Led Zeppelin II RL-Which pressing sounds best?

After a year of searching, I can't believe I picked up an RL LZ II for SEVEN DOLLARS at a record consignment store in Portland. It was like Charlie finding the Golden Ticket when I pulled the record out to check the deadwax. A touxh crackly, but when the music starts...the bough RAWKS. The RL definitely lives up to the hype after a comparison with my later "Gold Record cover" pressing. SEVEN DOLLARS.

 

For the record this is exactly what I have and I like it. Not dead silent though. Presswell.

 

I would agree. I have an at/gp SD19127 (yes not a typo) that sounds fantastic, pretty close to an RL I ab'd last year. It also sounds very similar to the latest remastered CD (R2-535225) which is superbly dynamic played on a good CD player (no $500 cheapies; I use an Onkyo C7000R). I can honestly say that it beats every other version of SD8236 I've heard except for the RL. In fact most of George Piros cut Atlantic disks in my collection sound pretty good, including a super thick original ELP eponymous album (SD9040) cut super hot with tremendous bass.

 

I've just come across a mid-70s Japanese LZ II (P-10101A), which gives the GP version a run for its money. I still prefer the GP for slightly greater three dimensionality, but the Japan pressing has plenty of slam and detail along with an utterly silent background.

 

I also have a mint copy of that Japanese album (2nd pressing I think I read) and it indeed sounds VERY good! 'Slam & Detail' are perfect words for it; it is a very dynamic pressing and THANKFULLY not way overbright like my Japanese pressing of 'V' (Gawd-AWFUL! )

 

I'm not overy familiar with these things so I have to ask

MO=monarch
PR=presswell
CTH=columbia terra haute
SP=Specialty Records Corporation Pennsylvania

correct?

Has there been discovered other press plants that did the RL pressing?

 

CP=Columbia, Pitman (NJ press, CP on labels).

 

I picked up a new copy at a record show to replace my forum taster copy with skips. I hope to put in some more critical listening time with them, but I now have two Presswell copies.
The first skipped one has B on side 1, C on side 2 and LW with double RL SS. The deadwax appears a similar size on both sides.

The new copy has A on one side and C on the other, with LW followed by what looks like a D, double RL SS. Deadwax on one side is significantly smaller.

 

Anyone familiar with this 1974 French pressing? Recommended?

Led Zeppelin - Led Zeppelin II

 

Short question: is this issue was mastered by Robert Ludwig by any chance?

It says this is a 2nd Issue, Monarch version, lacking "RL SS" in runout designating the first mastering by Robert Ludwig.

So I am bit lost now.

 

Which issue? Is this something on Discogs?

 

Correct.

Led Zeppelin - Led Zeppelin II: LP, Album, RP, MO For Sale | Discogs

Does it worth anything at all?

 

I don’t know but it seems very ambiguously worded. You would absolutely have to get the seller to say if RL is in the dw. Doubt it. I think this is probably the Rob Grenell (sp?).

If ever was a case for James (Raunchnroll)...

 

That appears to be one of the "corrected" pressings that was released after the RL's.
IMO, it's to be avoided.

 

RG mastered the early pressings of the debut. Don't know of any II's that he did.

 

I think I saw one yesterday. VG+ and $1. Passed. I know, I know.

 

Ah, yes.

 

I own the Classic and the MoFi and enjoy both; I actually find the MoFi the more enjoyable of the two. For someone who probably has more cash than time or expertise, this was the easier route to getting a decent sounding LZII in M to NM condition.

That said, do you feel it would it be worth it to track down an RL copy? The holdup for me has always been finding the "right" one, in good condition, without getting ripped off by an online seller.

 

Know it's a reply to an old post, but worth adding that the Piros with the X lacquer as James has stated elsewhere is really comparable to the RL. I can't speak for the dynamics in detail here but it's a hot cut and almost as loud as the RL.

 

Only you can answer that question as NM RL's will bring stoopid prices online and will probably involve bidding for one.
If you've never heard one, then maybe a lower grade tester copy to see?
Or a NM Piros press might be of interest?

 

That's fair. I wouldn't need a NM copy by any means. I haven't heard one so that's the nature of my curiosity with already owning the Classic and MoFi. What is reasonable for a VG copy these days?

 

I would think <$100 USD. I see two copies on the forum now (possibly a third). One is a RL/LH hybrid though.
I do hear good things on the LH. I wonder how it would do up against a Piros?

 

Good info, thanks!

 

Never had and heard a Piros with the X lacquer ...

 

You’ve gotta get one! They’re not that hard to find on Discogs. Just check with the seller. My RL is only G+ - VG-, so it may be an unfair comparison, but the RL isn't that much different, and if you have the plum, it may be academic anyway. My plum is on the way so I’ll compare soon.

Be careful to note that it’s not the Xs that you get in stray places on the dw on these Piros Atlantics which are important, but rather the one(s) that come after the ST-A etc. catalogue no.