How I grade
Every record is graded by eye under a bright light and play-tested on a Technics 1210. I grade the record and the sleeve separately, because they're often not in the same condition, especially on originals. I even play most on my Thorens TD-350 with a Rega RB300 arm that tracks at exactly 1g. Same with my Garrard 401 with a SME 2009 arm tracking at 1.5g.
I grade conservatively. I'd rather you open the parcel and find it's better than described than the other way round. If you want more detail or extra photos on anything before you buy, please just ask.
Sealed — Still in its original factory shrink, never opened. I haven't played it, so I can't tell you how it sounds. Sealed doesn't guarantee perfect, it just means nobody's been in it.
Near Mint (NM) — More than likely never played, and it plays perfectly with no imperfections during playback. This is my highest grade. I don't use Mint, because even brand new records sometimes come with imperfections, and I'm not going to claim a record is flawless when I can't prove it.
Very Good Plus (VG+) — Shows some signs it was played and handled by a previous owner who looked after it. The defects are cosmetic. It'll play through fine. You might see light scuffs or very light surface marks that don't affect the listen, and there may be spindle marks around the label. Normal wear and tear on a record that's been owned and enjoyed. This is the condition I buy most of my records in.
Very Good (VG) — Surface noise is audible when you play it, most obvious in quiet passages and on the run-in and fade of a track, but it doesn't drown the music. Groove wear is starting to show. There may be scratches deep enough to catch a fingernail, and those will affect the sound. The label might have writing on it, or tape, stickers or their residue, I will always mention this if the record has any of these.
Good Plus (G+) and Good (G) — Plays all the way through without skipping, but you'll hear it. Expect significant surface noise, ticks and crackle throughout, visible scratches and obvious groove wear. On a common record this is a filler copy. On something genuinely rare, it's often the only way you'll ever own it, and that's usually why I'm selling it.
Below G — I don't list records that skip, stick or are unplayable. If something has a fault I think you should know about, it goes in the description whatever the grade.
Sleeves
I grade the sleeve on the same scale, and I'll always say which one I mean.
- NM — No creases, folds, seam splits, cut-out holes or anything similar.
- VG+ — Light handling marks, slightly turned-up corners, maybe light ring wear or the start of a seam split. Nothing that stops it looking good on a shelf.
- VG — Obvious wear. Ring wear, creasing, a seam split, writing, price stickers or tape.
- G+ / G — Heavy wear. Seam splits along the bottom or spine, writing, tape, water marks or ring wear.
- Generic or reproduction sleeve — I'll always say so, clearly, in the title and the description. If a record comes in a plain white or company sleeve rather than its original cover, you'll know before you buy.