Play-Grading: The (Not So) Silent Killer

I made a new post that covers this with new samples and more information! Check it out!

Today I am continuing last week’s discussion on grading with something a little more in depth that’s nearly guaranteed to be open to interpretation: Play Grading.

This is generally the most accurate method of grading a record and should be used in combination with visual grading to provide the best and most accurately listed product for your buyers.

MINT: In order for a mint record to be considered mint by Goldmine standards, it can not ever be played, therefore, a mint record cannot be play graded.

NEAR MINT and VG+: A VG+ record should sound the same as a near mint record. There should be no surface noise whatsoever in either grade. The difference between Near Mint and VG+ is extremely minor cosmetic defects that do not affect play. A Near Mint or VG+ record should sound like this:

VG: A VG record should have minor surface noise that does not overpower the music and will mostly be noticable in soft passages or in the intro and outro of a disc. A VG record should sound like this:

GOOD: This is a record that will at best play through without skipping. It will be in rough condition and very noisy. A Good record should sound like this:

FAIR / POOR: Cracked, Warped or skips. If it skips, it’s this. Even if the rest of the record looks okay. This is the sound of my needle crying in pain:

In closing, I hope this is found useful and hope it opens up discussion on the subject!

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