2 vintage LPs: *PACIFIC OCEAN BLUE* (Dennis Wilson) & *PET SOUNDS* (Beach Boys)

$

45

FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION
A lot of two (2) CALIFORNIA ROCK & ROLL MASTERPIECES.
Both original presses:

1. “PACIFIC OCEAN BLUE” (Promo) by DENNIS WILSON (1977)

2. “PET SOUNDS” (Stereo) by THE BEACH BOYS (1966)

Please see below for details.


TITLE one: “PACIFIC OCEAN BLUE”
ARTISTS: ** DENNIS WILSON **
LABEL & CATALOG #: CARIBOU RECORDS/CBS (PZ 34354)
MATRIX RUNOUT: PAL -34354-1A/ PBL -34354-1A/

RECORD TYPE: STEREO
YEAR: 1977

CONDITION of COVER: VG+. On front, there is damage to the surface from where a sticker was pulled, taking some of the cover with it (see photo please). Otherwise front and back have minimal creasing and scratching. There is some wear on spine, especially at both corners. Gatefold is excellent. Promo stamp on back cover.
CONDITION of SLEEVE: VG+. Original sleeve (included) has a 6-inch slice on right edge of the front (in middle). There is also a tear from that area that slices out on the back for about a half-inch.
CONDITION of LABEL: VG++.

CONDITION of VINYL: VG+. There are cosmetic scratches on both sides but surface noise is minimal and record plays and sounds SHARP.

CONTENT: The entire record is something else but if you haven’t at least heard the title track, you have not heard one of the greatest pop anthems of all time: powerful, almost overwrought (but not)--with a piercing intimacy and sweetness. Why wasn’t album this album a smash-hit on release?

**

TITLE two: “PET SOUNDS”
ARTISTS: ** THE BEACH BOYS **
LABEL & CATALOG #: CAPITOL (DT-2458)
MATRIX RUNOUT: DT-1-2458-A-15/DT-2-2458-B-16
RECORD TYPE: STEREO (“DUOPHONIC”)
YEAR: 1966

CONDITION of COVER: VG+. Corners have minor wear. Starting at the right corner (of front) there is a half-inch split at the very bottom. Top edge on back has a small tear. Original owner’s name and address on tiny sticker appears on front. Both sides have minor scratches and wear.
CONDITION of SLEEVE: VG+. Original sleeve (included) contains lyrics. It is sliced at bottom and there is a slight tear on right corner but otherwise very clean and sharp. (Record is actually stored in a NEW, GENERIC, MINT sleeve.)
CONDITION of LABEL: VG+. Same sticker of owner/address that appears on front cover also appears on label of side 1.
CONDITION of VINYL: VG+. There are cosmetic scratches on both sides but the record does not skip and the surface noise is surprisingly minimal. (We played this record once to test it and were amazed by the purity of the sound.) That the scratches look worse than they sound probably has something to do with the fact that this piece of vinyl happens to be heavier than most rock vinyl from the 1960s that we are familiar with--and thicker than normal.

CONTENT: Rock & Roll Masterpiece. The Beach Boys spin on “Rubber Soul.”

**

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=•?•=
FLAPPINCAT
LOVES VINYL LOVERS!
VINYL LOVERS!
We, the spokespeople of FLAPPINCAT, not only greet and salute you, we...HEART you. For twenty years, we ourselves have been collectors of rare and strange vinyl and though we’ve been selling books on eBay since 2015, this here marks our first auction that is almost totally all-vinyl.

WHY WE HEART VINYL LOVERS!
Because vinyl lovers are music lovers and we adore your open minds—and your open ears—and how both lead you on a passionate, ceaseless quest into the mysterious realms of VINYL.

WHAT KIND OF SPECIAL VINYL ARE YOU LOOKING FOR?
We don’t know the specifics of your personal quest¬¬, of course, but we guess that most of you who end up here are the kind of listener who seeks whatever is good or great in any genre—or odd or sublime or mega-rare.

OUR OWN LOVE OF VINYL
For many moons, children, we ourselves have sacrificed many sunny weekends, and the picnics, square dances, and yachting that accompanied them, for the dust and dank of basements, attics, and junk-stores, some of which should’ve been condemned. But for the light and sunshine of rare and funky music no personal sacrifice in the shadows seems too large.

Our vinyl genres of choice (with a few quick examples):

* PSYCH (beefheart, love) * XIAN (emily bindiger, the bridge) * GOSPEL (rev. charlie jackson, lula collins, designer label)  * FUNK (fela, erma franklin, true soul label) * BLUES (jr kimbrough, blind willie johnson) * FOLK (nico, nick drake, jimmie driftwood) * GARAGE (the shaggs, butch engle) * HILLBILLY / COUNTRY BOP (marvin rainwater, martha carson) * BEATNIK JAZZ (bob dorough, nellie lutcher) * WORLD (Africa & the Middle East esp.) * AVANT-GARDE (moondog, harry partch) * PRIVATE PRESS (abner jay, the dandelions, marlin wallace) *


THIS IS OUR FIRST
MOSTLY VINYL EBAY SALE!
As we said, we’ve been happily selling books on eBay for a few years--that’s our other passion. Before that—since 2003—we’ve simply used eBay to buy both vinyl records and books. We still do that (at heart, we are collectors).
Being a buyer is crucial to being a seller. Our experiences buying on eBay have taught us how to be the kind of good seller we’ve enjoyed buying from—and how to avoid being like (the few) baddies we didn’t enjoy.

Anyway, that’s our background (minus a few Hollywood-type heroics) and we hope we are officially ready to sell vinyl properly and respectfully on eBay to the kind of collector that we are--the one that likes funky, groovy, obscure, and sublime sounds---and to be treated decently.

So that’s that!

NOTE: For this—our debut auction of mostly vinyl—FLAPPINCAT has opted to keep things simple—for us—by offering records that, for a variety of factors (inc. being “Sealed”), probably don’t need AUDIO SAMPLES. But we won’t be able to simple for long.


OUR NEXT AUCTION?
Coming very shortly, in a few weeks, FLAPPINCAT will be forced to include AUDIO SAMPLES on most of what the oddball and mega-rare album we put before you.

Ugh! That’s so time-consuming! But we have no choice. As we’ve said, we will be “forced” to include AUDIO SAMPLES.

“WHY?” (You might ask.)

OUR ANSWER: FLAPPINCAT is convinced that it will be impossible to describe via text what many of the hard-to-find records that we will be selling actually sound like.

Rather than verbiage and blather (sales talk), we will give you AUDIO. To help you believe your ears—and sometimes just barely—we will give you AUDIO.


WEIRD VINYL?
The hard-to-describe 45s and 33s that FLAPPINCAT will be soon be auctioning (the ones that will need AUDIO SAMPLES) may truly be called “rare”—or even “mega-rare.”

Or “neglected” or “obscure.”

Or “seldom heard” or “seldom sold.”

Or “sublime” or “weird” (or both.)


THE LOST & UNLISTED
IN THE WORLDS OF MUSIC
Or “lost” and “unlisted.”

“Lost” is pure metaphor, but by “unlisted” we mean, quite precisely, that some of the vinyl we will post and pose before you has not yet appeared, or is not currently noted, on eBay, Popsike, MusicStack, or Discogs.

(We’ve looked and looked.)

Beyond their rarity, many of the upcoming FLAPPINCAT 45s and 33s will be personal faves from our collection that we never—ever—thought we’d be selling.

For the record: We are not kidding about that.

It is only to help fund a new media project that, much to our surprise, took hold of us that we are selling our most favored and loved vinyl.


THE 5 KEY PROMISES THAT FLAPPINCAT PLEDGES TO YOU
FLAPPINCAT’s aim is to offer you, the eBay customer, the most exciting vinyl (and books) that we can while doing all we can to ensure that your eBay experience with us is enjoyable and fair. If that happens we like to think that both parties will benefit from the exchange.

Here’s how we plan to achieve that aim:

#1. In classic “Golden Rule” fashion, FLAPPINCAT will treat its eBay customers just as we like to be treated when we buy on eBay. In other words, you will be treated with honesty and with fairness and with respect.
#2. FLAPPINCAT will describe, with honesty and clarity, all items we try to sell. When depicting an item—or its condition—we will not permit ourselves vagueness, gobbledygook, doubletalk, or stretchers. If we screw up, our error will be one made in good faith—not from an attempt to deceive or cheat you by falsifying language.
#3. FLAPPINCAT considers the packing & shipping of the items we sell to be an essential part of our business, not an afterthought or a burden. We understand that unless items are CAREFULLY protected, they can be ruined during shipment. Thus, we take time and care to package well and to ship in sturdy--and well-taped—containers. (If anything, we over-tape. Friendly Warning: You might need a letter-opener to open a FLAPPINCAT box.)
#4. FLAPPINCAT pledges to be prompt.
#5. FLAPPINCAT takes to heart the truth that without customers—without you—we don’t exist. It is that simple. We also think that FLAPPINCAT should simply be very grateful for your business—for your good faith, for your trust in us—and we are. That may sound corny to some, but this gratitude deeply affects how we operate and it is genuine.

HOW WE GRADE VINYL
(First of all, we don’t like exaggeration and hype being used when describing the condition of a vinyl record. NOT at all.)
The prism through which we inspect, and grade, vinyl records is called “THE GOLDMINE STANDARD.” This system was devised and refined by the experts at GOLDMINE RECORDS and has the support of the Record Collectors Guild and many (if not most) amateur and professional vinylists and eBay sellers.
“THE GOLDMINE STANDARD.”
Though condensed for readability, the GOLDMINE text that follows has not had its meaning altered:
1. MINT (M) or (STILL) SEALED. “Absolutely perfect in every way. Certainly has never been played, possibly even still sealed.”

2. NEAR MINT (NM or M-). “A good description of a NM record is ‘it looks like it just came from a retail store and it was opened for the first time.’ In other words, it’s nearly perfect... NM records are shiny, with no visible defects..... (NM records don’t have to be ‘never played’; a record used on an excellent turntable can remain NM after many plays if the disc is properly cared for.).” *NOTE: FLAPPINCAT also uses the term “MINTY” as a synonym for NM or M–. Cuz it’s bouncy.
3. VERY GOOD PLUS (VG+) or (EX) EXCELLENT. “A good description of a VG+ record is ‘except for a couple minor things, this would be Near Mint.’ Most collectors, especially those who want to play their records, will be happy with a VG+ record, especially if it is toward the high end of the grade (sometimes called VG++ or E+).

“VG+ records may show some slight signs of wear, including light scuffs or very light scratches that do not affect the listening experience. Slight warps that do not affect the sound are OK. Minor signs of handling are OK, too, such as telltale marks around the center hole, but repeated playing has not misshapen the hole....”
4. VERY GOOD (VG). “Many of the imperfections found on a VG+ record are more obvious on a VG record.... VG records have more obvious flaws than their counterparts in better shape. They lack most of the original gloss found on factory-fresh records. Groove wear is evident on sight, as are light scratches deep enough to feel with a fingernail. When played, a VG record has surface noise, and some scratches may be audible, especially in soft passages and during a song’s intro and ending. But the noise will not overpower the music otherwise.”
5. GOOD (G) or GOOD PLUS  (G+) or VERY GOOD MINUS (VG–). “Good does not mean bad! The record still plays through without skipping, so it can serve as filler until something better comes along. But it has significant surface noise and groove wear, and the label is worn, with significant ring wear, heavy writing, or obvious damage caused by someone trying to remove tape or stickers and failing miserably....”
6. FAIR (F) or POOR (P). “Records are cracked, impossibly warped, or skip and/or repeat when an attempt is made to play them.”
*NOTE 1: THE “GOLDMINE STANDARD” is: © Goldmine Magazine.

**NOTE 2: In the area titled “LAST WORD,” we will sometimes share, in casual sound-bite form, our personal impression of a record’s condition and/or its sound quality. In this “LAST WORD” section we will pretend that we are at a record show or shop and that it’s we who are, in that moment, whether to buy the record you are considering to buy. This will be our attempt to try to view the exchange from your perspective. (Because sometimes we just want people to tell us, in a nutshell, what they really think.)


A FEW MORE NOTES ON
GRADING VINYL
#1. We agree that grading is not a hard science; that it is subjective. But we still try our utmost to be accurate and clear.
#2. Rather than just slapping one of GOLDMINE’s short-hand codes (VG, VG+, etc.) onto a record, we offer details about the condition of every record we sell. These details—some of which can be exhaustive and/or exhausting—are listed in the text area of each sale.
#3. We try to be conservative, rather than hyperbolic, in how we grade vinyl. What we call “VG” somebody else might call “NM.”
#4. All discernible flaws will be emphasized. It is possible, though, that we may at times not catch all flaws. (It is just as possible that we, at times, may neglect to perceive all virtues.)
#5. A piece of vinyl and its sounds are distinct from the album cover and sleeve and label that comes with it. That’s why when we judge and grade LPs we judge and grade each of these four (4) parts separately. (The majority of 45s we sell come without “covers” (picture sleeves) so we judge and grade the three (3) parts of a 45 separately: the vinyl, the label, and the sleeve.)


RETURNS TO FLAPPINCAT
RETURNS (GENERAL). We take care to inspect records (either by playing them and/or eyeballing them under a good lamp) and we try hard not to make errors. We also extensively photograph the vinyl we sell—beyond, even, the photos we post. But, again, we accept that grading vinyl is subjective and that we may miss flaws (or virtues!). Should you wish to return a purchase—even because it’s in better shape than what we described—we will treat your decision with respect. (NOTE: Collectors whose pickiness is beyond our capacity to accommodate may be banned from future auctions¬—but with a smile.)
REFUNDS. We will refund 100% of your payment (except for return mailing) provided whatever is returned to us comes back in the exact condition in which it was sent to you and provided you pay for the return shipping. (NOTE: We maintain an extensive close-up photographs of every item we sell.)
DEADLINE FOR RETURNS. All returns must be made within 14 days of receipt of our initial shipment.
RETURN MAILING. The buyer must pay for the cost of mailing all returned items to the seller.
SUMMARY. Please excuse the rigidity of these rules but they are here to protect us from out-and out cons and not to disrespect those honest buyers who will find that we are easy to deal with even in those rare instances where you must complain.

HOW WE SHIP (MINDFULLY!)
We accept that how we package and ship an item that you have purchased from us is a KEY part of how we prove our respect for you. That’s why every item you buy from FLAPPINCAT will be wrapped and packaged a) deliberately and b) attentively and c) carefully before it is d) sent to you in e) a sturdy container.
We also understand that...vinyl records are fragile! Even books can be damaged if not packaged well. And while we try to recycle shipping materials, we do NOT stint on protection, as you will see.


SHIPPING RATES
IN THE UNITED STATES: We ship records via “media mail” for the price $3.75 for the first record and .50¢ for each subsequent record in the same order up to four records per order and then we start over with a new package and shipment starting again at $3.75 and costing, again, .50¢ for each subsequent record up to four per order and so on¬¬—until one of us blinks.
(Exceptions to this practice exist and they will be noted in the department that eBay calls “Shipping:” and which appears onscreen with every item we sell on eBay. )
EXPEDITED SHIPPING: In the United States, expedited shipping is an option that can be purchased by the buyer if done so in advance of our processing, or shipping, of your order.
INTERNATIONAL ORDERS: Yes!
WHY? Because good music doesn’t believe in boundaries.
INTERNATIONAL PRICES: We use eBay’s “GLOBAL SHIPPING PROGRAM.” This program determines the specific cost of shipping each item to your specific country and this data can be found when you click on the items we sell.
HOW LONG MUST INTERNATIONAL BUYERS WAIT TO RECEIVE THEIR PACKAGES? This varies. Details about how long each specific package will take to reach your specific country is discussed in the text of each listing. For the record, we send each international order to a specific eBay office in the United States and from that point on, eBay itself takes over the shipping and monitoring of your order.

PAYMENT
We ask that you pay us promptly as we like to ship promptly. All payments need to be made via PAYPAL and before 3 days (72 hours) pass from the time eBay declared you the winner. After 3 days—and independent of us—eBay automatically starts a case against you for unpaid action. That said, we know that life happens (it sure does) and we enjoy being reasonable and agreeable. If you need more time to make a payment, please just contact us before the payment-due deadline. Thank you!


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=•?•=
WHAT ELSE CAN
FLAPPINCAT SAY?
Haven’t we said enough? Well, the one thing we don’t mind repeating is our core belief. Our core belief is this: We here at FLAPPINCAT think and feel that it is both civilized and natural to treat you, our honorable customer, as fairly, and as respectfully, and as fondly, as we ourselves like to be treated when we are buying things on eBay.
So we will!

With Gratitude and Gusto,
Your online pal,

FLAPPINCAT