78rpm Condition Grading

It's important that when a buyer asks about condition of records you give him an honest description. Collectors are familiar with grades described as E- or V+ etc. I've listed all the usual grades below which are similar to grading guides found in most good magazines. Let me know if you think any of the descriptions are misleading.

this page first published by John Wright, 15 Aug 1999
last update 15 Aug 1999vintage@jabw.demon.co.uk

Suggested Condition Grading
M=Mintunplayed, ex store stock
M-only a few plays, no damage
E+plays like new, very few signs of handling
Eplays like new, very slight surface wear with only light scratches from pulling in and out of sleeve
E-surface noise below music level, very slight visible wear with only light scratches from pulling in and out of sleeve, still shiny
V+surface noise heard during quiet music only, visible scuffs and signs of wear, some dullness, no needle digs/clicks, no cracks or edge chips
Vsome scratches cause surface noise to be heard throughout playing, some dullness
V-surface noise heard, some distortion, dull surface
Gquite worn, surface noise heard continuously, distortion or muffled passages
Slight
damage: 		scr = scratch
lc = lamination crack
hc = hairline crack
edg = edge bite or chip
nap = not affecting play
dig = needle dig causes click

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