LED ZEPPELIN I A1/B4 Red/Plum PRESS UK 1969 *Stunning* FINAL UPGRADE AUDIO MINT-
£
191
$
253
Favourite Auctions
To save auctions to your favourites, please login
If you don't have an account, please register
Description
Led Zeppelin I A1 / B4 Red/Plum Label
This FINAL UPGRADE red/plum pressing plays to an incredible standard with no intrusion at all. I sold an A1/B1 pressing a couple of months back which was stunning but in my opinion this surpasses that one. The clarity, depth and warmth of the audio is so good and the sonic quality could not be any more impressive. An example of that is the intro on S2 which is the 'cleanest' I have ever heard, it is 'as new' basically.
Not only that but the vinyl is visually stunning and has only been played a few times judging by the minimal spindle wear. The cover is in lovely condition and the original inner is also in excellent shape also.
This A1/B4 is known as a transitional press as it does not have the silver band along the bottom edge and there is also a sticker on the back with the 'new' catalogue number. It is worth pointing out that this A1/B4 press is well known in Led Zepp circles as being the true definitive audiophile version with a greater sonic quality and that is so obvious when you find a vinyl as 'clean' as this one. Interestingly this pressing is the only one other than the 'turquoise' edition where the second '8' on the run out groove of S2 is not corrected. It is also true to say the A1/B4 was pressed in far fewer numbers than the A1/B1 so is definitely harder to find a near mint / mint one like this.
588171 (2nd 8 corrected, replaced with etched 8) A // 1 1 3 1 7
588171 (2nd 8 not corrected) B ? 4 1 1 4
The audio on S1 is Mint(-)
The audio on S2 is Mint(-)
The cover is Near Mint-
The original 'plastic bags...' inner is Ex+
The labels are Near Mint
Visual grading
You will not be surprised to hear that this vinyl has an immaculate jet-black glossy sheen with no marks or scratches and only a small number of very faint and difficult to find sleeve removal hairlines. S1 has one very small and barely visible scuff line but it has no affect on the stunning audio at all. Believe me when I say it is difficult to spot! The surface has no groove wear and there is only a minimal amount of spindle wear. The run out grooves are also beautifully clean and this vinyl is genuinely a fantastic example of its type.
Play grading
'Good Times Bad Times' plays with great clarity from the very start. There is no interference on the intro and thereafter plays as only a 'clean' red/plum pressing can - with wonderful definition and warmth. Every section plays with stunning power and there is no distortion on the top end. There is no 'background' of any kind, not even a dust tick and no underlying static either. The fade also plays perfectly and I have no hesitation in grading this as Mint as the audio cannot be faulted in any way.
With complete silence in the dead wax the acoustic intro on 'Babe I'm Gonna Leave You' is 'as new' and once the vocal begins there are only a handful of mega light dust ticks that obviously are not intrusive. The first 'louder' acoustic section is flawless and it continues to play in the same sublime way. The infamous baby 'cry' at 1:40 can be heard so clearly and shows just how good the clarity is here. This truly is a stunning version of this classic - each note can be heard with such precision and it's difficult to convey just how immaculate this audio is! The quieter sections have a clarity that is second to none and the louder sections have a power and depth that you so rarely find on these early pressings. The end vocal has only a couple of very quiet ticks but is as close to a perfect finish that you could find. This is Mint- every day of the week!
'You Shook Me' has an intro that can only be described 'as new' and Plant's first vocal has no 'background' either. Of course this track has so many quiet sections and yet they all play with the same 'high end' quality. The playback is so 'clean' and the long instrumental section is a prime example of that, the clarity is absolutely outstanding! The audio definition is amongst the finest I have ever heard and from start to finish there are no clicks, pops, static or crackle. As if you cannot tell already this is a vinyl that has been so well preserved down the decades! Plant's 'scream' vocal at the end has no 'background' and again your shaking your head in disbelief at the quality on offer here! There is no need for a minus this is Mint in every way. What a version!
The bass intro on 'Dazed And Confused' has perfect clarity and this quality continues into the first vocal. You might expect some inner groove distortion on the louder sections but that is not the case here, another indicator it has been played on very few occasions. The audio is so 'clean' and precise (again) and the mid instrumental is awesome! It has no 'background' and the 'high octane' section that follows is as strong as the day when first released. I cannot overstate just how impressive the audio is on this classic track and it truly is a definitive version in every way. Did I turn it up loud or what!! To the end it plays with stunning precision and Mint is more than deserved. What a side!
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
As I always say when selling one of these the intro on 'Your Time Is Gonna Come' always has some static/crackle plus distortion but this is the by far the 'cleanest' I have ever heard. That is no exaggeration, nor a selling technique, the playback is quite simply stunning! I only detected a couple of dust ticks - and I can't quite believe it that there is no distortion here! The entire organ 'recital' has no underlying static at all, the clarity is incredible. As Bonham comes in the audio is 'as new' and it progresses in the same way with no intrusion of any kind. I am happy to grade this as Mint- and yes that includes the intro! I have just played it back again and no word of a lie I heard things that I have never heard before - like I say the clarity here is exceptional and you can pick up every subtle nuance perfectly. Each note is so precise. Without a doubt the finest example I have ever had the pleasure in listening to.
The segue into 'Black Mountain Side' is perfect and it continues to impress with sublime clarity to the final note. This is Mint with not even a single dust tick.
'Communication Breakdown' is of the same 'high end' standard. From the opening groove it 'rocks out' loud and true and there is no distortion, no 'background' at all in fact. An outstanding Mint version for sure.
The vocal only intro on 'I Can't Quit You Baby' is immaculate with not one even a dust tick and it continues to play 'as new' there is no other way to describe it. I do not wish to repeat myself but I cannot believe what I am hearing (!) and I honestly wonder if this side has ever been played! The clarity is as good as a recently pressed high quality vinyl (if not better!) and for a track with so many quiet sections that is such a rarity. There are only a couple of insignificant dust ticks near the end but once again I am confident in grading this as Mint as there is no intrusion on the audio at all.
As you might expect the iconic bass intro on 'How Many More Times' is faultless and from then on plays to a standard that is just phenomenal! The power and depth is so impressive and there is nothing that intrudes on the dynamic quality of the music. It plays with unaffected power when it needs to and a gentle touch in the quieter sections. The precision of the audio is so good, each note is so 'clean' and there is no interference at all. Even the quieter mid section plays with incredible clarity! As the music builds there is still no intrusion and the 'Oh Rosie...' section plays perfectly. The remainder plays to a sublime standard and the end 'riff' section is as good as I have ever heard before. I must re-iterate the depth and power of the music here is outstanding, as per the rest of this classic track, and it provides a stunning finale to classic debut album. I truly believe this deserves a Mint grade - it is the definitive version in my opinion.
In summary this is FINAL UPGRADE time warp classic. I have sold many of these down the years, and as stated a superb one recently, but this one has to be the most impressive of the lot. S1 is immaculate but S2 is immaculate and then some! The sonic quality is outstanding and having listened to every second of this classic I can categorically say there is no interference whatsoever. The clarity, warmth and depth of the audio on both sides is STUNNING and there is near complete silence in the dead wax between every track. There are no ticks, clicks or pops and no underlying static or distortion either. At worst there is only a handful of barely audible dust ticks and it goes without saying this record has only been played a few times at most. I can confidently say it would be virtually impossible to find a better red/plum pressing!
The Cover
The laminated cover is in great condition with only very minimal shelf wear. There is just a very small 1cm area of rubbing on the top edge but aside from that it is in perfect condition. The bottom edge and spine are pristine and there is no corner wear which is such a rarity. The opening edge is near perfect also with only a couple of tiny 'dings'. The front cover is so clean with no marking and has only a couple of minor laminate creases on the airship. There are only a handful of laminate creases by the spine and for once there is hardly any of the laminate 'lift' that you so often see running down the spine. The back cover is just as clean but with just a little more laminate lift by the spine. The K40031 sticker can be seen top right with three initials written on it. Overall this is a superb example this iconic cover and it remains very strong and robust like a hardly handled cover would be.
The Inner Sleeve
The original 'Plastic Bags...' inner dated 0172 is in excellent condition with no marking and barely any creasing. There is one small side split in the top right corner and also one tiny tear on the central 'window' but other than that it is very clean and has hardly ever seen the light of day!
The Labels
The red/plum labels are visually stunning and have lost none of their original colour and have no marking or writing either. There is only minimal spindle wear. Stunning examples!
Play tested on my 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 corrected, replaced with etched 8) A // 1 1 3 1 7
588171 (2nd 8 not corrected) B ? 4 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
Recent Feedback
Very happy with this item, and special thanks for perfect packing!
Fabulous - like new. Fast dispatch, well packaged. 5* seller. Thank you
100% reliable seller. Fast shipping and great communication. A++++
Everything perfect as usual!! Item in pristine condition and quick delivery!
Top seller! Well packed record and great condition of item.
Fast, safe post, packing & comms. Ebay needs more sellers like this. Thank you.
Fantastic shipping, killer service, amazing seller, buy from him !!
Best seller! A++++ always great collectible items in perfect condition!
Postage & Packaging
I SHIP WORLDWIDE BUT WHEN SENDING ITEMS TO ITALY, RUSSIA/UKRAINE AND SOUTH AMERICA I WILL ONLY SEND THEM VIA TRACKED SHIPPING AND THIS COSTS AN ADDITIONAL £5.00.
WHEN ITEMS SELL BETWEEN £50.00 AND £250.00 AND ARE TO BE SENT TO ANY INTERNATIONAL DESTINATION TRACKED SHIPPING IS AGAIN NECESSARY AND COSTS AN ADDITIONAL £7.50 AS EXTRA INSURANCE IS REQUIRED.
FOR ITEMS OVER £250.00 PLEASE CONTACT ME AS THERE WILL BE A HIGHER INSURANCE PREMIUM AND WILL HAVE TO BE SENT VIA A COURIER SERVICE AND THE COSTS CAN VARY. THE ROYAL MAIL ONLY INSURE UP TO £250.00 HENCE THE NEED FOR ANOTHER SERVICE. PLEASE CONTACT ME FOR THE EXACT AMOUNT AND THEN WAIT FOR THE INVOICE. PLEASE ONLY BID IF YOU AGREE WITH THESE TERMS AND CONDITIONS, 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 : £5.75 (recorded) up to 1kg then £0.95 per extra item
7" singles / CDs : £1.95 then £0.35 per extra
EUROPE (Standard)
LPs/12" singles : £10.95 then £1.75 per extra
7" singles / CDs : £6.45 then £0.95 per extra
REST OF WORLD (Standard)
LPs/12" singles : £18.95 then £1.95 per extra
7" singles / CDs : £7.95 then £1.45 per extra
I WILL LEAVE FEEDBACK ONCE I HAVE RECEIVED IT. 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!!
price rating
![Rush - Permanent Waves [40th Anniversary Super Deluxe Edition] [3LP 2CD] New](https://www.popsike.info/php/thumbnail.php?url=https://www.popsike.pics/pix/20241206/267088357311.jpg)
