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Vinyl: LED ZEPPELIN II A2/B2 'Livin' Lovin' Wreck' RED/PLUM EX/NMINT AUDIO *STUNNING* Mega Rare UK 1st Press Light Brown Cover GREAT SOUND
261.00 GBP
(333.96 USD)
9.99 GBP
24 Aug 2017
14 Aug 2017
27 bids
3022
237
United Kingdom
Used
Rock
Classic
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Led Zeppelin II A2/B2 Atlantic 58818 UK 1969 Red/Plum Label ('Wreck' credit)
This very rare and highly collectable first pressing on the red/plum label has the incorrect 'Livin' Lovin' Wreck' credit on the label as well as the 'The Lemon Song' credit of course. This is one of the most collectable Led Zeppelin albums today and the audio is easily the best I have ever heard, the quality is stunning in many sections. It also has the original E.J Day light brown coloured gatefold.
As per the first pressings it has the 'Copyright Control' publishing credits rather than the 'Warner Bros/Jewel Music' which is on the later pressings. The matrix numbers, as below, also show just how early a first pressing this is.
588198 // A / 2 // 1 5 6
588198 // B / 2 // 1 1 6
The audio on S1 is Ex to Ex+ ( Near Mint in some sections ) / 'Thank You' is VG+ (Ex in places)
The audio on S2 is Ex+ (Near Mint in many sections) / 'Bring It On Home' is Ex
The gatefold cover is VG
The labels are Near Mint-
The poly-lined inner sleeve is Ex
Visual grading
This highly collectable vinyl is in overall great condition for its age and has obviously been carefully handled down the years. S1 does have some hairlines but not an excessive amount and there is one small scratch also but remains in excellent condition when you consider the rarity of this record. S2 is in even better shape and is easily the best I have ever seen of a 'Wreck' pressing. There are only a very small number of fine hairlines and there are no definitely no scratches or further markings and it retains a very impressive glossy sheen which is so rare to find on this mega rare vinyl. Overall though this is a lovely example of a 'Wreck' vinyl and the stunning quality of the audio does not disappoint as detailed comprehensively below.
Play grading
A sign of just how well this mega rare LP plays is that there is hardly any lead in static on S1. The classic 'Whole Lotta Love' then plays with truly exceptional audio and barely any interference. From the intro onwards the sound is unbelievable and there is almost no 'background' whatsoever, just an absolute minimal amount of static in 2/3 places which is so much in the background as to be totally negligible anyway and a couple of clicks on the fade out. I just cannot believe the quality on offer here! The first instrumental section plays with sublime audio and no interference whatsoever. Jimmy's riffs play with such precision and the depth and warmth of the production is stunning. There is no distortion and the bass plays with incredible power and the fantastic clarity of the drums also deserve a mention. Wow what a start!
The quiet intro to 'What is and What Should Never Be' plays with great clarity although there are a few very light clicks that in my opinion do not intrude on the quality of the listen as there is no other interference and the music does play so clearly. The remainder of the track plays much in the same way, very clearly but with some light 'ticks' here and there in the quieter sections. It is still a superb listen and the top end again plays with such a dynamic range and no distortion you forget you are listening to a 48 year old first pressing. The end section impresses with stunning audio and the fade out has barely any interference.
'The Lemon Song' has a little static hiss on the intro but again is only 'background' and does not interfere. It then plays with wonderful quality with only one pop type sound in the first guitar solo section. The long 'quiet' bass section in the middle plays in supreme style with only the odd light dust tick. I'm running out of superlatives for the fantastic audio here! The 'loud' end section plays extremely well with only a touch of distortion perhaps.
'Thank You' has one hiss sound right at the beginning and sadly one small skip and then plays very clearly but with some light clicks on the first quiet section. This track commonly plays with distortion but I am pleased to say there is less of it here than usual and whilst there is more interference on this track it is still infinitely playable. Yes a little crackle here and there but I have heard many play a lot worse and I reiterate it is still an excellent listen on such a rare vinyl. In fact the first fade out plays very well with only light background interference. For this to be the first 'real' crackle on this side is very rare on this highly collectible pressing and is a pretty good result!
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'Heart Breaker' on S2 plays incredibly well throughout with only the lightest of background static in a handful of places. The louder sections 'rock out' superbly with no distortion. In fact these sections play as Near Mint such is the standard if not better! The power and depth is again just so rare to hear on this mega rare pressing. There is a minimal amount of crackle on the quieter guitar mid section but still sounds fantastic. The guitar crescendo following that plays with a quality that is absolutely breathtaking, I have never heard better and easily grades as Mint.
'Livin' Lovin' Wreck/Maid' is also mega impressive! The sheer power and clarity of the sound is just immaculate and I'm not sure I've heard better. This classic track easily deserves a Near Mint grading. I only heard one very faint click and a couple of static sounds and again the quality is just mind-blowing!
The intro to 'Ramble On' plays very clearly with just one pop and a couple of light clicks at the beginning but don't let that detract you from what is high end audio. I always go on about clarity but here it is just so obvious, you can't beat these early red/plum pressing for depth and well, clarity. The remainder of the track plays with near perfect precision and even the fade out has only a little 'background'. Phew, this track is a stunner!
This is without doubt one of the best versions of 'Moby Dick' I have ever heard. For fear of being repetitive I won't eulogise over the quality. Suffice to say it plays with a minimal amount of interference and the actual drum solo is stunning. Yes the odd static sound but this vinyl is 46 years old! There is no intrusive crackle and certainly no clicks or pops.
The majority of the 'quiet' intro on 'Bring It On Home' plays extremely well with some intermittent static here and there. There is no constant crackle and it displays audio better than so many other versions I have heard. Whilst the final half plays very well there is some light distortion but again this is always the case on this final track I find with the grooves being pressed closer together. The quiet ending however plays exceptionally well with only a little 'background'.
In summary this super rare album with the incorrect 'Wreck' credit is without doubt the best I have heard. The audio is of such a high calibre and plays with astounding quality for the vast majority. For there to be just one small skip and only a minimal amount of static on a vinyl of this age is an incredible rarity. Indeed some of the tracks play better than many later red/plum pressings I have heard. The audio here will not disappoint any avid Led Zepp collector.
Gatefold cover
The rare light brown E.J. Day gatefold is in very good condition for its age. So many of these are found in poor condition and whilst this one has some shelf wear it has stood the test of time relatively well. The edges have plenty of rubbing but no splits and the spine has deteriorated a lot also and the band name and catalogue number have largely disappeared. The corners have some rubbing also. So yes there certainly is some wear but there are some plus points. The cover is generally very clean and has no writing on it. There is some white fading on the front but the back is generally in very good shape with only a little fading and the inside of the gatefold is in lovely condition with no marking. The opening edge is very clean and has only minimal handling wear which perhaps to a certain extent explains why the audio plays so well. Whilst this rare gatefold does have some wear it is certainly not 'wrecked' like so many are...if you'll excuse the pun :-)
Inner sleeve
This has a poly-lined 'Plastic Bags Can Be Dangerous' inner. There are no splits to the sides, just some creasing and remains in excellent condition.
The Labels
The red/plum labels are in excellent shape with only some spindle wear. There is no writing, making or age related spotting at all.
Play tested on my Pro-Ject Essential III Turntable / B&W 684 Speakers
588198 // A / 2 // 1 5 6
588198 // B / 2 // 1 1 6
Any questions please feel free to ask
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