marking, just a very mild hint of ringwear.  The inside of the gatefold is near perfect with only a modicum of fading near the top edge.
Overall this is a very impressive cover and whilst there are a couple of 'faults' it still has many aspects of it that remain in excellent condition.  It is certainly very rarely seen as 'clean' as this.
Inner Sleeve
The original poly-lined 'Plastic Bags Can Be Dangerous' inner has no splits or tears and no age related marking/fading either.  There is just a small amount of light creasing.
The Labels
The stunning red/plum labels are in fantastic condition and have lost none of their original vibrant colour.  There is no writing or marking either.  As stated there is very little spindle wear with a little vinyl 'flecking' still visible around the S2 spindle hole!
Play tested on my Pro-Ject Essential III Turntable / B&W 684 Speakers
This record has been professionally cleaned on a Pro-Ject VC-S machine

588198 // A /  2 // 1 5  6
588198 // B / 2 // 1 5  6

I grade according to "Record Collector" guidelines.

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