LED ZEPPELIN II RL Robert Ludwig HOT MIX Monarch MO 1969 1st U.S. Pressing RL SS

$

200

LED ZEPPELIN II RL Robert Ludwig HOT MIX Monarch MO 1969 1st U.S. Pressing. Featuring the infamous "Hot Mix" by Robert Ludwig, true first pressing before these were removed and a new pressing was issued..
Monarch pressing plant as indicated by the "MO" on the labels. These Monarchs are infamous in themselves as being known for their high quality sound. I have had many records that were pressed at Monarch, and they rarely disappoint as far as full sound and booming bass. I have even been fortunate enough to play a Monarch Led Zeppelin II next to a Presswell and a Specialty, and though they all sound fantastic, the Monarch always has a bit more "sparkle".
I was able to play the record all the way through in order to determine condition. 98% of RL cut Led Zeppelin II copies are played to death, tons of scratches and usually a few skips because of the nature of the mix (super loud and bassy) and the fact that this was such a huge record that so many teenagers took to parties and friend's houses and rarely.
VINYL in VG+/VG on Side 1, and VG/G+ on side 2. 
Side 1 sounds incredible, very little in terms of noticeable crackle or pops, the surface has nice luster, some light hairlines that do not affect play very much at all. "What Is And What Should Never Be" is VG because of some background crackle, and Lemon Song veers between VG and VG+ in places, but all around a fantastic listen VERY close to a full VG+.
Side 2 "Heartbreaker" and "Living Loving Maid" are VG. "Ramble ON" has more noticeable crackle because of more hairlines and more quieter segments in the song, I rated it G+ at the beginning of the song, VG middle, and G+ end. "Moby Dick" is rated G+ because there are quite a few quieter segments during the solo that there is noticeable crackle. "Bring It On Home" I rated G+/VG throughout.

COVER in VG++ Excellent condition, crisp edges but for a tiny bit of rubbing on the bottom. Super thick cardboard. Some yellowing/staining n the white areas, especially near the spine, but overall the white areas are pretty solid. The Spine is solid and fully readable. The inner graphic is spectacular and crisp. Slight corner bumps.
INNER SLEEVE included in VG+ with a corner fold.
Free Priority 2 Day Domestic Shipping! Record will be safely packed with the record outside of the cover to prevent splitting in a proper mailer.

Companies, etc.

• Copyright (c) – Atlantic Recording Corporation
• Published By – Superhype Music, Inc.
• Lacquer Cut At – Sterling Sound
• Pressed By – Monarch Record Mfg. Co. – ?13933

Credits

• Artwork – David Juniper
• Engineer – Andrew Johns*, Chris Huston, Edwin H. Kramer*, George Chkiantz
• Executive-Producer – Peter Grant
• Lacquer Cut By – RL*
• Performer – Jimmy Page, John Bonham, John Paul Jones, Robert Plant
• Producer – Jimmy Page
• Technician [Director Of Engineering] – Edwin H. Kramer*
• Written-By – Jimmy Page, John Bonham (tracks: A1, A3, B1, B4), John Paul Jones (tracks: A1, A3, B1, B4), Robert Plant (tracks: A1 to B3, B5)

Notes

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 label): ST-A-691671-MO
• Matrix / Runout (Side B label): ST-A-691672-MO
• Matrix / Runout (Side A etched variant 1): ST-A-691671-MO - BB LW ?13933 AT RL ss W
• Matrix / Runout (Side B etched variant 1): ST-A-691672-MO - CC LW RL ss ?13933-X (2) W AT
• Matrix / Runout (Side A etched variant 2): ST-A-691671-MO - CC RL ss LW ?13933 (2) W AT