LED ZEPPELIN I A1/B4 Red/Plum PRESS 1969 *Stunning* AUDIO & COVER NMINT/MINT-
£
211
$
279
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Description
Led Zeppelin I A1 / B4 Red/Plum Label
There are of course various red/plum pressings and the A1/B4 matrix is commonly known as one of the second press variations following the first 'turquoise' edition. It was produced around 1971 and this particular one is in fantastic condition and has only ever been lightly played, visually it is stunning.
The A1/B4 is often referred to as the definitive version of this classic album and when you find such a 'clean' vinyl like this one it is hard to disagree! It plays with a greater sonic quality and definition in my opinion. Also known as a transitional press it has the sticker on the back cover with the 'new' catalogue number. It can be said that the A1/B4 press is a rarer version as it was certainly produced in lesser numbers. You definitely see a lot more A1/B1 pressings.
As a point of interest the second 8 on the S2 run out groove has not been corrected with an etched 8 above it. This is the only pressing that has this apart from the Turquoise edition of course. The publishing credits Warner Bros/7 Arts/Jewel Music are printed on two lines on the labels.
The cover is in lovely condition and is one of the most impressive you will find. With no obvious wear it has been so well preserved down the years. As this is an A1/B4 press it has no grey stripe/band along the bottom edge. The original inner, dated 0172, is also in excellent shape with no splits.
588171 (2nd 8 corrected, replaced with etched 8) A // 1 1 3 1 7
588171 (2nd 8 not corrected) B ? 4 1 1 4
The audio on S1 is Mint(-)
The audio on S2 is Mint(-) (Track 4 Near Mint+ / T5 Near Mint-)
The cover is Near Mint-
The inner sleeve is Ex+
The labels are Mint-
Visual grading
This vinyl is a thing of beauty! It has an immaculate jet-black glossy sheen with no marks or scratches at all. No word of a lie it looks 'as new' such is the visual quality here. Under a bright light I can only detect a small number of very faint sleeve removal hairlines but they are incredibly difficult to find! I have to tilt the vinyl at various angles to find them, they are practically invisible! There is hardly any spindle wear and it is clear this record has only been played a handful of times and that is reflected in the stunning audio quality as detailed below. The run out grooves and red/plum labels are also in beautiful condition. This vinyl definitely has the wow factor!
Play grading
The run in grooves on S1 are super clean with barely any 'background' and the intro on 'Good Times Bad Times' then plays with perfect precision. It continues to play with a tangible dynamic power and the clarity cannot be faulted. From start to finish there is no interference and even the fade out has no 'background' - just one light click but that is after the music has finished! You can immediately see why these A1/B4 pressings are so highly rated and I can confidently grade this as Mint- the sonic quality is stunning.
The acoustic intro on 'Babe I'm Gonna Leave You' just has to be heard to be believed! There is not even a dust tick let alone anything more and this clarity of sound continues I am pleased to say. The 'high octane' acoustic sections also play perfectly and this is easily one of the finest versions of this classic that I have ever listened to. The power and definition of the audio is so impressive and there is no distortion either. Aside from one static tick on the quiet end section there is literally no interference. Mint- again.
'You Shook Me' has one light static tick on the intro but no other 'background'. As Plant's vocal comes in the audio is flawless and it progresses in exactly the same way. There are no clicks or pops and it is abundantly clear this vinyl has only been lightly played down the years. The long organ/harmonica section is so 'clean' with no underlying static at all and Page's solo that follows is equally as good. As Plant returns the clarity is still there and to the end it plays with immense quality. I have no choice but to grade this as Mint- again :-) The bass intro on 'Dazed And Confused' is 'as new' and again there is not even a single dust tick! The first vocal is of the standard and it continues to play with sublime quality. There is no distortion on the top end and the quieter instrumental section also plays with outstanding clarity. There is no interference and all I could detect were a couple of barely audible dust ticks. As the volume increases the audio is absolutely STUNNING! This is pure Mint audio in all its glory! The power and clarity on Page's solo is mesmeric and again there is no distortion. Wow! The remainder is of the same immaculate standard and this is up there with the best I have ever heard. Quite often with super clean vinyls I will add a minus to the Mint grade but I am more than happy to grade this as Mint as I honestly believe you could not find a more 'complete' version than this. What sound!
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Now this is rare! For once the organ intro on 'Your Time Is Gonna Come' plays with only minimal light static. It regularly has a lot of 'background' as any collector knows but this is definitely one of the 'cleanest' intros you will find - 3/4 light ticks at the end but the quieter organ section then has no interference at all. Once Bonham joins in the clarity is comparable to S1 and then plays with great power and definition. This standard is maintained to the final note so I would say this is Ex+ on the intro and Mint- for the remainder.
The segue into 'Black Mountain Side' is 'as new' and the rest of this instrumental can be described in the same way. There is no interference and Mint is an honest assessment of the audio here. Stunning.
'Communication Breakdown' is so strong from the first groove. So often this track has some static distortion but that is not the case here, the audio is so powerful and 'clean'. There is so much 'going on' here musically and yet there has been no audio deterioration over the intervening years. From start to finish it plays superbly with no interference and Mint is fair. The fade out again plays perfectly.
The vocal intro on 'I Can't Quit You Baby' has no 'background' and as the music comes in there are only a couple of mega light ticks, not clicks! It continues to play very impressively with no underlying static, just 3/4 more light ticks that are so much in the background as to be insignificant, hardly worth a mention! Page's bluesy solo is stunning! It is 'as new' even during the quieter passage and of course goes on for a long time so is even more impressive. As Plant returns the audio is quiet and yet there is no interference to be heard, a couple of dust ticks only. Overall this is Near Mint+ although I am sure many would grade higher!
The iconic bass intro on 'How Many More Times' is as perfect as the day it was first released and the first vocal/riff section is almost as good apart from a couple of very gentle clicks, they are loud at all and could easily be missed. The playback is very strong and for once there is no accompanying distortion. The first solo plays with stunning precision and the quieter mid section begins perfectly but has one click after 15 seconds or so. There is nothing on the vinyl to suggest a cause so may even be a pressing fault. The vocal section then plays with no intrusion and as the music builds the playback is fantastic! The 'Oh Rosie' section again pays testament to how well this vinyl has been preserved and plays beautifully with no interference and the next 'high octane' section is again sublime. As the familiar riff returns the audio is so strong and if there is any inner groove distortion it is so minimal and you can easily turn this up to full blast mode! The crescendo end section is so dynamic and clean and provides the prefect end to this classic. Whilst the vast majority of this track plays with stunning clarity and power there are a couple of minor imperfections so I think a Near Mint- grade is correct here.
In summary this A1/B4 early press is a FINAL UPGRADE version in my opinion. It is rare to find one playing with audio as impressive as this and one that has been so infrequently played. The clarity, depth and power of the audio is as good as I have ever heard and with barely any interference this is an album to be treasured! And to repeat this is perhaps the definitive version to own as it does seem to play with an improved sonic quality and that is not just my opinion!
The Cover
This laminated cover printed by 'MacNeill' is in superb condition with no obvious shelf wear and remains very strong and robust like it has not been handled very much. The edges and thin pinched spine are 'as new' with no rubbing etc and the corners are also super clean and only the one bottom right has a minimal amount of wear, very minimal! The opening edge is near perfect with only a couple of very minor feathering marks. The front cover is beautifully clean with no marking and has only a couple of very small laminate creases. There is always some laminate 'lift' running down the spine but it kept to a minimum here and at first glance you don't actually notice it. You often find laminate creases around the edges but not here! There is just one small next to the crease - this is another sign that it has been on a shelf most of its life and rarely handled. The back cover is in fantastic condition also with no marking or creasing and the catalogue sticker is still firmly attached top right. This is a fine example of this iconic cover and Near Mint- is more than deserved.
Inner Sleeve
The original 'Plastic Bags...' poly-lined inner dated '0172' has no side splits or tears and only a little creasing. It is very clean apart from one very small mark. There is no age related fading.
The Labels
They red/plum labels have lost none of their original colour and have no marking or writing. There is only very minimal spindle wear and looks 'as new' really. Stunning examples.
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
588171 (2nd 8 corrected, replaced with etched 8) A // 1 1 3 1 7
588171 (2nd 8 not corrected) B ? 4 1 1 4
I grade according to "Record Collector" guidelines.
Any questions please feel free to ask
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