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

This iconic album is the first pressing after the 'Turquoise' one so is generally regarded as the second red/plum pressing and has the Warner Bros/Jewel Music publishing credit on the labels.

Identical to 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.

This is also one of earliest of the second pressings as denoted by the matrix numbers.  1111 on S2!

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

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

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

The audio on S2 is Ex (Ex+ in many sections)

The laminated cover is VG++ / Ex-

The labels are Ex+

The 'Plastic Bags..' inner is VG+

Visual grading

The first thing to notice is that there are numerous faint hairlines.  However, there is not a massive amount of spindle wear so it has certainly not been over-played.  It's a strange one really - plenty of hairlines but they are very fine and do not have that much affect on the audio.  At first visually it appears to be in great condition and it is only when looking under a strong bright light that the hairlines can be detected.  I suspect many of them have been caused by sleeve removal.  There are definitely no scratches.

Play grading  

'Good Times Bad Times' has excellent audio although there is a little underlying static that is audible in the quieter sections not that there are many of those!  No clicks, pops or jumps though.  'Babe I'm Gonna Leave You' plays extremely well for a relatively quiet track and only has very faint static in the background here and there, it certainly can't be defined as crackle.  It resonates with excellent power and barely any distortion, just a little more static on the end section.  'You Shook Me' again has some background static but in my opinion it isn't intrusive and this classic again performs admirably with no loud clicks or pops.  There is one section of 2/3 seconds that sounds with light crackle but at nearly 50 years old it plays very clearly and remains an excellent listen.  The quiet intro on 'Dazed and Confused' has only a little background, a couple of very soft clicks, and it then plays with superb power and only a minimal amount of distortion on the top end.  The clarity on the instrumental section is stunning and the guitar solo that follows plays with immense power and depth.  There is perhaps a little distortion towards the end of the track but this is nonetheless a superb version.  No loud clicks, pops or jumps anywhere on S1!

There is a little crackle on the organ intro on 'Your Time is Gonna Come' but it certainly isn't loud and still plays very clearly.  Once the drums and acoustic guitar begin the audio is of a wonderful standard with very little 'background'.  'Black Mountain Side' does not disappoint and is very impressive.  Your ears have to be very close to the speakers in order to hear any static!  Lovely depth and clarity on this track.  'Communication Breakdown' plays loud and true with only one quiet click.  Again a little distortion maybe but this is common on this track and it does not interfere with the powerful audio on offer.  The quiet  intro on 'I Can't Quit You Baby' plays with superb clarity and this quality continues throughout.  There is hardly any static although I did hear one loud ish click but isn't that audible due to it being on a particularly high note.  'How Many More Times' plays with incredibly clear audio right from the start.  The power and range here is 'high end' and even the quiet interlude in the middle has barely any 'background'.  Yes there is some light distortion on the top level but again that is commonplace on the very early pressings.  It still plays with wonderful depth and is a stunning end to this classic album.

Cover

The laminated 'MacNeill' cover is in excellent condition overall with only minor shelf wear.  There is a slightly wavy look to it so there may have been some water on it at some stage but there is definitely no staining.  The edges and thin pinched spine are in superb condition and have no wear at all and only the two right hand corners have some rubbing but not a great deal.  The opening edge has hardly any handling wear at all.  The front cover is very clean with only three small creases on the laminate and a minor 'nick' on the airship.  The back cover has no marking and has only a few tiny creases around the edges.  There is no splitting of the laminate anywhere and there is only a very minor amount of barely noticeable 'lifting' around the spine area.  Most sellers would not even mention it!

Poly-lined inner sleeve

This I don't think is the original 'Plastic Bags Can Be Dangerous' sleeve as it is not poly-lined and does not have the date reference on it.  This one has no splits, just some creasing and age related marking.  It still has the Patent numbers 800518 & 973939 and Made in England 4913000 15804 printed on it.

The labels

The red/plum labels are in great shape with no writing or marking.  There is some spindle wear although certainly not an excessive amount and what you can see is mainly in the inner circle around the spindle hole.

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 2  2 2

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

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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