LED ZEPPELIN IV A3/B4 UK Vinyl LP Red/Plum RARE *STUNNING* Audio EX+/NEAR MINT
£
211
$
280
Favourite Auctions
To save auctions to your favourites, please login
If you don't have an account, please register
Description
Led Zeppelin IV A3/B4 UK Red/Plum Label
The audio on this A3/B4 version of 'Zoso' or 'Four Symbols' plays to a superb standard. It could be said that this is one of the more rare red/plum pressings as there are no errors on the labels!.
Of course it has PECKO DUCK and PORKY etched into the dead wax on each side.
2401012 // A / 3 // 1 2 2 0 // Pecko Duck
2401012 // B / 4 // 1 2 4 // Porky
The audio on S1 is Near Mint ('Black Dog' 5 second intro is VG / 'Stairway To Heaven' is Ex+ / Near Mint-)
The audio on S2 is Near Mint ('When The Levee Breaks' Ex / Ex+)
The gatefold is Ex-
The labels are Near Mint
The original inner sleeve is VG+
Visual grading
This vinyl has been played a number of times although not excessively and it retains a lovely glossy sheen and has always been very carefully handled. S1 has a small number of faint hairlines and one longer one that you only notice if you look very closely. S2 is in immaculate condition with only a couple of mega faint hairlines. For a 46 year old vinyl to look (and play) this good is a rarity and it definitely one of the cleanest A3/B4 red/plum pressing you will find. The run out grooves are extremely clean also.
Play grading
'Black Dog' plays with near perfect audio but does have a loud hiss sound at the start which disappears after 5 seconds. Thereafter there is no other 'background' and the clarity is superb. No clicks, pops, static or crackle and if it wasn't for the hiss on the intro this would grade as Near Mint - 98% of it is! There is no distortion at all.
'Rock and Roll' is quite simply stunning. Again there is no distortion on this loud track which is rare on these early red/plum pressings. It has incredible power and depth and deserves a Mint grading it is that good. The clarity and depth of the sound is just superb.
There is then complete silence in the dead wax leading into 'The Battle of Evermore' which then impresses with breathtaking audio. There is no interference on the quiet build up of the intro. There is just a minor hint of distortion on the top end but I perhaps being too harsh in my critique because this does not affect the overall fantastic 'tone' of this track. There is no extraneous 'background' and the sound quality is of a superb standard. The fade out plays perfectly.
The intro on 'Stairway to Heaven' is without doubt one of the best I have ever heard. I cannot stress enough just how good it is! It plays so clearly this is as close to 'as new' as you will find. No clicks, pops etc just pure audible pleasure! There is a very minor amount of vocal distortion as the track builds but it is not intrusive in any way and remains a stunning listen. This is prevalent on all the red/plum pressings so do not let it put you off. It is very much in the background and the guitar solo plays with great power and definition as does the following vocal with just a little distortion on the top end. As any Led Zepp aficionado knows this occurs when the grooves are pressed closer together in order to 'fit' the track onto the side. The quiet ending plays with barely a hint of static in the background. A superb end to such a classic track.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
S2 begins with hardly any lead in static which is such a rarity for a record approaching 50 years. 'Misty Mountain Hop' then plays with incredibly well with an absolute minimal amount of static distortion. Again there is no obvious 'background' and strength and power is sublime here.
Again there is silence in the dead wax and 'Four Sticks' then plays with even fantastic clarity. The bass is so strong on this track and this track easily grades as Near Mint and the fade out plays in sublime fashion with zero interference. Stunning!
'Going to California' is another highlight and for fear of sounding repetitive the clarity is again of the highest standard. It is the quietest track on the album and yet the only interference, if you can call it that, is the odd mega light dust tick here and there. It is as near to a perfect listen as you will find.
Again as any avid Led Zepp collector knows 'When the Levee Breaks' always has some distortion on the top end. Just how much can obviously vary depending on how well the vinyl has been cared for. It is not excessive here and this classic closer plays extremely well with perhaps a little more distortion towards the end. Again there are no clicks or pops and it is a fitting end to a classic album.
In summary this classic album is a final upgrade, archive copy without a shadow of a doubt. It displays such power and clarity and for a vinyl of this age to have no clicks or pops is very rare today. Yes there is the short hiss literally at the start of S1 but that is the only obvious interference across both sides. With near complete silence in the dead wax between every track the audio is of a stunning calibre and will not disappoint.
Gatefold cover
The gatefold is in overall excellent condition with some minor wear here and there. The edges have some rubbing and the top right corners have some wear with a small seam split on the back one but isn't that noticeable. The spine is in excellent shape with only a little rubbing on the top and bottom. The front cover is very clean and the back only has a couple of light marks and a little ringwear also. The inside is in lovely condition with practically no wear and the opening edge only has a small amount of handling wear.
Inner sleeve
At first glance this looks to be in superb condition but on closer inspection you can see one large split on the bottom and two smaller ones to the sides. This is so common as everyone knows! However, the actual sleeve itself is very clean with no marking and very little creasing. Aside from the 'clean' splits it is in great shape.
The labels
The red/plum labels are in perfect condition with no writing/marks and look as new with only some spindle wear.
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
2401012 // A / 3 // 1 2 2 0 // Pecko Duck
2401012 // B / 4 // 1 2 4 // Porky
I grade according to "Record Collector" guidelines.
Any questions please feel free to ask
Please pay within 4 days of auction end
Recent Feedback
Very happy with this item, and special thanks for perfect packing!
Fabulous - like new. Fast dispatch, well packaged. 5* seller. Thank you
100% reliable seller. Fast shipping and great communication. A++++
Everything perfect as usual!! Item in pristine condition and quick delivery!
Top seller! Well packed record and great condition of item.
Fast, safe post, packing & comms. Ebay needs more sellers like this. Thank you.
Fantastic shipping, killer service, amazing seller, buy from him !!
Best seller! A++++ always great collectible items in perfect condition!
Postage & Packaging
I SHIP WORLDWIDE BUT WHEN SHIPPING ITEMS TO ITALY, RUSSIA AND SOUTH AMERICA I WILL ONLY SEND THEM "TRACKED/SIGNED FOR" AND THIS COSTS AN ADDITIONAL £6.00. PLEASE WAIT FOR THE INVOICE. WHEN ITEMS EXCEED A SALE PRICE OF £50.00 AND ARE TO BE SENT INTERNATIONALLY EXTRA INSURANCE IS NECESSARY AND COSTS AN EXTRA £2.50. PLEASE ONLY BID IF YOU AGREE WITH THESE TERMS AND CONDITIONS.
COMBINED POSTAGE IS ALWAYS OFFERED WHEN MORE THAN ONE ITEM IS WON.
ALL VINYLS ARE PACKAGED IN STRONG CUSTOM MADE OVER-SIZED MAILERS WITH EXTRA CARDBOARD PROTECTION. THEY ARE PLACED IN SEPARATE POLY-LINED INNERS OUTSIDE THE COVER IN ORDER TO AVOID SEAM SPLITS IN THE POST. EVERYTHING IS THEN PLACED INSIDE A PVC SLEEVE TO PROVIDE EXTRA PROTECTION. I PRIDE MYSELF ON MY HIGH QUALITY PACKAGING AS MY FEEDBACK TESTIFIES AND IF ANY CUSTOMER HAS ANY SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS I WILL ALWAYS ENDEAVOUR TO HELP.
UK Postage Rates (Second Class)
LPs/12" singles : £4.95 (recorded) then £0.75 per extra item
7" singles / CDs : £1.95 then £0.35 per extra
EUROPE
LPs/12" singles : £7.95 then £1.25 per extra
7" singles / CDs : £4.95 then £0.95 per extra
REST OF WORLD
LPs/12" singles : £11.95 then £1.75 per extra
7" singles / CDs : £5.95 then £0.95 per extra
I WILL LEAVE FEEDBACK ONCE IT HAS BEEN LEFT FOR ME. THIS IS SO I KNOW THE ITEM HAS BEEN RECEIVED SAFELY AND THAT YOU ARE HAPPY WITH IT. IF YOU ARE NOT ENTIRELY HAPPY WITH YOUR PURCHASE PLEASE CONTACT ME BEFORE LEAVING FEEDBACK AND I WILL ALWAYS RESOLVE ANY PROBLEM, 100% GUARANTEED. I WILL ALSO PAY THE RETURN POSTAGE COST IF I AM AT FAULT - yes this can happen as I am only human!!
In the coming weeks and months I will be selling plenty of Queen, Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, Beatles, Genesis and Marillion items so please keep a look out! Many thanks. Please look at my other items on now!
price rating
