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

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

Incidentally I am selling a 'Turquoise' first pressing on a separate listing.

Identical to the Turquoise lettered cover it is fully laminated with orange lettering and has the silver band on the bottom edge.  It has the '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 3  4 1

588171 (2nd 8 crossed, replaced with etched 8) B // 1  1 3  2 5

The audio on S1 is Mint-

The audio on S2 is Near Mint (Mint- for the majority)

The laminated cover is Ex+

The labels are Near Mint-

The 'Plastic Bags..' inner is Ex+

Visual grading

This is a visually stunning vinyl, the cleanest I have ever seen on a red/plum press.  It has an incredible glossy, mirror like sheen that belies its near 50 years.  S1 is so clean and has only a small number of very faint sleeve removal hairlines only.  At first glance it is pristine.  S2 is similar but there are a couple of hairlines that are more obvious but they have no affect on the stunning audio.  There are no scratches at all.  There is not too much spindle wear, a little more on S2, and it is obvious this vinyl has been so well cared for down the years.  A superb example of this early pressing with super clean run out grooves also.  It would be difficult to find a visually better red/plum edition than this one and the same applies to the audio!

Play grading  

S1 begins with barely any lead in static, always a good sign!  And then from the very first note 'Good Times Bad Times' plays with tremendous clarity and no lack of power.  There is no interference and the guitar work towards the end has no distortion at all.  The fade just has a couple of gentle ticks.  This is a stunning version and infinitely grades as Near Mint without doubt.

 The quiet acoustic intro on 'Babe I'm Gonna Leave You' is incredible!  To think this record was pressed nearly 50 years ago!  The clarity is breathtaking and there is not one single click or pop and no static/crackle background either.  This classic plays with such definition and sonic quality it is obvious that the vinyl has been only lightly played.  This dynamic quality continues to the end and this is easily the 'cleanest' version of this track I have heard in many a year.  No distortion again and the super quiet end section has to be heard to be believed.  100% mind-blowing!

Again there is no interference on the 'You Shook Me' intro, not even a solitary dust tick.  This is audio of the highest quality and I really cannot adequately put into words how good it is!  There is no intrusive interference whatsoever, a rarity indeed on this bluesy classic.  The bass is so strong in the mix here and again the ending plays with immaculate clarity.  Wow!

The bass intro on 'Dazed and Confused' is just Mint there is no other way to describe it.  This classic of course alternates between super quiet and mega loud (typical Led Zepp I guess!) and all sections play to the same astounding standard.  There is no distortion on the top end and no interference of any kind on the quieter sections.  I have never heard better.  The quiet instrumental mid-section plays with incredible clarity, no static, clicks or pops and the guitar solo that follows is just so powerful, absolutely stunning!  An absolutely incredible finale to S1 and again it is worth reiterating that there is no interference of any kind on this side.  The audio is 'high end' to say the least and to think it's on a mega early red/plum pressing!

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As any Led Zepp collector knows there is often some interference on the 'Your Time is Gonna Come' organ intro but I am pleased to say there is only a minimal hint of static here that is totally non-intrusive.  It is a superb start without question and the following quiet section has only a couple of dust ticks.  It then proceeds to play with the same warmth and depth as displayed on S1.  There is no 'background' and the clarity again is second to none.  The definition and separation is just sublime, in other words you can hear each instrument so clearly, there is no muddiness to the sound.  The seque into the next track is seamless and is 100% Mint once again.

'Black Mountain Side' then provides another example of well this record has been preserved.  I generally grade as Mint- on an unsealed LP but in all honesty the audio quality here is of Mint standard.   Stunning clarity and no sign of any interference.

'Communication Breakdown' then rocks out in superb style with incredible power and for once no distortion.  A stunning foot stomper this again is audio of the highest quality and even the fade out has no 'background'.

The intro on 'I Can't Quit You Baby' is 100% immaculate again.  As is so often the case with any stunning vinyl I am just running out of superlatives on offer here!  So many quiet sections and yet they all play with the same clarity and richness.  For fear of repeating myself I quite simply cannot believe what I am hearing!  I keep on about clarity but that is how any record should be judged and here it is sublime, a couple of mega quiet static sounds but maybe that is being too harsh.  There is no interference of any kind and this is another Mint- track of that I am confident in saying.  Absolutely breathtaking and stunning etc etc!!

'How Many More Times' closes the album with 'high end' audio, no surprise there I guess!  A fantastic strong bass intro with no 'background' and superlative depth of sound thereafter and again no clicks or pops.  The clarity is again incredibly good and the quiet mid section in particular plays 'as new'.  This fine quality continues to the end, such a powerful track, barely any distortion and a superb finale to this classic album.

In summary this is a final upgrade archive red/plum pressing if ever there was one.  With stunning clarity and power there is no obvious interference at all and I am confident in saying the vast majority of this album plays with Mint- quality audio.  I grade with integrity as my feedback confirms, I do not aim to over-emphasise the quality as it is just not in my interests.  There are no clicks or pops and no crackle either and the only hint of 'background' is a minimal amount of static on the S2 intro although it still happens to be a mega impressive intro, the best I have heard in a long time.

The  Cover

The laminated 'MacNeill' cover is in superb condition with barely any shelf wear.  It of course has the silver band on the bottom edge.  The edges and thin pinched spine are in fantastic order with no rubbing at all and are 'as new'.  The corners remarkably have next to no wear and the opening edge has no handling wear either.  The laminate on the front cover has no splits and has only a little 'lifting' down the side of the spine on the front cover.  This is a common occurrence with these covers.  There is no 'lifting' on the back cover and there are only a small number of faint creases by the spine.  The cover throughout is superbly clean with no marking and it is without doubt one of the cleanest I have ever seen.  A superb example. 

Poly-lined inner sleeve

The original poly-lined 'Plastic Bags Can Be Dangerous' sleeve in in superb condition with no splits and only very minor creasing.  It has the Patent numbers '800513 & 973939' and 'Made in England 41  1070' printed on one side.  The 1070 refers to the release date.

The labels

The red/plum label are in great condition.  There is very little spindle wear on S1, a little more on S2.  There is no marking or writing and they remain very clean indeed.

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 3  4 1

588171 (2nd 8 crossed, replaced with etched 8) B // 1  1 3  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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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 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 (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!