LED ZEPPELIN IV A3/B4 UK ATLANTIC RED/PLUM 'Misty Mountain TOP' Very Rare EX++
£
147
$
195
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Description
LED ZEPPELIN IV A3 / B3 Atlantic 2401012 UK 1971 RED/PLUM Label
This rare first A3/B4 pressing is in wonderful condition. Also known as 'Zoso' or 'Four Symbols' there are about eight red/plum pressings of this classic album and this one 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 8 // PECKO DUCK
2401012 // B // 4 // 1 1 7 // PORKY
The audio on Side One is Ex+ (Near Mint in many sections)
The first two tracks on Side Two are Near Mint, the last two are Ex
The gatefold is Ex+ (almost Near Mint-)
The labels are Mint-
The original inner sleeve is VG++
Visual grading
There is not very much spindle wear on this vinyl so in no way has it been played excessively. This is borne out by the quality of the audio as described below. Overall it is extremely clean and there are only a couple of small faint marks on Side One that have no affect on the audio. Aside from that this is visually one of the best Led Zepp IV vinyls you will see and especially a red/plum one.
Play grading
'Black Dog' has some crackle at the start and thereafter plays with excellent depth and power and no distortion. This plays with stunning clarity and is an astounding version, one of the best I have heard in a long time. Turning the volume up loud in no way distorts the sound, an incredible listen with only one click literally at the end of the track. 'Rock and Roll' again plays with incredible power and range and in all honestly grades as Mint the quality is that good. There are some minor static sounds during the 'The Battle of Evermore' but they are sporadic and do not detract from the high quality audio again. It still plays with a definition you rarely find on these first pressings today. The classic 'Stairway to Heaven' has wonderful audio for a '71 red/plum pressing. The acoustic intro plays with stunning clarity and with only the odd static sound. There are no clicks or pops at all and plays so clearly. Once the 'There's a feeling I get...' verse begins there is a little more static and a minor amount of distortion but again I don't think it intrudes on the listening pleasure. From the 'If there's bustle in your hedgerow...' verse the sound is sublime and has barely any interference. The guitar solo and Robert's loud vocal after plays with absolute stunning quality and I'm not sure I have heard better. It is so dynamic and 100% spine tingling, what a version! There is some crackle on the final 5 seconds sadly but overall this is a fantastic listen and will not disappoint.
'Misty Mountain Hop' plays with immense power and clarity and really is a superb listen. Light static can be heard in the background every now and then but in saying that I am 'listening out for it' as I am an honest 'grader' as my feedback testifies and vast majority of listeners may not even hear it. Anyway, you expect some static on a 46 year old vinyl and here it is only minimal and the opening track still plays with great quality. 'Four Sticks' here is a superb version and rarely have I heard it play with such distinct clarity on a red/plum pressing. The bass comes through so strong and this easily grades as Mint-. 'Going to California' has a little soft crackle here and there and one pop but still plays clearly. The ending has a little more obvious interference. 'When the Levee Breaks' ends the LP with excellent sound and power but with a little static hiss on the top end and 3/4 light clicks. I often find this track plays with some distortion which is often the case with final tracks on a side. However, for a vinyl approaching 50 years I still think it plays extremely well and has no loud pops or intrusive crackle at all.
Gatefold cover
The gatefold has been extremely well preserved and has hardly any shelf wear, it really is a fantastic example of this iconic cover. The edges and spine are in superb shape with no rubbing and only the corners of the opening edge have a minor amount of wear, very minor I might add! The cover itself is beautifully clean with barely any marking. The inside remains in superb shape and only has a handful of tiny white speck marks. It would be difficult to find a better version of this gatefold.
Inner sleeve
The original inner sleeve is very clean but the bottom edge it totally 'open'. Very few of these thin paper inners are free of splits and at least there is no tape running along the bottom edge which in my opinion ruins it! The two sides do not have splits, only a tiny amount of rubbing from the record. There are no pen marks or stains so overall this inner is very clean and in excellent shape apart from the one long split along the bottom edge.
The labels
The red/plum labels are in superb condition with no writing etc, just some light spindle wear. They look practically as new.
Play tested on my Pro-Ject Essential III Turntable // B & W 684 Speakers
2401012 // A // 3 // 1 1 8 // PECKO DUCK
2401012 // B // 4 // 1 1 7 // PORKY
Any questions please feel free to ask
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