Led Zeppelin Physical Graffiti - 1st U.S. double Lp Pressing?

Scott333 · 03-31-2005, 03:57 PM

Does anyone know how to identify an original U.S. first pressing of Led Zeppelin's "Physical Graffiti" double Lp?

I have read in other Threads here that the U.S. first pressing is well regarded. One of my record dealers says he thinks he has a first pressing available for sale, but he's not sure if it's a first pressing. He asked me what to look for, and he would check his copy.

It occurred to me that someone on the Forum here might have the answer...

The copy my record dealer has is still in the shrink-wrap, with the song titles sticker, on the Swan Song label.

Mr. Neely's Goldmine Guide (Standard Catalog of American Records, 1950-1975) doesn't list any reissues, but there must have been some.

What characteristics distinguish an original 1975 U.S. first pressing of Zep's "PG"?

Many thanks to anyone who can help

Scott

Sckott · 03-31-2005, 04:09 PM

Who said the US LPs of Physical were good??

I wanna ask that masked man.

No reissues, but the Lp must have gone through many replatings. Not sure if the mothers are going to be any different though. I have one copy. It sounds blah. Rockefeller Plaza in the bottom of the label and Side One's laquer says ST-SS-753309-G SP.

Geoman076 · 03-31-2005, 04:50 PM

I have 6 or 7 copies. I'll have to start going through them and see which ones sound the best.

Scott333 · 03-31-2005, 05:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sckott

Who said the US LPs of Physical were good??

I wanna ask that masked man.

No reissues, but the Lp must have gone through many replatings. Not sure if the mothers are going to be any different though. I have one copy. It sounds blah. Rockefeller Plaza in the bottom of the label and Side One's laquer says ST-SS-753309-G SP.

Hey Sckott, thanks for the reply. I was in the middle of copying and pasting a couple of links to other threads I had been researching, and I was booted off of my "Broadband" connection (been happening a lot the last few days...).

Here's the only one I still have on my clipboard:

http://www.stevehoffman.tv/forums/sh...ffiti+dead+wax

It's not much, but I've been reading about various "best" Zeppelin issues, and since Zeppelin is lacking in my collection for "ultimate" pressings, I thought I'd do some research and begin the hunt.

Scott333 · 03-31-2005, 05:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Geoman076

I have 6 or 7 copies. I'll have to start going through them and see which ones sound the best.

Thanks Geoman076, the results of a "shoot-out" between your various pressings would be most welcome

Scott

Sckott · 03-31-2005, 05:44 PM

I'm thinking the Led Zeppelin stash Geoman just bought that are mostly Specialty pressings are going to sound good, but the tonality and the muddiness of many of those cuts are just kinda icky. I'm sure someone would have to steer EQ all over the place just to get it to sound right.

Same with In Through The Out Door. The LP sounds terrible. I think what makes it worse is that flapping reverb on most all of Plant's vocals on that record and cuts like "In My Time Of Dying". There's no presence around that sound when it's all dried up. Plant took that vocal treatment with him for Pictures At Eleven.

Stax Fan · 03-31-2005, 05:50 PM

I only have one vinyl copy of "Physical Graffiti" and I've always been pretty happy with it. Pretty decent sound, IMO. This is a retail copy purchased new in 1987 and has a bar code on the back cover, obviously a reissue. It's a Specialty pressing.

Side 1: ST-SS-753309-J 1-1 sf/atl.

Side 2: ST-SS-753310-H 1-1 sf/atl.

Side 3: ST-SS-753311-H 1-1 sf/atl.

Side 4: ST-SS-753312-H 1-1 sf/atl.

Never tried the Classic. My understanding is original UK pressings are best, but I can't confirm that at present. Canadian pressings *might* be good, too, but I can't confirm that either. Have fun.

W.B. · 03-31-2005, 08:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Arin

I only have one vinyl copy of "Physical Graffiti" and I've always been pretty happy with it. Pretty decent sound, IMO. This is a retail copy purchased new in 1987 and has a bar code on the back cover, obviously a reissue. It's a Specialty pressing.

Side 1: ST-SS-753309-J 1-1 sf/atl.

Side 2: ST-SS-753310-H 1-1 sf/atl.

Side 3: ST-SS-753311-H 1-1 sf/atl.

Side 4: ST-SS-753312-H 1-1 sf/atl.

Never tried the Classic. My understanding is original UK pressings are best, but I can't confirm that at present. Canadian pressings *might* be good, too, but I can't confirm that either. Have fun.

And I see that those sides on that copy you bought were mastered by Sam Feldman (yes, the same Sam Feldman who, at Bell Sound, wrote the "Phil + Ronnie" script on lacquers for The Beatles' Let It Be album, as well as on a few LP's and 45's of the period on the Apple label that were produced by Phil Spector). It was at Atlantic that Feldman wound down his illustrious mastering career.

Daulton · 04-01-2005, 10:33 AM

Has the "Mrs. Valens" co-credit under "Boogie With Stu" appeared on all pressings? I recall someone on this forum insisting that it didn't appear on the initial run.

Scott333 · 04-01-2005, 10:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Daulton

Has the "Mrs. Valens" co-credit under "Boogie With Stu" appeared on all pressings? I recall someone on this forum insisting that it didn't appear on the initial run.

Now that's an interesting possible distinction...thanks very much for the tip, Daulton. I will investigate...

Scott

Scott333 · 04-01-2005, 11:03 AM

Okay, I came up with squat. I'm not too high on the Forum's search engine, or else I just don't know how to use it very efficiently. There's too many words it won't let you search by ("Who's Next", anyone???).

Quick question: How difficult would it be to set up the search engine like eBay? You can search for any word or term, and filter out anything you're not interested in by putting a minus sign followed by a parentheses containing the words you don't want to be considered in the search. I don't know enough about computers to understand if that is a difficult proposition or not, but I suspect it is not...

The current Forum search engine won't allow me to look up "Mrs. Valens", which, theoretically, would bring up any reference and would almost have to specifically relate to this topic.

The only other distinguishing search term to check this out was "Boogie With Stu". That returned a few results, but nothing with Mrs. Valens.

"Boogie Stu Valens" returned a couple of Threads, but nothing about distinguishing characteristics of a first pressing of Physical Graffiti.

nosticker · 04-01-2005, 11:20 AM

Caveat Emptor: I once heard a US Swan Song pressing that actually lopped off the studio chatter at the end of "In My Time Of Dying". I don't have any other info, unfortunately, but I thought I'd pass that along.

Dan

mikelakers · 04-01-2005, 11:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sckott

I'm thinking the Led Zeppelin stash Geoman just bought that are mostly Specialty pressings are going to sound good, but the tonality and the muddiness of many of those cuts are just kinda icky. I'm sure someone would have to steer EQ all over the place just to get it to sound right.

Same with In Through The Out Door. The LP sounds terrible. I think what makes it worse is that flapping reverb on most all of Plant's vocals on that record and cuts like "In My Time Of Dying". There's no presence around that sound when it's all dried up. Plant took that vocal treatment with him for Pictures At Eleven.

I agree.

I've never been impressed with the sound quality of those two titles(love the music though), and even the original UK pressings disappoints.

-Ben · 04-01-2005, 11:34 AM

I bought a US Graffiti almost if not the day it came out. I know because I saw Zep around that time (Feb 1975).
I also have a UK Graffiti but I have not yet compared those two to my Classic Records pressing.

I'll post my matrix numbers later.

citizenkeith · 04-01-2005, 12:20 PM

Thanks Ben! It's appreciated.

-Ben · 04-01-2005, 03:08 PM

Physical Graffiti Early US Pressing Matrix numbers ALL hand carved GRAY letters are VERY light

ST-SS-753309-B CP AT PR CO-PIT
ST-SS-753310-B CP AT PR F.T. CO-PIT
ST-SS-753311-C CP PR CO-PIT
ST-SS-753312-B CP PR CO-PIT

BOOGIE WITH STU has Mrs.Valens credit

Stax Fan · 04-01-2005, 03:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BenCanas

I have a UK Graffiti but I have not yet compared those two to my Classic Records pressing.

I'll post my matrix numbers later.

Thanks for the heads-up, Ben.

-Ben · 04-01-2005, 03:23 PM

Physical Graffiti UK Pressing Matrix numbers ALL machine pressed

SSK.89400.A1
SSK.89400.B4
SSK.89400.C2
SSK.89400.D1

BOOGIE WITH STU also with Mrs. Valens credit

W.B. · 04-01-2005, 06:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BenCanas

Physical Graffiti Early US Pressing Matrix numbers ALL hand carved GRAY letters are VERY light

ST-SS-753309-B CP AT PR CO-PIT
ST-SS-753310-B CP AT PR F.T. CO-PIT
ST-SS-753311-C CP PR CO-PIT
ST-SS-753312-B CP PR CO-PIT

BOOGIE WITH STU has Mrs.Valens credit

Hmmm . . . didn't know Columbia still pressed for Atlantic and subsidiaries that late (albeit LP's only -- didn't see any Columbia-pressed Atlantic 45's after 1969) . . . at that point Columbia House didn't even handle any of the Warner labels . . . but Columbia did press occasionally for Elektra at that point, and still handled Warner/Reprise itself on almost an exclusive basis . . . but yeah, the "CP" on the label below is a giveaway as to who pressed that. However, except for that one line, the rest of the label copy came from Presswell Record Mfg. ("PR")

Scott333 · 04-01-2005, 07:26 PM

Thanks very much Ben, for your time and your trouble, that's great information and I very much appreciate it.

I don't suppose you are certain whether your UK pressing (the one that sounds muddy) is a first UK pressing? There is a particular seller on eBay who seems to be quite an expert on UK pressings, and his auctions regularly get astronomical prices. He often refers to the difference in sound quality between a true first pressing and all subsequent re-pressings.

I was just wondering if your UK Physical Graffiti was a first issue for sure? It might make a difference...or then again, it might not.

03-31-2005, 03:57 PM	#1
Scott333 Banned Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: The great state of Ohio, U.S.A. Posts: 1,156	Led Zeppelin Physical Graffiti - 1st U.S. double Lp Pressing? Does anyone know how to identify an original U.S. first pressing of Led Zeppelin's "Physical Graffiti" double Lp? I have read in other Threads here that the U.S. first pressing is well regarded. One of my record dealers says he thinks he has a first pressing available for sale, but he's not sure if it's a first pressing. He asked me what to look for, and he would check his copy. It occurred to me that someone on the Forum here might have the answer... The copy my record dealer has is still in the shrink-wrap, with the song titles sticker, on the Swan Song label. Mr. Neely's Goldmine Guide (Standard Catalog of American Records, 1950-1975) doesn't list any reissues, but there must have been some. What characteristics distinguish an original 1975 U.S. first pressing of Zep's "PG"? Many thanks to anyone who can help Scott

04-01-2005, 11:34 AM	#14
-Ben Forum Hall Of Fame Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Washington DC Area Posts: 7,428	I bought a US Graffiti almost if not the day it came out. I know because I saw Zep around that time (Feb 1975). I also have a UK Graffiti but I have not yet compared those two to my Classic Records pressing. I'll post my matrix numbers later. __________________ Ben

04-01-2005, 12:20 PM	#15
citizenkeith Forum Legend Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: .... Posts: 12,519	Thanks Ben! It's appreciated. __________________ Keith

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03-31-2005, 04:09 PM	#2
Sckott Goodbye. Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: MA Posts: 19,949	Who said the US LPs of Physical were good?? I wanna ask that masked man. No reissues, but the Lp must have gone through many replatings. Not sure if the mothers are going to be any different though. I have one copy. It sounds blah. Rockefeller Plaza in the bottom of the label and Side One's laquer says ST-SS-753309-G SP.

03-31-2005, 04:50 PM	#3
Geoman076 Sealed vinyl is Fun!! Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Sagamore Beach, MA Posts: 2,451	I have 6 or 7 copies. I'll have to start going through them and see which ones sound the best.

03-31-2005, 05:44 PM	#6
Sckott Goodbye. Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: MA Posts: 19,949	I'm thinking the Led Zeppelin stash Geoman just bought that are mostly Specialty pressings are going to sound good, but the tonality and the muddiness of many of those cuts are just kinda icky. I'm sure someone would have to steer EQ all over the place just to get it to sound right. Same with In Through The Out Door. The LP sounds terrible. I think what makes it worse is that flapping reverb on most all of Plant's vocals on that record and cuts like "In My Time Of Dying". There's no presence around that sound when it's all dried up. Plant took that vocal treatment with him for Pictures At Eleven.

03-31-2005, 05:50 PM	#7
Stax Fan Forum Icon Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Midwest Posts: 2,660	I only have one vinyl copy of "Physical Graffiti" and I've always been pretty happy with it. Pretty decent sound, IMO. This is a retail copy purchased new in 1987 and has a bar code on the back cover, obviously a reissue. It's a Specialty pressing. Side 1: ST-SS-753309-J 1-1 sf/atl. Side 2: ST-SS-753310-H 1-1 sf/atl. Side 3: ST-SS-753311-H 1-1 sf/atl. Side 4: ST-SS-753312-H 1-1 sf/atl. Never tried the Classic. My understanding is original UK pressings are best, but I can't confirm that at present. Canadian pressings might be good, too, but I can't confirm that either. Have fun.

04-01-2005, 10:33 AM	#9
Daulton Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Nowhere, man Posts: 106	Has the "Mrs. Valens" co-credit under "Boogie With Stu" appeared on all pressings? I recall someone on this forum insisting that it didn't appear on the initial run.

04-01-2005, 11:03 AM	#11
Scott333 Banned Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: The great state of Ohio, U.S.A. Posts: 1,156	Okay, I came up with squat. I'm not too high on the Forum's search engine, or else I just don't know how to use it very efficiently. There's too many words it won't let you search by ("Who's Next", anyone???). Quick question: How difficult would it be to set up the search engine like eBay? You can search for any word or term, and filter out anything you're not interested in by putting a minus sign followed by a parentheses containing the words you don't want to be considered in the search. I don't know enough about computers to understand if that is a difficult proposition or not, but I suspect it is not... The current Forum search engine won't allow me to look up "Mrs. Valens", which, theoretically, would bring up any reference and would almost have to specifically relate to this topic. The only other distinguishing search term to check this out was "Boogie With Stu". That returned a few results, but nothing with Mrs. Valens. "Boogie Stu Valens" returned a couple of Threads, but nothing about distinguishing characteristics of a first pressing of Physical Graffiti.

04-01-2005, 11:20 AM	#12
nosticker Forum All Star Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Ringwood, NJ Posts: 3,460	Caveat Emptor: I once heard a US Swan Song pressing that actually lopped off the studio chatter at the end of "In My Time Of Dying". I don't have any other info, unfortunately, but I thought I'd pass that along. Dan

04-01-2005, 07:26 PM	#20
Scott333 Banned Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: The great state of Ohio, U.S.A. Posts: 1,156	Thanks very much Ben, for your time and your trouble, that's great information and I very much appreciate it. I don't suppose you are certain whether your UK pressing (the one that sounds muddy) is a first UK pressing? There is a particular seller on eBay who seems to be quite an expert on UK pressings, and his auctions regularly get astronomical prices. He often refers to the difference in sound quality between a true first pressing and all subsequent re-pressings. I was just wondering if your UK Physical Graffiti was a first issue for sure? It might make a difference...or then again, it might not.