Vinyl Grading Guide
We use the Goldmine Record of vinyl record grading for all the records sold on this site. For more info check out this article from Goldmine Magazine.
| Grade | Media Condition | Sleeve Condition |
|---|---|---|
| Mint (M) | Perfect. No scratches. Never been played, possibly even still sealed. | Perfect. No creases or stains. |
| Near Mint (NM) | NM records are shiny, with no visible defects. Writing, stickers or other markings do not appear on the label, nor any “spindle marks” from someone trying to blindly put the record on the turntable. Major factory defects also must be absent; a record and label obviously pressed off center is not Near Mint. If played, it will do so with no surface noise. (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.) | Sleeve covers are free of creases, ring wear and seam splits of any kind. Shows no more than the most minor defects, such as any sign of slight handling. |
| Very Good Plus (VG+) | VG+ records may show some slight signs of wear, including light scuffs or very light scratches that do not affect the listening experience. There may be slight warps that do not affect the sound and minor signs of handling such as telltale marks around the center hole, but repeated playing has not misshapen the hole. There may be some very light ring wear or discoloration, but it should be barely noticeable. | VG+ covers only have minor wear. The sleeve might have some very minor seam wear or a split (less than one inch long) at the bottom. It may also have some defacing, such as a cut-out marking. |
| Very Good (VG) | Groove wear is evident on sight and there may be light scratches deep enough to feel with a fingernail. 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. | VG sleeves may have ring wear in the middle or along the edges of the cover where the edge of a record would reside but not overwhelming. Some more creases are visible. There may be splits on the seam and appear on all three sides, though it won’t be obvious upon looking. Someone might have written or it or stamped a price tag on it. |
| Good (G) | Plays without skipping but will have significant surface noise. 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. | Cover has ring wear to the point of distraction, has seam splits obvious on sight and may have even heavier writing. |
| Poor (P) | Records are cracked, impossibly warped, or skip and/or repeat when an attempt is made to play them. | The picture sleeve is heavily damaged, split on all three seams or show heavy signs of wear or writing. The LP cover barely keeps the LP inside it. Inner sleeves are fully split, crinkled, and written upon. |