LED ZEPPELIN III A5/B7 RED/PLUM 'Celebration' ERROR *Stunning* AUDIO NM/MINT-
£
119
$
158
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Description
Led Zeppelin III A5/B7 UK Red/Plum Label with 'Celebration' error
This red/plum pressing plays to an incredible standard and with barely any interference. The clarity is so impressive and there is no static or crackle to be heard in the background. The vast majority (approx 99%!) plays with stunning Mint audio and as any collector knows these red/plum pressings are rarely found as good as this!
The vinyl is visually stunning and the iconic gatefold is also one of the most impressive I have ever seen and the rotating 'wheel' works perfectly. It is a fantastic example!
This pressing also has the rare 'Celebration' error on the S1 label.
2401002 // A - 5 // 1 1 7 // Do What Thou Wilt
2401002 // B - 7 // 1 2 2 3 // So Mote It Be
The audio on S1 is Mint- (track 5 Near Mint)
The audio on S2 is Mint- (tracks 1 & 3 Near Mint)
The gatefold is Near Mint-
The original inner sleeve is Ex+
The labels are Mint-
Visual grading
This is one beautiful vinyl! There is only the bare minimum of spindle wear and it is obvious it has only been lightly played. The clarity of the audio certainly suggests that. It has a pristine glossy sheen and is one of the finest red/plum pressings I have ever laid eyes upon! There is only one minor very faint hairline on the final track of S2 but this has no affect on stunning quality of the audio. There are no other obvious hairlines and no marks or scratches. It is a stunning example of its kind and the run out grooves and labels are also in superb condition.
Play grading
The classic 'Immigrant Song' plays with immense power and depth from the very first groove and with no interference. As it progresses there is no decrease in quality and the clarity is stunning throughout. All there is to be heard is pure Mint audio. A stunning start.
The 'spoken' intro on 'Friends' is perfect with no 'background' and the same can then be said for the acoustic guitar intro. As the vocals come in the clarity is equal to this and again the entire track plays with unbelievable clarity and depth. This is a 'high end' version without doubt and impresses on every level.
The synth intro on 'Celebration / Celebration Day' is so close to being perfect, it just has the absolute minimum of barely audible static. From then on it plays with stunning power and with so much 'going on' in this track you often get some distortion. Not here! This is one of the finest versions I have heard in a long time and each note can easily be heard. A fantastic Mint- version with a beautifully clean fade out also.
The quiet intro on 'Since I've Been Loving You' is stunning! A quiet section and yet there is no 'background' of any kind and by the time Plant comes in the audio is equally as good. It continues in the same way and Page's solo is just breathtaking. Alternating between loud and quiet this classic plays with sublime clarity and not one single click or pop. There is perhaps a minimal amount of distortion on Plant's searing vocals towards the end but when isn't there?! In no way does it intrude on the quality of the listen and this is a stunning version without question.
'Out On The Tiles' ends the side with 'high octane' power and very impressive definition. As any Led Zepp collector knows this track always has some inner groove distortion, there is no escaping it, but in no way does it overpower the audio here. There is not too much and the instrumental end section in particular is mind-blowing! You can turn it up full blast with no distortion at all. A fantastic end and a another perfectly 'clean' fade out also.
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'Gallows Pole' has a stunning acoustic intro which is all the more impressive when you think this is the opening few grooves which generally have some static or crackle at the very least. That is not the case here and all I heard was one light static tick. As the tempo and volume increases there is one light click (the first on the album!) but from then on plays with fantastic power and depth and especially when Bonham enters the scene. The playback is 'as new' and as it builds it cannot be faulted. This is sublime audio of the highest caliber, wow! There is no distortion and you could not improve upon this. And, dare I say, another stunning fade out.
The super quiet intro on 'Tangerine' provides another example of the clarity on offer here. It start superbly and then the 5 second silence is completely silent. What incredible clarity! Thereafter the precision and depth of the audio is of a quality that I have rarely heard on the red/plum pressings. With only a couple of dust ticks this is one of the 'cleanest' versions I have heard in a long time and easily qualifies as Mint- it is that good. A beautiful version for certain.
The acoustic intro on 'That's The Way' plays with sublime clarity apart from one click on the 'boy next door' line. This may be a pressing fault as there is nothing on the vinyl to explain it. Aside from that this mellow track plays with superb precision and no other 'background'. This is rare when you consider how relatively quiet it is. It would be Mint but for that one click but I believe a Near Mint grade is deserving as the remainder is just so damn good!
'Bron-Y-Aur Stomp' is 'as new' from the very first note and I am delighted to say is Mint to the very end. This acoustic number plays with remarkable depth and Jones' bass is so strong here. A stunning version from start to finish.
'Hats Off To (Roy) Harper' is of the same immaculate standard and plays with a definition that is rarely found on final tracks. I have no hesitation in grading this as Mint as there is no interference whatsoever. The fade out is again so 'clean' and this track provides a suitably 'perfect' end to this classic album.
In summary this red/plum press with the rare 'Celebration' label error plays with incredible clarity and precision from start to finish and has obviously been hardly played. With only a couple of minor imperfections the audio is 'high end' and will not disappoint any Led Zepp collector. The vinyl is so clean and the gatefold is also in near perfect condition and we all know how rare that is!
The Gatefold
This laminated E.J. Day cover is stunning! Rarely have I seen one as 'clean' as this and it has obviously been very carefully stored over the decades. The edges have none of the wear that you so often see and there us barely any corner wear also. The wide spine is in superb order and the opening edge has no handling wear at all. The front cover is super clean with no marking although it isn't quite perfectly aligned with the back cover, a minor imperfection only. It is worth noting the top and bottom edges of the front cover are 'open' so as to allow the 'wheel' to rotate. The first/early pressings were always produced like this. The 'wheel' here rotates perfectly by the way. The back cover is also in lovely condition and has none of the fading/yellowing that you so often see around the edges. The inside is immaculate with not a mark to be seen. A fantastic example of this original gatefold.
Inner Sleeve
The original 'Plastic Bags...' poly-lined inner is in great condition with no side splits and hardly any fading around the edges. Just very minor 'spotting' also and only a minimal amount of creasing. It has '1171' printed on one side which refers to the manufacture/release date.
The Labels
They are in near perfect condition and have lost none of their red/plum colour and have no marking or writing either. As stated there is hardly any spindle wear.
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
2401002 // A - 5 // 1 1 7 // Do What Thou Wilt
2401002 // B - 7 // 1 2 2 3 // So Mote It Be
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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