Music Baron

Vinyl Condition Grading

FACTORY SEALED :   Applies only to original factory-sealed records.
Naturally, it is assumed that the disc condition would be MINT, but that cannot always be guaranteed.  Even these records can, on rare occasion, have very minor production flaws.  While rare, it should be noted that the possibility may exist.  These items can only be assured of being factory-sealed "new" but not necessarily "MINT" condition.

Please see Our Policy on factory sealed records.

MINT  :  LPs described as MINT - in short, should appear as new. There are no visible scratches, marks, scuffs (no matter how light) or stains of any kind. Groove surface should have a brightness or sheen that indicates no evidence of play, and no warping of any kind. Typically, Mint describes an open but un-played record, therefore this grade is seldom used.

NM  :  Near Mint condition records appear as mint on casual inspection, but may have one very slight, visible mark or very light scuffing or staining that will not affect the record's play. Groove surface will be bright and appear as new (still, no visible warping whatsoever).

EX + : Excellent+ describes a disc that under close scrutiny may exhibit only two or three VERY light marks (certainly nothing feel-able or audible - basically only slightly distinguished cosmetically from NM).

EX  : Excellent  is a grade we use that is commonly referred to as (the confusing and vague) "VG++."  Visibly, it allows for more light marks or scuffs than an EX+ record, but still not to the degree that would be audibly significant from a disc graded EX+ or NM.  The disc's surface would still likely have a bright sheen as if played little.

Alternatively, "Excellent" could also describe a record with no visible scratches, scuffs, or stains at all, but has been played with some regularity and has lost some of its sheen.

VG+ :   Very Good+ - Would describe a disc that may exhibit several light marks or even one more visible mark, but still nothing feel-able or that would significantly affect play.  Generally, our disc’s described as VG+ should not skip, stick or jump. Light surface noise may be heard upon playback. Often VG+ records would still retain a sheen associated with limited play. Slight warping that does not affect sound is possible in this grade.

VG :  Very Good describes vinyl condition with numerous visible scratches, scuffs, or staining that, while may be audible, should not skip.

Alternatively, VG could also describe a disc that has one notable scratch that may skip at one point, but all other tracks would be described as excellent.  It should be noted that whenever a track is known to skip, it is acknowledged. Slight warping may apply.

Good :  Discs described as "Good" will appear to have been well played. Several scratches or scuffs are apparent or it may have more than one significant scratch.  Warping may apply. Disc is playable, but may skip or play with notable noise.

 Fair / Poor:  These grades indicate a disc that was neglected and does not represent much listening value. Note: Records in this condition are not usually offered, with the exception of very rare items or for their cover art only. In this event, the value is assessed in relation to extreme rarity or the cover alone.

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A Note About Visual Grading:

It is important to reaffirm that our grading is always assigned by visual inspection only unless otherwise specifically noted.  Visual record grading can sometimes be misleading in regards to the discs' actual playback sound quality.

Records that appear as new can often have surface noise that has no relation to its condition (as is common with late 70s and 80s records which were often cheaply processed).  In this case, many of these records have playback flaws (inherent surface noise) that would have been audible even when they were new and played for the first time.

There are many budget labels from the 50s and 60s that also share these same characteristics; but as a whole, 50s and 60s records were much more quality oriented. So much so, that records from these periods can often appear well-played or heavily marked and still play wonderfully.

Also, recording processes varied greatly in the 50s & 60s.  Some analogue recordings were not up to today's standards and sound inferior or even defective in contrast.  Again, this is not reflected in the grading.

So when the quality of the recording AND playback is considered, it is sometimes as pertinent to know other variables such as year of pressing, or the quality of the label’s pressing process at that time, than just that of the visual grade given.