Grading

Vinyl Grading Policy:
On all our listings, condition is: Vinyl / Cover
All records and jackets are visually graded unless noted otherwise. CAUTION: Please be aware that the play grade may differ from the visual grade. We all have records that look worn but play great and vice versa. It is not possible to play as well as visually grade each LP listed. I TRY TO GRADE CONSERVATIVELY under the guidelines on this page, which generally follow the GOLDMINE standards. We try to be conscientious graders.
M - Mint
NM - Near Mint
VG+ - Very good +
VG - Very good
VG- Very good -
S/S - Still sealed
Mint or Still Sealed = A mint item must be absolutely perfect. We never use this grade unless the record is still sealed and perfect.
Near Mint = The record shows no obvious signs of wear. The vinyl should show no wear from playing only the slightest of paper scuffs are acceptable. The jacket should look as if you just got it home from a new record store and removed the shrink-wrap.
Near Mint-/Very Good++ = The record or cover is clearly better than VG+ but not Near Mint. There should be some signs that the vinyl was played infrequently and otherwise handled by a previous owner who took excellent care of it. Record surfaces may show some slight signs of wear and may have light scuffs and or very minor light scratches that do not affect the listener experience at all. The label and spindle hole will be without flaws other than the lightest of spindle trails from being played only a few times if at all. The cover should be bright and sharp and will have only the very first evidence of discoloration or ring wear or creased corners. Although there may be some evidence of seam/spine wear, seam splits are not permitted for this grade. The jacket may be marked as a cut out by a drill hole, saw mark, cut corner or punch hole. I will list any cover flaws.

Very Good+ = This is equivalent of the VG+ grade in Goldmine. The record will show signs that the vinyl was played but taken care of. Record surfaces will show signs of wear including some light scratches/scuffs that do not significantly affect the listener experience. Slight warps that do not affect the sound are ok. Spindle holes will have some wear but not be enlarged or damaged in any way. The cover will have general wear/ring wear but not to the extent that it materially impairs enjoyment of the picture cover. Slight seam splits are ok for this grade. Again I will list any cover flaws.
Very Good = Many of the defects found in a VG+ record will be more pronounced in a Very Good record. Surface noise will be evident upon playing, especially in soft passages & during a songs intro & 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 finger tip, that will effect the sound. Labels: may be marred by writing or have tape or stickers attached. The same is true of picture sleeves or covers. I do play test a record that has a deep scratch. It will be noted.

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We have over 10,000 vinyl records in stock.