The challenge is finding a really clean player. As to being unable to differentiate the sound of various pressings, I'm 63, and have certainly lost some high frequency hearing, but that doesn't affect my ability to hear into the midrange. The various pressings are noticeably different in presentation-- it's not a "golden ears" thing- it is readily apparent by comparisons. The RL is fun; like Willie, I also enjoy the plum. I don't listen to this record that much any more- my go-to for a long time was the old MoFi which was cheap when new. Mine is still in great condition, but finding the "standard issue" pressings in such condition will take some effort. FWIW, several years ago there was a sealed (RL) copy being offered for $500. I did make a reasonable offer to that seller, which was rejected. I normally don't buy sealed copies of anything but I had gone through several ratty copies of this record offered as VG+ and they were all too noisy for me even with a good, deep cleaning.
For giggles, I Googled the II UK plum....right behind Amazon was SH forum listings. Let us not forget the power that our comments have on E-Bay sellers/pricing. It's too late for the RL...I am getting concerned about the Piros press pricing. Best to make "best press" comments in the Long and winding threads? Don't think they show up in searches. So for Google, I'll say.... . . The Zep II UK plum....SUCKS!!!!!!!
How can anybody offer "a sealed RL"? I mean... you need to check the dead wax to be 100% positive, right?
Led Zeppelin II, Atlantic SD 8236, Robert Ludwig Hot Mix RL SS, Monarch! | eBay Look at how much this copy has jumped from the first day, and it looks like the highest bidder at this point bid it high with his first bid. I'm just glad I paid 65 for mine a year ago with one back scratch at the end of side two. Mine is a Presswell and other than the bad scratch it plays very clean.
SlickWillie raises a fair point but one which is hard to assess: Do the comments and postings here affect the price of particular pressings/remasterings? Our Host seems to get agitated when people assess sonics on an audio system that is not resolving enough and complains that others notice. My own Julie London threads several years ago were done just for the folks here but I have noted increasing numbers of recent reissues and escalating prices of favored pressings, particularly several UKs. Is this ego massage or is there some connection? It's very hard to know where coincidence stops and causation starts. Maybe there is some other Forum that is responsible but I am only a member here.
Just google any press and see what is on the first page. Now if I am wondering what to charge for a pressing I have....I might want to google. A price may not show, but the comments will. Still, you raise a valid point on causation.
Not sure it's simply vinyl lovers. Could be scene chasers, and want to be hipsters. Odd folks with more cash than brains. Some folks follow and others lead.
Especially since the seller fails to mention the cover has colored-in ink with marker on both the front and back. Fools everywhere.
I am waiting for someone to show up with a dozen or so in mint condition for sale that they have held for the past 40 years. Just a matter of time. A friend of mine has a couple that he has held since it was released and one of them has been played a few times. I am sure he is happy about how the prices have gone up.
I paid $45 for my NM RL LZ II quite a few years ago and that was a big stretch for me at the time both conceptually and financially. Given what I'm seeing now I'd never be able to get into it 10 times the money. Crazy times.
Piros is a lot more common so will be cheaper, and less likely to be badly mistracked. I like the Piros a lot though.
There is only ONE reason why this is happening; The fellow who came out several years back with his "hot stamper" garbage. And just like the mess surrounding "Introducing The Beatles" with people thinking their counterfeits are worth $1000, the damage is done with people now wanting the contents of Fort Knox for their wrecked copies of II.
