Led Zeppelin II Orig 1969 Vinyl LP RL Ludwig Hot Mix Monarch Press Play Graded

$

207

Led Zeppelin II Orig 1969 Vinyl LP RL Ludwig Hot Mix Monarch Press Play Graded. Shipped with USPS Media Mail.

Led Zeppelin II : The infamous and, apparently, UNBELIEVABLY sought after Bob Ludwig Hot Mix!!! It's hard to believe that there were supposedly 200,000 copies of this very 1st mastering pressed and sold.....that isn't millions but it is a fair number of copies for there to be so few out there these days. Well.....there are always at least a few here on ebay usually selling for between $100-$250 for fair and sometimes incredibly beat up copies. I do understand why though. There's just something magic within those grooves that has never been equaled (in my opinion), although George Piros certainly did a great job with this album as well. For those that love this album and can't afford a Ludwig mix should try and find a monarch pressing with gp on both sides BUT.....
The RL hot mix is crazy. I just listened to this MO press a few days ago and was still as blown away as I was the first time I heard it (lucked up with a CTH copy RL/LH at a record store for $10 many years ago). I think I prefer the MO pressing overall. I heard things I've never noticed before when I listened the other day....and I've heard this album thousands of times. Whether it's the slide guitar on "Living Loving Maid" or the wild panning of guitars, or the amazing warmth and body of the bass guitar in "Ramble On" (or ANY of the songs), or the definition and tone in the heaviness of the kick drum....this mix is truly stunning every time. The copies that were re-cut at Atlantic and put out immediately after this initial release are beyond a complete and devastating travesty. I've heard multiple copies of every pressing (MO, PR, CP, CTH, PR, DCE etc) of these re-cuts and every one of them are pitiful and embarrassing. Yes, I take my music (and listening) very seriously!!!!!
Okay, I'll shut up and describe the copy listed here.

This Monarch pressing has RL SS on both sides. It has been well loved but the original owner obviously had a decent turntable and didn't totally destroy it. First of all, it was tested on both my Pro-Ject DC Esprit with Ortofon Red Cartridge and my backup Technics SL-QD33 with Grado cart. There were no skips at any point. There's a few times throughout where light ticks and occasional pops can be heard (obviously in the quieter sections). I heard some distortion a few times on side 1 near the end of track 2 but less than a second each time. Side 1 is VG-/G+ visually and some of it plays similarly but a lot of this is overpowered by the music and not overwhelming at all. Track 4 (Thank You) is much, much better. There is very little noise, ticks, etc during most of the quiet parts of this song. Nice. Side 1 plays VG++ at times but also VG- in certain spots mainly during tracks 1 and 2.
Side 2 is better. Very little pops or noise at all on the first 2 tracks and it's pretty incredible. These are the songs that stood out to me the most this last time I listened last week. Track 3 has some quieter moments so the occasional ticks etc are heard but not too bad. Bass guitar is just unreal on this one. The magic shines through in spite of minor surface scratches! Track 4 sounds great but there's a tiny scratch in the middle that pops 4-5 times or so but that's the only issue. Track 5 is amazing. Amazing bass guitar again and very little ticks or pops, just like the last track on side 1. Side 2 is VG visually except the tiny scratch on Moby Dick that I mentioned. The majority of side 2 plays really nicely...excellent at times, VG+ some and VG very occasionally only.

Like I said, there were no skips at all when played on both turntables I mentioned. This is not collector's grade. I have tried my best to be honest describing in detail regarding the whole album. I have also shown a few pics of what the surface looks like of both sides just to provide an example. This is a decent copy and the overall warmest sounding I have owned of the hot mix (I've also had the CTH and PR). It's also one of the only ones on ebay that isn't completely trashed or has multiple skips etc.

I cleaned the LP with tergikleen maybe 3 weeks ago and rinsed with distilled water. I do not have a spin clean or ultrasonic or vacuum....so it's possible that using these things may even provide better results. I certainly recommend playing this one on at least a moderately decent turntable with a cartridge that tracks well.This mastering really pushed the limits and that's exactly why it was re-cut so soon. Back in 1969, those with cheap record players and fair tracking needles (stylus) had issues with playback with skips and other issues with tracking mainly because of the massive bass frequencies. But, being a bass player, I'm blown away by this hot mix. The bass is not too "boomy" on my system and is actually quite smooth with surprising clarity in the low end BUT is also super hot and powerful.

The cover is decent and a very strong VG with strong spine, nice gatefold etc. Inner sleeve is included and also in decent shape. PLEASE, PLEASE look over the pictures I have provided. I feel like they show the best (and even worst) of the LP so you can judge for yourself. If you have any questions please let me know. Thanks for checking out my listing and good luck bidding on this one.....


Please read all of this fully :

I try to grade conservatively. All the records I sell come with a plastic outer sleeve for protection and a new plain white inner sleeve as well as the original when available. PLEASE take the time to look at the pictures provided. They tell all.....and are of the exact record you will receive! If you have any questions please feel free to message me and ask! Thanks much!

FYI : This and all of the LPs I sell are play graded on an almost new PRO-JECT Debut Carbon Esprit SB turntable with Ortofon RED cartridge which isn't higher end but in the $500 range and will reveal limitations perhaps not as noticeable in the average turntable so I think it's ideal for play grading LPs.

SOME OTHER VERY IMPORTANT STUFF TO READ :

I sell USED items. Most of the records or 8 tracks that I sell are bought second hand. Some I bought new. I personally have never stored them in damp, musty places. BUT I cannot guarantee that 40-60 year old records or 8 tracks have never been in these type of places and will smell like new car, fresh linens etc. If this is what you're looking for, I suggest buying brand new vinyl. I would never hide anything like this or any particular flaw on purpose.....but I do not have a sensitive nose and can't always detect what someone with a very strong nose may smell. Just an honest heads up.....

Record grading is unique and everyone does it a little different. I try my best to grade conservatively and by goldmine standards. If you check out my feedback for the records I have sold, you will see that I've never had an unhappy buyer, ever. My goal is for you to be happy. If you aren't happy I will do whatever I can to fix it.

I hate to cut right to the chase but recently I had a person return an item for the simple reason that they DID NOT LOOK AT THE PICTURE OF WHAT I WAS SELLING. NOT BECAUSE MY DESCRIPTION WAS NOT ACCURATE, BUT because they assumed they were buying something they imagined instead of what I described and was selling. This is the reason why multiple pictures are listed with an item for sale. This caught me completely off guard!!! I am barely making anything in the grand scheme of things off of a $6 LP or whatever and am no longer willing to pay return shipping (and paying extra money out of my pocket) simply because someone bought an item they "forgot to look at" and didn't want in the first place. ALL OF THIS could have been avoided by reading my listing and looking at the pictures right? This almost seems absurd. Anyway....
If you are someone who lives outside of the USA and want to purchase an item, please contact me first before you purchase so we can work out proper shipping arrangements. If you ever have a problem with any item I sell, please contact me and I will happily give you a refund, no questions asked. If you are someone who would rather leave NEGATIVE or even NEUTRAL feedback INSTEAD of asking simply for a REFUND, PLEASE do NOT buy from me. 8 Track Tapes are delicate and MAY play different from player to player and RECORD GRADING is always subject to interpretation. PLEASE just ask me for a refund if you are not happy with your purchase.

I normally DO NOT ship internationally. However, if you are interested in an item feel free to message me and we will try and figure something out. Thanks for looking!!!

Record grading :

Mint (M):  Perfection, no flaws, defects, marks or otherwise indications of being handled or played. Any scuffs, hairline scratches or other marks disqualify discs from this category. I do not use this grade, as even the act of inserting the disc or removing it from the paper sleeve may cause scuff marks on the vinyl.

Near Mint (NM):  This is highest grade assigned to opened, handled records. The vinyl is near flawless, bright and shiny. A very minor, barely visible scuff or two may be permitted, but no scratches. The disc should play with no audible noise. The label is bright, clean and unmarked.

Excellent (EX):  Disc plays really nice, but may have minor paper scuffs or other marks that do not interfere with the sound quality. There can possibly be a few hairline scratches but nothing that affects play. Vinyl is bright and shiny.

Very Good Plus (VG+):  Some visible surface wear, very minor scratches and scuffs, but minimal impact on the sound quality. Vinyl will still have good luster; labels may have minor imperfections (small labels or minor writing, etc.) but otherwise clean.

Very Good (VG):  Vinyl will have noticeable scratches or scuffs that cause minor surface noise, but do not overpower the music. Vinyl may appear somewhat dull and grayish. Labels may have small tears, tape marks, larger writing, etc. but still easily legible. There may be wear or deformation of the spindle hole.
Very Good Minus (VG-): Vinyl and cover will be a little worse than VG. I rarely sell records below this grade unless they are very desirable and can go to a good home of someone who may not be able to afford a really expensive pressing. Below this grade (G+, G will have many scratches, likely much surface noise, and possibly even skips. Some records also may look incredibly rough but still play really clean. PLEASE keep all of this in mind. I've bought 7-8 pressings of certain records just trying to find a clean one and most all of them LOOKED clean. But even if it looks clean doesn't mean it will sound clean. Happy hunting!!!