LED ZEPPELIN II A5/B4 VINYL 'Baldwin' CREDIT Very Impressive AUDIO EX+/NEAR MINT
£
36
$
48
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Description
Led Zeppelin II A5/B4 Atlantic 58818 Red/Plum Label ('Baldwin' credit)
This has the rare 'Baldwin' credit but only on the S2 label. This is John Paul Jones' real surname and 'Jones' is actually shown on S1. This incorrect credit was only on the very early run of this 'Killing Floor' pressing.
The audio plays to a very high standard with only a little interference on S1 and S2 is stunning! This is a very collectable pressing due to the incorrect 'name' credit and the gatefold is very clean but with some wear.
588198 // A / 5 // 1 1
588198 // B / 4 // 1 1 1 3
The audio on S1 is Ex+ (Mint- in many sections / track 3 VG- for 5 seconds / track 4 Ex but VG- section for 5 seconds)
The audio on S2 is Near Mint (Mint- for the majority / track 5 intro and end section Ex+)
The gatefold is VG+
The labels are Ex+
The poly-lined inner sleeve is Ex
Visual grading
The vinyl is in lovely condition and has been very well looked after. There are a number of fine hairlines on S1 but there are no scratches. There are a couple of tiny 'specks' that causes some interference as detailed below. S2 is in superb condition and there are only a small number of very hairlines here, it really is extremely clean. Whilst there is some spindle wear there is not a massive amount so this album has certainly not been played to death! Much of it plays with stunning quality!
Play grading
'Whole Lotta Love' plays very clearly from the start with barely any static and only one faint click. The first vocal section is so impressive and plays to near perfection and of course the bass is so strong on these early red/plum pressings. The beginning of the instrumental section is 'as new' the clarity is stunning. I am delighted to say this continues throughout this entire section and I'm not sure if I have ever heard better. The sonic quality could not be improved upon and the guitar solo at the end of it is sublime and has no distortion at all. This is Mint- audio without doubt! The very quiet 'way down inside' vocal has only a minimal static the closing section again plays 'as new' with no 'background' on the fade out either! Wow what a version! The definition of each note here is superb and you could not wish for a more impressive opener.
There is then complete silence in the dead wax and the intro on 'What is and What Should Never Be' then has no interference at all, which is a rarity, and the first 'chorus' then plays with the same impeccable quality. This continues to the very end of the track and this is easily one of the 'cleanest' versions of this track I have heard in a long time. There are so many quiet passages and yet there is are no clicks, pops or crackle and even the long fade out has no 'background'. It's good to see the 'high end' quality of the audio has not decreased two songs in!
'Killing Floor' has only a minimal hint of light static for the first 3/4 seconds of the intro but this is commonplace and is very much in the background anyway. The majority of sellers would not even mention it! The depth of bass is again so strong in the mix and the first guitar solo is just awesome, immaculate etc! It plays with such precision and there is no distortion whatsoever. There are four clicks at the start of the long bass section which is a shame as the remainder of this section is nigh on perfect and has no other intrusion. The high octane end is absolutely stunning and only the fade out has a couple of seconds of mega light static literally at the end.
'Thank You' is always beset with some distortion/interference as any Led Zepp fan knows. The intro does play in impeccable style and the opening vocal section plays very clearly with minimal light static and only a couple of crackle sounds. The first chorus plays with excellent clarity actually and with barely any distortion, it is very impressive. There is a little more static in the next quiet section but there are certainly no clicks or pops and is still an excellent listen. The super quiet 'if the sun refused to shine...' section plays very clearly with only light static although at the end there are four intrusive clicks. It then plays with a little more static, as is so often the case, but the first fade out is really rather good with only a little 'background'! The final fade in/out plays in similar fashion but there is no loud static/crackle. Not perfect but I've heard far worse many times!
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'Heartbreaker' has 3/4 seconds of light static on the intro and then plays with superb depth and power throughout. There are a handful of very gentle 'ticks' but they are so quiet as to not even be worth a mention perhaps! It really does plays with great clarity and resonance. The 'quiet' guitar solo section has minimal light static in the background and is definitely not intrusive. This solo still plays incredibly well and the loud crescendo section that follows is just Mint the depth and power is astonishing! This superb quality continues to the very end. A fantastic, powerful version without doubt.
'Livin' Lovin' Maid' is stunning from the very first groove and plays as Mint- all the way through. There is no interference of any kind and you will not hear a stronger more impressive version than this. This is what makes the red/plum pressings so collectable as the power and definition of the audio is so good compared to later issues. This is audio of the highest order and pays testament to a vinyl that has not been over-played. There is no groove wear and no deterioration in sound quality at all. It plays as 'clearly' as when first released back in '69. A breathtaking version.
The acoustic intro on 'Ramble On' plays with faultless audio, the clarity is exceptional, and it is no exaggeration to say it plays 'as new'. Even as the drums 'kick in' the quality remains immaculate. This is an absolutely stunning version and so rarely heard on the red/plum pressings. The remainder plays to the same standard and the long fade out also plays to near perfection. This track is Mint- and I only use the minus as it isn't sealed!
The opening section on 'Moby Dick' is superb and all I heard were 2/3 mega faint dust ticks. As the drum solo begins the playback is very impressive. There is only one light 'tick' and for an 'instrumental' with so many quiet sections there is barely any static. I cannot stress enough just how well it plays! This is easily the 'cleanest' version I have heard in a long time as there is no intrusive 'background' at all. The end section is also faultlessly. What a fantastic rendition!
The long quiet intro on 'Bring It On Home' plays very clearly with only some light static here and there but no clicks or pops. Once the track gets into gear it the audio is so powerful and rarely has none of the distortion that is so often prevalent. It 'rocks out' in stunning style and this lack of distortion shows that the vinyl has not been overplayed. The quiet end section has only a modicum of light static and still plays very clearly.
In summary this rare 'Baldwin' credit album plays with wonderful clarity and power from start to finish. S1 does have a small number of clicks on a couple of tracks but there is very little 'background' besides that. S2 is stunning in every way and is 'as new' for the vast majority with no clicks or pops. Audio doesn't get much better and to think this vinyl is nearly 50 years of age! This is why we audiophiles listen to vinyl as you simply cannot beat it for pure depth, warmth and definition on a well preserved pressing.
The Gatefold
The E.J. Day gatefold has some wear but is generally very clean overall. The edges do have a fair amount of rubbing and there is some corner wear also. The wide spine just has some 'rubs' on the bottom half but is still 100% legible. The opening edge is very clean and has hardly any handling wear. The front cover is relatively clean with only a little fading, a couple of very light thumbprint type mark on the white area and a small crease. The back cover is in excellent shape with only minor ringwear and a couple of minor creases. The inside of the gatefold is in lovely condition apart from one very small tear by the opening edge. So it certainly isn't perfect but it remains a very presentable cover.
Inner sleeve
The poly-lined 'Plastic Bags Can Be Dangerous' inner is in excellent condition with no splits or tears and only a little creasing and fading around the edges.
The Labels
The red/plum labels remain vibrant with only a little 'spotting' that can only be seen when held at a certain angle. There is not very much spindle wear at all.
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 / 5 // 1 1
588198 // B / 4 // 1 1 1 3
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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Postage & Packaging
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