Grading Guidelines

A few words about the grading of records.   We grade conservatively, which means our records are 
normally in better shape than what we have listed them at.  It is possible to get a high price for a 
beat-up record, if it's exceptionally rare. So if you see a record graded vg-/vg- or   g/g+ and seems to 
have a high price on it, it is because the value is based on it's rarity.      Our records are graded cover
first then record.   Most are graded Visually which means we look at the record only to decide what 
the grade will be.  In an ideal world, every record would be played before it is graded.  But the time 
involved,  makes it  impractical and  virtually impossible.  If the record has been play graded, it will 
say so.

•  Sealed - means the record shrink wrap was never opened.   However, sometimes the older
                   records that have a plastic inner sleeve is still sealed, but there is no shrink wrap
                   over the cover.
  
• Near Mint  - A nearly perfect record.  Should show no obvious signs of wear. An LP Jacket
                    should have no creases, folds, seam splits or any other noticeable similar defect.
                    Some say, covers should have no co marks, but we have many sealed items that
                    have that, so we still consider a Near mint cover with a co mark as Near mint, if 
                    it is truly clean and glossy.
  
• Very Good + (plus)-  Will show some signs that is was played but was generally cared for.
                     Surface of vinyl could have some light scuffs or very light scratches that don't affect
                    the sound.   The label may have some ring wear or discoloration, but it should be barely
                    noticeable.  The LP jacket may have slight signs of wear and could have a slight seam
                    split.
  
• Very Good- 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 into and fade, but will not overpower the music otherwise.  Groove wear could
                       be noticeable, as well as light scratches (but do not normally affect the sound).
                       Covers may be soiled or have multiple problems like split seams (normally only one side or
                       slight on two edges).

•  Very Good (-) -  This grade means the record is still can be enjoyable and  that it will not skip
                         but may have loud ticks and a scratchy sound all through out the recordings.

• Good (plus) - Good does not mean Bad.  Some of the 50's jazz records might only be listed in Good 
                          condition, but may play better than they look  because of being a deep groove, (where a
                          disc grooves were cut deeper into the vinyl).  The record should play without skipping
                          but could be quite noisy.  The jacket will have seam splits, tape, writing, excessive ring 
                          wear.  This is getting to point of buying to collect only if you are desperate for this title.
  

 Poor-         What can we say about poor.  Sometimes the record is so rare and hard to find, that we
                    include them for collectors who might be looking to fill a temporary gap in their collections
                    The record will play badly and have many surface scratches.  These are priced accordingly..