VG copy: ST-A-691671-C RL SS LW W AT (specialty symbol) ST-A-691672-C LW RL SS W AT (specialty symbol) VG+ copy: ST-A-691671-A P LW W AT RL ST-A-691672-A P LW AT RL SS W
I have a Presswell pressing my self same as yours. The Preswells , their seems to be more of those than the other pressings.
Question for the group. What is the reason for the narrow dead wax on these? Maybe wider groove spacing?
I've found 4 RLs in the wild, after buying one at 'market value'. Three of them have the exact same deadwax: Presswell: Side A: ST-A-691671-A LW P W AT RL Side B: ST-A-691672-A LW P AT RL SS W Then I have another Presswell: Side 1: ST-A-691671-C RL SS P LW W AT Side 2: ST-A-691672-A P LW AT RL SS W All of these Presswells seem to sound the same (awesome!). Also have a CTH: Side A: ST-A-69171-1A A RL SS X T \ Side B: ST-A-69172-1A B RL SS o T X 2 The CTH is a bit different, there's definitely more pre-echo going on, especially noticeable during the Heartbreaker solo. The sound seems to be rough around the edges compared to the Presswells. Still a great sounding record though. The new, excellent condition PR -A -A copy that I found last week is my personal favorite right now. I'm not sure how it can be topped. I'd like to get a Monarch, but I've been pretty lucky with the Presswells so I shouldn't press my luck. For what it's worth, it's my belief that the "SS" is meaningless to the sound. We've learned a lot since this thread started but I believe the record just has to have the RL to have the magic mojo.
VG+ copy I found at my local store a year ago for $24. I guess it got by them somehow, normally this would be behind the counter with a sign. Presswell. Matrix / Runout (Side A Runout Variant 6): ST-A-691671-A LW W AT RL Matrix / Runout (Side B Runout Variant 6): ST-A-691672-A P LW AT RL SS W
My LZ / RL: Side 1: ST - A - 691671 - A LW W AT RL (Deadwax = 1/2”) Side 2: ST - A - 691672 - A P LW AT RL SS (Deadwax = @ 3/8”) Sounds amazing, natch
Also, the outer sleeve/cover of my LZ II RL, a first pressing I assume, has the black layer of the 4-color printing offset by about 1/8" to the right, easily visible with both the "Stereo" designation and the Atlantic logo, the cover photo, as well as the logo on the back and the zeppelin silhouette.
Side 1 ST-A-691671MO CC RL Triangle 13933 (2) W AT Side 2 ST-A-691672 MO CC RL Triangle 13933 (2) W AT
Mine are similar: Side 1 ST-A-691671MO CC RL (MR) SS LW Triangle 13933 (3) W AT Side 2 ST-A-691672 MO CC (MR) LW RL SS Triangle 13933 - X (3) W AT The "(MR)" is actually a tiny circle with what I think is "MR" inside. looks like it's stamped. I think this refers to the Monarch pressing plant? The "(3)" is a numeral 3 inside a circle, scribed. The "LW" has the L kind of tilted over, if that makes any sense. Like most others, I get the impression my copy was played a lot, i.e. lots of tiny hairlines. But no feelable scratches. I guess I'd call it VG.
yes mine was played a lot also. lots of tiny scratches.but nothing you can hear. the music is way too loud and covers up any surface noise. VG to VG+ i could be mistaken but i think the MR in a tiny circle refers to the Monarch pressing plant.
I have 2 -- a Presswell (PR) & a Terre Haute (CTH): Labels: ST-A-691671PR / ST-A-6972PR Side 1: ST-A-691671-A P LW W AT RL Side 2: ST-A-691672-A P LW AT RL SS W The PR is super clean, almost NM. Thin deadwax. Labels: ST-A-691671CTH / ST-A-6972CTH Side 1: ST-A-691671-1A RL SS D1 T Side 2: ST-A-691672-D SS LH A15 0 T The "D1" on side 1 -- I think it's a "D" but only the top and bottom halves of the "D", if that makes any sense? The CTH is pretty hard to read as it is *at best* a VG, but I think what I've captured is correct. Thicker deadwax.
Cool thread! Here is the info for my VG + RL pressing: Labels : ST A-69167-MO Deadwax Side One: ST-A-691671-MO, CC, RL above MR in a circle, SS, then a sideways LW, triangle with a diagonal line, 13933, and then a 3 in a circle,W AT. Side Two: ST-A -691672-CC, T, MR in a circle, a sideways LW, RL, SS, a triangle with a diagonal line, 13933-X, W, AT This is an incredible pressing, the best my ears have heard. When I first played this pressing my Wife came out from her home office, which is all the way at the back of the house , and exclaimed " That sounds awesome, what is that? I thought the band was playing in our living room!" My wife is the farthest thing from an audiophile (bless her heart) but even she heard the incredible power of this pressing, enough to stop work and come out and comment, she has never done that ever!
I haven't had a chance to compare them back to back just yet -- just got the PR last weekend, but it's top of my list for the weekend!
Alrighty - I compared the CTH to the PR (and an Australian original press just for good measure). The RLs are hands down superior to the AU 1st (no surprise), and aside from the quality/condition (surface noise etc), there's not really much separating the two IMHO. I thought Plant's lyrics were a little cleaner on the CTH, but Page's solos were monstrous on the PR. It's a bit hard to do a direct comparison because my CTH is roughly "VG" and the PR is very close to NM. I agree with some of the sentiment earlier in this thread - pretty much any of the early Bob Ludwig cuts are excellent, the challenge seems to be finding one in good nick..
SIDE ONE - ST-A-691671-U AT (very small) RL (very faint 2?) SIDE TWO - ST-A-691672-U AT (very small) RL (very faint 2?) GOLD RECORD AWARD sticker on cover. Can't seem to find it on Discogs.
Well. I have two German Side1 RLs, and here they are. VERSION 1 Side A: ST - A - 691671 — A LW W AT RL Side B: WEA ST.A.691672-M LW A.T W Ab Notes: bold font / normal font signify the strength of the etching. According to Discogs, Ab stands for Al Brown. LW is always sideways. VERSION 2 Side A: ST - A - 691671 X — 40037 - A LW W AT RL Side B: WEA ST-A- 691672 - BA PF Note: bold font / normal font signify the strength of the etching. The non-bold sections are filled into the gaps of the bold ones. PF = Tonstudio Günter F. Pfanz. LW is sideways.
Don't blame me Slick Willie, I didn't press it. RL both sides. (excuse the clumsy photo composite and iPhone pictures)
By that I meant that I suspect a counterfeit RL. First, cover is not correct....but no biggie, could have easily been replaced in the past 50 years. Next there are no verified RL's beyond -C stampers (and yours are -U). Also your dead wax looks too wide in your pics Lastly, the RL etch looks a tad too neat. And I'll close this post with a link to your copy on Discogs. Seems to use generic AT mastering. Led Zeppelin – Led Zeppelin II (1969, Gatefold, DCE, Vinyl) - Discogs
LZII RL records weren't pressed at Decca-Gloversville (DCE) were they? Have only seen CTH, CP, SP, MO and PR I think? Aside from the German ones
