MINT (M) Brand new unplayed. Most likely sealed in original shrink wrap. Dead stock. VERY RARE. NEAR MINT (NM) Vinyl will have shiny luster, no writing, no marks, no scuffs, no scratches of any kind on disk. Superb sound quality. Clean labels.
Sleeve will be clean with sharp corners. Will have a new and supple look and feel. NEAR MINT Minus (NM-) Similar to above NM but may contain a couple insignificant defects like a paper sleeve scuff or bumped corner on the sleeve. Any defects must be very insignificant. Has been played but very well taken care of. VERY GOOD Plus (VG+) A step below the above NM- grade. Vinyl will likely have a few insigificant defects like a paper sleeve scuff and/or a couple hairline's that have little effect on the sound quality. High quality sound with very little background noise in some areas.
Sleeve may have a bumped corner and/or small un-obtrusive writing such as initials or name written in small area. Again a well cared for record that has been played several times. VERY GOOD (VG) This represents your average used record. Vinyl will usually have multiple hairlines, and scuffs but will play through with light background noise.
Sleeve will usually have dinged corners, small amount of writing, or a small seem split. VERY GOOD Minus (VG-) Similar to above but will have at least 1 or 2 significant defects. A scratch, heavy scuffing or moderate noise. A heavily played record that will still play through. Sleeve may have multiple seem splits and writing. GOOD (G+/-) A record that may or may not play through due to heavy scuffing or scratches. Sleeve will be heavily worn with multiple large seem splits, heavy writing, or water damage. Records in this category are usually only listed for their rarity. |