LED ZEPPELIN IV A3/B3 Vinyl LP Red/Plum 'INVERTED FEATHER' Very COLLECTABLE RARE
£
103
$
136
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Description
Led Zeppelin IV A3/B3 UK Red/Plum Label (Inverted Feather)
This is one of the rarest pressings known of this classic album, perhaps the rarest. In fact looking on various forums and websites I have found no mention of the 'label irregularities' together on the one pressing.
This has the first known A3/B3 matrix and the 'inverted feather' on the S2 label. However, it does not have the 'Peter Grant' credit on the labels but it does have the correct 'Hop' and 'Kinney/Superhype' credit.
The audio on this A3/B3 version of 'Zoso' or 'Four Symbols' plays to an excellent standard overall with only one section falling below this standard.
PECKO DUCK and PORKY are etched into the dead wax on each side.
2401012 // A / 3 // 1 5 6 // Pecko Duck
2401012 // B / 3 // 1 2 1 0 // Porky
The audio on S1 is Ex+ (Near Mint in many sections / first half of track 1 is VG- / track 4 is Ex to Ex+)
The audio on S2 is Ex+ (Near Mint for the majority / track 4 is Ex)
The gatefold is VG
The labels are Ex+
The original inner sleeve is VG
Visual grading
Overall the vinyl is very clean and has a lovely glossy sheen but there are two very small fine scratches on track 1 of S1 that affects the song on the first half as detailed below. It's annoying as the rest of the record is extremely clean with only a small number of very faint hairlines. The scratches are so fine and very difficult to spot but they are feelable. Aside from that S1 is visually in superb order and S2 even better.
Play grading
The intro on 'Black Dog' is the only thing that lets the audio down on this classic album. Whilst the music plays very clearly there are 3/4 loud pops, one small skip and a handful of lighter clicks. This is due to the faint scratch that is visible. Half way in this is replaced by very clean audio and no further interference. It is a shame as without that scratch the audio is very impressive as there is no static/crackle. The solo towards the end plays superbly and with no distortion. So the first half is not so good but the second half is stunning! There is also no 'background' on the fade out. 'Rock and Roll' is a 'rock out' stunner! It resounds with incredible power and there is no distortion at all which is relatively rare on these early red/plum pressings and deserves a Mint- grading it is that good. The slow build up on 'The Battle of Evermore' plays so clearly with only one faint 'tick'. The playback on the remainder of the track is also very impressive and has no intrusive interference. A handful of barely audible dust ticks only there are no clicks or pops at all and is one of the 'cleanest' versions I have heard in a long while. The intro on 'Stairway to Heaven' has very little 'background' and is a high quality listen indeed. 3/4 light ticks only on the first two verses it couldn't be much clearer really. As it build there is just a touch of intermittent static but it is very much in the background and does not intrude. The heavier section plays with some distortion and is a little more obvious prior to the guitar solo but this is very common on the early pressings. The entire section still plays extremely well with no clicks or pops. The quiet end section plays beautifully with barely any 'background', a superb ending.
'Misty Mountain Hop' on S2 plays with wonderful depth and quality. There is perhaps a minor amount of distortion on the top end but it doesn't detract from the superb sound on offer. The fade out has no 'background' giving you an indication of the clarity here. 'Four Sticks' is another highlight and impresses with sublime audio. Again there are no clicks or pops and the depth and warmth of the sound is tangible. It plays with such precision and the bass of course is so strong in the mix. I would be happy in grading this as Near Mint and the extended fade out here is stunning. 'Going to California' plays with great precision again and for a relatively quiet track the clarity is astounding. Just a hint of mega quiet static here and there but I am very close to the speakers so as to hear any imperfection! It certainly isn't intrusive, like I say it is barely audible, and overall the track plays with a lovely delicate sound. 'When the Levee Breaks' is always affected by some distortion on the top end and whilst there is some here it isn't excessive. It is more obvious on the second half of the track but still plays loud and true and with no other interference and provides a fitting end to a classic album.
In summary the audio for the large part plays very clearly and with very little interference apart from the first half of 'Black Dog' as described. Indeed apart from the first track there are no other clicks or pops, very little 'background' in fact. Some distortion here and there, mainly on the last track, and it remains an excellent listen. Of course this has the highly collectable 'INVERTED FEATHER' on the S2 label which is getting harder to find today.
Gatefold cover
The gatefold is very clean overall but it does have some shelf wear. The edges have quite a lot of rubbing and the bottom edge on the back cover has a small split and a smaller one leading to the opening edge. The spine is actually quite clean with not very much wear at all. The opening edge does not have very much handling wear although there is a small tear next to it on the back cover. The inside of the gatefold is in excellent condition with only a little white 'spotting'. The front cover has a small ring stain bottom left and there is a small white mark on the back. It sounds like I am listing a lot of negatives but I am just being honest and complete in my grading. It looks a lot better than I have described perhaps and I have certainly seen many worse!
Inner sleeve
Whilst the bottom edge is completely open this inner sleeve is very clean and not marked like so many. The two sides also have a small split but all the splits are 'clean' and not that visible. I can't remember when I last saw a fully intact one so this one is more than acceptable.
The labels
The red/plum labels are very clean with no writing/marks and whilst there is some spindle wear it does not affect the quality of the audio.
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 5 6 // Pecko Duck
2401012 // B / 3 // 1 2 1 0 // 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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