LED ZEPPELIN III A5/B5 1st PRESS RED/PLUM 'PETER GRANT' *Stunning* Audio MINT-
£
171
$
226
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Description
LED ZEPPELIN III A5 / B5 Atlantic 2401022 UK 1970 Red/Plum Label
On offer here is an immaculate first pressing on the red/plum label with the 'Peter Grant' credit on the labels which only the genuine first pressings have. The publishing credits are 'Warner Bros. Music Ltd'. This is quite possibly the 'cleanest' first pressing I have ever seen...or heard!
The famous Aleister Crowley quotes 'Do what thou wilt' and 'So mote it be' are etched on the dead wax and the rotating wheel still works perfectly. The gatefold itself is extremely clean and has very little shelf wear.
2401022 // A5 / 1 4 8 // B5 / 1 3 1 2
The audio on S1 is Mint- (track 5 is Near Mint)
The audio on S2 is Mint- (track 1 is Ex- for 6 seconds)
The gatefold cover is Ex+
The labels are Mint-
The original inner sleeve is Ex
Visual grading
This is as near to a visually perfect first pressing you will find it is absolutely stunning! It has an immaculate glossy sheen and has hardly been played judging by the minimal amount of spindle wear and the pristine quality of the audio confirms that. There are no obvious hairlines and there are certainly no scratches or markings. This really is a beautiful example of its kind. In fact I can only detect a couple of mega faint hairlines on each side that have only been caused by sleeve removal but they are incredibly difficult to spot! You would be forgiven for thinking this was a new vinyl really, it is that impressive!
Play grading
'Immigrant Song' on S1 plays with 'high end' audio from start to finish. There is no interference at all aside from one light click literally on the final 'cymbal' note. In my opinion it still grades as Mint- such is the quality on offer. The power and depth of this track is so strong and it honestly plays 'as new'. It is patently obvious that that this vinyl has been hardly played. A stunning start.
'Friends' has four very light 'ticks' on the intro but this is before the music starts. Once the acoustic guitar begins the clarity is exceptional and the audio could not be any clearer. This is perfect audio and that is no exaggeration. I grade with honesty as my regular customers know and this is just pure Mint audio without a doubt. One of the most obvious things here is the lack of distortion as so often this track will have some. Not here! The clarity and depth is second to none.
The segue into 'Celebration Day' plays with superb precision and no 'background'. Again there is no distortion and the power of this track is 100% awesome! There is so much 'going on' with this track and yet there is no deterioration in sound quality whatsoever. There is no 'muddiness' to the sound and the clarity and sonic quality is breathtaking. This is Mint audio at its very best...again! It is so rare to hear this classic plays with such incredible precision and depth. The fade out is also Mint there is no other way to describe it.
The intro on 'Since I've Been Loving You' is in a word...phenomenal. I only heard one mega faint dust tick which let's be honest you will find on new vinyl let alone one that is 48 years old! It continues in exactly the same way, the clarity could not be any better. For such a relatively quiet track (by Led Zepp's standards!) it plays beautifully and there is not a single click or pop and no static or crackle either. The guitar solo is just so powerful and again has no distortion on the top end. Wow! The quiet section that follows plays with impeccable quality and, you guessed it, no interference. To the end this classic plays with sublime quality. With only 3/4 mega light dust ticks across the entire track this is a stunning version that plays 'as new' without doubt and it would be nigh on impossible to find a better version.
'Out On The Tiles' demonstrates great power from the very first groove and continues in the same way. There is just a touch of distortion on the top level but this is common on this track. It isn't 'jarring' to the ears and is minimal and certainly does not mar the enjoyment of the listen. The strong instrumental end section is absolutely breathtaking - the rhythm section is so strong here and it closes the side in superb style. No interference on the long fade out!
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The super quiet intro on 'Gallows Pole' plays so cleanly and with only a hint of minimal static. Just over 40 seconds in there are six soft clicks but they are in the background and not that intrusive. Thereafter the audio is stunning and is without fault. Apart from a few seconds on the intro this 'foot stomper' plays 'as new'. There is no distortion on the top level, the sonic quality is first class and there is no 'background' on the extended fade out.
The quiet intro on 'Tangerine' is another stunning example of how well this vinyl has been maintained. There cannot be many vinyls nearing 50 that have no 'background' on such a quiet section, not even a dust tick! The quieter sections here play with supreme clarity and the louder passages with wonderful definition. This is another Mint track without question.
'That's The Way' is also of the same standard from beginning to end. It is astounding just how well this first pressing plays and as already mentioned it is obvious that it has only been very lightly played. The clarity and depth on this track is a prime example of that. I do not like to repeat myself but it is hard not to! There is just no interference and it is easy to grade it as Mint the audio is of the highest quality possible. No static or crackle and definitely no clicks or pops!
'Bron-y-aur Stomp' and the final track 'Hats off to (Roy) Harper' end this stunning first press with, yep stunning 'high end' audio. They both play 'as new' no more needs to be said - they end this classic album with 100% perfect audio.
In summary this is a final upgrade archive copy of that I have no doubt. Apart from a few seconds at the start of S2 this is audio that you just so rarely find on a genuine first pressing. I have listened to many and this is one of the most impressive I have ever heard. I am not exaggerating when I say 99% of this album plays as clearly as when it was first released in '70. The clarity and definition was a joy to listen to and together with a superb gatefold this will grace any collection.
The Gatefold
The fully laminated E.J. Day gatefold is in excellent condition and the 'wheel' rotates perfectly. The top edges are very clean and the opening above the 'wheel' has absolute minimal rubbing. The bottom edges are in fantastic shape with hardly any wear and the wide spine is in superb shape with no wear and remains 100% legible. The corners are also in lovely condition with no obvious wear, there is just one tiny crease bottom right that is barely visible. The front and back covers are in beautiful condition with no laminate damage and no marking or staining either. This is especially rare for the back cover as it so often has yellowing around the edges and laminate creasing but not this one! It is incredibly clean! The inside is also near perfect apart from one tiny 'nick' that can be seen right by the opening edge. You can see there is a little rubbing on this area but apart from this the opening edge has no other handling wear. So aside from the minimal wear on the opening edge this iconic cover is in superb condition and is extremely clean for it age.
Inner sleeve
The original poly-lined 'Plastic Bags Can Be Dangerous' inner has no splits just some light creasing and minor spotting. It has 0970 printed bottom right which refers to the release date and proves its an original inner.
The labels
The red/plum labels with the 'Peter Grant' credit are in fantastic condition with no marks or writing and the colours remain strong and vivid. As stated there is barely any spindle wear - these labels are so mega clean!
Play tested on my Pro-Ject Essential III Turntable // B & W 684 Speakers
This record has been professionally cleaned on a Pro-Ject VC-S cleaning machine
2401022 // A5 / 1 4 8 // B5 / 1 3 1 2
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
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