LED ZEPPELIN III A5/B5 1st PRESS RED/PLUM 'Peter Grant' *STUNNING* Audio MINT-
£
117
$
155
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Description
LED ZEPPELIN III A5 / B5 Atlantic 2401022 UK 1970 Red/Plum Label
On offer here is an immaculate first pressing on the red/plum label with the 'Peter Grant' credit on the labels which subsequent copies do not have. The publishing credits are 'Warner Bros. Music Ltd'.
The famous Aleister Crowley quotes 'Do what thou wilt' and 'So mote it be' are etched on the dead wax and the rotating wheel still works perfectly. The audio is of a superb standard and plays practically 'as new' for the vast majority. Wow!
2401022 // A5 / 1 1 4 5 // B5 / 1 1 6
The audio on S1 is Mint-
The audio on S2 is Near Mint (Mint- for the vast majority)
The gatefold cover is Ex
The labels are Near Mint
The original inner sleeve is Ex
Visual grading
This vinyl is exceptionally clean for a first press and has only a small number of faint hairlines. There is a slightly more obvious one on S2 (not long) but it has no bearing on the stunning audio quality. There are no scratches and not too much spindle wear so I suspect it hasn't been played a great deal. That is borne out by the superb definition of the sound. For a vinyl approaching 50 years old it is super clean and retains a very healthy glossy sheen.
Play grading
The classic 'Immigrant Song' plays with dynamic power and no interference whatsoever. With no distortion either this is a 'high end' version and provides a Mint- start to this first pressing. 100% incredible audio! The quiet intro on 'Friends' has only one faint 'tick' and then has audio of perfect quality. I grade honestly as my feedback testifies and whilst 'perfect' may be a bold declaration to make stand by it. The clarity and depth on each groove is up there with the best I have ever heard. The lead in to 'Celebration Day' plays with stunning precision and this continues throughout. This track often has distortion so I am pleased to report that there is none here at all. As any Led Zep fan knows there is so much 'going on' in the mix here but there is no muddiness to the sound and the is, in a word, breathtaking. 'Since I've Been Loving You' just has to be heard to be believed, it plays with phenomenal sound! For a track with so many quiet passages there is no intrusive interference whatsoever and it is rare to find a genuine first press play so 'cleanly'. Jimmy's guitar solo in the middle section plays with incredible precision and power and none of the distortion that you so often hear on the red/plum pressings. Even the super quiet section that follows has only one barely audible static sound. No clicks, pops etc and no sign of any 'background' on the quiet ending either. This is audio of the highest quality and will not disappoint. 'Out On The Tiles' ends the side with fantastic power once again. There is perhaps a little distortion on the top end but that is always the case with this track I find. A common feature on any 'final track' to a side. However, it does not interfere with what is a another stunning listen. The strong instrumental end section plays with superb depth and power and such a strong bass line it's well...just astounding. Rarely have I heard better, it is just so good! Wow!! And even the fade out has no 'background'. What a climax to S1, audio does not get better than this! Mesmeric.
The quiet intro on 'Gallows Pole' is super impressive and plays practically 'as new'. The clarity of sound is again 'high end' and this classic foot stomper is quite simply Mint- in my humble opinion. I keep on about 'power' but this is how any good LZ3 should play i.e. with real power and depth. There is no distortion on the top level and it plays with stunning definition. The only interference is a couple of clicks literally at the end of the fade out and then a further one on the 'Tangerine' intro. This track then plays as per the others gone before it. There is no need to describe it in detail so put simply it plays in sublime style with no 'background' aside from that one click and grades as Mint- without doubt. 'That's The Way' also qualifies as Mint- the clarity and strength of sound is first class. I'm not sure I have enough superlatives left for the quality on offer here! There is not one iota of interference on this track, audio perfection without doubt. Both 'Bron-y-aur Stomp' and the final track 'Hats off to (Roy) Harper' end this astounding first press with immaculate sound once more. I don't often say it but it would be extremely difficult to find cleaner/better audio on another first pressing...or any pressing for that matter!
In summary this is a final upgrade archive copy of that I have no doubt. I have listened to many first pressings but this is definitely in my top 3. I have played every second as any good seller should and the clarity and warmth of the audio is hugely impressive. With only a 2/3 clicks on S2 which, I hasten to add, do not intrude on the listen the audio grades as Mint- in my opinion and the minus is only used as the album isn't sealed! This is how music should be heard and it 'knocks spots' off later pressings and the more recent reissues.
Gatefold cover
This fully laminated E.J. Day gatefold is in excellent condition with only very minor shelf wear. All of the edges are very clean and only the opening on the top edge of the front cover above the 'wheel' has a small number of rubs. I am pleased to say that wheel still rotates perfectly. The wide spine is in fantastic shape with no wear and remains 100% legible. The right hand corners have a minor amount of rubbing only and the opening edge has only a minimal amount of handling wear. The laminate throughout has no splits or lifting and front cover has only a few light creases that are only visible when held at a certain angle. The back cover is very clean with only a couple of small crease marks near the spine and light discolouration around the edges, nothing major though and definitely cleaner than many you see. The inside of the gatefold is in lovely condition and looks almost 'as new'. Overall a great example of this iconic cover.
Inner sleeve
The original poly-lined 'Plastic Bags Can Be Dangerous' inner is in excellent order with no splits or marking just some light creasing. It has the patents numbers printed on the left and 'Made In England 9/71 on the right.
The labels
The red/plum labels with the Peter Grant credit are in superb condition with no marks or writing and no fading either. As stated already there is not very much spindle wear and what there is is centred around the spindle hole only.
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 cleaning machine
2401022 // A5 / 1 1 4 5 // B5 / 1 1 6
I grade according to "Record Collector" guidelines.
Any questions please feel free to ask
Please pay within 4 days of auction end
Recent Feedback
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Postage & Packaging
I SHIP WORLDWIDE BUT WHEN SHIPPING ITEMS TO ITALY, RUSSIA AND SOUTH AMERICA I WILL ONLY SEND THEM "TRACKED/SIGNED FOR" AND THIS COSTS AN ADDITIONAL £6.00. PLEASE WAIT FOR THE INVOICE. WHEN ITEMS EXCEED A SALE PRICE OF £50.00 AND ARE TO BE SENT INTERNATIONALLY INSURANCE IS NECESSARY AND COSTS AN EXTRA £2.50. PLEASE ONLY BID IF YOU AGREE WITH THESE TERMS AND CONDITIONS.
COMBINED POSTAGE IS ALWAYS OFFERED WHEN MORE THAN ONE ITEM IS WON.
ALL VINYLS ARE PACKAGED IN STRONG CUSTOM MADE OVER-SIZED MAILERS WITH EXTRA CARDBOARD PROTECTION. THEY ARE PLACED IN SEPARATE POLY-LINED INNERS OUTSIDE THE COVER IN ORDER TO AVOID SEAM SPLITS IN THE POST. EVERYTHING IS THEN PLACED INSIDE A PVC SLEEVE TO PROVIDE EXTRA PROTECTION. I PRIDE MYSELF ON MY HIGH QUALITY PACKAGING AS MY FEEDBACK TESTIFIES AND IF ANY CUSTOMER HAS ANY SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS I WILL ALWAYS ENDEAVOUR TO HELP.
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REST OF WORLD
LPs/12" singles : £11.95 then £1.75 per extra
7" singles / CDs : £5.95 then £0.95 per extra
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