Led Zeppelin II MFSL Original Master Recording Play Tested Very Well MoFi,

$

168

Original series of MFSL releases. Thin, very high quality vinyl pressed in Japan. Not 45 rpm, not a double album, not 150, 180 or 200 gram. Pre-digital MOFi era.

NOT Collector quality (cover) but a bargain if you want MoFi sound with appearance and some noise issues. See my notes by song. I do not use visual or Goldmine standards as I have been burned too many times. I note what I see and hear so you will have reasonable assurances of what you will hear.

Cover and materials: See photos. Cover has wear and damage from my pit bull puppy. Evidently, she missed me. There is discoloring on the left side of front and back has some dents/scratches consistent with paws holding a chew toy. Some ware and the beginning of a split on bottom. Side lettering is pretty clear. Original sleeve has some wrinkling and a touch of damage from the dog. Replacement inner sleeve very recent. 

Label: Intact, some black discoloration that may or not be able to be cleaned. No rough edges on spindle holes.

Vinyl: Looks very nice though obviously payed with a few hairline sleeve scratches. Did not suffer during the puppy incident with no major scratches under normal light. I do not sell vinyl with skips, jumps, extensive groove damage or significant warps.

Note: As this is an album that is often approached very analytically, I am being very specific in my description. We all have experiences where a visual “mint” means pretty noisy. In fact, some albums come that way from the factory. 

All vinyl evaluations are subjective- below is how it sounds to me on a dialed in VPI Prime with 3D printed tonearm and Soundsmith Zephyr MK III cartridge (contact line diamond stylus). Sitting position is in equilateral triangle with the speakers. You may hear the album differently than I based on your equipment and ears. I  am attempting to be very clear with the condition of the record as I hear it; please do not nit-pick and say “You missed two clicks” or other issues. If there are serious issues please let me know.

Side 1:

Whole Lotta’ Love: A few clicks prior to the cough preceding the track. Relatively quiet throughout the rest of song. Clean transition.

What Is and What Should Never Be:  Pretty clean. Clean through transition.

The Lemon Song: A couple spots with really, really light static/ distortion. A tick toward the end. Just a hint of groove hiss in quiet section before the music kicks in for the end and then a hint of noise in the transition.

Thank You:  A somewhat quiet start so a few light to medium pops show up. Once they kick it up a gear it is clean. Quiet into the fade out, with a touch of very light static and a soft and 2 pop.

Note: Runout groove on this side extends far enough the tonearm bumps the VPI Prime record clamp. Not an issue for my previous two turntable/clamp/weight combinations but when I forget it scares the hell out of me and is likely not so hot for my stylus.

Side 2:

Heartbreaker: Pretty quiet before the song starts with a few light ticks. Nothing else noticed and clean into transition.

Living, Loving Maid: Nothing stood out though how could one hear anything else other than the drums? Clean into Ramble On.

Ramble On: A few tiny ticks/clicks.  One click in fade but clean into transition. 

Moby Dick: Drum solo is really clean except for one tick and a some pops near the end. 

Bring it on Home: Some pops early on before the rest of the band kicks in. Some soft hiss and a fairly loud double pop at the end.

Please note: You may hear something else, especially in quiets sections. I would never say this record is “dead quiet” or has “black backgrounds” but I honestly could not differentiate any other groove noise from tape hiss and the general hum/hiss of my tube pre-amp. This Is much quieter than The Dark Side of the Moon I recently sold:

Overall a very nice playing album that I hope will find a new home.

I think the price is very reasonable and takes the  condition into account. Other copies, some of which will not play this well, are far more expensive.

SHIPPING— PLEASE READ: I ship for the exact shipping charge. Album will be well packed in protective sleeves with album not inserted in jacket. If there is extra room in the box it will be taken up with bubble wrap or additional cardboard. I ship the day after payment is received unless the post office is closed. All shipping at actual cost based on the eBay calculator. I am happy to combine shipping but please let me know and do not pay until I can calculate the revised order total and invoice you.  If you pay prior to me combining orders I will ship them separately with no savings.

Including this listing, I have 10 MOFI titles from the early era in my other auctions. They are:

David Bowie Ziggy Stardust 1981

Led Zeppelin LZ II 1981

The Kinks Misfits 1981

Joe Jackson Night and Day 1983

David Bowie Let’s Dance 1983

The Beatles Sgt. Pepper 1983 (not from box set)

Posting once they are play tested: 

Grateful Dead From the Mars Hotel 1984

Sting Dream of the Blue Turtles 1995 Limited Edition #1250 of 5000

Bob Marley Exodus (Anadisc, 200 gram) 1995 #2324

John Mellencamp The Lonesome Jubilee (Anadisc, 200 gram) 1995 #2202

In the future I will be listing newer MoFi, Analogue Productions. Import and Speakers Corners pressings as well as some first pressing of other titles.