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FOR WHAT NOTS RESALE CUSTOMERS: They say a picture tells a thousand stories, but a picture only gives you an idea of an item's condition. At times a description may have so much detail, it seems like a quality used item has many flaws. Just remember we are trying to give you an accurate description. If you have questions about any item, please e-mail us and we will promptly respond.
RECORD GRADING
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INTRODUCTION
We use Jerry Osborne's & Les Docks' (78rpm) Record Guides to help determine prices, but don't take price guides too literally. We try to keep our prices reasonable using simple grading terms and evaluation. Some records are Play Tested (PT), which is noted. We will play test any record at the customer's request.

A NOTE ON PAPER SLEEVES, PIC SLEEVES, INSERTS, ETC.:
We will generally grade a picture sleeve, booklet or insert, but it will not affect the price unless noted in a guide book. Plain paper sleeves and those with record company ads are not evaluated, unless they are unique & positively the original.
PLEASE NOTE
The words 'scuff' or 'scratch' frightens anyone buying a record. But a very light paper scuff caused by the paper sleeve does not usually cause an audible effect, and is normally graded VG++.
A short very light needle scratch may only cause minimal effect like a 'flutter' (not pop), at least something that you can live with. It may even be a possible VG+ candidate under certain conditions.
A VG record may only have a small scratch on one track (pops), but the rest of the vinyl may still be in NM condition. Often times our customers are very satisfied with the overall condition of most VG records.
These are not excuses, only examples. In either case, we will inform you of any defects before your purchase, so feel free to email us with any questions. We want your purchase with us to be a satisfying experience.
VINYL JACKET
TERMINOLOGY
Very Light Paper Scuff:
A scuff caused by the paper sleeve. It will not affect the grooves audibly (no pops). On some occasions they may look like stains. A paper scuff or stain will receive a VG++ grade.
Very Light Needle Scratch:
On newer records (70's+) minor flaws are more predominant visually, and may have a needle scratch so light it only causes minimal audio effect (flutter). A record with only one of these (depending on length) may receive a VG+, but if it causes pops, VG.
Minimal Audio Effect:
Not quite a 'pop', almost like a flutter you sometimes hear on analogue tape.
Pops:
The 'pops' you hear during playback of the record. Usually caused be a scratch of some sort, although ocassionally caused by dust particles, especially on 70's+ records. Continued audible noise is known as SURFACE NOISE, and these records are not usually offered for sale unless very rare, or a 78 rpm.
Light Warp or Bow:
Only LPs playable on a turntable are graded. If they do have a slight warp or bow, it will not be very noticeable on a turntable, and will not affect its playback. These records, although still having NM grooves, will receive a VG+ grade.
TERMINOLOGY
Top Paper: The outer paper that covers the jacket cardboard.
Ring Wear: Record-shaped wear on the front & back, caused by record storage.
Slight Signs of Wear: Hardly noticeable wear.
Very Light (Minor) Signs of Wear: Affecting the top paper.
Light Signs of Wear: More defined wear.
Somewhat Worn: Pattern wear.
Creases: Light Crease (only one side) -or- Creased (both sides.
Partial Seam Splits: Usually in the middle or on the opening edges (noted by inches).
Seam Split: Seam is fully split
GRADES
Mint: This only applies to STILL SEALED vinyl.
NM (Near Mint): The grooves and labels are in superb condition with no visible flaws.
VG++ (Very Good ++): Excellent condition. May have 1-3 very light paper scuffs, but nothing that will cause any audible effects. Labels will only have minor signs of wear, mostly near the centerhole.
VG+ (Very Good +): Only a few very light scuffs, or one short and very light needle scratch (either only minimal audible effect). Labels may have some light signs of wear.
VG (Very Good): Often times only one small scratch affecting one track, that WILL cause an audible effect (pops), but will not skip unless noted. On rare occasions a VG grade will be because of surface noise. Label wear may vary from excellent to light wear.
PLAY TESTING RECORDS (links to another web page)		 GRADES
Mint: Still Sealed -or- still has Shrink Wrap covering the jacket. Please note that the jacket of a Mint record will get a lower grade if it has any visible defects, such as edge wear or sale-bin cut/hole.
NM (Near Mint): Should only have minor signs of wear on the edges. Very little wear on the front or back side.
VG++ (Very Good ++): Corners & edges only show very light signs of wear. Hardly noticeable ring wear.
VG+ (Very Good +): Only 1-2 of these- Corners & edges may show light signs of wear. Most often a bargain bin "cut corner" or punch hole. Front and backside may have light ring wear. May have a partial seam split (1-3 inches) or light crease. May have unobtrusive writing.
VG (Very Good): Corners & edges are somewhat worn -OR- ring wear is very noticeable -OR- jacket has stickers -OR- jacket has writing -OR- may have a seam split. The jacket may have 1-3 of these defects, but never all of them.
JACKET GRADING
Click the links below for jacket image examples. Use your browser's back button to return.
JACKET CORNER WEAR
Even if a jacket is still shrink wrapped, the corners are the first sign of wear. The TOP PAPER starts to show wear. Then the wear becomes more patterned. Finally it becomes cracked or reveals cardboard underneath. Note the "Light Crease" on the green jacket. It is a LIGHT CREASE because it only affects one side of jacket. A CREASE would affect both sides of the jacket. 		JACKET EDGES
Another first sign of wear. The TOP PAPER starts off wearing in spots as in Minor or Very Light. Then becomes more defined as in Light. The TOP PAPER color then is worn off as in Worn, finally cracking or wearing off ultimately causing a split as in Seam Split. *Note the small vertical "Edge Crease" on the green jacket, second from top. IMPORTS (non USA) use thinner cardboard & may have several of these. 		RING WEAR
Caused by jackets rubbing against each other when stored. It starts with spots only on the tops & bottoms of the jacket as in Minor & Very Light. Then becomes more defined causing a ring as in Light, finally showing definite Ring Wear. To help prevent further damage, Turntable Treasures ALWAYS includes a protective plastic cover for ALL records.
A NOTE ABOUT SEAM SPLITS:
Sometimes seam splits are due to wear, but there can be other reasons. The older records were thicker and sometimes harder to get into the jacket causing a partial split near the opening. With newer records the cardboard was thinner and also had the cardboard edges "meet" instead of folding over like the olders ones. Either way sometimes the image and overall appearance of the jacket may still be in fine shape despite a partial seam split.
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