Rare-record guide

Vinyl Record Condition Guide

Scuffs, scratches, groove wear, warping, noise and playback.

Rare vinyl combines music history, manufacturing evidence, condition and collector demand. A useful conclusion should be traceable to identifiers on the physical release.

1. Visual grade

Visual grade should be evaluated against the exact release, country, format, label, catalog number, matrix/runout, packaging and condition. Preserve the physical evidence and avoid replacing identification with seller shorthand.

2. Play grade

Play grade should be evaluated against the exact release, country, format, label, catalog number, matrix/runout, packaging and condition. Preserve the physical evidence and avoid replacing identification with seller shorthand.

3. Check warp

Check warp should be evaluated against the exact release, country, format, label, catalog number, matrix/runout, packaging and condition. Preserve the physical evidence and avoid replacing identification with seller shorthand.

4. Inspect spindle marks

Inspect spindle marks should be evaluated against the exact release, country, format, label, catalog number, matrix/runout, packaging and condition. Preserve the physical evidence and avoid replacing identification with seller shorthand.

5. Describe noise

Describe noise should be evaluated against the exact release, country, format, label, catalog number, matrix/runout, packaging and condition. Preserve the physical evidence and avoid replacing identification with seller shorthand.

Marketplace research

Identification rule: Do not call a record a first pressing, promo, test pressing or rare variant until the physical evidence supports the claim.

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