Grading

The Brothers list jacket condition first, vinyl second. For example, a VG+/M- grade indicates a jacket with slight signs of wear and a disc which is virtually flawless. "N/A" before the vinyl grade for certain 45rpms means there is no factory sleeve (although the Brothers will attempt to include one free if available).
*See note at bottom
SS "Still Sealed"
Never opened.
M "Mint"
Opened but flawless. No signs of wear. This grade usually used with 12" discs.

M- "Mint Minus"
Vinyl: still virtually flawless. May have faint scuffs from sleeve.
Jacket: Virtually wear free, but sheen may be faded in some spots.
VG+ "Very Good Plus"
Vinyl: Some signs of wear but will still play almost perfectly throughout, with only occasional and "barely detectable" crackles or pops. A slight noise at the song beginning is allowable.
Jacket: Minor signs of wear.
VG "Very Good"
Vinyl: May crackle, pop or make other annoying noises, but never continuously.
Jacket: Normal used cover wear such as ring wear and split seams. Such abnormalities as minor tears, markings, moisture stains will be listed in the item description, and only if seller feels it still qualifies as "VG".
G "Good"
Vinyl: May have continuous crackles, pops, etc... but not so loud as to make the music completely unlistenable or unenjoyable to the casual listener.
Jacket: More than normal wear and tear.
*BUYER Responsibility
Brothers Records play-grades records with Audio Technica turntables at stylus pressures of 3.5 grams, a typical pressure for most turntables. Turntables rated with a lighter pressure (such as 1.5 grams) MAY pick up additional surface sounds even on a M- rated LP or 45rpm disc.
Buyers please consider this BEFORE purchasing your disc. We WILL NOT grant refunds for this reason! A one-time exchange for an equally priced disc may be considered, and ONLY AFTER we receive and play-grade the returned disc.
If you have any doubts please purchase discs graded ^SS^ (Still Sealed).
"Play Graded" Description means that The Brothers have listened to and graded this disc. The label or vinyl may look worse than it sounds but is graded according to Goldmine Sound Standards.
All buyers must become familiar with Brothers Records Grading policies AND Musicstack FORMAT descriptions. We do not refund for
buyer mistakes in their purchases. If you have ANY questions please contact the Brother BEFORE your purchases.

Abbreviations:
WOL = Writing on label
WOC or WOJ = Writing on cover / Jacket
WD = water damage
WLP = White label promo
Orig. = Original record
DOT = "Dog on top", for RCA labels
NS = new white sleeve provided for 45rpms.
Promo or Promo Stamp = Promotional disk with sleeve stamp or sticker.
Punch or Notch or CO = Cutout in the jacket.
Shrink or Shrink wrap = Original plastic covering of sleeve.
RE = Reissue of original disc release
PS = Picture Sleeve ( 7")
Timing strip = DJ timing strip on the sleeve.

Goldmine Grading Standard:

Mint [M]: Absolutely perfect in every way - certainly never played, possibly even still sealed. (More on still sealed below). Should be used sparingly as a grade, if at all.
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Near Mint [NM or M-]: A nearly perfect record. Many dealers won't give a grade higher than this implying (perhaps correctly) that no record is ever truly perfect. The record shows no obvious sign of wear. A 45 rpm sleeve has no more than the most minor defects, such as almost invisible ring wear or other signs of slight handling. An LP jacket has no creases, folds, seam splits or any other noticeable similar defect. No cut-out holes, either. And of course, the same is true of any other inserts, such as posters, lyric sleeves, and the like. Basically, Near Mint looks as if you just got it home from a new record store and removed the shrink wrap.
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Very Good Plus [VG+]: Shows some signs that it was played and otherwise handled by a previous owner who took good care of it. Record surfaces may show some slight signs of wear and may have slight scuffs or very light scratches that don't affect one's listening experience. Slight warps that do not affect the sound are OK. The label may have some ring wear or discoloration, but is should be barely noticeable. The center hole is not misshapen by repeated play. Picture sleeves and LP inner sleeves will have some slight wear, lightly turn-up corners, or a slight seam-split. An LP jacket my have slight signs of wear also and may be marred by a cut-out hole, indentation or corner indicating it was taken out of print and sold at a discount. In general, if not for a couple of minor things wrong with it, this would be Near Mint. All but the most mint-crazy collectors will find a Very Good Plus record highly acceptable.
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Very Good [VG]: Many of the defects found in a VG+ record are more pronounced in a VG disc. Surface noise is evident upon playing, especially in soft passages and during the song's intro and fade, but will not overpower the music otherwise. Groove wear will start to be noticeable, as will light scratches deep enough to feel with a fingernail) that will affect the sound. Labels may be marred by writing, or have tape or stickers (or their residue) attached. The same will be true of picture sleeves or LP covers. However, it will not have all of these problems at the same time, only two or three of them.
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Good [G], Good Plus [G+]: Good does not mean bad! A record in Good or Good Plus condition can be put onto a turntable and will play through without skipping. But it will have significant surface noise and scratches and visible groove wear. A jacket or sleeve has seam splits, especially at the bottom or on the spine. Tape, writing, ring wear or other defects will start to overwhelm the object. If it's a common item, you'll probably find another copy in better shape eventually. Pass it up. But if it's something you have been seeking for years, and the price is right, get it.
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Poor [P], Fair [F]: The record is cracked, badly warped, and won't play through without skipping or repeating. The picture sleeve is water damaged, split on all three seams and heavily marred by wear and/or writing. The LP jacket barely keeps the LP inside it. Inner sleeves are fully seam split, and written upon. Except for impossibly rare records otherwise unattainable, records in this condition should be bought or sold for no more than a few cents each.

Return Policy

BUYER Responsibility
Please also see our "Gradings Explanation"
Brothers Records play-grades records with Audio Technica turntables at stylus pressures of 3.5 grams, a typical pressure for most turntables. Turntables rated with a lighter pressure (such as 1.5 grams) MAY pick up additional surface sounds even on a M- rated LP or 45rpm disc.
Buyers please consider this BEFORE purchasing your disc. We WILL NOT grant refunds for this reason! A one-time exchange for an equally priced disc may be considered, and ONLY AFTER we receive and play-grade the returned disc. If you have any doubts please purchase discs graded ^SS^ (Still Sealed).
We do not make refunds for "damaged" or "not received" records. That is between you and the Postal Service. Nor do we refund for "damaged" items which we shipped as "sealed"; these are unopened and we presume factory flawless.After purchasing a sealed disc, you can ask us to open and inspect it for you. Types of damages can be "Warped" " due to bending pressure of the box by the Postal Service, "Grit Scuffed" due to jostling in the postal travel to you within the sleeve, as well as breakage or cracking caused by heavy blows or holes by mis-handling by the USPS and it's afffiliates in the EU and abroad. If this is not acceptable please do not order. We insure and/or track all USA orders over $40.00,and all other countries over $100. That insurance amount will be billed to the buyer. We also insure lesser cost amounts upon buyer request. You must request insurance for any lesser amount.
Brothers Records reserves the right to request additional payment when our automated (estimated) S&H charges fall short of our actual costs. ALL FOREIGN BUYERS please be aware of this. Insuring orders is a priority for us on the more expensive orders and vary per country. We will always provide options for our buyers.
Please become familiar with all of our policies prior to purchase. We do not refund items because of buyer misunderstanding in this regard.
Do not contact The Brothers on ANY orders sent via MEDIA MAIL till 20 days has transpired. Media Mail has NO guaranteed delivery time by the United States Post office. We do not guarantee it either.

We are The Brothers !

Seller Information

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Grading

Goldmine Grading Standard:

Return Policy