RL HOT MIX Led Zeppelin II MONARCH L.A. 1st Pressing ATLANTIC SD 8236 Bob Ludwig
$
225
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Description
RL HOT MIX Led Zeppelin II MONARCH L.A. 1st Pressing ATLANTIC SD 8236.
The Infamous Robert Ludwig "HOT MIX" featuring a unique mix that was only present in the earliest pressings of this title. Subsequent releases had a new mix that had significantly less bass and "balls".
RL and "SS" on BOTH sides. RL are the initials of Robert Ludwig mastering engineer, "SS" is for Sterling Sound where the lacquer was cut.
This has been my go-to copy for years and sounds great despite the condition. I finally found a VG+ copy of this, but have been on the fence as far as keeping this one or selling the nicer one, just because this one sounds so good!
MONARCH L.A. California pressing plant as indicated by the "MO" on the labels and dead wax. I have had copies of this from L.A., Presswell, Specialty, and Terre Haute, and the Monarch always is louder with even more bass response! This always fairs well because these copies are notorious for being scratched and "well loved", so the added volume is a benefit for enjoying the music despite the crackle and pops.
VINYL in solid VG condition. There are several light scuffs/hairlines present, but play quality remains strong with super bass and wide open soundstage. I have played this on headphones and super loud and it always delivers. There are initials written in black ink on side 2 (see photos). Te few instances where there are quiet passages (like the outro to "Thank You"), veers toward G+, the majority of the record is solid VG.
COVER in VG++ condition, slight yellowing/staining, solid seams and spine which is fully readable. Very light rubbing on the seams, super solid. Corner bumps. Thick cardboard with Gold Record Award sticker that is not typical for Robert Ludwig edition, but I have seen them often on Monarch pressings.
INNER SLEEVE in VG+ condition, some yellowing, seams are solid!!!
I will ship with the record removed to prevent splitting in proper record mailer. I offer Standard International as well as The Global Shipping Program.
Notes
US 1st pressing, featuring Robert Ludwig's "hot" mastering on both sides. These were withdrawn early because the high bass levels caused low-grade cartridges to mistrack, leading people to return the album on the belief that it was defective. Another engineer was then hired to recut a much less "hot" version of the album, and that is the far more common version.Labels include "MO" suffix (indicating Monarch pressing) and "Mfg By Atlantic Recording Corp., 1841 Broadway, New York, N.Y.". On all matrix Side A and Side B there is "MR" in a circle that identify a Monarch pressing.
Some copies came with one or two hype stickers: one mentioning Whole Lotta Love and the other with a tracklisting.
Barcode and Other Identifiers
- Rights Society: ASCAP
- Pressing Plant ID (Monarch, printed on both labels): MO
- Pressing Plant ID (Monarch, stamp on both runouts): (MR)
- Matrix / Runout (Side A etched): ST-A-691671-MO - CC RL ss LW ?13933 (I) W
- Matrix / Runout (Side B etched ): ST-A-691672-MO - CC LW RL ss ?13933-X W (2) W AT
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