LED ZEPPELIN II A1 / B1 (2nd pressing)

This iconic debut LP is the first pressing after the one with the Turquoise lettering and is in very good condition.  This tends to be known as a second pressing as it has the Warner Bros publishing credit on the label.

Identical to the one housed in the Turquoise lettered cover it is fully laminated with orange lettering and has the grey/silver band along the bottom edge.  It is 'Printed and Made by MacNeill Press Ltd, London SE1 and also has the 'Uptight an' Outasight' info on the back of the cover.

It obviously has the red/plum labels with the 'Warner Bros/Jewel Music' credit and comes complete with the original poly-lined 'Plastic Bags Can Be Dangerous' inner.

Side One // 588171 (2nd 8 crossed out , replaced with etched 8) A // 1 1 2 3 2

Side Two // 588171 (2nd 8 crossed out , replaced with etched 8) B // 1 1 2 4

The audio on Side One is VG/VG+ (some sections Ex-)

The audio on Side Two is VG+ (many sections Ex)

The laminated cover is Ex

The labels are Ex-

The original poly-lined inner is Ex

Visual grading

This vinyl does have numerous hairlines and some scratches on both sides and has obviously been played a lot, and quite rightly so!  Do not expect an excellent/mint looking vinyl.  However, the playback is much better than its visual quality.  For a rare A1/B1 pressing it remains a very enjoyable listen.

Play grading  

There is very little lead in static prior to 'Good Times Bad Times' and it then plays with excellent audio with only minor interference.  I did hear a couple of pops and minor distortion but there is no loud crackle or jumps.  Considering the visual look of the vinyl I was pleasantly surprised at the quality of the audio.  There is obvious crackle on 'Babe I'm Gonna Leave You' due to it being a quieter track but there are no pops or jumps again.  I guess the crackle gives it an authentic sound (!) and certainly transports you back to that era.  The crackle is louder at the end but it is certainly playable and grades as VG in my opinion.  The bluesy 'You Shook Me' plays with less crackle and many sections are relatively free of it.  It is there at the beginning but it definitely decreases as the song progresses and the last two thirds of the track in my opinion grades as Ex.  'Dazed and Confused' has excellent audio and the ubiquitous crackle is there again but it is only intermittent and not 'in yer face' whatsoever.  It is very much in the background and non-intrusive.  I would say the louder sections play with some distortion but this is common with records from '69.  Once more there are no pops or jumps, a more than acceptable listen, the majority of sections playing with excellent audio.

'Your Time is Gonna Come' has 3/4 dull pops at the start and the crackle here is more prevalent on the quieter sections but remains a very good listen with no jumps.  'Black Mountain Side' has excellent sound quality with no clicks etc and any interference is minimal.  'Communication Breakdown' is a fabulous listen and rocks out!  With hardly any interference the clarity here is excellent and only plays with a little distortion.  For a track with so many quiet sections 'I Can't Quit You Baby' plays very well with only light crackle and a couple of clicks, an excellent listen.  'How Many More Times' ends the side with some excellent audio.  There is barely any crackle, just some distortion.  Even the quiet sections play exceptionally well.

Cover

The 'MacNeill' is in overall excellent condition.  Surprising in a way when you consider how much the vinyl has been played but in all honesty the shelf wear it has is only minimal.  The edges and thin spine are in great condition and the corners only have a little rubbing.  The laminate on both sides has no splits and only has a little 'bubbling' near the top of the spine on the back cover.  There are a few small creases as you would expect.  The opening edge is actually very clean and looks only lightly handled.  There is a name written above the Atlantic logo on the reverse but is only very faint.  In summary this iconic cover is in excellent shape for 48 years of age and there wouldn't be many around that would better it.

Poly-lined inner sleeve

This original 'Plastic Bags Can Be Dangerous' sleeve has no splits or tears and only some light creasing.  It has the Patent nos 800513 &  973939 and B1/0370 on the right hand side which is referring to the release date.

Labels

Both labels have plenty of spindle wear but are still very clean apart from a small name written in pen.

Play tested on my Technics SL-J110R turntable system

Side One // 588171 (2nd 8 crossed out , replaced with etched 8) A // 1 1 2 3 2

Side Two // 588171 (2nd 8 crossed out , replaced with etched 8) B // 1 1 2 4

Any questions please feel free to ask

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