Led Zeppelin II on vinyl

The gold standard is the "RL" cut, narrow side two dead wax, bonus points for Monarch (plant) pressing. That ship sailed a long time ago though and you won't find any cheapies unless you are an avid bin diver and get lucky. It took me three copies to get a clean player 15 years ago.

Early UK plum is cheaper, good bass, does not have freight train-like delivery of the RL cut. And probably difficult to find clean playing copies for reasonable money.

I have a number of the Classic Records reissues- none are in my 'go to' group for LZ. 

Those Page supervised remasters sound very much like CDs.Saving grace is arguably quiet surfaces, at least when new.  

Some folks favored the Piros master from the mid-'70s-- been a long time since I was hunting for any Led Zeppelin records. 

Good luck, best place to poke around on older threads is Steve Hoffman for this. 

agree with whart on all accounts - you're too late if you don't want to pay huge for an RL.

I threw down for a first Japanese pressing and don't regret it, especially if you can source from a Japanese seller (they tend to grade a lot fairer than many English-speaking countries)

I wonder about this one, since I'm a Zep on LP only weirdo and mono fan.

Led Zeppelin – Led Zeppelin II – Vinyl (CSG, LP, Album + 2 more), 1969 [r1960140] | Discogs

Perhaps whart can comment on this unicorn? Obscenely priced, but expected.

There were a few 1969 runs of the LP including the RL

Aa mentioned, I have an RL. It was resurrected this past weekend for the neighbor who's a drummer.

Led Zeppelin – Led Zeppelin II – Vinyl (RL Cut, SP - Specialty Pressing, Gatefold, LP, Album, Stereo), 1969 [r4677691] | Discogs

Led Zeppelin – Led Zeppelin II – Vinyl ("RL" (Robert Ludwig) Cut, Monarch Pressing, LP, Album, Stereo), 1969 [r4088425] | Discogs

Led Zeppelin – Led Zeppelin II – Vinyl (PR - Presswell Pressing, "RL" Cut, Gatefold, LP, Album, Stereo), 1969 [r4699428] | Discogs

MIGHT be worth taking the chance on a "middle of the pack" priced RL if you're a dedicated Zep head.

@whart 

Great response.

I’m wondering what turns you off about the Classic Records version? Don't  remember being dissatisfied with mine in the past. I’ve less experience with the various pressings than you.