Hi, just bought a S/T UK Kinney press, discogs lists as 1972 crossover. Matrix Side 1 is A// and the second 8 scratched out, 8 hand written above. Matrix Side 2 is B 1 3 1 1. Just given it a clean, waiting for it to dry. Wondering how it will compare to my brand new remaster? Any predictions welcome!
Well I’m so happy with this. It plays perfectly, very flat and I absolutely love the sound of it. Played my remaster first as a comparison, the 1972 really is way better in every way. Easier to pick out each instrument, so analog sounding and lovely texture to cymbals, snare, harmonica while still having more depth to the bass drum. Truly superb.
I agree, the Presswell is my second favorite RL cut, not quite the volume or bass of a Monarch, but close. Monarchs are monsters, and John Paul Jones' bass sound is clear and boomy with detailed definition as opposed to the Specialty that has a squished sounding bass in comparison.
I just had a 1969 Spanish LZ I arrive in the mail today (took over 2 months from Germany)!! Cleaned this baby up and spinning and this sounds utterly fantastic. Wow, easily challenging my 1969 US, perhaps even better, it’s very close. I’m very pleased with the playback (listed as VG-+) but really minimal noise thus far.
Found a copy of the Zep II Japan 1976 press P-10101a in like new condition with poster in my area, never heard this one, is it worth picking up? How is it sonically?
I keep a copy of the debut to remind me not to buy any more JPN Zep. Thin sounding with harsher vocals. Having said that, Presence is cut from US plates and is a winner!
I disagree with that take and love all the Japanese Zeppelin I own, Houses to the Holy probably being the worst one. Purchase for yourself and make your own judgements. Mine aren’t leaving my collection anytime soon. The Song Remains the Same Japanese pressing also fantastic!!
Not a fan of the Japanese pressings of LZ (the ones I've heard)...especially II. Keep a lookout for a Japanese The Song Remains The Same...uses US metal on that quiet vinyl.
Thanks, I was aware of that but just adding that the dead quiet Japanese vinyl compound (and typically NM vinyl) does matter when evaluating these (in my opinion). It’s all part of the equation. I don’t find my other Japanese pressings thin or bright at all and the vast majority have stunning sound quality. My large Japanese Jazz collection collection in particular has elite level sound quality.
I'm glad you are happy with yours, and true that we prob should judge for ourselves - but I stand by my statement. Zep vinyl + shipping is too pricey these days to do much experimenting. And your love of the TSRTS JPN press does not surprise me, I would jump on one myself if I run across one attractively priced. It's stamped from US metal. Perhaps I should have said that I avoid JPN mastered Zep?
My $.02...there are plenty of better options for LZ II (sonically speaking). I think they're cool to look at and have in a collection, but the Japanese mastering does not synch well with Led Zeppelin...it needs to have some testosterone.
All cool, but I find misleading to judge on vinyl quality in a thread such as this. IMO, this is about SQ.
It’s all good. I probably get a bit defensive sometimes with Japanese pressings, lol. Honestly the only one I did notice as sub-par or slightly too bright was Houses. I own many different copies of Zeppelin albums including the German one sided Ludwig if Zep II. Possibly if I did an A/B with the Japanese I’d notice more frequency differences.
My ‘77 Piros is a my go to for II. The Ludwig cut honestly didn’t blow me away as much as all the hyperbole about it. I do wish I had one with both sides though!!!
Mellow is the man who knows what he's been missing. Broadway label Monarch Houses of the Holy is so good.
Got a UK A1/B1 "Strawberry" reissue of the debut and it easily beats the Plum and i would say i even prefer it to the US Piros. It has great bass and slam to it. Doesn't sound like a high generation tape, really nice! The piros maybe has a touch more clarity. Also got a UK "Bilbo" which is also very good. I'm not a fan of the "trashy" midrangey sound of the UK plum. The cymbals sound a mess and distort often.
I was curious about the Bilbo but if you're saying a Strawberry pressing beats it then I guess I'm not missing anything.