I have one too. In fact, I've had several copies of Led Zeppelin II over the years (first one was an Eighties re-press) but, when I heard this one, it genuinely shocked me. And I got it by happenstance! After they retired, my parents used to enjoy going to garage sales and, because I'm the family audiophile, they'd grab records for me, when they could talk their way into getting a good deal (my father is less interested in the music and more interested in the overall fidelity and the sound -- so all the stuff they'd buy was in incredibly good condition) . Anyway, a couple of years ago, they brought a bunch of records that they'd picked up including two copies of Led Zeppelin I (no, none with aquamarine lettering), a copy of III with an un-removable spinning wheel and this copy of II. I honestly didn't know there were different masters so, when I put it on, I was absolutely floored by the sound; I've had vinyl copies before, but none which sounded like this one. So I started doing some research to figure out what it was, and it turns out that it was a copy of the Robert Ludwig hot mix. In the end, I just got lucky with it.
Hi yes I have two copies Of this led zeppelin 2 lp I got lucky getting 2 copies of this in the early 80s I have 2 the rl ss copies thay are getting harder and harder to find good that you found one cool!!!
Awesome find! I got a RL Monarch copy from my father in law's collection a few months ago. I was as excited as you were when I found the markings in the deadwax. It sounds amazing!
Congrats man!! What a score. You’re lucky but you also really get out there and hunt so it’s well deserved!! I’m lucky enough to own 2 copies and both were hard fought but now will be with me forever
Congratulations! RL and Page should get together and do a run of 20 ,000 copies. RL Still has his copy of the test pressing. It just occurred to me. I wonder how many of those pressings were tossed out when people were getting rid of their vinyl years ago.
Good for you! I have 2. I bought one at a record store for what I thought was a great price and a couple months later found one at an antique store for $10. It's everything you say it is in this video. Just an incredible find.
@theboomerscalper hey I just found one in the wild. Same condition as you described, I couldn’t believe it when I saw the dead wax markings just like yours! This thing is night and day compared to represses! Thanks for the video!
Amazing find! You had me laughing out loud with the estate horror stories! We've all been there! And the pricing struggles with the people who put on the estate sales are WAY over pricing! The only way it works fair is $3 each! They don't know and read somewhere that there is a vinyl resurgence! Good for you and it shows that diligence can pay off!
great video Rob, I've got the Led Zep IV Porky from Patrick on the last auction. The sound on that pressing is sharp and biting, the guitars are snarling at you LOL. Great find!!
So true... I recently purchased a Porky pressing and what a huge difference. Lots of dynamic and bite like you said. Makes any other pressing sound luke warm to me.
Nice! I'm very lucky to not even have to look for one. My late grandpa had this exact version which I inherited. Incredibly happy, will forever hold on to it.
I have a german one with side one ONLY as the hot mix. super flexible cover too, assuming it was one they made on location, doesnt have import quality. So weird to go from how good side 1 sounds to how flat side 2 sounds lol
I had a few. Now my daughters have them. Told Laird to copy it and have it played out of the Iroquois in Nam. Yes, it was a Bob Ludwig copy. Monarch plant was not far from my family's lemon ranch. "Squeeze mah lemon-hah! I'm gonna fall right outta bed"
Ill be honest, i paid $250.00 for a 2 sided RL and indeed, the mix is insane. Premium price but graded VG. The reason i got it for that is someone wrote their name on side 2 around the spindle hole. I also have a German copy which is only side one. Side two is a later mix and is a letdown. Ive had it a week and have played it a dozen times so far. The difference, to me between the two, is like putting a sheet across your speaker. Bonzo's drums are also epic.❤
Hey Waxed, Congrats on finding the RL. .especially for $15 bucks. Yeah that's the advantage of a hot mix...if it's Zeppelin. .Rush.....Grand Funk...if they cut it hot. ..the noise floor isn't that big an issue. Especially on rock and metal albums. Congrats again on the find. Mark Anthony K Projekt Gemineye
@@theboomerscalper I think you probably already know this now, but Bob Ludwig himself confirmed that RL doesnt need to be on both sides to be a HOT CUT pressing.
I have two. One was $29 and noted as "rough". The other one is a "Hot Stamper", clean as a whistle. I stopped in my tracks the first time I heard that slamming sound on my system.
I have never found one in the wild, shocking I know. But was lucky to get one from the Coleman collection which is special. I would like to find another of it though. Nice find Waxed , you just kill it hunting !!
Before mr Ludwig died he posted a letter about the different variants on the internet. The copy I have is not what is considers the best version by whomever decides that stuff. It is out of body , truly. Read the letter.
("Sgt.J.") "I, miss my records."⏺️ I, started to collect records in the 80s. I, discovered Jimi Hendrix.&, Frank Zappa records for Over $100.00. And, thought 🤔💭 W.t.frick is that about. The limited # of records released. Cover. Or, label changed. The sound quality. Pics, posters. Lyrics.
hey judge...congratulations....i've heard alot about it, but never owned one myself (or maybe i did when it first came out, but that purchase is no longer with us...)....what i do have a copy of is my own album, 'futility's last request', and i would love to send you a copy...it's basically a spoken word album, but you might dig it...just let me know where to send it....once again...congratulations...peace always my friend...rocky
I just happened to score a RL2 copy this past week that was also a little scuffed, but the condition and price did not matter to me. It was worth every penny. Spot on ,it's probably my favorite Zep album, and when I played it yesterday at full volume my life changed.
Congratulations, you no good dirty son of a…super nice guy. Geez, my Tourette’s almost kicked in. Seriously though, great find, Rob, especially for $15. It really is an amazing sounding record. 🔊🎶👍
This is awesome. You were rewarded for your persistence in that mess you came upon. Yes, this pressing actually lives up to the hype. I have had a few. The first two or three were beat-up but still sounded great, like you describe. My current one I grade VG. It looks VG+, but has some inexplicable bursts of noise during the quiet intro of Bring It On Home.
Hot master, not mix. Huge difference. Yup. The RL version is light years better sonically. Only pressing close is the most recent remaster...but RL rules! Shakes the shack. Listened to it yesterday as a matter of fact.