LED ZEPPELIN III A5/B6 Red/Plum CELEBRATION Error *Stunning* AS NEW AUDIO MINT-
£
196
$
260
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Description
Led Zeppelin III A5 / B6 Red/Plum with Celebration error
This early red/plum pressing quite simply plays 'as new' with no interference. I know that is a bold statement to make but having played every track in full on 'high end' equipment I am confident in saying it. The clarity and definition of the audio is unlike anything I have ever heard and that is not an exaggeration. I detected certain nuances and musical notes I had not noticed before. The sonic quality is just immaculate!
It also has the collectable 'Celebration' error on the S1 label. No that rare as such but it is with audio like this!
The cover, with a fully working 'wheel' is in excellent condition with only very minimal wear and the original inner has also been very well preserved.
2401002 // A - 5 1 1 1 2 // Do what thou wilt
2401002 // B - 6 1 2 1 // So mote it be
The audio on S1 is Mint(-)
The audio on S2 is Mint(-)
The gatefold is Ex+
The 'plastic bags' inner is Ex+
The labels are Near Mint-
Visual grading
As you would expect the vinyl has an immaculate glossy sheen and there are no marks or scratches. S1 is stunning with only a small number of barely visible sleeve removal hairlines and S2 is almost as stunning! It does have one hairline that is a little more obvious but it has no affect on the superb quality of the audio. There is hardly any spindle wear and I can even see a little vinyl 'flecking' on the S2 label which provides further evidence of a barely played vinyl.
Play grading
The run in grooves on S1 are very 'clean' so you're sort of expecting the classic 'Immigrant Song' to play well and I am pleased to say it does not disappoint! From the first groove to the last it plays with a clarity and definition that is second to none. The power of the audio is so strong and there is no distortion on the top end. An immaculate Mint start to the album.
The spoken 'band' intro on 'Friends' incredibly has no 'background' and what really stands out here is the clarity of sound. This track often has a distorted 'tinny' type sound due to groove wear but this is one of the 'cleanest' versions I have ever heard. It shows that it has hardly been played and yes the playback is stunning from start to finish. Another Mint track I am confident in saying.
The moog intro on 'Celebration Day' again has no 'background' not even a dust tick and the first verse is flawless. As Bonham and co join the sound is unbelievable! It has such definition and again you can turn this up to loud without having to turn it down immediately! Led Zepp collectors will know what I mean here as this is another track that often suffers with groove wear / distortion. Not here! This is without up there with the best I have ever heard and there is literally no interference from start to finish not even on the long fade out. A powerhouse of a track that easily deserves a Mint grade.
The acoustic intro on 'Since I've Been Loving You' again leaves you speechless! So quiet and yet the entire 1.15 minutes of this intro has no interference whatsoever. Zero! Not one dust tick! It continues to play with exceptional quality and just to reiterate there is no distortion on the top end which is quiet something when you consider how 'top end' some sections are! The audio is so 'clean' and nowhere is that more obvious than during the very quiet passage just after Page's stunning solo. The remainder plays with breathtaking precision also with no sign of any interference and even on the 'high octane' vocal finish there is no distortion etc. It's so rare to find a Mint version of this classic and yet we have undeniably found one here. As my regular customers know I do not over-sell my listings as it is not in my interests (or yours!) to do so and this may well be the finest version of this track that I have ever encountered.
You will not be surprised to hear that 'Out On The Tiles' is absolutely stunning! Now this track always has some inner groove distortion as this is just how the record was produced/manufactured and yet it is kept to an absolute minimum here. In fact I would say there is barely any, perhaps just a very minimal amount on the second half but in no way is it intrusive and you can still turn the volume up no problem. The instrumental end section where you have the 'heavier' bass sound is so impressive and again I'm not sure I have ever heard better. The long fade out plays with perfect precision - this is a phenomenal track in every way and I am sure many would grade as Mint. I will however say Mint- and provides an astounding finish to perhaps the finest LZIII Side 1s I have ever heard!
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The acoustic intro on 'Gallows Pole' again provides further evidence of a barely played vinyl. The clarity is superb although I did hear the first 'background' on the album so far! One very light tick and a couple of dust ticks, that is it - hardly intrusive! As the tempo increases the audio is flawless and once more there is such depth to the audio. It progresses in the same way with unrivalled quality. It's easy to forget Bonham's work here amongst Plant's powerful vocal here but listened intently and each percussive note can be heard with such precision. This is Mint- without question.
Ok I'm running out of superlatives now! The intro on 'Tangerine' is just perfect. And that 7 second silent section is exactly that - totally silent. It continues to play with sublime quality and there is no interference of any kind. I would say this is the most 'complete' version I have listened to (much like the other tracks on the album!) and each note can be heard so succinctly. It just could not play with any greater definition or clarity. Mint
'That's The Way' plays beautifully from the first note and keeps up this 'high end' standard to the very end. I need say no more other than to say this is Mint in every sense of the word. It plays like it has never had a stylus run over it before!
The acoustic intro on 'Bron-Y-Aur Stomp' is 'as new' and continues to play with age defying quality! The audio could not be any more impressive and I'm hearing things I've never heard before and that is a genuine statement. The clarity of sound is again outstanding. Mint
'Hat's Off To (Roy) Harper' ends the album with wonderful quality and, as if it needs to be said, no interference. No ticks, clicks, static orr crackle. Just pure Mint audio from start to finish.
In summary this FINAL UPGRADE album has a sonic quality that I do not think I have found before. Yes I have sold a few Near Mint / Mint- versions down the years but this almost has a sharpness of sound that is unique in my opinion. When I said I was discovering things on this album that I had never heard before I meant it. I know I can over-enthuse at times but I am not apologising for that. This is quite simply the most stunning LZIII I have ever played with a clarity, definition and power that is out of this world! Whilst the Celebration error isn't exactly rare it is nonetheless rare to find this classic album playing with such precision and I am sure the winning bidder will be as impressed as I am. I'm sure you will be :-)
The Gatefold
The cover has been very well cared for down the years and has very little shelf wear, there is certainly nothing that stands out. The top and bottom edge of the front are open so as to allow free movement of the 'wheel' (which works perfectly) and they have only very minimal wear, just very minor rubbing. The edges on the back are nigh on perfect with hardly any rubbing. The wide spine is in superb condition with no marking or corner wear and the right hand corners are also in excellent order with barely any wear. The opening edge looks practically untouched. The front cover is very clean with only a couple of very small faint marks and the back cover is very similar and has none of the yellowing around the edges that you so often see. The inside of the gatefold is immaculate with no marking. Overall this is a fine example of this iconic cover.
The Inner Sleeve
The original poly-lined 'Plastic Bags...' inner dated 1170 is in excellent condition with no side splits or tears, only light creasing and just minimal age related fading around the edges.
The Labels
At first glance the red/plum labels look perfect and it is only on closer inspection that you can detect a little mottling. This is probably because the record has probably been inside the cover nearly all its life without being played! It is only minor and they remain very clean with no marking or writing and barely any spindle wear and a little vinyl 'flecking' on the S2 as stated.
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 1 2 // Do what thou wilt
2401002 // B - 6 1 2 1 // 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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Postage & Packaging
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