Grading Standards
Sealed (ss)
Self-explanatory. Some record companies in the 60's sealed the disc in a plastic inner bag but not the record jacket. These are graded jacket=(as appropriate) / disc="sealed." For instance a VG+ jacket and sealed disc would be: VG++/sealed. Otherwise, a sealed item has only one grade. Near Mint (NM)
This is the highest grade used by Record Castle for an unsealed item. "Mint" is not used as a grade because, without a microscope and 40 minutes of inspection per record, perfection cannot be verified to everyone's satisfaction. Near Mint ranges from a record appearing unused, to an item that may have been used, but is without a notable cosmetic defect as evidence of that use.
For jackets, this means that the beginnings of some light yellowing of the paper, and perhaps one lightly bumped corner. Minor color flaking at the bottom or top seam may be allowed, but no splits, tape, ring wear, creases, tears, water staining, writing, or image defacement (such as blemishes from removed price stickers, etc.)
For discs, this means that faint impressions/patterns in the wax from sleeving in paper or plastic, or inconsequential pressing variations (i.e. small dips, bumps, or discolorations in the vinyl that do not affect play) are acceptible. However, multiple rubs around the spindle hole; loss of luster or wear to the wax; and certainly any scrape, scuff, or scratch in the grooves are unacceptible for NM (no matter how pristine the rest of the surface).
Basically, a NM/NM record should be a reasonable simile to a fresh, unused copy.
Excellent (EX)
This grade refers to an attractive, fresh-in-appearance item that, upon closer inspection, has been disqualified from the NM category due to (usually) one flaw that could not be overlooked.
For jackets, this includes: a small split of the seam; faint beginnings of minor ring wear; some clear tape on one corner; damage or illegibility of the spine. Basically, and this includes discs as well, a EX item is qualified by having a noticeable, yet functionally insignificant defect that verifies that the item has been used. On on scale of 1 to 100, exc items will be around 94-97.
An EX item appears neither blatantly second-hand, nor does it have the sparkle of "brand-new".
Very Good Plus (VG+)
This is the broadest grade serving as a catch-all for any decent, presentable, average, usable (not marred or defective) item. People ordering VG+ items usually are prepared to accept an imperfect item representing the artifact that it is, and are going to enjoy it without being excessively preoccupied with cosmetic details. VG+ is a fine copy that is indisputably "used", being your basic "decent used record" for utilitarian purposes.
Jackets will have some combination of one to a few of the following defects: partial seam split (with or without clear tape repairs), minor ring wear, minor dirt ring, some minor warping due to moisture, a creased corner, faded spine. The jacket must be free of major defacements, and will certainly not have ALL of the preceding minor ones on the same piece!
Discs may have a series of light abrasions which catch light, but no dramatic defects that would hazard the stylus, or offend the ear. In other words, the disc will be free of any marks that can be detected by touch or which are likely to be an audible distraction when played.
Very Good (VG)
This is the beginning of "rough" for collector's purposes. A VG record is usually one that a collector will buy to fill a "hole" in his/her library until a better copy comes along. We usually don't advertise items with either VG covers or discs unless they are deemed scarce enough to attract a collector for this purpose.
A VG jacket is one that is beginning to look tattered and worn, while retaining a complete and sound construction (i.e. no chewed edges, no front-cover scarring larger than a price tag-removal blemish, no more than two seams splitting). A VG cover is adequate, but not fetching.
The disc is usable, and could be tossed onto any turntable for some sound entertainment, but visually won't impress the esthete, and definitely not the investor. Note: Understandably, in any other application, the word "good" supported by "very" is quite affirmative, but as it is used in record collecting, this is just not so. The above describes how most dealers utilize this grade, despite the optimistic Webster definitions of these terms.
Good Plus (G+)
Averaged between VG and G,
Good (G)
Items graded "good" are very used and only presentable to the least discriminating record hunter. This classification is usually employed for jackets when it's the disc that's worth collecting, and vice-versa; or when the component in question is very rare and still a COLLECTIBLE item.
A G Jacket must be able to enclose the record entirely, protecting it from the elements, dust, other frictive surfaces, and especially from other records, which have been left out of their covers by the same careless owner. Artwork and information must be legible and splits are OK, even expected.
All a G disc must do is play from start to finish, and provide source music which is just any louder than the background noise.
Fair to Poor (FP)
Extremely bad condition
Grading Qualifiers
Noticable defects on records and cover are designated by Record Castle by the use of the following grading qualifiers. Where there is more than one defect on the record or cover, the most noticeable defect is listed. Records/covers/sleeves that are VG or lower DO NOT REQUIRE qualifiers. Here are the defect abbreviations we use:
chp: edge chip
cchp: center hole chip
ct: cover tear
cr: crack
cc/coh: cut-out/cut corner
dsh: dish warp
lt: label tear
nc: no cover
nol: number on label
sk: skip
sm.splt/sp: seam split
soc: sticker on cover
sobr: sticker on back cover
sol: sticker on label
sw: shrink wrap
ts: taped seam
tpc: tape on cover
wrp: warp
wobc: writing on back cover
woc: writing on front cover
wol: writing on label
xol: X on label
Poster/Paper Gradings
nm = near perfect
ex= slight fading / light bends or corner dings / NO Holes
vg+ = bends / tack holes / small stains
vg= multiple tack holes / stains / folds
g= severe damage
Compact Discs
We only sell CD's in very clean to perfect condition therefore we use NM or EX for all compact disc gradings
Sometimes a CD that looks to be scratched or damaged may play perfectly, in other cases a perfect looking CD may prove to be faulty. The plastic CD cases can usually be easily replaced so therefore the gradings which would normally be for picture sleeves with vinyl are for booklets or card cases and digipacks which will wear the same as picture sleeves on vinyl. If a compact disc listing has more than one grading, the booklet or paper cover is graded first just like the vinyl grading system above.
If the above policy leaves any doubts, please refer to GEMM's generally accepted Grading Standard
