| Grading Process: Each record is cleaned
with an enzymatic cleaner and rinsed with distilled water either on
a VPI17F record cleaning machine or in the sink using a protective
acryllic and rubber gasket to protect the label.
After cleaning, each record is inspected in bright sunlight or
using intense artificial light -- a combination of 2 desk lamps with
high wattage natural spectrum bulbs. I prefer sunlight which
best reveals the slightest flaws in the surface of the vinyl.
Grading Standard:
I have adapted the following grading system from the Goldmine
standard as it is reproduced at the Record
Collector's Guild Website. The main difference is that I have added VG++ and
VG(+) -- to more precisely capture a record's condition. I grade conservatively and
play almost all records to confirm the grade.
- Near Mint NM nearly perfect --
record should show no obvious signs of wear. An LP cover should have no creases, folds,
seam splits or other noticeable similar defects. No cut-out holes, either. And of course,
the same should be true of any other inserts, such as posters, lyric sleeves and the like.
Basically, an LP in near mint condition looks as if you just got it home from a new record
store and removed the shrink wrap.
- Excellent EX Approaching
near mint, plays like new but may have a few --a maximum of 6 very minor and small scuffs
or hair line scratches
- Very Good Plus VG+ A Very Good
Plus record will show some signs that it was played and otherwise handled by a previous
owner who took good care of it.
Record surfaces may show some signs of wear and may have slight scuffs or very light
scratches that don't affect one's listening experiences. Slight warps that do not affect
the sound are "OK".
The label may have some ring wear or discoloration, but it should be barely noticeable.
The center hole will not have been misshapen by repeated play.
Picture sleeves and LP inner sleeves will have some slight wear, lightly turned up
corners, or a slight seam split. An LP cover may 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 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.
- Weak Very Good Plus VG(+) A record
somewhere between VG+ and VG. Occasional light surface noise or a few pops or
crackles but nothing constant or terribly distracting. Perhaps one feelable scratch
that is audible for 30 sec. or less on an otherwise clean playing record.
- Very Good VG Many of the
defects found in a VG+ record will be more pronounced in a VG disc. Surface noise will be
evident upon playing, especially in soft passages and during a song's intro and fade, but
will not overpower the music otherwise. Groove wear will start to be noticeable, as with
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.
- 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 (on a styrene record, the groove will be starting to
turn white).
A cover or sleeve will have seam splits, especially at the bottom or on the spine. Tape,
writing, ring wear or other defects will start to overwhelm the object.
|
