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Thread: vinyl condition ratings

  1. #1
    Join Date: Apr 2016

    Location: Gravesend and France

    Posts: 1,498
    I'm paul.

    Default vinyl condition ratings

    Don't know what you all think but when looking for used vinyl the condition descriptions sellers use are bollocks in my opinion. All this excellent, excellent +, near mint and mint mean nothing other than possibly mint, that in my view means its not been played or rarely played. To my mind a record to be worthy of my replay set up has to have no scuffs or scratches of any kind and make no noise, pops and clicks and that makes it good. If it has any scuffs or scratches its not good. Recently I bought some half speed mastered vinyl from a Canadian reviewers collection that were perfect and described as virtually unplayed and were so.
    I just bought a copy of Heart, Bad animals described as very good and maybe I should have avoided it as that description must mean its shite in reality, it sounds like rice crispies, I cleaned it quickly on my rcm and its still the same, maybe a deeper clean will make it better,
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  2. #2
    Join Date: Apr 2009

    Location: Near Saffron Walden, Essex

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    I'm Dave.

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    I've given up buying LPs from E-Bay as I have rarely had a decent copy, despite only going for the mint, excellent, pristine etc. Even though all the ones I have bought have looked immaculate, they usually have numerous clicks, pops and surface noise.

  3. #3
    Join Date: Feb 2013

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    I'm Grant.

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    ive found a lot of the thicker old vinyl even with marks play superbly. some modern brand new dont fair so well. all older ones need several cleans
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  4. #4
    Join Date: Apr 2011

    Location: London

    Posts: 4,419
    I'm Robert.

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    I realized a long time ago that vinyl record gradings are way to ambiguous.

    I mean this is the Record Collector Magazines Grading Guide for example:

    GOOD: The record has been played so much that the sound quality has noticeably deteriorated, perhaps with some distortion and mild scratches. The cover and contents suffer from folding, scuffing of edges, spine splits, discolouration, etc.

    This is clearly not good, so who, how, why was it ever decided that this is the term to describe a record like this :

    I always go nm / near mint where ever possible and have been seldom disappointed.

    The very odd disappointment I've had has been someone clearly trying it on and there has been no hesitation in telling them that the record is no way nm and why, untold surface marks etc etc . The record has then been returned - end of
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  5. #5
    Join Date: Feb 2018

    Location: London

    Posts: 45
    I'm Charlie.

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    I find that, if buying online, you have to find sellers or dealers whose grading you trust - so that when they say that the record is VG+ you know what that means and you are happy with it... Or just buy from Japan

    Definitely a whole range of views on the condition of records in each description... It is obviously an art rather than a science, but some people really try it on!

    I agree with Robert about trying to buy NM or better!

  6. #6
    Bigman80 Guest

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    I've ended up with a few "refund freebies" due to sellers not grading correctly. I complain if it isn't as described via eBay and numerous sellers have said "just keep it, I don't want it back" followed by a full refund.

    I buy from eBay safe in the knowledge that they will back you up if the item isn't as described.

  7. #7
    Join Date: Jan 2008

    Location: Norwich

    Posts: 1,064
    I'm Mike.

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    Unfortunately these gradings (and you've got to have some kind of grading) are usually visual only. A record played with a cream-crackered stylus or arm may look NM, but be utterly useless on decent kit.

    A few years ago I bought (via Ebay) a fairly pricey record (Famous Blue Raincoat) from a long established Lincolnshire stockist. It was graded NM, but when it came, it was so covered in dust that I couldn't see the vinyl. Once cleaned, it was okay, except for a loud noise caused by damage. Never again. Really crappy quality control there !

  8. #8
    Join Date: Jan 2008

    Location: Norwich

    Posts: 1,064
    I'm Mike.

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    Quote Originally Posted by RobbieGong View Post
    ..... The record has then been returned - end of
    Okay, but the cost of posting a record is north of £3. I'd not be happy having to fork that out (and the packing/ proof of postage etc. hassles) to return one, quite apart from the disappointment.

    Bought a jazz record recently which I was confident would be in good nick. Unfortunately I was sent the wrong record and that had been so flimsily packed as to have sufferered a nasty crease. ! The record was mint, but convoluted emails and returns sorted it out eventually, at only a cost in time for me. The actual purchase item was also in superb condition.

  9. #9
    Join Date: Feb 2018

    Location: London

    Posts: 45
    I'm Charlie.

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    Quote Originally Posted by Mike Reed View Post
    Okay, but the cost of posting a record is north of £3. I'd not be happy having to fork that out (and the packing/ proof of postage etc. hassles) to return one, quite apart from the disappointment.
    Absolutely agreed, Mike... But given the sad decline of the British record shop (apart from a few great exceptions), this seems to be the world we are living in these days! Hence why I say, I feel you have to find dealers/sellers whose ratings you can trust.

  10. #10
    Join Date: Aug 2009

    Location: Staffordshire, England

    Posts: 37,771
    I'm Martin.

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    Given the nature of the vinyl format don't all these problems just come with the territory?. It's why they invented compact disc. Anyone remember compact disc? I've bought a fair few of them second hand and they are all mint with no pops or crackles
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