LED ZEPPELIN III A5/B5 RED/PLUM PRESS 1970 *SUPERB* AUDIO & COVER NMINT-/MINT-
£
193
$
256
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Description
Led Zeppelin III A5 / B5 Red/Plum Pressing
This very early red/plum vinyl plays to a superb standard with only very minimal interference. There are only three clicks in total and they are certainly not loud! For once there is no underlying static and the clarity is stunning on both sides. It is no exaggeration to say the vast majority (approx 99%!) is 'as new'. The audio definition is so impressive.
The cover, with a fully working 'wheel', is in fantastic condition with barely any wear and the original inner is also in excellent order.
I would say this is a second pressing as it has the first press matrix (A5/B5) but does not have the Peter Grant credit on the labels.
2401002 // A - 5 1 5 3 // Do what thou wilt
2401002 // B - 5 1 3 1 2 // So mote it be
The audio on S1 is Mint(-) (T4 & 5 Near Mint-)
The audio on S2 is Mint(-) (T1 & 2 Near Mint)
The gatefold is Ex++
The 'plastic bags' inner is Ex
The labels are Near Mint
Visual grading
The vinyl is in great condition and still has a very strong glossy sheen. There are no marks or scratches and only a small number of hairlines of which only a couple on S1 are a little more obvious. However, they are short and have no bearing on the audio quality. There is very little spindle wear and the run out grooves are also super clean and all the matrix info and etchings can clearly be read.
Play grading
The classic 'Immigrant Song' plays with wonderful power and clarity from the very first groove and continues in the same precise way to the final note. There is no interference and there is no distortion on the top end. A Mint start to the album.
For once the 'spoken' intro on 'Friends' has no 'background' and this clarity is still there as the music begins. This track often has a distorted 'tinny' type sound due to groove wear but that is not the case here and demonstrates how infrequently the record has been played. Even the audio definition on the 'high octane' end section has no decreased over the years. It is a stunning version and Mint is again deserved.
The moog intro on 'Celebration Day' plays superbly with only a couple of dust ticks and Page's introduction is nigh on perfect also. Plant's first vocal is faultless and as Bonham and Jones join the sound is exceptional! There is no distortion and you can easily turn it up to loud! Every note plays with sublime precision and this is one of the strongest versions you are ever likely to hear. The playback is so impressive and the long fade out is also flawless. Another Mint track.
The intro on 'Since I've Been Loving You' has one click right at the start but from then plays beautifully with no underlying static at all. In essence this 1.15 minute intro plays perfectly apart from one very brief millisecond! The first vocal section is 'as new' and it continues to play with breathtaking clarity. Page's long solo plays with incredible power and precision and the very quiet passage that follows just has one faint tick but no other 'background'. The remainder is so strong and has only the bare minimum of distortion on the top end. Maybe it doesn't even require a mention as it is so minor and the playback is barely affected anyway. The sound quality is still very impressive and overall this deserves a Near Mint- grade.
'Out On The Tiles' always has some inner groove distortion, this is just how the record was produced/manufactured, but I am pleased to say it is kept to a minimum here and plays superbly from start to finish. My 'litmus test' is can the track still be played loud and yes it can! It is not intrusive and the instrumental end section where the 'heavier' bass comes in is stunning and the long fade out plays with great precision. I'm sure many would grade as Mint because arguably there is no interference but I will say Near Mint- just to err on the side of caution.
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The acoustic intro on 'Gallows Pole' is very 'clean' with only one light click after 20 seconds but there is no underlying static. As the tempo increases the audio is 'as new' and it progresses in exactly the same way. There is no intrusion on the STUNNING audio and you cannot fault the clarity and definition. A fantastic version that is Mint for 99% but will grade as Near Mint due to the one minor click on the intro.
The quiet intro on 'Tangerine' is stunning and that includes the 7 second 'silent' section that has no 'background' of any kind. The next acoustic section has only a couple of dust ticks and Plant's first vocal is of the same standard. Thereafter it plays with near perfect precision and I detected only one faint tick. There is one light click and a pop at the end of the fade out so by then the track has finished anyway. Near Mint
'That's The Way' plays beautifully with no intrusion on the audio whatsoever. This 'high end' standard is maintained throughout and is Mint in every way. The sonic quality could not be any better - as good as it was 50 years ago!
The acoustic intro on 'Bron-Y-Aur Stomp' is 'as new' - honestly the clarity and depth here is astounding! From then on it plays as per the previous track, there is just nothing to fault. This is why we listen to vinyl as you cannot replicate this 'sound' with any other medium. This is Mint from start to finish and yes as always I have listened to every second :-)
I am delighted to say 'Hat's Off To (Roy) Harper' is of the same standard with literally no interference not even a dust tick. This is Mint audio from start to finish.
In summary this second press plays to a fantastic standard with only very minimal interference - just three minor clicks basically. There is no underlying static which is a rarity and there is obviously no crackle. I would 99% is 'as new' with a clarity, depth and warmth that is stunning on both sides.
The Gatefold
The laminated E.J Day cover is in lovely condition and has hardly any of the shelf that you so often see and as stated the 'wheel' still works perfectly. The edges are in superb order with barely any wear and as is common the top and bottom edge of the front cover are still partially open so to allow free movement of the wheel. The wide spine is practically 'as new' and even the corners have no wear! The other corners are also in great shape and there is only a little wear on the bottom left corner of the back cover. The opening edge has only minimal handling wear and the front cover is stunning with no marking, just a couple of specks, and there is no laminate damage. The back cover is very clean with none of the yellowing/fading around the edges that you so often see and has only very minimal light marking in a couple of areas. The inside of the gatefold is immaculate with no marking and the inner spine could not be any stronger and the right hand panel remains firmly in place. A stunning example of this iconic cover.
The Inner Sleeve
The original poly-lined 'Plastic Bags...' inner dated 0970 is in excellent condition with no side splits and has just one small tear on the central 'window'. There is very little age related fading around the edges and only minimal creasing.
The Labels
The red/plum labels are in superb condition and have retained their original colour perfectly with no marking or writing and only minimal spindle wear.
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 machine
2401002 // A - 5 1 5 3 // Do what thou wilt
2401002 // B - 5 1 3 1 2 // So mote it be
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 SENDING ITEMS TO ITALY, RUSSIA/UKRAINE AND SOUTH AMERICA I WILL ONLY SEND THEM VIA TRACKED SHIPPING AND THIS COSTS AN ADDITIONAL £5.00.
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