LED ZEPPELIN IV A3/B4 VINYL RED/PLUM Labels *Stunning* AUDIO NMINT/MINT-
£
348
$
461
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Description
Led Zeppelin IV A3/B4 UK Red/Plum Label
This is perhaps the most impressive red/plum pressing I have ever heard. There are no clicks or pops, no intrusive interference at all. The clarity and depth is stunning and 'Stairway To Heaven' is very possibly the best version I have ever listened to!
There are about nine versions of the red/plum labels and this is the rare one ! where all the details on the labels are correct. The publishing and production credits, 'feather' and 'Hop' are as they should be.
PECKO DUCK and PORKY are etched into the dead wax on each side.
2401012 // A / 3 // 1 1 3 3 // Pecko Duck
2401012 // B / 4 // 1 1 1 6 // Porky
The audio on S1 is Mint-
The audio on S2 is Mint- (track 4 is Near Mint-)
The gatefold is VG++
The original inner sleeve is VG
The labels are Mint-
Visual grading
This is quite possibly the most immaculate, clean looking red/plum press I have ever seen. It is a beautiful example of this iconic album and still has a fantastic 'as new' glossy sheen. There is not single scratch and I can only detect a couple of faint hairlines on S2. I cannot adequately describe just how superb it looks! There is only a small amount of spindle wear centred around the spindle hole so this record has definitely not been played a great deal and that in part accounts for the stunning audio quality. This is a near pristine vinyl the likes of which are very rarely seen today and the run out grooves and labels are also extremely clean. Stunning!
Play grading
With no lead in static on S1 'Black Dog' then plays with unbelievable clarity and power from start to finish. With only one light 'tick' on one of the quieter sections this is as close to Mint as you will find. There is no distortion on the top end and it is patently obvious this record has not been played very much at all. The definition of the audio is just mind-blowing and this provides a stunning start to the side. The end guitar solo has to be heard to be believed! What power and it is worth re-iterating that there is no distortion. Even the fade out plays with perfect precision.
'Rock and Roll' does play 'as new'. As simple as that. The clarity and power again is immaculate and there is no interference at all, just pure Mint- audio from beginning to end. The bass is so strong and the entire track performs to the highest standard possible.
The super quiet intro on 'The Battle of Evermore' plays very clearly with only a minimal amount of mega light static and very soon the audio is as 'clean' as when first released back in '71. So often this relatively quiet track will have some interference but having played every second I can categorically confirm this one does not. It has to be one of the finest examples I have ever heard and the clarity again is so impressive. Each note is so 'clear' and there is no muddiness to the sound whatsoever and the fade out is nigh on perfect with only a couple of dust ticks.
The intro on the classic 'Stairway to Heaven' is superb and has only a small number of mega light static sounds. The playback is absolutely astounding and rarely have I heard this intro play as cleanly as this. Absolutely stunning! As the vocal begins the audio is still 'high end' with only a couple of dust ticks and this quality continues. You never expect perfection on this opening section as let's be honest this is the one track that is the most played and the audio quality will often be affected. That is not the case here! The clarity and warmth of the sound may be the most impressive I have ever heard, it is 100% STUNNING!! The first four verses plays with a depth and clarity that is so rarely found on the red/plum pressings and when Bonham joins in the depth and quality just gets better! This is just spinetingling perfection of that there is no doubt! As is always the case there is a little static distortion just prior to the guitar solo which then plays with the most incredible power and distinction you will ever hear. Yes perhaps I sometimes over-elaborate my gradings but it's easy to get carried away when you hear a classic playing as fantastically well as this! The final 'loud' verse almost uniquely has no distortion and I cannot remember the last time I said that. There is just no distortion, no interference whatsoever and this heavier section is undoubtedly the best I have ever heard and I have heard a lot! It is just so powerful, the clarity is immaculate and again plays 'as new'. The quiet end vocal provides the perfect ending to this Mint- classic with no static or crackle at all. To summarise, this is more than likely the greatest version of this classic I have ever had the pleasure in listening to. And on a red/plum pressing also!
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'Misty Mountain Hop' on S2 plays with stunning power from the first note. 3/4 minor static ticks on the intro only there is no distortion on the top end throughout the entire track and it really is a fantastic listen. No clicks, pops or crackle...again! For fear of repeating myself this just plays with an incredible depth and definition and rarely will you hear it play so well. There is no deterioration in sound quality whatsoever. The fade out is also very clear with only 3/4 mega light static ticks again.
'Four Sticks' is faultless and keeps up the immaculate standard of that gone before. No distortion, just pure Mint- audio from start to finish. It is 'as new' and you can't say that that about many red/plum pressings! The bass is so strong here, the mid instrumental is just phenomenal and again there is no 'muddiness' to the sound with each note playing with perfect precision. Absolutely stunning as is the fade out!
The clarity on the 'Going to California' intro is nigh on perfect. If there was going to be any interference on this album you will often find it here as it is a relatively quiet track and yet the clarity throughout is so impressive. I am running of superlatives for this album as if you can't tell! This is so 'clean' and has only a handful of barely audible dust ticks and I am confident in saying this plays as well as it did in '71. I cannot praise it highly enough and again the fade out is perfect.
As any Led Zepp fan knows 'When the Levee Breaks' always has some distortion so I am pleased to say this is one of the strongest versions I have heard in a long time. It can often be unplayable due to the 'amount' of distortion but it is kept to a minimum here and you can safely turn it up to maximum! In fact the more I listen to it the more I am impressed by it! I did hear one very faint click but is 'buried' in the sound and is not intrusive. The track plays with wonderful power and provides a very impressive finale to this iconic album.
In summary this is a final upgrade archive red/plum pressing without doubt. There is no obvious 'background' and as you can probably tell from my description 'Stairway To Heaven' has to be the greatest version I have ever heard. The clarity and sonic quality across the entire album is stunning and visually I do not think I have ever seen a LZIV red/plum vinyl as clean and immaculate as this. The gatefold is also very clean and it comes complete with the original lyric inner.
The Gatefold
This iconic gatefold has a little shelf wear but is in very condition overall. The edges have some light rubbing and a very small split of 2cms can be seen on the top edge of the back cover. The spine is in great shape with only a little wear on the corners, just a little more on the top corner. The right hand corners are very clean with hardly any wear and the opening edge is in fantastic shape with no handling wear at all. This of course gives further evidence that the vinyl has only been lightly played. The front cover has no marking of any kind and the back cover just has a couple of tiny marks. The inside of the gatefold is in excellent shape but one scuff type mark is visible. This is not a near mint cover but much of it is in excellent condition and is certainly better than many you see today.
Inner sleeve
These are so rarely found unsplit (I've only seen two!) and in fact is often missing! This one has an 8cm split on the bottom edge and one 12cm side split. Certainly not perfect but better than many! There are a couple of faint marks on the credits side and some more obvious marking on the lyric side but is in very good condition overall.
The labels
The red/plum labels are in superb condition and the colours are still vibrant and strong. There is no marking or writing and the S1 label has very little spindle wear and the S2 a little more but only centred around the spindle hole. Superb 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
2401012 // A / 3 // 1 1 3 3 // Pecko Duck
2401012 // B / 4 // 1 1 1 6 // Porky
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
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 £5.00. PLEASE WAIT FOR THE INVOICE. WHEN ITEMS EXCEED A SALE PRICE OF £50.00 AND ARE TO BE SENT INTERNATIONALLY TRACKED SHIPPING IS AGAIN NECESSARY PLUS INSURANCE AND THIS COSTS AN EXTRA £7.50 IN TOTAL. PLEASE ONLY BID IF YOU AGREE WITH THESE TERMS AND CONDITIONS AND PLEASE WAIT FOR THE INVOICE, MANY THANKS.
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