Led Zeppelin 2 II RL SS VG in EX textured cover US SD 8236 1969 orig. press

$

86

Led Zeppelin 2 from 1969 (original Atlantic SD 8236), with RL etched on both deadwax sides, for Robert Ludwig the mastering engineer who did an initial 'hot mix' for most of the first pressings. Side 2 has SS after his initials which mean Sterling Sound (I think), you can see the RL in both label pics (1 o'clock in #5 and at 7 o'clock in #6), also notice how close the grooves end to the label on the 2nd side. The VG disc looks great in casual lighting, but in harsh, bright light you see a good deal of light marks - none to feel or catch with a nail, but enough to cause light background noise and the occasional tic, It plays really well, with great low end oomph, and no hang-ups, jumps or otherwise. The disc is relatively heavy at possibly 150 grams (a guess) or more, and straight etc. Honestly, I feel that with a proper deep cleaning (I have no RCM, I only rinse surfaces with steam distilled water mixed with 15% hi grade Isopropyl Alcohol) this disc could sound fantastic. The cover is EX for being a nice, straight example of the original US textured 1st press with no splits, stains etc., and only some foxing at the spine edges, and whatever shelf wear you see in the pictures. Atlantic Inner is nice but very lightly wrinkled and foxed with no splits, etc. Disc will be carefully packed and padded outside of the cover (with a clean sleeve to protect original custom sleeves), all in a poly outer sleeve and shipped in a fresh lp mailer.  No Reserve.

                                                                

DOMESTIC SHIPPING:  I do domestic shipping with media mail + tracking. 4bucks will cover 2 lps (from one or another sale) and I do try and work shipping deals with quantities. Any upgrade such as expedited, priority, overnight or insurance will cost more but can be done. With expensive items I will often just get insurance for the shipping.

INTERNATIONAL SHIPPING:  I am currently NOT shipping to China, Italy or Russia. 23 US dollars is an average cost using basic first class USPS to ship an lp to Europe or South America, probably more to Australia.  I will charge no more than 3 US dollars for handling added to  the actual cost of shipping worldwide. You can try the shipping calculator but I recommend to wait for an invoice! or please message for a quote. Multiple purchases will increase cost significantly per weight. In any event please wait for or request an invoice at auction end.

Any problem can easily be resolved by just letting me know and we will work out a resolution should a problem arise.

GRADING: Because listening to every disc is nearly impossible it should be assumed that the grade given is visually done under very bright and revealing light. If a play grade is mentioned in the description that play quality is factored into the grade for better or worse. So the grade is visual with a description given to help understand the grade, and if I have played it recently and can add that impression I will, but I don't expect to listen to everything.
I adhere to Goldmine, and most known or international standards with some elaboration on degrees of excellence or lack thereof between VG+ and NM.

SS
(STILL SEALED) Sealed at factory and never opened. Disc is assumed to be undamaged and mint. Cover and shrink may show some shelf or handling wear that would be noted or as seen in a photo.

M
(MINT) Perfect, no flaws, defects, marks or otherwise indications of being handled or played. Has a glossy, new like sheen (some pressings are glossier than others though). Hairline marks or otherwise disqualify discs from this category. Labels, cover and inners are like new.
 
M-, or NM
The vinyl is virtually flawless, bright and shiny. A very minor, barely visible scuff or two may be permitted, these often come on new mint records -but no scratches. The disc should play like new with no audible surface or groove noise. The label is bright, clean and unmarked. Covers, etc are still like new save for extremely small and few signs of handling.

VG++ or EX (Excellent!)
(VERY GOOD ++) This is can be a broad grade that covers items that are obviously almost NM or at least better than VG+
(VG+ used to be an excellent grade range covering discs that approach NM in condition but with signs of handling in varying degrees.
Some local shops still use it this way but online VG+ typically means marked up but playable with the envelope of the + aspect being pushed to it's limit, usually without knowing if it plays nice or not which to me means VG, if it is a tough call between VG or VG+ visually then it needs a listen to hear if it deserves VG+). Excellent or VG++  Discs should play close to or as good as NM or better with no faults that can't be deep cleaned from the grooves.
Discs may have very minor paper scuffs that do not interfere with the sound quality. There can possibly be a hairline mark or two but nothing feelable or affecting play. Vinyl has full gloss, label is clean and virtually unmarked possibly showing a light spindle mark or two. Covers and inners likewise are in extremely nice shape save for minimal and minor flaws.

VG+
(VERY GOOD PLUS) Some visible surface wear, still a nice disc with very minor scratches and scuffs (if any can be felt with a fingernail in this grade they would be very small and barely feelable with little or no impact, while the rest of the disc is excellent).
Any marks would have minimal to no impact on the sound quality. Vinyl will still have nice gloss or luster, labels may have minor imperfections but otherwise clean (Again if it is a tough call between VG or VG+ visually then it needs a listen to hear if it deserves VG+). Covers etc. are intact, clean and in relatively nice shape allowing for typical wear but still very presentable.

VG
(VERY GOOD) Vinyl will have noticeable marks, scratches or scuffs that cause minor surface noise, but do not overpower the music. Feelable marks if any should be minimal and not interfere with play save for some light ticks -anything fitting that description would get a lesser grade depending on the impact of the mark balanced against the condition of the rest of the disc. There will be no skips or sticking. Vinyl may have a diminished sheen (less gloss). Labels may have small tears, tape marks, writing, etc. but still easily legible. Covers etc. May have a combination of ring wear, shelf wear and or splits to varying degrees of still decent but flawed presentability.

VG- grade indicates that there are enough negative variables to bring the grade down a notch from VG but retaining mostly a VG aspect.

G, G+ and G-
(GOOD) Well-played,with a weak sheen or gloss, with many scuffs or possibly deep scratches and wear causing distracting surface noise (hisses, pops, crackle galore) but not to the degree of being unplayable. The record will still play through without any serious skips or popping through radical cliffhanger scratches. Labels and covers etc. may be significantly defaced or damaged but intact enough to be somewhat decent.

Fair or Poor grades pretty much have a self explanatory title with Fair being playable but possibly with a dead dull sheen and likely many issues like noise, lots of crackle and yet maybe not a skip, stick or cliffhanger scratch but lots of scuffing and scratches etc. Poor would be MAYBE playable but not without the agony of lots of tics, pops and maybe sticking or skips. Poor is enough of those issues we don't want that it gets out of control. Covers, labels and inners are pretty grim at these grade levels with massive splits, deteriorated, torn and just plain missing parts, loads of ringwear to the point of obliteration, severe water damage, large or numerous writings or even using the cover as a sketch pad etc. -I avoid records in this grade like the plague  and do not plan on trying to sell anything in this condition (I try to only bring out records that are VG+ minimum for sale). Possibly a disc in this condition goes with a nice, rare cover that someone might want.

Bad is basically the ultimately toasted record in many ways, something the dog wouldn't play with...

Phew! ..'nuff said.