Led Zeppelin II Robert Ludwig RL SS Hot Mix MONARCH Pressing Sterling Sound Bob

$

537

Led Zeppelin II
1969 US Monarch
1st Press RL SS x2

This is a nice starter copy of the absolute best pressing of LZ II, the original Bob Ludwig Monarch SS (Sterling Sound) withdrawn hot cut. 
I've been collecting and selling these pressings for 2 decades, and intimately familiar with the variations. This is the finest sounding version there is.


Visual Grade: medium scratches consistently across both sides, entry to solid VG. No extra deep marks. 1 skip that advances/jumps omitting  the “Killing floor” lyric in final 3 seconds of Lemon Song VPI Cleaned x 4.

Jacket: Very nice solid to strong VG+, one of the nicer examples of the original textured cover I’ve seen. A faint fingerprint on the front, some whitening, light crackling on the title spine, all seams intact, very clean on the cream colored areas.

Detailed Play grade

Side One

Whole Lotta Love: Entry to solid VG open with ticks and sn, bass and drums join in the first verse and it’s tracking Strongest VG+, cymbal and bongo work out section is strongest VG to entry VG+, panning pushes to Entry to solid VG+, Page lays down the solo in strong to strongest VG+, way down inside is entry VG+, final onslaught is Strong to strongest VG+

What Is and What Should Never Be: opens strongest VG before the chorus, chorus is solid VG++, 2nd verse is entry VG+, 2nd chorus is solid VG++, silky guitar solo section is solid VG, picks up to solid VG+ skips in the embellishment at the end of the solo, solid VG for the wake up with the sunrise verse, panning guitar section is entry to solid VG+

Lemon Song: strongest VG start, first verse improves to entry VG+, jams peak to solid VG+ a VG tick in the transition to the rhythmic breakdown, JPJ walking bass segment is strong to strongest VG, full bank jamming is solid/strong VG+, solid VG finish with sn and 3 second skip on the .." Killing Floor" , followed by a second of surface noise on the final refrain

Thank You: strong to strongest VG, choruses are solid VG+, rest of track remains Entry VG+, the acoustic solo is excellent, tracking at strongest VG+, 3rd verse is strongest VG to entry VG+, JPJ’s bass pushes the next chorus to Solid VG, final verse is strongest VG, organ solo strong VG, stay there for the gentle reprise.

Side Two

Heartbreaker: opens strongest VG, goes to solid VG+ with the first verse, THE guitar breakdown is strongest VG, with solid VG+ peaks, 2nd half of the track kick into strong VG+ then into the stratosphere, strong VG++

Living Loving Maid: solid VG+ for sec, then solid/strong VG++, pauses are solid VG+

Ramble On: solid VG+, choruses are solid VG++, rest of track strongest VG+ with Solid/strong VG++ chorus peaks

Moby Dick: Solid VG++ start, drum break commences on a entry to mostly solid VG+ footing, as it progress there is a segment of strongest VG in the hand drumming, back to solid VG+

Bring It On Home: intro segment with distant guitar, harp and harmonizing is strongest VG, electrified hammer of the gods is strong VG++, quiet finish is entry VG+
About the Seller: I've been seriously collecting for decades, and an active participant on the Steve Hoffman forums. I've sold thousands of LPs and pride myself, on being fair, knowledgeable. I grade and provide the level of honesty and detail in my listings that I want as a consumer.