RL Led Zeppelin II -- Is this the Real Deal?

I stopped by my favorite thrift store today and was sifting through the vinyl bins and came across a well worn copy of Led Zeppelin II. Rough cover, seam split, etc. I normally would have passed it up, but after spending so much time here at SH forums, I now look at each and every copy of this that I come across. Lo and behold, I'm pretty sure that this is the legendary RL cut. The reason I'm posting the picture is that the RL in the deadwax doesn't look like the RL I know so well. Did his mark evolve over time, like most signatures do? Advice would be appreciated.
It plays with a fair amount of surface noise and is by no means pristine, but it is very playable. The cost? $4. Is this the real deal?

 

Yes. Nothing the matter with that. You find the same looking 'RL' on some Band records. How is side 2? There are different pressings.

 

Great detailed picture. Good on you.

 

Cool, so I lucked out! Sounds really nice on my modest system.

 

That's what I first thought! I can't get anywhere near that with my digital camera.

 

It's just my little 4 year old Canon A530 on macro setting. The thing focuses within an inch or two. Pretty amazing tech. Took a little trial and error though! First time I've attempted to shoot deadwax.

 

Crop that RL and you'd have one very cool avatar!

 

Just found the same style RL on a Jan Akkerman - Profiles LP that I was cleaning yesterday

 

Good idea! I might do that!

 

There's a huge thread here just about 'RL' cut vinyl. Lots of LPs. That guy was working.

 

Hey Katstep, did you find it at Dave's (Fatty) thrift?

 

That record looks beat. There are some mighty grooves in there though.

 

Yup! I think I even passed it by last week when I saw you there. Nice find, but I wish it were a little cleaner. I'll have to run it thru the vacuum a couple of more times.

 

Yes, it's far from pristine, but plays fine and is not trashed (the close up, harsh flash tends to amplify any imperfections). I wouldn't have bought it otherwise. Of course there's some surface noise, but I can live with it until I find a cleaner one.

 

Even on beat-up LZII RLs, the power seeps from them there grooves! I got two beat-up ones (different styles) - anyone want to trade me one not-so-beat up for two beat-up ones?


I didn't think so....

Congrats, BTW! One never knows what they might find!

 

Hey, the first one I got was when another forum member here found an "archive quality" LZII RL at a local record shop for $5 and sold me his old beat-up copy. If I were in the US I'd be regularly checking used record bins.

 

I finally saw one of these at a shop today after checking the deadwax on every copy of LZII I've seen for over a year. Alas, it looked pretty rough and the shop was asking $20 for it so I took a pass I just can't justify spending that much on a record that couldn't possibly grade out better than G, no matter what it is.

 

Here! Here!

JG

 

$20.00? Yikes! Why on earth would they charge so much for a beat up record? It's not even a rare title. Maybe they're hip to the 'RL' thing...

 

Macro setting is best and yes, looks like a genuine RL.

 

Here is a thread I started where I show pics of the the two LZII RLs that I own:

http://www.stevehoffman.tv/forums/showthread.php?t=210225&highlight=

 

Thanks to all who replied to verify my find! SH forums are awesome!

 

Yours look a heck of a lot nicer than mine does! Thanks for the link.

 

I found a trashed FAIR copy with heat damage on the edge. You guys are SOOOOO right about how great sounding the "RL" version is -- even with the "warm crackly fire" playing in the background Too bad I can't really play the 1st song on each side. My search will continue for a better copy...