Led Zeppelin IV vinyl

Regarding the original issue vinyl, how did you find a good sounding one? I remember back in the day being constantly frustrated that the albums sounded like the guy that pressed them was smoking a cigarette and got the ashes all over them. Horrible stuff.

Agree with Jlambrick. No two records sound alike in vinyl--there can be significant differences between copies of their 1970s work. Atlantic records was not known from "quality" vinyl during the period. British copies generally sound better than the domestic copies of the earliest albums (1 to 3). US copies were great after 1974. Their popularity caused the plants to run overtime to meet initial demand so production was varied. I have heard nice copies of the original work (the really great ones smoke) and I would agree that II, IV and Physical Graffiti have moments of master tape quality on the best copies.

Most of the re-issues play to the middle ranges (guitar and vox) although Classic did a great job with II.

IMHO: Very hard to collect--most vintage records are pretty beat up from overuse. Many lack solid bass or quiet surface noise that usually drives the best copies. You may wish to wait to the reissues coming in the Fall.

The best I have are the Classic 45's reissue from the box set & the regular reissue. I also think the 180g is sounds better than the 200g. Then it's the Japanese import original release and also the later releases, the vinyl from there was much better at the time. Followed by the UK & Holland. Last is the US release. IMHO.

I haven't listened to it for a while but my old pressing of Led Zep IV is the thickest piece of vinyl I think I've ever seen.

DS