Sold Date: January 31, 2021
Start Date: January 28, 2021
Final Price: $150.00 (USD)
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LED ZEPPELIN II RL Robert Ludwig HOT MIX Monarch MO 1969 on Atlantic Records SD 8236
MONARCH pressing Las Angeles as indicated by the MO on the labels
Robert Ludwig HOT MIX on both sides with "SS" for Sterling Sound. Infamous FIRST PRESSING that was quickly re-mixed because the mastering was "too hot". Subsequent releases featured a less bassy and pronounced mix.
The Monarch issue of this release is the loudest in volume and has the best and clearest bass response in my opinion. Other pressing plants that Atlantic used (Terre Haute, Specialty, Presswell) do not have quite the "balls" that this one does.
VINYL in G+/VG condition. Background crackle and occasional pop present but does not detract even in the quietest moments in my opinion. The sound still leaps out of the speakers, and has an overdriven and powerful sound unlike their copies. There are several light marks and hairlines on the vinyl. The only major flaw is a few skips on "Whole Lotta Love" One skip at the second chorus, twice during the guitar solo, and once more soon after when the last verse kicks in. No other skips reported. There is noticeable repeat crackle at the fade out of "Thank You" at the very end of side 1. Repeat soft click at end of "Ramble On', and the quieter parts of the Moby Dick" solo crackle is more evident. "Bring It On Home' and "Heartbreaker" sound absolutely killer on this release, most of the louder segments are more like VG or better.
COVER in VG++ condition, no seam splits, solid seams and spine, slight yellowing/staining in white areas, corner bumps, the inside gatefold is lovely, no splits!!!! Very nice matte 1st issue sleeve.
INNER sleeve in VG+ with small splits in middle of seams only.
FREE Priority 2 Day Shipping in the United States. Will be safely mailed in proper record mailer with record removed to avoid splitting.
Companies, etc. Lacquer Cut at –  Manufactured By –  Pressed By –  – Δ13933 Credits Artwork –  Engineer – *, , *,  Executive Producer –  Lacquer Cut By – * Performer – , , ,  Producer –  Technician [Director Of Engineering] – * Written-By – ,  (tracks: A1, A3, B1, B4),  (tracks: A1, A3, B1, B4),  (tracks: A1 to B3, B5) Notes US 1st pressing, featuring Robert Ludwig's "hot" mastering on both sides. These were withdrawn early because the high bass levels caused low-grade cartridges to mistrack, leading people to return the album on the belief that it was defective. Another engineer was then hired to recut a much less "hot" version of the album, and that is the far more common version.

Labels include "MO" suffix (indicating Monarch pressing) and "Mfg By Atlantic Recording Corp., 1841 Broadway, New York, N.Y.".

Some copies came with one or two hype stickers: one mentioning Whole Lotta Love and the other with a tracklisting. Barcode and Other Identifiers Matrix / Runout (Side A label): ST-A-691671-MO Matrix / Runout (Side B label): ST-A-691672-MO Matrix / Runout (Side A etched variant 1): ST-A-691671-MO - BB LW Δ13933 AT RL ss W Matrix / Runout (Side B etched variant 1): ST-A-691672-MO - CC LW RL ss Δ13933-X (2) W AT