LED ZEPPELIN II PROMO(?) WHITE LABEL RARE ROCK ORIGINAL

$

33

HOORAY FOR PROMOTIONAL ITEMS!  THIS IS A PROMO LISTING WEEKEND FOR ME, SO CHECK MY OTHER AUCTIONS AS WELL!

This auction is for a copy of II by Led Zeppelin release number SD 8236 by Atlantic Records, although may not necessarily be a promo, although it does have the white label characteristic with demo and dj only pressings.

ITEM DESCRIPTION (cover/vinyl):
The cover is at least VG, but I wouldn't call it VG+.  This is the gatefold, and there are no promotional marks of any kind on it that I can see.  The corners show light wear and the seams show light to medium wear, but the spine is in real good shape.  There are no splits, but a few spots of slight handling wear on front cover, mostly visible in white background but can't call it ringwear.  The inner gatefold is in excellent shape.  The vinyl comes in a generic paper sleeve.  The label is perfect showing no wear and fully legible, and is (of course) the original address for Atlantic when II was first issued, 1841 Broadway.  The vinyl has an uncharacteristic WHITE LABEL, but there is nothing saying PROMOTIONAL DEMONSTRATION DJ ONLY or NOT FOR SALE, which is usually associated with these copies.  Either way, there is a sticker that says STEREO over side 1 and side 2 text on either side, and pics of the label is included.  The vinyl itself does not look great, VG- to VG (if that).  There is lots of very fine, fine, light, and a few medium scratches as well on either side.  The vinyl plays fully and continuously with no skips or hangs, but I do recall there being audible wear on this copy.  Not uncomfortable listening, but audible even occasionally during the loudest portions of the album.  However, there will be a new audio grade and for an album like this I will likely grade it in its entirety due to book value and the awesomeness of this particular Zeppelin record. Check back in 72 hours or so for that.

GRADING :

I grade visually unless otherwise specified.  I note most all of the wear, and use the Goldmine Record Grading system pretty accurately.  If an audio grade is specified, it will be noted as such, and if an audio grade is required of something specific to verify that how it looks is how it sounds, please ask, although I can not guarantee I will be able to get back to you on it before the auction ends -- therefore sooner the better and first come, first serve.  For items that are harder to find, or items that have a higher book value than most others, I will often "spot" grade, checking out smaller portions of songs, specifically where damage is abundant or deep to verify continuity of play.  The player I use for audio grades is a Numark with the counterweight usually set between .75 and 1.0 grams.

SHIPPING STUFF:

I have shipping shown domestically for the US through USPS media mail, which I found to be the cheapest option and is very reliable.  I ship with confirmation of delivery as well.  However, I will ship any service (any REASONABLE service anyway) to anywhere in the world, so if you prefer something different or are located outside the US, please let me know and I will respond as soon as I am able with a shipping quote for you.  Unfortunately, I will not use FED EX.  Shipping can be combined for multiple-auction winners, so if you are hoping to do so, please do not pay immediately or I may have shipped the first one out already, or just ask me not to ship it until whatever else you are looking at ends.  Insurance is also available at buyer's expense, but I am an expert packer, been working in a shipping department for years, so I have all kinds of experience. 

RETURNS

I will take returns only if there was an error made in shipping (not gonna happen unless you don't tell me an alternate address you have) or in description.  In the case of the latter, buyer pays return shipping and I will refund the item only if I agree with the case they have made otherwise I will send it back to them after re-examination.  While I try to be honest, we are all inherently biased to a certain degree so please take in to account how likely it is I agree with myself before you send the item, and please contact me first PRIOR TO SHIPPING if you wish to return something.  For any instance in which the buyer can convince me of valid, rational, and applicable complaints about a misrepresentation in the description, I will also refund their return shipping at the time I refund the item. 

ABOUT THE SELLER

As time frees up for me I plan on listing a serious quantity of records, but it will be a bit sparse through late August as my full time job is busy now.  I will eventually be selling the entire contents of my used-to-be record store online, but am proceeding to do so in a new, online-only fashion from the comfort of my crappy apt utilizing cheap storage available to me.  With the off site storage worked out to maintain condition of the inventory (no excessive heat/humidity issues) and my internet back up consistently, the listing should go smoother at this point.  If there is anything you want to ask, please message me and I will get back to you as soon as I am able.

UPDATE UPDATE UPDATE UPDATE UPDATE UPDATE UPDATE UPDATE UPDATE UPDATE UPDATE UPDATE UPDATE UPDATE UPDATE UPDATE UPDATE UPDATE UPDATE UPDATE UPDATE UPDATE UPDATE UPDATE UPDATE UPDATE UPDATE UPDATE UPDATE UPDATE

Well I got an audio grade into the whole album, and not too surprising of a sound to the album based on what I remember, as there is definite audible wear.  However, it seems to look (in my opinion) a little worse than it sounds.  The album sounds VG to VG+, depending where you are listening at.  As louder tracks will mask wear a little better, much of the album is extremely comfortable listening.  The worst wear from what I heard were on the outer tracks, both the at the loudest levels and the tendency for the needle to pop over a groove (I counted four total times, each like a 1 or 2 groove jump, twice on both outer tracks "Whole Lotta Love" and "Heartbreaker" although I was only using about 1.0 g on the counterweight).  The record did not make for remotely uncomfortable listening, even during the quieter intros and interludes throughout the album, and the worst of the audible wear is not above levels I put at about VG, more of a light background crackle than anything else.  I think the areas that the needle popped a groove or two over could be played naturally with slightly more weight, but did not test it myself and there were no hangs at all (repeating areas that play over and over).  The overall listening is extraordinary though, and it is really a pleasure to audio grade this one but sad to see it go.  Happy bidding and let me know if there are any more questions or if you need any information in particular regarding this item

UPDATE UPDATE UPDATE UPDATE UPDATE UPDATE UPDATE UPDATE UPDATE UPDATE UPDATE UPDATE UPDATE UPDATE UPDATE UPDATE UPDATE UPDATE UPDATE UPDATE UPDATE UPDATE UPDATE UPDATE UPDATE UPDATE UPDATE UPDATE UPDATE UPDATE