Our Grading Philosophy
Understanding the language of a record's life.
A grade is more than a label; it’s the beginning of a record's story. It tells you about the life it has lived, from the pressing plant to our turntable, and finally to yours. We use the Goldmine Standard as our foundation, but we believe in adding context and character. Here’s how we interpret the grades and what you can expect from the listening experience.
Mint (M)
The Vinyl:
It is perfect. Untouched. Unplayed. Often, this means it's still sealed in its original shrink wrap. We rarely use this grade, as even a sealed record can have imperfections from the factory.
The Cover:
Pristine. No creases, ring wear, or seam splits. It looks as if it just left the factory.
Near Mint (NM)
The Vinyl:
This is our highest grade for an opened record. The vinyl is glossy and shows no visible defects. When you listen, the music emerges from a silent, black canvas. There are no distracting pops, clicks, or surface noise. It’s the closest you can get to a brand-new record.
The Cover:
Shows only the faintest whisper of handling. Perhaps a tiny touch of wear on a corner, but no ring wear, creases, or splits. The artwork is crisp and vibrant.
Very Good Plus (VG+)
The Vinyl:
The sweet spot for most collectors. The record shows signs of being played and handled by a careful owner. You might see light paper scuffs or faint hairlines under a bright light, but they are purely cosmetic and do not affect the sound. The listening experience is full and dynamic, with any occasional, faint background noise being completely overwhelmed by the music.
The Cover:
Has some minor signs of life. Slight ring wear may be starting to appear, or the corners might be gently bumped. There are no major distractions from the artwork.
Very Good (VG)
The Vinyl:
This record has been loved and played. You'll see more noticeable marks and light scratches. When you listen, you'll hear some surface noise—think of it as a gentle, rainy-day crackle in the quiet moments between tracks or during softer passages. It’s present, but it never overpowers the music. A VG record offers a fantastic listening experience that embraces the character of the format.
The Cover:
Shows more obvious wear. Ring wear is more pronounced, there might be small seam splits at the edges, or some writing on the cover. It’s a sleeve that has clearly protected a beloved record for a long time.
Good (G / G+)
The Vinyl:
This record has had a full life, and it tells its story through sound. It will play through without skipping, but you'll hear persistent surface noise, clicks, and pops. The music is still the star, but the audio texture is a prominent part of the experience. G-grade records are perfect for owning a rare piece of music affordably or as a "player copy" you don't have to worry about.
The Cover:
The cover will have heavy ring wear, noticeable seam splits (often taped by a previous owner), and significant edge wear. It has done its job protecting the vinyl, and it shows.
Fair (F) / Poor (P)
The Vinyl:
This record is in rough shape. It will likely have deep scratches, cracks, or warping that cause it to skip, repeat, or play with overwhelming noise. We almost never sell records in this condition, unless it's an incredibly rare piece where its historical value outweighs its playability.
The Cover:
The cover is heavily damaged, possibly torn, water-damaged, or falling apart. Its primary value might be the artwork itself, even in its damaged state.
Our Promise
We grade conservatively. A record we call VG+ might be considered Near Mint by another seller. We always play-test our records and provide detailed, honest notes in our descriptions—especially for any flaw that could impact the sound. The grade is the guide, but the story is in the details.