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

This iconic debut LP is the first pressing after the 'Turquoise' one so is generally regarded as the second red/plum pressing.

It has the Warner Bros/Jewel Music publishing credit on the labels.

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

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

588171 (2nd 8 crossed out , replaced with etched 8) B // 1 1 2 5

The audio on S1 is Ex (Ex+ in some sections)

The audio on S2 is Ex+ ('Your Time is Gonna Come' intro is VG+ and 'I Can't Quit You Baby' is Ex-)

The laminated cover is Ex-

The labels are Ex+

The 'Plastic Bags..' poly-lined inner is VG++

Visual grading

The vinyl has obviously been played a number of times as there are a number of fine hairlines on each side.  There are also a small number of faint scratchy type marks on a couple of areas and a two more obvious marks on S2 but they have little affect on the audio.  So whilst this isn't a perfect looking vinyl it is relatively clean and not heavily marked like so many I have seen.

Play grading  

'Good Times Bad Times' plays with excellent audio and there are no clicks or pops to be heard.  There is a minimal amount of intermittent static hiss in the background but it is in no way intrusive and overall this classic track displays great power and clarity.  'Babe I'm Gonna Leave You' plays in similar fashion with very clear audio but with a little static in the background during the quieter sections.  However, it is worth reiterating that there are no clicks or pops again although there is some crackle on the end section.  The bluesy 'You Shook Me' plays very well indeed with no obvious interference and only some light ubiquitous background static here and there.  It in no way interferes with the excellent quality of the powerful sound and for a relatively quiet track plays extremely well.  The bass intro into 'Dazed and Confused' is a superb listen with barely any 'background'.  The track plays very clearly throughout but with a few very light 'ticks' during the instrumental interlude in the middle.  The following guitar solo plays with stunning power and depth and with hardly any distortion and this quality continues through to the end.

As is so often the case the 'Your Time is Gonna Come' the organ intro has some interference, mainly some static in the background and some light clicks towards the end of it.  Once the vocal begins the audio is of a very high standard and does not disappoint.  'Black Mountain Side' plays with wonderful quality and barely any background.  I am confident in grading it as Near Mint to be honest.  What follows is a 'high end' version of 'Communication Breakdown'.  There is no discernible interference and it 'rocks out' in superb fashion and with no distortion which is so often prevalent on this track.  The quiet  intro on 'I Can't Quit You Baby' plays exceptionally well with only mega light static here and there and with a couple of light clicks about two minutes in.  It continues to play with great clarity although there are 4/5 light clicks again towards the end of the bluesy guitar solo and a little background static on the end section.  'How Many More Times' ends this classic album with wonderful quality and no obvious interference.  A little distortion perhaps but nothing intrusive.  It really does plays so cleanly and is one of the best versions I have heard in a long time.  The bass, as is always the case with these pressings, really shines through and the whole track plays with dynamic power and strength.  A great end to a great album.

Cover

The laminated 'MacNeill' cover is in overall excellent condition.  The edges and thin pinched spine are in superb order with very little rubbing and only the bottom right corner has some obvious creasing/wear.  Both the front and back cover are very clean with only one small mark on the former.  The laminate remains in excellent shape with a little lifting around the spine area and a couple of small creases near the spine also.  There are only a handful of small creases on each side but there are no splits anywhere to be seen.  The opening edge is very clean with no obvious handling wear at all.

Poly-lined inner sleeve

The 'Plastic Bags Can Be Dangerous' sleeve has one very small split on one side, a little age related marking, some creasing and one small pen mark.  It has the Patent nos 800513 &  973939 and Made in England B./0670 printed on the sleeve.

The labels

They are both in excellent condition with no writing or marking just some spindle wear.

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 out , replaced with etched 8) A // 1 1 3 3 1

588171 (2nd 8 crossed out , replaced with etched 8) B // 1 1 2 5

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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