Led Zeppelin II Robert Ludwig HOT Mix LOUD Early Press Broadway Label Thick Wax

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"Led Zeppelin II"

Rare Original WITHDRAWN Robert Ludwig "Hot Mix"!

We all know the story - Robert Ludwig's original cut of Zeppelin II was so powerful that it caused most turntables of the day to jump, and disgruntled buyers returned their copies in droves.  This caused Atlantic to pull the plug early in production, only to have another mastering engineer turn out a much weaker pressing that would track properly on lousy equipment but pale in comparison to Ludwig's original on any system!

ONLY THE EARLIEST 1969 US PRESSINGS FEATURE THIS ALTERNATIVE "HOT" MASTERING

Such pressings are identifiable by the following characteristics:

• "RL SS" (which stands for Robert Ludwig, obviously, and Sterling Sound, the studio at which the cut was made, respectively) appears in the run-outs on both sides
• The run-outs on each side are far narrower than those on any later re-cut pressing. The run-out measures 9/16" wide on Side One and 1/4" wide on Side Two on "RL" pressings, which stands in contrast to the run-outs on "non-RL" pressings, which measure 11/16" and 3/4" wide, respectively.
• The catalog number is SD-8236 - this is not specific to these pressings, but no "RL" pressings were ever issued with any other number.
• The address of Atlantic Records as given on the label is '1841 Broadway, New York, N.Y.' - again, this trait isn't specific to these pressings, but a copy with Atlantic's 75 Rockefeller address is always a later, re-cut pressing.

CONDITION OF THE ALBUM:

Visually I grade the disc as Very Good (VG), BUT play-grade it as Very Good plus (VG+) or better.

Unfortunately, there are quite a few scratches on each side.  However, my play-test revealed this copy to sound much better than it looked, and I played it all the way through on both sides! All nine tracks still sound both very powerful and incredibly detailed, with striking dynamics and vivid channel separation on display! And Oh MAN, that bass! Although crackle does run throughout the album, it is relegated almost entirely to the background, being that the album is mastered so loud!  And no, there were no skips or hangs. Quite honestly, a nice play-copy!

I grade the jacket as Very Good + (VG+).

 The following defects are notable:

* A 2" split on the bottom seam

* Some writing on the cover.

* A sticker mark is left on the cover

* worn edges

Before you turn away, let me make note that "RL pressings" did not come with their own distinct jackets, and that this jacket could be easily replaced with any other Led Zeppelin II matte-finish, gatefold jacket with the SD 8236 catalog number.

The jacket will be placed in a plastic outer sleeve.

GRADING:

Sealed records : Still sealed in original shrink wrap

MINT : Pristine, perfect and flawless

NM NEAR MINT The record should show no obvious signs of wear. The very slightest signs of use, truly near mint. May have few signs of wear on the cover and/ or few slight paper scuffs on the vinyl.

NM- NEAR MINT MINUS  The record will show some signs that it was played and handled by a previous owner who took good care of it. There should be no obvious defects (Scratches/Warps).

EX : Light use is evident. The beginnings of light wear will be evident on the cover and some surface scuffs will appear on the vinyl BUT record will play with no surface noise.

VG++ : Use is evident but not bad. Cover has some ring wear along with some rub along the edges, spine and the corners along the spine. Record has some marks , very light scratches.

VG+ : Average use record, looks OK, plays OK, some noise is possible. Record has most of the original gloss. Record was played but was well cared for.

VG : Cover shows more than normal wear and vinyl has some groove wear or several scratches or some significant scratches. This record will play with noise that does not overwhelm the music.

G : Significant surface noise, scratches, visible groove wear , may skip or repeat.