LED ZEPPELIN IV A3/B3 UK ATLANTIC RED/PLUM 'MISTY MOUNTAIN TOP' Very Rare EX++
£
127
$
168
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Description
LED ZEPPELIN IV A3 / B3 Atlantic 2401012 UK 1971 RED/PLUM Label
This very rare first A3/B3 first pressing is in wonderful condition. Also known as 'Zoso' or 'Four Symbols' there are about eight red/plum pressings of this classic album and there are not many with the rare A3/B3 matrix. This also has the 'Misty Mountain Top' spelling error. PECKO DUCK and PORKY are etched into the dead wax.
On this pressing there is no 'Peter Grant' credit on the label as per Jimmy's request! And “Under licence from Atlantic Recording Corpn.,” is now within the central white stripe.
2401012 // A // 3 // 1 1 1 3 // PECKO DUCK
2401012 // B // 3 // 1 2 4 // PORKY
The audio on Side One is Ex+ (Near Mint in many sections)
The audio on Side Two is Ex (Ex+ in many sections)
The gatefold is Ex
The labels are Ex+
The original inner sleeve is Ex+
Visual grading
Overall this rare vinyl is in lovely condition and it retains a glossy sheen after all these years. It has not been overplayed as there is not that much spindle wear. There are only a small number of sleeve removal hairlines on each side with only a couple that are slightly more obvious. There are certainly no scratches deep or otherwise. It is rare to find an A3/B3 pressing looking as good as this and whilst not quite perfect it is visually in fabulous condition and has been very carefully handled by its previous owner and is definitely one of the best I have seen in a long time.
Play grading
'Black Dog' begins with a little crackle for a few seconds and then plays with such strength and power and no distortion. The clarity is immense and there is only some light crackle in the quieter sections...not that there are many of them! There are no clicks, pops or jumps and this is a stunning start to this classic album. 'Rock and Roll' plays with incredible power and quite honestly plays with Mint audio the quality is that good. It is so rare to find an A3/B3 press sound as good this. The guitars and drums are recorded so high in the mix and yet the track once again plays without distortion. 'The Battle of Evermore' does have some light static and one dull sounding click in the middle but apart from that it still plays very clearly and the interference is very much in the background anyway. The classic 'Stairway to Heaven' has wonderful audio for a '71 red/plum pressing. Yes there is some intermittent static but it is largely in the background. There are no clicks or pops which is a rarity as this is the one track that is generally played to death! The intro really plays beautifully with just a touch of quiet static as mentioned. There is a little more static in the middle section but it is largely non-intrusive and certainly from the guitar solo onwards the audio is absolutely outstanding with no distortion again. Fantastic sound!
'Misty Mountain Hop' plays with excellent clarity although there is some light static in the background. You expect some interference on a 45 year old vinyl and here it is only minimal and I don't think it interferes with the listening pleasure! 'Four Sticks' has a little static but less so and has wonderful sound with no clicks or pops anywhere. The second half of the track in particular plays with stunning quality although there is just a little light crackle right at the end. This continues into 'Going to California' but soon decreases. The track plays with excellent clarity again although there are some soft clicks here and there mainly during the middle section. 'When the Levee Breaks' ends the LP with excellent sound but does have some static and distortion on the top end. I would say there is more distortion on the second half of the song but it still plays with excellent audio and there are no clicks or pops. Overall a fitting end to a classic album.
Gatefold cover
The gatefold has been very well preserved and is in excellent overall condition. The top edges are very clean and the bottom edges only have a little rubbing. The spine is in great shape and only has a minor amount of wear on the corners. The right hand corners look even better with absolute minimal rubbing. The opening edge only has a small amount of handling wear. The front cover and inside of the gatefold are in exemplary condition and only the back cover has some faint marking/ringwear and a small very faint stain mark on the top left. No writing to be seen anywhere.
Inner sleeve
The original inner sleeve is without doubt one of the best I have ever seen. There are no marks anywhere and only the bottom edge has a very small 3cm split. This really is so clean and is such a rarity to find one like this.
The labels
They are in excellent condition with only a couple of faint marks on S1 and very little spindle wear.
Play tested on my Pro-Ject Essential III Turntable // B & W 684 Speakers
2401012 // A // 3 // 1 1 1 3 // PECKO DUCK
2401012 // B // 4 // 1 2 4 // PORKY
Any questions please feel free to ask
Please pay within 4 days of auction end
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