Record Condition Guide

Below are the grades we use only for the playing surface of a record. Any imperfections on a label, cover and/or sleeve will be noted in the description and seen in any images of the item. If you have questions about condition please contact us before purchasing an item.

 

Record Condition Guide: 

M- (Mint Minus) A near perfect record.
 
VG++ (Very Good Plus Plus) Has a few light marks keeping it from a M- grade.
 
VG+ (Very Good Plus) Some paper scuffs, possibly a non-audible scratch or two but nothing that affects play.
 
VG (Very Good) Used but not abused. Noticeable wear with the possibility of very light surface noise. Often less shiny then a VG+ copy and usually has noticeable scuffing.
 
VG- (Very Good Minus) Significant wear with noticeable overall surface noise due to groove wear and/or ticks from one or more scratches.
 
G+ (Good Plus) The best grade for a beat-up record.

  

Abbreviations & terms that may be used in conjunction with the above grading scale:

bb = small hole in cover
 
boot = bootleg (non-legitimate copy of a record sometimes with a different label)
 
coh = cut out hole
 
crack = crack in the dead wax or around a label
 
cvr = cover
 
dish = record that is dish-like due to a continuous raised edge
 
dj = disc jockey copy
 
EP = extended play
 
hairline = very fine edge crack
 
lbl = label
 
lbl stmp = stamp on label
 
nap = does not affect play
 
needle burn = damage to groove walls resulting in distortion and clipped highs
 
obc = on back cover
 
oc = on cover
 
ol = on label
 
os = on sleeve
 
orig = original
 
pc = picture cover (hard cover usually for 45 rpm EP’s)
 
pic slv = picture sleeve
 
pressure crack = a hairline crack on one side that has not gone through to the other
 
promo = promotional copy
 
repro = reproduction (a bootleg which reproduces the original label of a record)
 
ri = re-issue (legitimate repressing of a record on another label)
 
2nd press = second pressing (legitimate repressing of a record on the same label)
 
rw = ring wear
 
sawm = saw mark through hard cover
 
slt = slight
 
slv = sleeve
 
sml = small
 
sol = sticker or tape on label
 
soc = sticker or tape on cover
 
sos = sticker or tape on sleeve
 
ss = still sealed (almost always used for LP’s)
 
stkr = sticker
 
tol = tear on label
 
woc = writing on cover
 
wol = writing on label
 
wos = writing on sleeve
 
wrp = warp
 
xoc = X or similar mark on cover
 
xol = X or similar mark on label
 
xos = X or similar mark on sleeve
 
#oc = number on cover
 
#ol = number on label
 
#os = number on sleeve        

 

Factory defects to a record that can happen during production:

bubble = small bump in vinyl
 
dimple = small depression in vinyl
 
hiss = noisy pressing usually due to cheap vinyl
 
label off center
 
labels reversed = A-side label on B-side and vice-versa
 
same label = A (or B) side label on both sides
 
label separation = label separated during pressing
 
pressing off center = produces a slight to very noticeable distorted sound