LED ZEPPELIN II US Atlantic 1969 MONARCH SD8236 Robert Ludwig RL *NEAR MINT* WOW

	£		7,000
	$		9,275

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- WOWSPLAYLIST

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One of the most sought after pressings of all time. Not only is it one of the BEST SOUNDING pressings of all time, but it's almost never seen in above VG condition due to the fact that everyone who had one played it to DEATH haha. I can't name many albums where finding a decent one in VG is seen as a huge score. Now imagine having one in NEAR MINT condition. Well one of you will never have to wonder again.

The RL pressings were mastered by highly-renowned mastering engineer Robert Ludwig and are known as the "HOT MIX" due to the intense loudness of the mix -- the way Led Zeppelin was meant to be heard! When you A/B test them with non-RL copies it is immediately clear how much of the ferociousness is lost on later pressings. These copies are incredibly scarce as when this was initially released it was withdrawn due to the fact that it caused the less-capable turntables of that time to skip. This just so happened to happen to the daughter of an Atlantic Records executive which led to production of all copies of this pressing swiftly coming to a halt.

Subsequently this created a perfect storm where the best pressing is also one of the rarest.

Led Zeppelin's classic album LED ZEPPELIN II (RL SS MONARCH HOT MIX)! 

See below for details.

    COUNTRY: US        

YEAR: 1969

LABEL: Atlantic

   CATALOGUE NUMBER:  

SD 8236

MATRIX:

AT ST-A-691671-MO-CC RL SS LW /\ 13933 (3) W

AT ST-A-691-692-MO-CC LW RL SS /\ 13933-X W

^RL SS on both sides! There's more variant information that will be added later.

GRADING

SLEEVE: EX

Structurally sound with no tears, rips, split seams etc. Only grades EX because of rubbing on the corners.

LABELS: NM

Beautiful with no issues. Looks barely played.

RECORD: NM!!!!

WOW! From the collection of an audiophile who kept spare Zep copies, this was clearly played very little! No scratches or hairlines. Both side are stunningly glossy (see video).

On play-grade this is the first time I've been able to listen to a first press RL with absolutely minimal noise, I never thought I'd get to hear it so quiet even in the quieter passages. Only ever an odd crackle here and there. Listening to this you get a true look into the genius of Robert Ludwig as an engineer, HOT doesn't even begin to describe how explosive this record gets! Unsurprisingly a test pressing owned by Ludwig himself sold late last year for $30,000. Unfortunately, it wasn't to me!

 Side 1 has a couple very small paper withdrawal marks, not feelable or very noticeable at all. Side 2 has a miniature factory 'bump' that does not affect play at all and is very hard to even see.

Those of you who are familiar with this press will understand how insane this is to own in this condition. It just doesn't happen! Out of the handful that have survived in VG+ and above condition, every owner refuses to let it go due to how incredible the music and history of the album and this particular press is.

This is a record and condition that I searched for, for years. It may be years again until another becomes available. By then the price would have most definitely increased as even the VG copies are starting to reach near $1000.

Original Inner: Included in great condition!

Postage Information

SHIPPING IS FREEEEEEEE! :)

This will be shipped special delivery to make sure it reaches the lucky buyer safe and securely. 

Good luck!