Vinyl LP Record Grading Guide

Discrepancy Records sells both new and used vinyl LP records.

We do not grade new records which are sourced direct from record labels and distributors.  We describe these records as "NEW/SEALED".  If the cover/jacket has any damage, liked a ding to the corner this will be noted in our listing.

We describe the condition of used records we sell by stating the condition of the record first (Media) and then the condition of the cover/jacket (Sleeve), for example:

Condition
Media: Very Good Plus (VG+)
Sleeve: Very Good Plus (VG+)

The condtion is stated in the description of the listing.

What do these abbreviations mean?

We use the standard terminology used to describe the condition of vinyl records as set out by the Goldmine Magazine and Record Collector Magazine.  This grading has been used for decades and is the accepted way to describe the condition of vinyl records.

We always grade the record first and then the jacket.  It's entirely possibly to have a record that has not been played and so is in "as new" conditiuon but a jacket which has defects, or a record that has defects but a jacket in "as new" condition.  So you may see gradings such as "NM / VG+" or "VG+ / NM".

If there are any additional posters, prints, etc. that come with an album we will either cover the condition of these within the description of the condition of the jacket or describe these separately.

MINT (M)

We would argue that no record ever made is "mint" as the definition of mint is that the record and its jacket are in perfect condition.  As such we do not use the condition Mint to describe any of the records we sell.

MINT- / NEAR MINT (NM)

We use this condition to describe records we sell which we regard as "as new".  This means they are the same as a record you would buy that is new, even though we categorise the reecord as used. 

Any record we sell in our used category as NM has been play tested on our store record player and has no issues of any kind affecting the sound, so no background crackles, hiss, pops or cliks.  We would describe the media as NM where there are no defects of any kind affecting the jacket, inner sleeves (if supplied) or any other material that comes with the album.  If the original LP came sealed with a hype sticker we will say whether the hype sticker is included and the condition of the hype sticker.

VERY GOOD+ (VG+)

We use this condition to describe a record which shows some signs of having been played and/or where there is wear to the jacket. 

Goldmine Magazine states the following for VG+ records/jackets:

"VG+ records may show some slight signs of wear, including light scuffs or very light scratches that do not affect the listening experience. Slight warps that do not affect the sound are OK. Minor signs of handling are OK, too, such as telltale marks around the center hole, but repeated playing has not misshapen the hole. There may be some very light ring wear or discoloration, but it should be barely noticeable.

VG+ covers should have only minor wear. A VG+ cover might have some very minor seam wear or a split (less than one inch long) at the bottom, the most vulnerable location. Also, a VG+ cover may have some defacing, such as a cut-out marking. Covers with cut-out markings can never be considered Near Mint."

And we agree with the above.  Generally we only sell used records which we grade as VG+

VERY GOOD (VG)

We regard VG records as significantly poorer in condition than VG+ records.  In general, unless a record is rare we will not sell VG records.

Goldmine Magazine states the following for VG records/jackets:

"VG records have more obvious flaws than their counterparts in better shape. They lack most of the original gloss found on factory-fresh records. Groove wear is evident on sight, as are light scratches. When played, a VG record has surface noise, and some scratches may be audible, especially in soft passages and during a song’s intro and ending. But the noise will not overpower the music otherwise.

Minor writing, tape or a sticker can detract from the label. Many collectors who have jukeboxes will use VG records in them and not think twice. They remain a fine listening experience, just not the same as if it were in better shape.

VG covers will have many signs of human handling. Ring wear in the middle or along the edges of the cover where the edge of a record would reside, is obvious, though not overwhelming. Some more creases might be visible. Seam splitting will be more obvious; it may appear on all three sides, though it won’t be obvious upon looking. Someone might have written or it or stamped a price tag on it, too."