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Grading and...more about grading!
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SS = STILL SEALED
M = (MINT) The record itself is in brand new condition with no surface marks or deterioration in sound quality. The cover and any extra items such as the lyric sheet, booklet or poster are in perfect condition. Records advertised as Sealed or Unplayed should be Mint.
M - = (MINT MINUS) MINT- is not MINT but is very close to it, near new, there might be a blemish or two, but overall record and jacket are like new or very close to new.
EX = (EXCELLENT) The record shows some signs of having been played, but there is very little lessening in sound quality. The cover and packaging might have slight wear and / or creasing.
VG = (VERY GOOD) The record has obviously been played many times, but displays no major deterioration in sound quality, despite noticeable surface marks and the occasional light scratch. Normal wear and tear on the cover or extra items, without any major defects, is acceptable.
G = (GOOD) The record has been played so much that the sound quality has noticeably deteriorated, perhaps with some distortion and mild scratches. The cover and contents suffer from folding, scuffing of edges, spine splits, discoloration, etc.
F = (FAIR) The record is still just playable but has not been cared for properly and displays considerable surface noise; it may even jump. The cover and contents will be torn, stained and / or defaced.
P = (POOR) The record will not play properly due to scratches, bad surface noise, etc. The cover and contents will be badly damaged or partly missing.
B = (BAD) The record is unplayable or might even be broken, and is only of use as a collection filler
We also use + or - to adjust grades in between, so...this scopes out to: SS/M/M-/EX/EX-/VG+/VG/VG-/G+/G/F/P/B
LPs are graded visually and conservatively under many bright lights. Questionable marks are play graded. If an LP has been play graded it will be indicated so and a grade 1-10 will be assigned to it. Play grade means the record has been listened to from beginning to the end, both sides.
I will NOT discuss my grading conventions or practices or attempt to convince you my grading method is the best or the right one. Personally, since I am a collector myself, I grade records to the best of my knowledge and according to how I feel about it, I do not grade records to deceive you.
I feel my grade cover should give you a good clue as to the visual quality of the record. Sometimes, visually, the record may look better than its playback condition is, likewise, some records may look really bad but play very well, this too will alter final grade, meaning, the record may look VG but play EX, likewise, MINT- records must sound like MINT- or very very close to it, if not, it will get an EX, no matter how good it looks.
Special note about MINT-, MINT- is not MINT but it can be. To my understanding and acceptance, M- may have a light mark or two, even a light scratch which does not cause any listening problems, MINT- will still be as close to new as humanly possible. So, if you are one of those who do not accept sleeve marks (which may be on the record from the manufacturing/pressing), please, do us all a favor and look elsewhere! Along these lines, if you will not accept a record because an inner sleeve has a 1cm split at the bottom, please, look elsewhere. Most likely, nothing but a sealed record will satisfy you.
I attempt to grade MINT records as MINT- (if I was not the first owner), my other grade is MINT-- (this corresponds with others' NM grade), my next grade is EX, anything not MINT/MINT- will be graded as EX.
VG+ misconception, this grade varies greatly from seller to seller. Just for the record, our VG+ will never look as good as that of a "strict Goldmine grade", our VG+ more resembles a VG grade of a "strict Goldmine grade".
So, what do my number grades mean?
*10 is given only to a record that was sealed and then purchased by me, no other record will get 10!
*9 is given to an LP that collectors would consider MINT, (9 is my highest grade for a used record), meaning, there will be no surface noise but you might hear a pop or two not because there is a damage (scuff or a scratch) but simply how the LP was pressed, or a flake of dust might have fallen onto it during playback. This will sound almost like a CD (meaning, no noise, obviously LPs sound much better than CDs), it does not get much better than this, any audiophile will be pleased with this.
*8 grade may have 4 or more faint pops or slight surface noise, usually found on a record that's been played a few times but was very well taken care of, most audiophiles will be pleased with this.
*7-8 grade may have 10 or more faint perhaps inaudible in regular listening) pops or little more surface noise bordering annoyance to those that are used to hearing things on a CD, some audiophiles may not like this sound quality, but most will be very satisfied.
*5-6 grade will be just like 7-8, except surface noise/crackles may be more pronounced. The record will have constant surface noise but will not over power the music
*5 and below, may have skips and even more surface noise. I really do not have such records.
+ or - is used to enhance item's description, meaning, EX++ is so nice it could pass as MINT- but I still consider it EXCELLENT and not MINT-.
Finally, if I over grade a record (sometimes when listing many items I may miss a minor detail) I will let you know about it before sending the record to you. NO SURPRISES!
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