LED ZEPPELIN IV A3/B4 VINYL LP RED/PLUM 'Misty Mountain TOP' *Stunning* AUDIO NM
£
126
$
167
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Description
Led Zeppelin IV A3/B4 UK Red/Plum Label
This red/plum pressing plays with 'high end' audio, the quality is stunning.
There are about nine versions of the red/plum labels and this particular one has the incorrect 'Top' credit on the S2 label. Everything else is correct.
PECKO DUCK and PORKY are etched into the dead wax on each side.
2401012 // A / 3 // 1 1 1 2 // Pecko Duck
2401012 // B / 4 // 1 1 3 // Porky
The audio on S1 is Near Mint (Mint- for the majority)
The audio on S2 is Near Mint (Mint- for the majority)
The gatefold is Ex-
The original inner sleeve is VG++
The labels are Near Mint-
Visual grading
This is yet another stunning LZ vinyl I am selling. Visually it is near perfect and whilst there is some spindle wear the visual look of the vinyl is incredible. It has been so carefully handled down the years and has retained a beautiful glossy sheen. There are no scratches and no obvious hairlines. This is an exceptional A3/B4 press and the audio reflects that as detailed below. The labels and run out grooves are also extremely clean.
Play grading
'Black Dog' plays with great power and no distortion. There is just a minimal amount of light static (not crackle) in the quieter sections not that here are many of those! The music plays so cleanly and the bass is so strong. I so often mention bass but it is just so strong on the early red/plum pressings it makes such a difference to the audio affect. The solo towards the end plays with such definition and again there is no distortion. Superb!
'Rock and Roll' well...'rocks out' from beginning to end. Again the depth on the recording is so good and the overall clarity has not suffered at all over the intervening years. It is a stunning version and definitely deserves a Mint- grading.
The slow build up on 'The Battle of Evermore' has hardly any static which is a rarity for this track and there are no clicks or pops either. The playback on the remainder is of an immaculate standard. It often has some distortion on the top end but that is not the case here. The clarity is first class and there is no interference whatsoever. Even the fade out plays with perfect precision. This track also deserves a Mint- grade, it is rare for this relatively quiet track to have no 'background'.
The intro on 'Stairway to Heaven' is so impressive. The first minute or so has no static or worse at all. The clarity again is stunning. Even as the track builds there is barely any static, perhaps just a hint here and there but nothing obvious. This is an amazing version of this classic and is without doubt one of the 'cleanest' I have heard in a long time. Suffice to say there is no crackle and no clicks or pops. From the 'If there's a bustle in your hedgerow...' verse onwards the depth and warmth of the music is absolutely stunning. There is just a minimal amount of distortion on the top end prior to the guitar solo but the solo itself then plays with dynamic power and no distortion at all. And the final 'loud' verse is equally as good with no distortion on the top end once again, this is a rarity. This heavier section is just so powerful and 'new' sounding. So often this end section is beset with some interference but not here! The quiet end vocal just has a little static but it does not detract from what is a fantastic version of this classic. Wow!!
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'Misty Mountain Hop' has some light static on the first couple of grooves, as is usually the case with any vinyl, and then plays with wonderful depth, range and quality. The bass and drums here really shine through and work in tandem beautifully. I did hear a minimal amount of static on the top level here and there but it certainly does not intrude on what is another high quality listen. The fade out has no 'background' at all giving you a good indication of the clarity on offer. I am confident in grading it as Near Mint and yes once more there are no clicks or pops.
'Four Sticks' in a word is stunning. Rarely have I heard this track play with such immaculate quality. This is Mint without a doubt. The bass is so strong here and there is no interference or distortion at all. It is pure 'as new' audio from start to finish. This really is so impressive and the depth and warmth of the sound is tangible. So good!
'Going to California' is another highlight (as if there weren't enough!) and plays with incredible precision. There is no obvious 'background' and the clarity is once again of the highest calibre. A handful of mega light static sounds but remember I am listening for any 'imperfection' however minor and I am very close to the speakers also! A stunning version without doubt and is the most impressive I have heard in a long time.
As any Led Zepp collector knows 'When the Levee Breaks' is always affected by some distortion and it is just a matter of how much. I am pleased to say there is relatively little here and indeed much of this classic plays with very strong audio and is not affected at all. A very 'clean' version in my opinion and one that would be hard to beat on a red/plum press. It plays loud and true and it is quite honestly the best I have heard in a long time. A superb finale to a classic album.
In summary the audio on offer here is of an immaculate standard the likes of which I have rarely heard on a A3/B4 red/plum press with the 'Top' error. It is stunning to say the least and with not one single click or pops this is definitely a final upgrade archive museum piece. Quite possibly this is the most impressive LZ IV I have ever heard and I have heard a lot!
The Gatefold
This iconic gatefold is in excellent condition overall with only one real area of wear. This is on the top edge of the back cover where there is a small split. However, it isn't that obvious and is a 'clean' split. Aside from that the top edges and spine are very clean with no shelf wear. The bottom edges have a little rubbing but again it isn't that noticeable. There is some corner wear but no more than you would expect on a near 50 year old cover, it is certainly not excessive. The opening edge has no handling wear and is mega clean. The front and back covers are extremely clean with no marking and the inside of the gatefold is in superb condition with no marking or fading. So aside from the small split this is a very impressive gatefold.
Inner sleeve
This inner looks a lot better than most I have seen. So often badly damaged this one does have a 10cm split on the bottom edge but the two sides are in excellent condition with only a very tiny split each. Not wrecked in any way and not that easy to spot. Apart from that it is very clean with only one small pen mark and a small amount of creasing. One of better ones I would say.
The labels
The red/plum labels are very clean with no writing or marking and not too much spindle wear. Lovely 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
2401012 // A / 3 // 1 1 1 2 // Pecko Duck
2401012 // B / 4 // 1 1 3 // 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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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.
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REST OF WORLD
LPs/12" singles : £12.45 then £2.50 per extra
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