Various factors that can affect their sound quality and overall value influence the condition of vinyl records. Here are the key aspects to consider:
- Scratches and Scuffs: Scratches and Scuffs can significantly impact sound quality by introducing unwanted noise or skipping. Their severity and location(s) can greatly affect a record's value.
- Warping: Vinyl records can warp due to heat or improper storage. Warping can range from slight, which may not affect playback, to severe, rendering a record unplayable. Understanding the impact of warping is essential in the record grading and can directly influence a vinyl's playability and value.
- Surface Noise: This can include various types of noise, from light crackles to persistent hissing, which can detract from the listening experience and influence a vinyl's playability and value
- Spindle Holes and Labels: The condition of the spindle hole and/or the label can indicate how well a record has been cared for. Damage or wear in these areas can decrease the record's value.
- Other Factors, split seams, writing on the cover or label, and stains, can also influence a record's overall condition.
Below is a generally accepted guide to grading vinyl records. Remember that not only is the vinyl graded, but the LP cover condition will also affect the price
Mint – M: A record in mint condition is basically as new, absolutely perfect, and will be factory sealed
- Vinyl Record - The vinyl will be as new and unplayed. This vinyl record shows no signs of wear or use of any kind, and will still be factory sealed.
- LP Cover - The cover will be as new, completely unmarked in any way - absolutely perfect. The cover will be factory sealed.
Near Mint – NM: The highest grade for a second-hand non-factory sealed record
- Vinyl Record - The vinyl will have no visible signs of being played, no defects, writing, or spindle marks on the label.
- LP Cover - The cover looks close to brand new. It has no bends, creases, marks, price stickers or their residue on it, and it is bright and colourful.
Excellent – E: Second-hand records that are close to Near Mint
- Vinyl Record - The vinyl may have very light marks where the vinyl has been in and out of the inner sleeve a few times, or tiny signs of use generally.
- LP Cover - The cover may show light use, with no bends, creases, marks, price stickers, or their residue on it.
Very Good Plus – VG+: Well looked after and may have light visible flaws that will not affect the sound
- Vinyl Record - The vinyl may show minor visible signs of wear and use, small hairline scratches that do not affect the sound, light scuffs, or a few spindle marks.
- LP Cover - The cover may show some signs of age and wear. Small corner dings or creases, light colour fading, ring wear or edge wear, and small seam splits may be present. The cover may have a cut-out or small hole punched in it, or some sticker residue.
Very Good – VG: Records graded VG will show visible signs of age, use, and wear
- Vinyl Record - Audible scratches, scuffs, and marks may be present on the vinyl, and spindle marks or writing may appear on the label. Groove wear may be evident, and it will likely play with audible noise.
- LP Cover - A cover in VG condition may have tearing, creases, ring wear, edge wear, or larger seam splits. In addition, it may also have foxing/discolouration marks, handwriting on it, tape on the edges, rubbing or marks from sticker residue, or tears from past removal of stickers.
Good/Good +/Good -: Records graded as either Good+ or Good will show heavy and obvious signs of use, with visible damage
- Vinyl Record - vinyl may have considerable wear, heat marks, and vinyl fogging (discoloration).
- LP Cover - A Good cover may be damaged from sticker removal, be marred by tape, writing, or ring wear, have large creases or tears, or have large seam splits, or be discoloured and faded.
Fair - F / Poor - P: Records graded as Fair or Poor will show heavy and obvious signs of use and/or damage. They usually end up in the garbage unless a highly sought-after collectible
- Vinyl Record - The vinyl will be heavily scratched, cracked, badly warped, and/or discoloured (major fogging). The vinyl will not play through without skipping, repeating, and/or major noise.
- LP Cover - A Fair or Poor cover will be dirty, torn, water-damaged, stained, and heavily marred by wear or writing.
Please remember that buying records sight unseen (ie., eBay), the above grading system often does not apply to some sellers as many of them list their vinyl as NM or E...let the buyer beware. Most serious vinyl collectors will purchase from more reliable sources, and most often will want to inspect the vinyl before purchasing.