LED ZEPPELIN II A6/B4 VINYL 'Baldwin' CREDIT *Stunning* AUDIO RARE EX+/NEAR MINT
£
82
$
109
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Description
Led Zeppelin II A6/B4 Atlantic 58818 Red/Plum Label ('Baldwin' credit)
This has the rare 'Baldwin' credit but only on the S2 label. This is John Paul Jones' real surname and 'Jones' is indeed shown on S1. This incorrect credit was only on the very early run of this 'Killing Floor' pressing.
This vinyl is in immaculate, pristine condition and I have never seen cleaner and the audio reflects that. This is a very collectable pressing and even more so in this condition!
This LP has the 'Warner Bros/Jewel Music' credits on the labels.
588198 // A / 6 // 1 1 2 2
588198 // B / 4 // 1 4 1 1 5
The audio on S1 is Ex+ (Near Mint / Mint- for the majority)
The audio on S2 is Ex+ (Near Mint / Mint- in many sections)
The gatefold cover is VG+
The labels are Mint-
The poly-lined inner sleeve is Ex
Visual grading
This vinyl is visually stunning and in pristine condition. At first glance you would be mistaken for thinking it was a 'new' vinyl it looks that good! I have never seen cleaner and it still retains that superb glossy mirror like surface of an unplayed vinyl. Talking of which I can confidently say this record has indeed been hardly played. There is only one obvious spindle trace on S1 and only two/three on S2. There is no groove wear and there are certainly no scratches to be seen. I have looked under various lights and all I can detect is 3/4 barely visible sleeve removal hairlines. This is without doubt the most immaculate looking red/plum press I have ever seen and easily the best 'Baldwin' credit version. Absolutely stunning.
Play grading
With only light intermittent static on the intro 'Whole Lotta Love' plays with very clear audio from the start, and it gets better! The first vocal section is near immaculate and of course the bass is so strong on these early red/plum pressings. The instrumental section is Mint- the clarity and depth is superb and I am only adding the minus because of one very gentle 'tick' right at the start. The brief drum/guitar section that follows is breathtaking - the sonic quality is just stunning, Mint without doubt. The quality does not diminish and even the super quiet 'way down inside' vocal only section has only a handful of mega quiet dust ticks. The fade out plays very clearly and only has a couple of clicks right at the end.
The quiet intro on 'What is and What Should Never Be' has no 'background' at all, which is a rarity, and the first 'chorus' also plays 'as new' it is that good. The audio on this track is the most impressive I have heard in a long time. There are so many quiet passages and the only thing of note is 2/3 seconds of light crackle on the third quiet section. The remainder plays with sublime clarity and power and there is nothing that intrudes on the quality of the listen. This is 'high end' audio and the long fade out is nigh on perfect with only a couple of 'ticks' on the final grooves. A superb version.
'Killing Floor' impresses from the first note. There is no obvious 'background', just a handful of mega light dust ticks that most sellers would not even mention. The depth of bass is again so strong in the mix and the first guitar solo plays with incredible power and no distortion at all. With no groove wear this vinyl has hardly been played and this accounts for the stunning clarity on offer here. The long quiet bass section is a prime example of this. There is just the one click but apart from that the audio is quite simply immaculate. It is not often you hear this section play with such impressive sound and it continues to play 'as new' to the end.
'Thank You' is the one track on the album that is always beset with a fair amount of distortion/interference as any Led Zepp collector knows. I am delighted to say this certainly isn't the case here and the clarity and sonic quality on the intro is a great example of things to come. The first quiet section plays in impeccable style with only the odd dust tick for company. It really does play superbly well! As you progress there is no lessening in quality and I really can't believe the lack of distortion here, this is without doubt the 'cleanest' version of this track that I have heard in a long time. There is just a minimal amount of light static and a couple of 'ticks' in the super quiet 'if the sun refused to shine...' section towards the end. However, this 'ending' is one of the best you will find. The first fade out plays in immaculate style with next to no 'background' and this is just so rare! The following fade in/out is on a par with this and ends the side in supreme style. There is no distortion on the final note either, can't remember the last time that happened!
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'Heartbreaker' has barely any static on the intro and plays with tremendous depth and power throughout. There are a couple of clicks but I think that may be due to a pressing fault as there are no scratches or 'bubbles' on the vinyl. Apart from that the audio is just stunning - the power and depth on the section prior to the 'quieter' guitar solo is incredible and has no distortion. The guitar solo then plays with hardly any 'background', just a minimal hint of static but more or less perfect. The crescendo section following that is just Mint it knocks your socks off! Wow!! This dynamic quality and power continues to the end with only a couple of light 'ticks'.
'Livin' Lovin' Maid' plays as Mint- from beginning to end. You will not find a stronger more impressive version than this. There is absolutely no interference of any kind and this is why the red/plum pressings are collectable - the strength and definition of the audio is just so good especially on a vinyl that has been hardly played like this one! I heard only one faint click that is so buried in the loud music as to be non-intrusive anyway. There is no muddiness to the sound and the bass again is so strong. A breathtaking version.
The acoustic intro on 'Ramble On' plays with near faultless audio. The clarity is exceptional although there is just one click towards the end of this section caused by a tiny white speck. I'm sure it could be removed although I did not succeed! The remainder plays with stunning precision and power and only a little static on the long fade out. There is one pop in the dead wax but obviously this is not during the music!
The opening section on 'Moby Dick' plays nigh on perfectly with only one faint click. That is the only millisecond of imperfection as the rest of this intro plays with Mint quality audio. The drum solo intro then begins superbly with only a couple of light 'ticks' a few seconds in. There is only minimal static in a few places but it really is very much in the background and non-intrusive in my opinion. I only mention it to be complete in my grading and this section still plays with great precision. I so often mention static - static is only very light and it is not intrusive like 'crackle' can be. That is why I differentiate between the two. The final section plays faultlessly and provides a superb ending to this instrumental.
The long quiet intro on 'Bring It On Home' plays very clearly but with some static here and there and a little light crackle towards the end of this section. Once the guitar 'kicks in' the audio is so strong and has none of the distortion that so often affects this final track. It 'rocks out' in stunning style and plays with superb depth and power. The quiet end section just has a little static but no clicks or pops.
In summary this rare 'Baldwin' credit LP plays with superb clarity and power for vast majority. S1 in particular is stunning and S2 is not far behind with only a handful of clicks. This can often be the case with a new vinyl let alone one from 1969! Vinyl is not an exact medium and this is part of the reason why we audiophiles listen to it as you cannot beat it for pure depth, warmth and definition of sound. I am pleased to say this vinyl has that in abundance and will not disappoint the true collector. As stated this vinyl is so clean and has been hardly played and includes a very clean cover plays with only minor wear.
The Gatefold
The E.J. Day gatefold has some wear but is generally very clean overall. The edges do have a fair amount of rubbing and this is also noticeable on the corners. This has been caused by 'shelf wear' as the opening edge is mega clean with no handling wear giving further evidence that the vinyl has been hardly played. The spine does have some wear at the either end but it remains 100% legible. The front cover is very clean with no obvious marking, just a little fading around the edges. The back cover does have some ringwear, some white 'spotting' and fading and a faint scratch mark also. The inside of the gatefold is also in great shape, practically 'as new'. Not perfect but a very presentable cover.
Inner sleeve
The original poly-lined 'Plastic Bags Can Be Dangerous' inner is in excellent condition with no side splits, it just has some age related fading around the edges and a little creasing.
The Labels
The red/plum labels are almost 'as new' and retain their strong colours extremely well. As stated there hardly any spindle wear. Fantastic 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
588198 // A / 6 // 1 1 2 2
588198 // B / 4 // 1 4 1 1 5
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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