Record and Sleeves Grading
Grading - Evaluation of Vinyl Record Condition
Internationally, a system called "Grading" is used to assess the condition of records and their covers. While interpretations of this grading may vary slightly among different entities, the fundamental rules and terminology remain the same.
"New" or "Mint" Vinyl A new vinyl record in perfect condition, showing no signs of damage. Not all new records may come encased in shrinkwrap (also known as Shrinkwrap); you may also encounter additional labeling such as "Sealed" or "Mint Sealed," indicating a sealed, unopened record. The cover exhibits no signs of wear.
"Near Mint" (NM) vinyl A used vinyl record but in perfect condition. Most sellers do not rate used records higher than this. It shows no visible signs of damage, scratches, or other defects affecting playback. Several fine hairline scratches on the surface are within tolerance. The surface of the record is usually glossy and clean. The cover is perfectly preserved, with no cuts, bent corners, stickers, markings, or holes. The cover may not contain original elements such as booklets, inner sleeves, posters, etc. If it does, it is specified in the "extra features" of the product.
"Very Good Plus" (VG+) vinyl A used vinyl record showing signs of slight wear, hairline scratches, or minor scuffs that do not significantly affect playback. The cover shows signs of use, may be slightly worn and faded, or have crushed corners. It may also have a faintly visible imprinted ring from the record, known as "Ringwear," or a cut or punctured corner (these were labels for records intended for promotion, radio, or reviews). It may also have a slightly perforated bottom edge from the record, known as "Seamsplit." It does not have a combination of all the above defects together. The cover may not contain original elements such as booklets, inner sleeves, posters, etc. If it does, it is specified in the "extra features" of the product.
"Very Good" (VG) vinyl A used vinyl record showing signs of more significant wear, noticeable scratches, and scuffs, or stains that may affect playback and cause crackling or other interference in playback. However, the record does not skip in worn areas. The cover may be damaged, written on, taped, or torn and unglued. It may also have a perforated bottom edge from the record, known as "Seamsplit," and a visible imprinted ring from the record, known as "Ringwear." The cover may not contain original elements such as booklets, inner sleeves, posters, etc. If it does, it is specified in the "extra features" of the product.
"Good" (G) vinyl A used vinyl record showing signs of significant wear, scratches, stains, and scuffs evident to the touch that affect playback. Noise and crackling may be audible during playback, especially on sensitive pickups. The cover may be significantly damaged, incomplete, written on, taped, smudged, or torn. It may also have a perforated bottom edge from the record, known as "Seamsplit," and a visible imprinted ring from the record, known as "Ringwear." The cover may not contain original elements such as booklets, inner sleeves, posters, etc. If it does, it is specified in the "extra features" of the product.
"Poor" (P) vinyl A used vinyl record in poor condition with signs of heavy wear, damage, and prominent scratches, possibly with disc deformation. The recording quality is very low. Apart from highly valued collector's rarities, which you may want solely for a complete collection or catalog number, it is not worth buying or selling these records. The cover may be completely damaged, incomplete, or it may be a record without an original cover. A record without an original cover is labeled as "Generic cover" in the extra features. The cover may not contain original elements such as booklets, inner sleeves, posters, etc. If it does, it is specified in the "extra features" of the product.
Extra Features and Product Attributes
| Insert | Printed sheet with designs, often containing song lyrics or photographs and graphics. |
| Booklet | Printed material typically consisting of multiple pages inserted into a record sleeve, usually containing song lyrics or additional information. |
| Gatefold | Fold-out cover resembling a book, divided into two parts. |
| Trifold | Fold-out cover resembling a book, divided into three parts. |
| Generic cover | Non-original cover without printing. |
| Picture disc | Printed record, may have various cut-out shapes. |
| First print | First manufactured series of records. |
| Matrix | Pressing template - form for printing vinyl. |
| Reissue | Subsequent re-release of a record. |
| Remastered | Sound-enhanced recording. |
| Album | New recordings by an artist, usually longer than 25 minutes. |
| Compilation | Selection of recordings by one or more artists. |
| Club edition | Special edition for club members. |
| CD | Record also contains a CD. |
| Download code | Record contains a code for digital download. |
| Mono | Monophonic recording. |
| EP | "Extended Play" release with a short duration, usually 4-5 records of 10" size. |
| Quadro stereo | Quadraphonic recordings, generally predecessors to 4-speaker spatial sound. |
| Washed vinyl | Record was washed on a professional washing machine before sale. |
| Unwashed vinyl | Record was not washed before sale and may be dusty or dirty. |
| Box set | Collection of multiple records usually in a paper box, could be complete or partial discographies, special anniversary or collector's editions, etc. |
| Unofficial print | Print issued outside of official publishers and distribution, also known as "bootleg." |
| 180g | High gram weight of the record. |
| Colored vinyl | Made from colored PVC, may be transparent, etc. If information about the color is available, it is mentioned in the product description. |
| Ringwear | Visible raised "embossed" imprint of the record on the outer cover of the record. |
| Seamsplit | Perforated or slightly perforated bottom edge of the record cover, usually cut by the carrier itself. |
| 16 RPM | Speed usually used for spoken word recordings until 1970. |
| 33 RPM | Speed used for longer recordings on most released albums. |
| 45 RPM | Speed with the highest possible recording quality on vinyl used for 7" and 12" records, especially DJ releases - singles. You may also encounter it in special high-quality editions. |
| 78 RPM | Speed used for shellac records - records intended for playback on hand-cranked gramophones and their later electrified versions. |
| 1LP, 2LP, 3LP, etc. | Number of records the release consists of. |
| Label | Name of the publishing company on which the record was released. |
| Catalog number | Number or combination of numbers and letters for a specific release. The same catalog number may be used for a reissue; the publisher chooses it. |
| Year of production | When the record was manufactured. |
| Release years | When the record was first released. |
| Country of release | Place where the record was released. |
| Format | Size of the carrier, standard sizes are 7", 10", 12", Picture disc. |
| EAN | Barcode usually listed on the record cover. |
| Availability | Delivery time of the goods to our warehouse. |
| When will I receive the goods? | Estimated delivery date. Shipments are dispatched the next working day after the order is processed. |
| In-store stock | The goods can be purchased immediately in the store, but it may take some time to locate the goods. To expedite your purchase, we recommend ordering goods online for personal pickup and waiting for a message about the prepared order. |
| External warehouse 1 day | The goods are in an external warehouse and will be in the store the next working day. |
| External warehouse 3 days | The goods are in an external warehouse and will be in the store within 3 working days. |
| On order | The goods are with the supplier and will be restocked within xxx working days. For this product, we require payment in advance. |