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

This very early pressing plays with very impressive audio and much of it is Near Mint and often better especially on S2.  The iconic laminated cover is also in superb condition with hardly any shelf wear.

This is the first pressing after the 'Turquoise' edition so is regarded as the second red/plum pressing and has the 'Warner Bros/Jewel Music' publishing credit on the labels.  I am selling a superb 'Turquoise' vinyl on a separate listing.

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

588171 (2nd 8 crossed, replaced with etched 8) A // 1  1 2   2 4

588171 (2nd 8 crossed, replaced with etched 8) B // 1  1  1 4

The audio on S1 is Ex+ (Near Mint in many sections / final third of track 2 is Ex-)

The audio on S2 is Near Mint (Mint- for the majority / track 1 intro is VG+)

The laminated cover is Ex+

This is one seriously impressive vinyl!  It has been very well cared for down the years and retains a stunning glossy sheen.  At first glance it looks as new!  It is only when you look very closely that you can detect a small number of inconsequential sleeve removal hairlines as you would expect to find.  There are no marks or scratches to be seen and it really is a visually stunning example of an A1/B1 red/plum pressing.  It would be nigh on impossible to find a cleaner one!  The run out grooves and labels are also very clean with no markings.

Play grading  

With barely any static on the lead in to 'Good Times Bad Times' plays exceptionally well from the first note and there are no clicks or pops on the intro.  There is just the lightest of background static on the first few grooves but it is exactly that, in the background, so quiet and totally non-intrusive.  As the vocal begins there is no interference of any kind and it plays loud and true with no distortion which is a rarity.  An example of this is the guitar solo and wow what a solo!  It plays with 100% perfect definition.  To the end it plays with stunning power and again there are no clicks or pops.  As mentioned there is just a mild hint of background static in the quieter sections not that there are many of them!  A superb version overall and even the fade out plays with no obvious 'background'

The acoustic intro on 'Babe I'm Gonna Leave You' plays with remarkable clarity for a vinyl fast approaching 50 years of age.  There is only a modicum of mega light static but in all honesty it is extremely quiet and I sit very close to the speakers!  The track continues to play with 'high end' audio and it is only on the last couple of quieter sections where there is some light crackle but it has to be said not very much.  The quiet end section does have a little more but we can forgive that!

'You Shook Me' has a very light hiss on the intro but there are no clicks or pops.  From then on it plays very cleanly with only the odd static sound.  This bluesy classic has such a strong bass line and the instrumental mid song plays extremely well but with 3/4 light 'ticks' on the mellotron section and a minimal hint of static.  The harmonica part beautifully with no 'background'.  The guitar solo that follows is pure class!  There is no interference and no distortion on the top level.  Absolutely superb!  The final section is mega impressive and Plant's 'scream' vocal plays with great power and only a minor touch of static.  A wonderful ending.

The quiet bass intro on 'Dazed and Confused' plays 'as new' with no interference and continues in exactly the same way.  The louder sections play with immense power and no distortion and the quieter parts play delicately and with barely any 'background'.  This is a sublime version of this classic and the instrumental section plays nigh on perfectly.  The crescendo section is so powerful I don't have adequate words!  It is absolutely superb and rarely will you hear such sharp definition on a red/plum pressing.  The rhythm section as we all know is stunning here with Bonham going wild on the drums and as for Page's solo - the audio is just Mint there is no other way to describe it.  No Interference, no distortion just pure audio heaven!  The end section is of the same superlative quality.  Wow what an astounding version of this classic!!  You would be hard pressed to find a better one, nigh on impossible!

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'Your Time is Gonna Come' always has some static/crackle on the organ intro and this is no exception.  There is one very quick swipe sound on the first note and then yes there is some static hiss and a small amount of light crackle but it still plays clearly.  Once you hear the percussion the audio improves dramatically.  From then on there is no interference and the track plays with fantastic quality it has to be said.  The audio is so clear and there are no clicks or pops and no static or crackle either.  Aside from the usual 'background' on the intro this is a truly stunning version.

The segue into 'Black Mountain Side' is perfect and then plays with Mint- quality for certain.  It shows just how well this vinyl has been preserved.  There is no interference whatsoever, a 'high end' version.

'Communication Breakdown' then performs with great power and depth from the first groove and perhaps surprisingly no distortion.  This lack of distortion on such a loud track again shows just how lightly this vinyl has been played.  There is no 'background' and this plays with supreme quality from beginning to end.  It 'rocks out' in true Led Zepp style and the fade out has no clicks, pops etc.

This intro on 'I Can't Quit You Baby' just has to be heard to be believed!  So quiet and yet it plays with admirable clarity.  Rarely have I heard it play as cleanly as this and there was not even a dust tick!  This is 'high end' audio at its very best.  The first extended bluesy guitar section plays with such impeccable clarity you forget you are listening to a near 50 year old vinyl!  I only heard one mega faint click and a couple of dust ticks.  This quite possibly plays to the same standard that it did when first released in '69 and easily grades as Mint- it is as near to perfect as you will find.

We can go one better with the bass intro on 'How Many More Times' as it quite simply plays as Mint.  As the guitar rolls in there is no let up in quality.  There is no distortion and it plays with 100% precision.  I cannot emphasise enough just how stunning this is!  The instrumental section plays so powerfully with only a hint of distortion on the top level and the quiet section that follows plays in impeccable style with only a tiny amount of inconsequential static.  As it builds there is a little distortion perhaps but it certainly isn't intrusive.  The 'Rosie' section is superb and has no 'background' of any kind.  It continues to play with great power and clarity and to the end there is nothing that intrudes on this high quality audio.  A stunning finale to an album.  

In summary this red/plum pressing plays with stunning audio for the vast majority and S2 in particular is mega impressive apart from the intro of course.  During the entire playback there was not one loud click or pop and barely any crackle either.  A minimal amount of static but nothing intrusive.  With a very impressive cover that has lost none of its glossy look this A1/B1 pressing will not disappoint.

The Cover

This is a stunning laminated 'MacNeill' cover!  It is in lovely condition with only very minor shelf wear and I mean minor!  The edges and thin pinched spine have no rubbing/marking are as clean as when first released back in '69.  The corners are also super impressive with no obvious wear.  The top right hand corner just has a little creasing but it is very minor and not at all obvious at first glance.  The opening edge is almost 'as new' with barely any handling wear.  The front cover is so clean with no marking whatsoever and there are only three relatively small laminate creases.  As is common there is a little lifting of the laminate next to the spine but there is no splitting anywhere.  The back cover is equally as impressive and has just the one small laminate crease and some 'lifting' running down the spine again.  Overall a fantastic example of this iconic cover and of course it has the 'silver strip' along the bottom edge.

Inner sleeve

The poly-lined inner is I believe the original.  It isn't one of the 'Plastic Bags Can Be Dangerous' versions but it does have RS 2 - 69 printed in one corner which refers to the release date.  It has no splits or tears just some creasing.

The labels

The red/plum labels are in superb condition with no marking/writing and not too much spindle wear either.  They retain their strong colours beautifully with no fading, it would be difficult to find cleaner ones.

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, replaced with etched 8) A // 1  1 2   2 4

588171 (2nd 8 crossed, replaced with etched 8) B // 1  1  1 4

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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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 £5.00. PLEASE WAIT FOR THE INVOICE. WHEN ITEMS EXCEED A SALE PRICE OF £50.00 AND ARE TO BE SENT INTERNATIONALLY TRACKED SHIPPING IS AGAIN NECESSARY PLUS INSURANCE AND THIS COSTS AN EXTRA £7.50 IN TOTAL.  PLEASE ONLY BID IF YOU AGREE WITH THESE TERMS AND CONDITIONS AND PLEASE WAIT FOR THE INVOICE, MANY THANKS.

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 (First Class)

LPs/12" singles : £5.45 (recorded) up to 1kg then £0.95 per extra item 

7" singles / CDs : £1.95 then £0.35 per extra

EUROPE 

LPs/12" singles : £8.95 then £1.75 per extra 

7" singles / CDs : £5.45 then £0.95 per extra 

REST OF WORLD  

LPs/12" singles : £12.45 then £2.50 per extra

7" singles / CDs : £6.95 then £1.45 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!