LED ZEPPELIN IV A3/B3 UK Vinyl LP RED/PLUM 'Misty Mountain TOP' Audio EX/NM
£
109
$
144
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Description
Led Zeppelin IV A3/B3 UK Red/Plum Label
The audio on this A3/B3 version of 'Zoso' or 'Four Symbols' plays to an excellent standard overall. This is one of the earlier pressings as many of the later red/plum ones have an A3/B4 matrix and this also has the incorrect 'Top' on the S2 label.
Of course it has PECKO DUCK and PORKY etched into the dead wax on each side.
2401012 // A / 3 // 1 3 5 // Pecko Duck
2401012 // B / 3 // 1 2 9 // Porky
The audio on S1 is Ex+ (Near Mint in sections / 'Stairway To Heaven' is Ex)
The audio on S2 is Ex+ (Near Mint in sections / 5 second section on 'Misty Mountain Hop' is VG)
The gatefold is Ex-
The labels are Near Mint
The original inner sleeve is G+
Visual grading
The vinyl has a glossy sheen despite its years and has only one tiny scratch on S2. There are a few fine hairlines but overall this vinyl is visually in excellent condition and remains very clean. You can tell this vinyl has not been played excessively due to there not being a large amount of spindle wear.
Play grading
With only a little lead in static 'Black Dog' then proceeds to play with near perfect audio. There are no clicks or pops and only a minimal amount of very light static in the quieter sections. The solo towards the end plays superbly and with no distortion. A fabulous start and barely any 'background' in the fade out.
'Rock and Roll' is absolutely stunning. It reverberates with incredible power and again there is no distortion on this loud track which is rare on these early red/plum pressings. It definitely deserves a Mint grading it is that good. The clarity and depth of the sound is just superb.
The slow build up on 'The Battle of Evermore' is very impressive and has only the lightest of static which is very much in the background and non-intrusive. The remainder of the track plays without issue and again there are no clicks or pops. One of the 'cleanest' versions I have heard in a long while.
The intro on 'Stairway to Heaven' is very clear and has no clicks or pops. There is some 'background' I would describe it as 'soft static' rather than crackle. It plays with excellent clarity for a 46 year old vinyl but it does become a little more obvious on the middle two verses 'There's a feeling I get...' verse onwards. Don't get me wrong, it still plays very well and better than so many versions. From the 'If there's a bustle in your hedgerow...' verse the audio is of excellent quality and has only a little distortion on the top level which is prevalent on all the red/plum pressings. The guitar solo plays with superb sonic quality which is not affected by any distortion and neither is the following vocal. The quiet end section does have a little crackle in the background but again no clicks or pops.
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'Misty Mountain Hop' on S2 has audio of excellent quality but there are five clicks about two minutes in due to the very small scratch that you can barely visible. Because of how loud the track is the clicks are not that intrusive really and the remainder of the track plays loud and true and with no other 'background'. The fade out is stunning and there is then complete silence in the dead wax prior to the next track.
'Four Sticks' then plays with fantastic clarity and the power and depth of the sound is tangible. The bass is so strong on this track and would be graded as Near Mint but for one click so I will err on the side of caution and grade as Ex+. Overall though this is a stunning rendition.
'Going to California' is a real highlight and for such a relatively quiet track the clarity is astounding. There is no interference and is one of best versions of this track I have heard. No clicks, pops or crackle, it is as near to a perfect listen as you will find and the fade out has hardly any static.
'When the Levee Breaks' has very clear audio which is something of a rarity as it is so often affected by heavy distortion. Yes there is some distortion here on the top level but this without doubt one of the 'cleanest' versions I have heard in a long time. Again there are no clicks or pops and it is a fitting end to a classic album.
Gatefold cover
The gatefold is excellent condition overall with only minor shelf wear although there is name written top left on the back cover. The edges have some light rubbing and the spine is in excellent shape aside from a little corner wear, the top right corner has a little crease mark also. The opening edge has very little handling wear. The inside of the gatefold is in great condition and has no marking apart from a little white 'spotting'. In fact the gatefold throughout is very clean with only the written name being the only real negative.
Inner sleeve
As per practically all of these paper sleeves it has seen better days. There are splits on all three sides and another on the lyric side which has been repaired by tape. There is also a small tear on the top edge. Aside from that it is relatively clean and hey at least it is still here!
The labels
The red/plum labels are in superb condition with no writing/marks and whilst there is some spindle wear it is not an excessive amount.
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
2401012 // A / 3 // 1 3 5 // Pecko Duck
2401012 // B / 3 // 1 2 9 // Porky
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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