LED ZEPPELIN III A5/B5 1st PRESS 1970 Red/Plum PETER GRANT Credit SUPERB AUDIO

	£		156
	$		207

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                         LED ZEPPELIN III A5/B5 1st PRESS 1970 Red/Plum PETER GRANT Credit SUPERB AUDIO!!!
2401002 // A - 5   1 1 4  // Do what thou wilt
2401002 // B - 5   1 1 2 // So mote it be
Led Zeppelin III A5/B5 1st Press w/Peter Grant credit
This genuine first press on the red/plum label plays to an excellent standard with only a little crackle here and there (see play test details below).  The album plays with stunning quality and the clarity of sound across the entire album is very 'clean'.  The vinyl is also visually very impressive with just 2 light marks and some light hairlines, which you have to inspect really closely to see.  This is a record that has certainly not been overplayed, and well looked after over its 52 years.
The iconic E.J. Day cover is in excellent condition with only minor wear, some light fading, and it still has a fully functioning wheel of course.  The original inner is also in excellent order, just slight disolouration, intact with no splits.
As this is a first pressing it has the Peter Grant credit on the labels and A5/B5 matrix.  There is also no hyphen in the 2401002 catalogue number.
2401002 // A - 5   1 1 4 // Do what thou wilt
2401002 // B - 5   1 1 2 // So mote it be
The audio on S1 is Excellent (some light crackle in quiet bits)
The audio on S2 is close to Near Mint 
The gatefold is EX
The 'plastic bags' inner is EX
The labels are Mint, NO FAULTS

Full Condition and details below:

Visual grading
The vinyl is in excellent condition and still has a very strong glossy sheen.  There are 2 tiny marks S1 T3 and S2 T2.  There are no other marks or scratches obvious and only a small number of hairlines.  
The red/plum labels have retained their original deep colour so well and have no marking or writing or spindle wear. MINT CONDITION!

                                                                             Play grading - track by track
The classic intro on 'Immigrant Song' plays with great power and depth you can hear the countdown at the start!  It continues to play with sublime quality and only very slight crackle.  It could not play any better for its age and is easily a Excellent start to the album.  
The 'spoken intro' on 'Friends' is 'great' as is the first acoustic section.  Plant's vocals are perfect as is the remainder of the track.  So often this track plays with a distorted 'tinny' type sound but that is not the case here.  This is Near Mint / Excellent but with a brief bit of light crackle near the start.
The moog intro on 'Celebration Day' has no 'background' and this quality is kept up as Page joins in.  Once Bonham comes in the playback is so strong and proceeds in the same way with exceptional clarity , deep bass and power.  Having played every second (as I always do) I can safely say this is Excellent from start to finish with no interference and no distortion.  A stunning sound.
The intro on 'Since I've Been Loving You' plays beautifully with no ticks, a little light crackle is the only giveaway it has been played before.  Every beat is really crisp and clear and.  Plant's first vocal is just as impressive; plays with a clarity and depth.  No distortion and Page's long solo is STUNNING! The occasional crackle does not impact on the quality of the listen whatsoever.  This is worthy of an Excellent- grade for sure. A great listen.

'Out On The Tiles' plays with tremendous power and depth from start to finish with very little of the sound issues/distortion that you regularly associate withan album of this age.  The 'heavier' section towards the end where the bass is so prevalent is superb!  This is such a strong version and the fade out again has only very light crackle.  In my opinion Excellent is an honest assessment of the audio.

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The acoustic intro on 'Gallows Pole' plays really well and the first vocal is 'clear' with only light crackle on the quiet bits, I did detect a slight static pop early on, this doesn't detract from a great listening experience.  As the tempo increases it continues plays superbly with that added dimension when Bonham's drums join the party.  This demands to be turned up to max! - the sonic quality on vinyl does not suffer from age and to the end it cannot be faulted.  This is a Excellent version with just a 'G+' grading on the slight crackle and pop bit.
The 'first' acoustic intro on 'Tangerine' and the 7 second 'silent' passage has  'light crackle' and a couple of static pops were detcted on my system.  The next acoustic section is pretty perfect and Plant's opening vocal is great!  The chorus part is 'as new' and it proceeds in the same way with no interference.  For a largely acoustic number that is now over 52 years old to play with such precision is amazing.  This is undoubtedly at least a VG+ track.
'That's The Way' plays so clearly on the intro with just one light crackle before the vocal begins...and those vocals are 'wow', clear and excellent.  From then on it plays pretty much as it would have done when first played, with no pops or intereference.  It has that 'fresh' acoustic sound of an unplayed vinyl with a clarity and warmth that is outstanding.  A Near Mint sound , fantastic!

'Bron-Y-Aur Stomp' just has one light tick and a bit of crackle on the intro and it then plays with 'as new' clarity.  The playback is so impressive it plays beautifully and with great depth also and Near Mint is fair again.
'Hat's Off To (Roy) Harper' ends this near perfect album with stunning audio ....  This is Excellent , great sound.
In summary this first pressing plays to a standard you rarely find for its age.  Admittedly there is a little crackle here and there but the playback generally is STUNNING and then some!  The clarity and depth of the audio is sensational and if not for the odd light click and even lighter crackle the entire LP would qualify 'as new'.  The red/plum pressings are of course very collectable today and it's not surprising when you find sonic quality such as this!  They beat the later pressings hands down for sure. Treat yourself to a masterpiece
                                                                                         The Gatefold & Inner Sleeve
The laminated E.J. Day cover is in excellent condition with only a little shelf wear and the 'wheel' still works perfectly.  The edges are very clean  with very little rubbing and spine is excellent; As per the first/early pressings the top and bottom edge of the front cover is 'open' so as to allow free movement of the wheel. The wide spine is in superb shape with hardly any wear and remains 100% legible (see photos).   All corners are very clean with only very minimal wear and the opening edge again has only minimal handling wear.  The front cover is very clean overall but does have a small crease bottom right, and some minor fading around the edges.  The back cover has , some faint fading but no major wear and tear.  NO laminate creases, which are often seen on copies listed here.   The inside of the gatefold is in really lovely condition , shiny, with no great wear at all and there is no inner spine damage.  An excellent example overall and better than many you see in many places today.
The original poly-lined 'Plastic Bags...' inner (date coded 1070) is in Excellent condition; there are some age related marks and discolouration. NO splits though and the poly bag is fully functional, still firmly attached inside.
2401002 // A - 5   1 1 4  // Do what thou wilt
2401002 // B - 5   1 1 2 // So mote it be

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