LED ZEPPELIN IV A3/B4 VINYL Red/Plum 'MOUNTAIN TOP' *Stunning* AUDIO EX+/MINT-
£
144
$
191
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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 one has the incorrect 'Top' credit on S2. The gatefold is very clean and incredibly the paper lyric inner has no splits!
PECKO DUCK and PORKY are etched into the dead wax on each side.
2401012 // A / 3 // 1 2 1 3 // Pecko Duck
2401012 // B / 4 // 1 1 1 // Porky
The audio on S1 is Near Mint (Mint- in many sections / track 3 VG+ for final few seconds)
The audio on S2 is Ex+ (Near Mint in many sections)
The gatefold is Near Mint-
The original inner sleeve is Ex+
The S1 label is Ex the S2 label is Near Mint
Visual grading
This is a beautiful looking vinyl and still has a stunning glossy sheen despite being nearly 50 years old. There are no hairlines - just one small radial line on S2 and a very small scratch at the end of track three on S1. Aside from that this is visually perfect and it would be difficult to find a cleaner version. There is some spindle wear but only around the centre hole so has certainly not been played to death. It also has super clean run out grooves where the matrix numbers stand proud.
Play grading
'Black Dog' has minor static on the intro only and then plays with stunning power and depth thereafter. Aside from a hint of light static in one of the quieter sections this plays 'as new'. There are no clicks or pops and no distortion either. This is a 'high end' version and it without doubt one of the most impressive I have heard in a long time. The bass is so strong and the overall depth of the sound is vastly superior to the later pressings including the recent reissues. The solo towards the end is Mint with incredible power and definition and there is no 'background' on the fade out whatsoever.
With complete silence in the dead wax 'Rock and Roll' then plays with audio that is off the scale! The power and sonic quality is quite simply 'as new' once again and there is nothing that detracts from the top quality audio on offer. No interference and no distortion on the top end. This is Mint audio of the highest standard imaginable. I rarely grade as Mint when the album isn't sealed but this deserves it.
The slow quiet build up on 'The Battle of Evermore' is stunning and has no 'background' at all, a rarity for a red/plum pressing. The playback on the remainder does not disappoint either and the clarity is exceptional for such a relatively quiet track. There are a number of dull clicks however on the fade out due to the small scratch but that is the only interference to be heard.
The intro on 'Stairway to Heaven' is super impressive and is a fantastic listen. With only the lightest of intermittent background static the audio is so clear with no crackle at all. There is just a little more static during the third verse and one click. As the music builds during the 'If there's a bustle in your hedgerow...' verse is immaculate. You won't hear better! As always there is a little static distortion in the guitar section prior to the solo but you will always find this on the red/plum pressings. It is not a fault in my opinion, just the way it was recorded and produced. The guitar solo and following vocal play with such stunning power and you can turn the volume without fear of distortion. The sound quality is astounding and rarely have I heard this heavier section play with such dynamic power and depth. The separation is superb i.e. there is no muddiness to the sound which can often be an issue on this section due to distortion/final grooves on the side but the clarity here is exceptional. The quiet end vocal is also mega clean with barely any static which is such a rarity. Overall this is a stunning version of this rather well known classic!
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'Misty Mountain Hop' has a little static on the intro and one click and then plays with superb precision for the remainder. There are a couple of soft clicks in the middle section but overall the audio plays very clearly and with hardly any intrusive 'background'. The fade out plays with perfect precision.
'Four Sticks' has one faint click on the intro but apart from that plays with Mint- audio the clarity is stunning. The depth of the music across the whole track is so impressive and of course the bass sound is so strong again. No distortion, no crackle and no other clicks or pops. Absolutely breathtaking audio and even the long fade out has no 'background'.
'Going to California' is one of Led Zepps quieter tracks but I am pleased to say it plays with great clarity throughout. There is no obvious 'background' of any kind, just the odd mega light dust tick here and there. They are barely audible and perhaps not even worthy of mention. With only one double static sound towards the end the audio is first class and there are no clicks or pops.
As any LZ collector knows 'When the Levee Breaks' always has some distortion but there is relatively little here and what you can hear is certainly not intrusive. This is certainly one of the 'cleaner' versions I have heard. There is no crackle and definitely no clicks or pops. It displays great depth overall with perhaps a little more distortion towards the end which again is commonplace.
In summary this very early red/plum press with the incorrect 'Top' credit has very impressive audio indeed. It plays with wonderful clarity and definition and with very little interference. The gatefold is also very clean and it's super rare to find the paper inner with no splits!
The Gatefold
The gatefold is very impressive and had barely any shelf wear. The edges and spine have no rubbing/marks and the corners are also in great condition with hardly any rubbing also. The opening edge is extremely clean and looks barely handled. It's difficult to find a negative really! It is super clean throughout and free of marks etc. I've just noticed the remnants of sticker removal top right and a tiny blue mark on the front cover - that's about it! The inside of the gatefold is in superb condition with no fading. Overall a fantastic example of this iconic gatefold.
Inner sleeve
Now how often do you see this paper inner with no splits to the edges? Hardly ever is the answer and this is one of those! It is such a rarity today to find one like this and the only obvious wear is a tiny tear on the top edge of the lyric side and you can see a date written top right on the credits side. Other than that it is supremely clean and is easily the best I have seen in a long long time. A rare find indeed.
The labels
The red/plum labels are extremely clean with not very much spindle wear. MBrown however is written on the S1 label which I have just noticed.
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 2 1 3 // Pecko Duck
2401012 // B / 4 // 1 1 1 // 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
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