LED ZEPPELIN II A1 / B1 (2nd pressing)

This iconic debut LP is the first pressing after the 'Turquoise' one and is in wonderful condition.  This tends to be known as a second pressing as it has the Warner Bros publishing credit on the label.

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.

It obviously has the red/plum labels with the 'Warner Bros/Jewel Music' credit.

Side One // 588171 (2nd 8 crossed out , replaced with etched 8) A // 1 1 3  4 3

Side Two // 588171 (2nd 8 crossed out , replaced with etched 8) B // 1 1 3  2 4

The audio on S1 is Ex+ (Near Mint for the majority)

The audio on S2 is Ex+ (many sections are N/Mint / 'Your Time is Gonna Come' intro is Ex)

The laminated cover is Ex+

The labels are Near Mint

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

Visual grading

At 48 years old this vinyl is in stunning condition and is probably the cleanest A1/B1 pressing I have ever seen.  S1 is immaculate and looks as new there is no other description for it.  I have scrutinised it very closely and in cannot detect a single hairline or scratch, it is absolutely fantastic!  With only minimal spindle wear it has hardly been played also.  For such an aged vinyl to have fabulous glossy sheen like this is very rare.  There are 3/4 very faint hairlines only on S2 but they have no affect on the audio at all and both sides play with stunning audio as detailed below.  S2 does have a little spindle wear but only 4/5 small fine lines at most.  It is so rare to find this rare vinyl in such immaculate condition, it is an absolute stunner!

Play grading  

'Good Times Bad Times' plays with a clarity that is rarely heard on these very early pressings.  The audio plays so clearly and with such power and strength it is incredible to think this vinyl is nearly 50 years old.  There is only light static on the intro and a handful of dust ticks in the quieter sections of which there aren't many!  There are no clicks or pops.  This is a stunning start to this classic album.  The acoustic intro to 'Babe I'm Gonna Leave You' plays with sublime quality and is Near Mint such is the standard.  The remainder of the track is mind-blowing!  There is no intrusive crackle just the odd static sound that is so much in the background as to be negligible and even the louder sections play with no distortion which pays testament to how infrequently it has been played and how well it has been cared for down the decades.  Even the quiet ending has a minimal amount of static.  The bluesy 'You Shook Me' has perhaps slightly more static but again is largely in the background and still plays superbly well and displays a clarity and depth you so rarely hear on A1/B1 pressings today.  I would happily grade this classic track as Ex+ and I only heard one light click which is right at the end.  The bass intro into 'Dazed and Confused' is absolutely stunning and the it continues with breathtaking sound.  I cannot stress just how good the quality is here!  Even the relatively quiet middle section has no 'background'.  The guitar section towards the end plays with serious dynamic power.  Once again there are no clicks, pops or crackle and I just do not have enough superlatives for this track, well for the whole side really!

'Your Time is Gonna Come' has some crackle on the organ intro but lessens considerably by the time the drums begin.  The track then plays very clearly with no clicks etc but there is a little underlying static here and there.  'Black Mountain Side' plays with wonderful audio with some light static in the background which to be honest can only be heard if you have your ears up close to the speakers!  What follows is a superb version of 'Communication Breakdown' which really 'rocks out' with no interference.  For a vinyl of this age and rarity to play with no distortion is practically unheard of.  'I Can't Quit You Baby' again is remarkable in its quality and the long quiet intro is just incredible.  The audio is of such a high standard I could not believe my ears!  The majority of the track has Near Mint audio if not better! There is only a hint of background static towards the end but in all my years I do not think I have heard a better version of this classic track.  'How Many More Times' ends the LP with wonderful sound again although I would say there is a hint of distortion here and there.  However, it is not intrusive and the quiet middle interlude has superb audio with no interference.  The remainder of the track plays with immense quality and no 'background' and there are no clicks, pops or jumps again.  Some mild distortion is the only negative if you can call it that!  The sound is dynamic and is a stunning end to an iconic album.

In summary this may be the best Led Zeppelin I I have ever sold.  For it to play with only one click is amazing and there is only the slightest of static in a handful of places.  A final upgrade, archive copy for certain and one that will not disappoint.  Absolutely stunning :-)

Cover

The laminated 'MacNeill' cover is in superb condition and is definitely the best I have ever seen.  The edges and thin pinched spine are in superlative shape and have no rubbing whatsoever.  The laminate itself is also in great condition and only has some 'lifting' on the front cover below 'LED' for a few cms but there are no splits.  However, you can only see it when it is held at a certain angle.  Other than that the front cover is wonderfully clean with no marking and the laminate only has a couple of small creases.  The back cover is near perfect apart from a couple of tiny creases on the laminate and has no marking again.  The opening edge has hardly any handling wear and looks superb.  This iconic cover has a stunning look to it and there can't be many around that would better it.

Poly-lined inner sleeve

The original 'Plastic Bags Can Be Dangerous' sleeve has no splits or tears  just some light creasing.  It has the Patent nos 800513 &  973939 and B 1/0370 printed on the sleeve which refers to the release date.

Labels

They are both in lovely condition with no writing and only a very small amount of spindle wear on S2.

Play tested on my Pro-Ject Essential III Turntable / B&W 684 Speakers

Side One // 588171 (2nd 8 crossed out , replaced with etched 8) A // 1 1 3  4 3

Side Two // 588171 (2nd 8 crossed out , replaced with etched 8) B // 1 1 3  2 4

Any questions please feel free to ask

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