MERLE HAGGARD- 5:01 BLUES -RARE '89 OZ PRESS/NEAR MINT!

1989 OZ 1ST PRESSING ON THE EPIC LABEL (465184 1). STEREO.

SUPERB ALBUM FROM BY GREAT  MERLE HAGGARD, FROM 1989. UNDOUBTEDLY ONE OF HIS FINEST STUDIO ALBUMS,  FEATURING 6 ORIGINAL HAGGARD COMPOSITIONS, PLUS 4 GREAT COVERS. HARD TO FIND IN THE ORIGINAL VINYL (PARTICULARLY IN TOP CONDITION), IF YOU'RE A MERLE HAGGARD FAN (OR JUST A LOVER OF TRULY GREAT COUNTRY MUSIC), '5:01 BLUES' IS: ESSENTIAL!

THIS IS AN ORIGINAL AUSTRALIAN STEREO PRESSING ON THE EPIC LABEL, WITH (NON-LAMINATED) SLEEVE. THE MATRIX No's ARE: (SIDE ONE) MX253675  465184-1  MR1. (SIDE TWO) MX253676  465184 1   MR2.

THE VINYL HERE IS IN  SUPERB CONDITION - ORIGINAL GLOSS WITH BARELY A MARK.  PLAYS PERFECTLY AND SOUNDS SENSATIONAL!  THE  LABELS ARE  BRIGHT & CRISP,  WITH A TOUCH OF LIGHT SCUFFING JUST ABOVE THE CENTRE HOLE ON SIDE TWO (MANUFACTURING MARK - NOT SPINDLES FROM PLAYING).  THE SLEEVE HAS A COUPLE OF MINOR FLAWS ONLY. OPENING EDGES ARE SHARP, AND THE SPINE IS WELL DEFINED WITH CLEAR TEXT (NO CRACKING). ONE CORNER (TOP LEFT) HAS HAD A BUMP, AND THERE IS A SEAM SPLIT ON THE TOP EDGE (MIDDLE). THERE IS A LIGHT CORNER CREASE (BOTTOM LEFT). THERE IS NO EDGE WEAR. THERE ARE  NO TEARS, NO STICKERS, NO STICKER STAINS, AND NO WRITING.

GRADINGS - VINYL: Looks NEAR MINT /Plays PERFECTLY.    SLEEVE:  EX+ (spl).   LABELS: EX-.   

TRACKS: BROKEN FRIEND/LOSIN' IN LAS VEGAS/5:01 BLUES/SOMEDAY WE'LL KNOW/WOULDN'T THAT BE SOMETHING/SEA OF HEARTBREAK/A BETTER LOVE NEXT TIME/IF YOU WANT TO BE MY WOMAN/A THOUSAND LIES AGO/SOMEWHERE DOWN THE LINE.

GRADING:

Albums are graded as per UK Record Collector published guidelines, and my own opinion based on over 40 year's experience in collecting/grading vinyl. MINT: Only used for new/sealed records, or where I know for certain that the record has never been played because I've owned it since new.  Visually perfect in every way.  NEAR MINT: Either a record that is visually perfect record but has been played, or one that only has the faintest/tiniest scuff/mark that has no effect of sound/playability. A superb record. EXCELLENT: A record that shows some signs of having been played (light scuffs, etc.), and displays very little (if any) lessening in sound quality. A top quality record. VERY GOOD: A record that has obviously been played many times but displays no major deterioration in sound quality despite obvious scuffs/marks and possibly the odd fine hairline/light scratch. In other words - normal and predictable wear, and a perfectly acceptable record that's still great to listen to even though it may have some light background noise.  GOOD: A record that has been heavily used, displaying obvious scuffing,  hairlines and mild scratches. Will probably have noticeable background crackle, the odd 'pop', and maybe some 'ticking', but still plays through without skips or sticks. Acceptable as a collection-filler.  FAIR: Still playable but has not been looked after and plays with lots of obvious/intrusive surface noise & 'pops'. May display loud repetitive 'ticking', and possibly even skip. A record valued only for its possible rarity.  POOR: A  record that looks terrible and/or has really bad surface noise as a result of being flogged/badly handled/badly stored, and doesn't play properly (skips/sticks, etc) due to scratching, warping, etc.. A rubbish record, really.  (+) or, (-) indicates any variation to these gradings. As a general rule I don't list albums that are graded 'Fair' or 'Poor' unless they are so rare/collectable that the condition is of secondary importance. I always grade down if there's any doubt. Grading is done by a combination of playing and visual inspection, but ALL albums are played through for grading ('MINT'/'SEALED' copies excepted). Because the look of a record can be deceptive (i.e., can look mint, but play with crackle, pops, or even skip/alternatively can look rough, but play perfectly and sound superb!), I provide both a visual grading and a play grading in my listings - any obvious blemish and/or intrusive surface noise is noted in the description. Labels, sleeves, inserts, posters, etc., are graded separately along similar lines.

Abbreviations & Terms Used. ccs: cut corner on sleeve/inner. cw: corner wear/damage on sleeve/inner. dhl: drill hole through label.  dhs: drill hole through sleeve/inner. scs: saw cut in sleeve/inner.  sol: sticker on label. sos: sticker on sleeve/inner. srl: sticker/tape residue on label. srs: sticker/tape residue on sleeve/inner. tol: tear on label. tos: tear on sleeve/inner. wol: writing on label. wos: writing on sleeve/inner.  spl: seam or spine split on sleeve/inner.  rw: ring or rim wear on sleeve/inner. stl: stain on label. sts: stain on sleeve/inner. scuff: superficial mark(s) on vinyl usually made by sliding record in and out of paper sleeve, and/or light needle drag. hairline: a fine needle scratch on vinyl.  scratch: deeper, more obvious mark on vinyl. stick: where the needle catches on a scratch (or other blemish) and kicks back instead of tracking through. skip: where a scratch (or other blemish) causes the needle to jump ahead instead of tracking through.  misty: vinyl has a cloudy appearance (blushing) which doesn't affect sound/playability. crackle: underlying background noise. pop: audible click. ticking: repetitive clicks heard throughout a portion(s) of the track. spindles: track marks on label around centre hole, caused by contact with the turntable spindle. ring/rim wear: visible circular wear on sleeve/inner caused over time by contact with the outer rim (ring) of the label, and/or outer rim of the vinyl.  wrp: warp.  promo: advance pressing supplied to radio stations/press for pre-release play/review purposes (sticker/stamp on label, and sometimes on sleeve). deletion: record deleted from retail stock/company catalogue (usually indicated by cut corner/saw cut on sleeve, or drill hole through sleeve and/or label). s/s: still sealed. record has been shrink-wrapped at point of manufacture, and has not been opened. applies mainly to U.S. pressings, and indicates that the vinyl inside is in original unplayed condition - a note of caution: unscrupulous retailers/dealers have been known to re-seal played copies/different pressings, and even completely different recordings inside original sleeves, so there are no guarantees that you're getting what you've paid for with sealed albums unless, of course,  you open them!  boot: bootleg (illegal/unauthorised pressing).  ost: original movie/tv show soundtrack. oop: original Australian (oz) pressing. v/a: various artist recordings compiled on the one album/ep. export pressing: record pressed in one country intended for sale in another. flipback sleeve: album/ep sleeve glued together with card flaps from the front folded over onto the outside of the back, and therefore visible (mostly applies to original pressings from 50's/60's). machine varnish: a gloss/matt varnish applied to album/ep sleeves during the printing process. laminate: protective high-gloss plastic coating applied to album/ep sleeves after printing.  matrix number: master tape number hand scribed or machine stamped into the run-off 'deadwax' area of the vinyl. re-pressing: later (i.e., not first) pressing of a record that hadn't previously been deleted. reissue: re-release of a previously deleted record. acetate: one-off record cut by hand in a mastering studio, and used for demonstration purposes.

All albums are cleaned prior to grading, and receive a final check-over before packing. In my listings the photograph displayed is of the actual album you are bidding for, and therefore forms part of the description.

Please read all descriptions/gradings carefully, and ask any questions you may still have,  BEFORE bidding. Thanks.

TERMS & CONDITIONS - PLEASE READ:

CONTACT within 2 DAYS  (message me, or complete eBay Checkout - it only takes a few seconds!) and PAYMENT within 7 DAYS. Non-payers and time-wasters will be reported to eBay, and will receive a non-payer strike against their name - guaranteed.  So....IF YOU DON'T INTEND TO PAY, THEN DON'T BID - it really is that simple!
*NOTE: anyone who makes a genuine mistake when bidding should contact me immediately (while the auction is active), and I'll sort it out for you - but please don't wait until the auction is over to let me know - thanks.

Item(s) posted only after payment has been received/cleared. I pack professionally and I am NOT responsible for any loss or damage that may occur in transit. Registered Post and Insurance (Extra Cover) is available to most destinations (at additional cost) if you require extra security.

REFUNDS are offered only if the record doesn't match its description, and then only on the safe return of the record in its original condition, within 7 days of receipt (within 14 days for overseas buyers). Buyer pays return postage. I do NOT refund for damage/loss sustained in transit, or because someone has changed their mind after the event. All genuine concerns can be sorted out with good, timely communication, so if you believe that you have a problem contact me immediately, and I'll always do my best to help.

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POST & PACKING:

All albums are packed with the vinyl and sleeves separated and housed in individual plastic sleeves. They are then securely wrapped in bubblewrap and packed in a new carton which is sealed and protected with tape. This provides maximum protection at the most cost-effective parcel postal rate (up to 500g). I buy all packing materials and the cost of these is included in my listed rates. I pack all records the way I'd like to receive them (see my Feedback), and I still manage to offer competitive and reasonable P&P rates.
I do NOT charge a 'handling fee', or seek to profit from inflated P&P charges - they are what they are.

I post every working day, Monday to Friday. This means that the vast majority of albums are dispatched within 24 hours of payment being received (weekends/public holidays excepted). I doubt that any eBay seller offers a quicker turnaround. HOWEVER, it should be obvious that after I hand over your parcel to Australia Post, I have NO control over how long THEY take to deliver it. Australia Post are usual very good and often excellent, but some overseas postal services can be a problem. Express Post is available (at extra cost) within Australia for anyone who requires delivery faster than Australia Post's standard service. Likewise, similar fast options are available to most overseas destinations, but they can be very expensive - please ask for details. I do NOT offer a surface mail option for overseas destinations.

AUSTRALIAN P&P rate shown (AU$8.50) is based on parcels up to 500g (Albums/12" singles/12" ep's) to ANY postcode within Australia, and includes professional quality packaging. Parcels weighing more than 500g (e.g., double albums, multiple purchases) will cost more, depending on the actual parcel weight and your postcode. I AM HAPPY TO COMBINE MULTIPLE PURCHASES IN THE SAME 7 DAY PERIOD to save on post & packing, but please let me know that you're bidding on other items of mine! Registered Post is available (in Australia only) for an additional AU$2.80,  and is COMPULSORY for all purchases valued at AU$50.00 (including shipping costs) or more.

INTERNATIONAL P&P rate shown (AU$22.50) is for Zone D countries ONLY (UK/Europe/Africa/South America, etc.) and will be LESS for other destinations. For example: AU$19.50 for Zone C (USA/Canada/Middle East, etc.)/ AU$17.50 for Zone B (Japan/China/Pacific Islands, etc.)/AU$14.50 for Zone A (New Zealand), for single albums (parcels up to 500g). Again, double albums and multiple purchases will cost more, depending on the actual parcel weight and your location.
Insurance (Extra Cover) is available to many (but not all) overseas destinations for an additional cost of AU$8.75 (includes up to AU$100 cover) - if you'd like to insure your parcel, please email me for details/costs/availability. Insurance is strongly recommended where available,  and is COMPULSORY for all purchases valued at AU$50.00 (including shipping costs) or more.  Your specific postage cost will be confirmed at close of auction, or you can request a quote beforehand - but please don't wait until the last day to ask, as I may not be able to respond in time.

INTERNATIONAL BUYERS PLEASE NOTE: Import duties, taxes & charges which may be imposed by your country's customs office are NOT included in the item price or shipping costs shown here. These charges (should they apply) are the buyer's responsibility. Please check with your country's customs office to determine what these additional charges may be, prior to bidding/buying.

Post and packing charges are NOT NEGOTIABLE, and are subject to change as advised by Australia Post from time to time.

All records will be posted - strictly NO pickups or meetings under any circumstances, at any time. No exceptions.

PAYMENT OPTIONS:

Australian bidders - Payment by Direct Deposit, Australia Post Money Order, or PayPal (NO personal/bank cheques, or cash in the post). If you are paying by Direct Deposit, please include your eBay id, or the last 4 digits of the Item Number , so that your payment can be identified quickly. Also be aware that DD payments can take up to 3 to 4 days after you've made the deposit, before the payment appears in my account.

International bidders - PayPal is the ONLY payment option offered. NO foreign cheques, imo's, wire transfers, or foreign currency will be accepted under any circumstances. No exceptions.

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Please bid ONLY if you have READ, and AGREE with these terms.

GOOD LUCK WITH YOUR BIDDING, AND THANKS FOR YOUR INTEREST!