How to Determine the Condition of a Used Record
When it comes to determining the value of a used record, one of the most important factors is the condition that the record is in. The rarity of the record and the demand for it is important, but the record will be worth a lot more if it is in good condition. So how can you figure out the condition of a used record? Here are some important things that you should know:
The Goldmine Standard This is the standard that is used by most collectors to grade the condition of their vinyl records. It includes the following ratings:
M - Mint
This refers to a record that is absolutely perfect, as if it was brand new. It has never been played and it is possibly even still sealed within its original packaging. This is a very rare grade and it is used very sparingly.
NM – Near Mint This is a record that is almost perfect, showing no obvious signs of wear. It should have no creases, fold, splits or tears in the cover. It should appear as if you just brought it home from the record store and removed the shrink wrap.
VG+ - Very Good Plus This level of condition means that the record does show signs that it has been played and handled, but that the previous owner took very good care of it. Perhaps there is some slight discolouration on the centre hole or the surface might have some very light scratches. Records of this ranking are usually worth around 50% of the Near Mint Value. Most collectors are very happy to find Very Good Plus condition records.
VG – Very Good A Very Good condition record will have slightly more defects than the Very Good Plus record and it will be worth around 25% of Near Mint value. You might hear some surface noise while playing, especially in the soft passages, but it will not overpower the music. The label might have writing or sticker residue on it. A Very Good Condition record will only have two or three of these problems at once, not more.
G+ - Good Plus and G – Good Good Plus and Good are very close in terms of condition grading and it will depend on the person who is appraising the record. Generally, a Good or Good Plus record will be worth 10-15% of the Near Mint value. It should be able to be placed on a turntable and it will play through without skipping. However, it will have visible groove wear and scratches and the cover might have seam splits, tape, sticker residue, writing or other defects. If it is a common album you might want to pass on this one – you are likely to find another copy in better shape later.
P – Poor and F – Fair These records have not been looked after very well and they will only be worth around 0-5% of the Near Mint price. Usually if a record has a Poor or Fair
grading it means that it will not be able to play through without repeating, skipping or other problems. The sleeve or the cover will be damaged, perhaps by wear, writing or water. Usually records that are in this condition are sold for no more than a few cents, unless the record itself is extremely rare. These are the standard grading levels when it comes to determining the condition of a used record. It is important to be aware of these levels when you are buying records, so that you can make sure you are paying the right price for the level of quality you are receiving. It’s always important to inspect a record carefully before purchasing.
More Tips for Grading Used Records Here are a few more important tips that you should keep in mind when you are grading used records:
Some people never used “Mint” as a grading, because they say that no record can ever be 100% perfect. It is important to keep this in mind if someone insists that a record is in “Mint” condition, as this is a very rare grading and they might be exaggerating. Sometimes LPs are sold with two grades, one for the record itself and one for the cover. You should never buy a record without the accompanying cover, as it is generally considered useless. Usually a record will be graded visually, because the record dealer will not have time to play the entire stock and listen for defects. They will make a note of any defects that they can see, such as visible scratches and warps.
When you are grading a used record before buying it, make sure that you do so under a strong light. You should look at all of the details carefully, then assign a grade to the record based on your observations. Take your time and look closely. Also, keep in mind that records from previous decades must meet the same standards as recent records when it comes to grading. It is estimated that no more than 2-4% of all records that still remain from the 1950s and 1960s are truly in Near Mint condition. This is why such albums are so sought after and fetch such high prices. When you are looking at a record you should use a high lumen desk lamp or nature sunlight. It can be difficult to see damage under other types of light. Feel the surface with a fingertip, what might look like a small scuff could actually turn out to be a deep scratch. Feel free to take your time and examine the record thoroughly. There might be small imperfections that you have missed on the first time around, so it is important to make sure that you look over everything.
Keep these tips in mind so that you can grade your records accurately and ensure that you are paying the right price for them when you purchase them.