If only everyone spent ages grading vinyl like that...

62.7.45.95

Posted by Stoney on June 15, 2001 at 19:24:56

In Reply to: A complete guide to grading records posted by J Harris on June 15, 2001 at 12:25:00:

Some nice ideas, but realistically all people gauge is how marked the surface is and grade it ex, vg etc. Label/cover faults beyond the grade should be shown, ie 2" cover tear, sticker on label etc.

In 15 years I have never seen anyone grade their vinyl that meticulously, sound rarely gets a mention, most arrive dirty & dusty in need of some TLC.

Sometimes you see 'bad scratch/scuff, plays fine' which means it allegedly plays thru without skipping, whether it makes a loud click or rip noise is another thing.

I've had 'clean vg' arrive dirty and dusty with label marks. Which part was 'clean' I wonder, apart from their getaway with my money?

Another point is the dealers who state 'looks vg, plays perfectly, no crackle'. Yeah, right! If you use a cheapo portable player you may mask the noise, but playing on proper hi-fi you'll be deafened with the noise! Records I could happily listen to just a few years back have shown themselves to be too noisy as I've got better hifi, so playing grades are not valid IMO, apart from more obvious clicks due to scratches, or warps etc causing skipping.

Unfortunately a lot of collectors, especially in the UK expect perfect unplayed 30-50 year old records and will not even consider an EX (or US vg++) grade. These unrealistic expectations lead to overgrading, but that's another story....

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Follow Ups Full Thread

Topic - Things you do Before selling Records on the net. - Bolt - 11:42:57 06/15/01 (15)

A complete guide to grading records - J Harris 12:25:00 06/15/01 (14)

Grading someoneâ€™s item condition - Bolt - 02:18:51 06/16/01 (5)

It depends on the seller - Gannet 10:34:21 06/17/01 (0)

That's hilarious! - J Harris 12:56:19 06/16/01 (3)

Ignorance is NOT bliss (on the seller's side) - spacedeckman 09:17:05 06/17/01 (2)

How about this for awful grading, would you trust it??? - Stoney 10:56:20 06/17/01 (1)

Yes - Gannet 12:00:14 06/17/01 (0)

Re: A complete guide to grading records - BrianE 20:59:59 06/15/01 (2)

Halogen versus sunlight - J Harris 00:08:04 06/16/01 (1)

Best grading records under a close 100w lamp in a darker room! - Stoney 16:01:00 06/16/01 (0)

If only everyone spent ages grading vinyl like that... - Stoney 19:24:56 06/15/01 (1)

Re: If only everyone spent ages grading vinyl like that... - J Harris 00:06:04 06/16/01 (0)

Great post! (IMO qualifies for being included in FAQ) (nt) - Simply Sam 13:09:09 06/15/01 (1)

Re: I second this idea (nt) - Capt. Z 22:14:02 06/15/01 (0)

Re: A complete guide to grading records - Bolt - 12:53:15 06/15/01 (0)

Follow Ups

If only everyone spent ages grading vinyl like that... - Stoney 19:24:56 06/15/01 (1)

Re: If only everyone spent ages grading vinyl like that... - J Harris 00:06:04 06/16/01 (0)

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