Led Zeppelin II A1 / B1 (2nd red/plum pressing)

This very early pressing plays with stunning audio and the cover is also extremely clean.  It is the first pressing after the 'Turquoise' edition so is generally regarded as the second red/plum pressing and has the Warner Bros/Jewel Music publishing credit on the labels.

I am also selling a 'Turquoise' first pressing on a separate listing.

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

588171 (2nd 8 crossed, replaced with etched 8) A // 1  1 2  2 5

588171 (2nd 8 crossed, replaced with etched 8) B // 1  1 1  5

The audio on S1 is Near Mint (Mint- for the majority)

The audio on S2 is Near Mint (Mint- for the majority / track 1 intro Ex+)

The laminated cover is Ex

Visual grading

This is a beautifully preserved vinyl which is all the more impressive when you think it is approaching 50 years of age.  It is certainly one of the cleanest red/plum pressings you will find.  It still has a lovely glossy sheen and whilst there are a number of faint sleeve removal hairlines they are purely superficial and have no affect on the stunning audio quality.  These hairlines are so faint and are only visible if you look very closely and there are certainly no scratches or marks of any kind.  It is obvious this vinyl has been extremely well cared for down the years.  There is only a very small amount of spindle wear so I am confident in saying this vinyl has only been lightly played and the run out grooves are also supremely clean.  A superb version of this iconic album.

Play grading  

There is no obvious lead in static on S1 which is always a good indication of the quality that you hope will follow.  I am pleased to say 'Good Times Bad Times' does not disappoint!  From the very first note it plays with incredible clarity and such dynamic power it really belies its age.  I heard only one static sound - this truly is a stunning version and grades as Near Mint without doubt.  The guitar work towards the end is mesmeric and shows no distortion and even the fade out has no 'background' of any kind.

 There is then complete silence in the dead wax prior to the next track starting.  The quiet acoustic intro on 'Babe I'm Gonna Leave You' is absolutely fantastic!  There is no static let alone any crackle and there are no clicks or pops needless to say.  The clarity is astounding and it is no exaggeration to say this plays as cleanly as the day it was first released.  It continues in the same fashion and I cannot stress enough just how immaculate the audio is.  This classic displays incredible sonic quality and it is a testament to how well this vinyl has been preserved down the decades.  No distortion on the top level this is pure audio heaven!  When you consider how many quiet sections there are here it is rare to find a red/plum version of this track playing with such impressive clarity.  There is just no intrusive interference whatsoever.  The super quiet end section again plays with wonderful quality and only a minimal (very minimal!) amount of mega light static .  Wow what a stunning version!

'You Shook Me' impresses with superlative audio from the very first groove.  This bluesy classic has such a strong bass line and once more there is no 'background' worthy of mention.  Thus far there has not been a single click or pop on this album and this track plays with stunning depth and warmth to the end.  I am in all honesty running out of adjectives for the impeccable audio on offer here.  I sold an equally impressive LZ1 pressing last month and this is easily as good as that one.  All I heard here was a 3/4 dust ticks that are so much in the background as to be totally negligible.  To be honest I don't even know why I am mentioning it.  This is quite simply audio of the highest calibre that does not come along often on a red plum pressing.

The bass intro on 'Dazed and Confused' has to be heard to be believed!  It is just Mint there is no other way to describe it.  This classic alternates between very quiet and very loud (typical Led Zepp I guess!) and all sections play to the same exacting standard i.e. a standard that could not be improved upon.  There is no distortion on the top end which is a rarity for the instrumental section towards the end that plays so loudly in the mix.  Plus there is no interference during the quieter sections.  The power of this track is all encompassing and you can turn it up loud without fear of having to turn it down immediately, as I said no distortion.  With no static, crackle, clicks or pops it would be nigh on impossible to find audio better than this and this track provides an astonishing finale to S1.  The audio is 'high end' to say the least and to think it's on a mega early red/plum pressing!

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There is so often a lot of crackle/static hiss on the 'Your Time is Gonna Come' organ intro but this is one 'cleanest' ones I have heard in a long time.  There is a minimal amount of background static only which is in no way intrusive and the following super quiet section plays in the same way.  A wonderful start to S2.  Once the vocal begins the audio quality is exceptional.  I did hear one 'tick' but it is very much embedded into the sound and does not stand out.  Aside from that it plays with the same clarity and depth as displayed on S1.  A stunning version.  The seque into the next track is perfect with no 'background' of any kind.

'Black Mountain Side' then provides another fantastic example of well this record has been preserved.  It grades as Mint although because it isn't sealed I should perhaps grade as Mint-.  I can only write what I hear and there is just no interference whatsoever.

'Communication Breakdown' then plays as intended.  Great power and depth and no obvious distortion.  It 'rocks out' in superb style with no clicks or pops and the fade out also plays with perfect precision.

The quiet intro on 'I Can't Quit You Baby' is stunning with no interference.  The way in which this classic continues to play is just incredible.  With so many quiet sections you expect there to be interference and especially on such an early re/plum pressing but aside from a handful of mega light static sounds there is nothing to detract from the immaculate quality on offer.  Again not one single click or pop.  I keep on about clarity but that is how any record should be judged and you can just lose yourself in the music here.  The sonic quality is just breathtaking as is the separation i.e. every instrument can be heard so clearly.  A stunning version if ever there was one.  Near Mint if not better!

The bass intro on 'How Many More Times' is quite simply magnificent!  It plays 'as new' and the depth of sound thereafter is again of the highest standard.  There is no distortion on the top level and the instrumental mid section plays with such incredible power - the guitar solo is electrifying!  The following quiet section is again near perfect with only a couple of mega light dust ticks that you only hear if your ears are as close to the speakers as mine!  The clarity and depth is exceptionally good and you would have to travel far and wide to hear a better version than this.  I really am running out of superlatives for the amazing audio here.  Needless to say this immaculate quality continues to the last groove.  So often the end section has some distortion but that is not the case here.  This is one of the most impressive versions of this classic I have ever heard and provides a stunning finale to this classic album.

In summary this is a final upgrade archive red/plum pressing without doubt.  With only one soft click sound the clarity and richness of the sound is second to none.  There really is no obvious interference and I am confident in saying the vast majority of this album plays with Mint- quality audio.  I grade honestly as my feedback confirms as it is quite frankly not in my interests to do otherwise.  No one likes returns!  An incredible red/plum pressing that will not disappoint the avid collector.  An absolute stunner!

The Cover

The laminated 'MacNeill' cover is in lovely condition with only a couple of areas of minor wear.  It of course has the silver band on the bottom edge.  The edges are mega clean with no shelf wear and the thin pinched spine is almost as good with only a couple of tiny marks caused by crease lines either side and it remains 100% legible of course.  The corners have also been remarkably well preserved and this is very much a rarity on this near 50 year old cover.  The opening edge has hardly any handling wear also either.  The front cover is in great shape with only one very small area of laminate lift near the spine and a couple of faint creases near the opening edge.  There are two very small marks to the right of the airship but they are very faint.  The back cover remains very clean with only some minor lifting near the spine and a handful of very small creases elsewhere.  There are no marks to be seen.  This is certainly a very impressive 'silver strip' cover and will add to any collection.

Inner sleeve

The original poly-lined 'Plastic Bags Can Be Dangerous' sleeve in in superb condition with no splits and hardly any creasing.  Not often removed from the cover I would say!  It has the Patent numbers '800513 & 973939' and 'Made in England 1/0170' which refers to the release date.

The labels

The red/plum labels are in fantastic condition with no marking/writing and hardly any spindle wear.  It would be difficult to find cleaner ones.

Play tested on a Pro-Ject Essential III Turntable / B&W 684 Speakers

This record has been professionally cleaned on a Pro-Ject VC-S machine

588171 (2nd 8 crossed, replaced with etched 8) A // 1  1 2  2 5

588171 (2nd 8 crossed, replaced with etched 8) B // 1  1 1  5

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.

COMBINED POSTAGE IS ALWAYS OFFERED WHEN MORE THAN ONE ITEM IS WON.

ALL VINYLS ARE PACKAGED IN STRONG CUSTOM MADE OVER-SIZED MAILERS WITH EXTRA CARDBOARD PROTECTION. THEY ARE PLACED IN SEPARATE POLY-LINED INNERS OUTSIDE THE COVER IN ORDER TO AVOID SEAM SPLITS IN THE POST. EVERYTHING IS THEN PLACED INSIDE A PVC SLEEVE TO PROVIDE EXTRA PROTECTION. I PRIDE MYSELF ON MY HIGH QUALITY PACKAGING AS MY FEEDBACK TESTIFIES AND IF ANY CUSTOMER HAS ANY SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS I WILL ALWAYS ENDEAVOUR TO HELP.

UK Postage Rates (First Class)

LPs/12" singles : £5.45 (recorded) up to 1kg then £0.95 per extra item 

7" singles / CDs : £1.95 then £0.35 per extra

EUROPE 

LPs/12" singles : £8.95 then £1.75 per extra 

7" singles / CDs : £5.45 then £0.95 per extra 

REST OF WORLD  

LPs/12" singles : £12.45 then £2.50 per extra

7" singles / CDs : £6.95 then £1.45 per extra

I WILL LEAVE FEEDBACK ONCE IT HAS BEEN LEFT FOR ME. THIS IS SO I KNOW THE ITEM HAS BEEN RECEIVED SAFELY AND THAT YOU ARE HAPPY WITH IT. IF YOU ARE NOT ENTIRELY HAPPY WITH YOUR PURCHASE PLEASE CONTACT ME BEFORE LEAVING FEEDBACK AND I WILL ALWAYS RESOLVE ANY PROBLEM, 100% GUARANTEED.  I WILL ALSO PAY THE RETURN POSTAGE COST IF I AM AT FAULT - yes this can happen as I am only human!!

In the coming weeks and months I will be selling plenty of Queen, Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, Beatles, Genesis and Marillion items so please keep a look out!  Many thanks.  Please look at my other items on now!