Grading Policy
S (Seald)
New, still sealed,
M(Mint)
Absolutely perfect in every way. Certainly never been played
NM(Near Mint)
Nearly perfect, has not surface noise, hairlines and any other marked.
NM covers are free of creases, ring wear and seam splits of any kind.
VG+ (Very Good Plus)
Those with light noise and thread marks on the whole and somewhat out of the sound but in a condition which is hardly noticed.
The Cover may have light lines, folds, scratches, cracks, spots, some writing, some tape or sticker (or traces of such) and ring wear. It may be slightly dirty.
VG(Very Good)
Surface noise will be evident upon playing, especially in soft passages and during a song's intro and fade, but will not overpower the music otherwise. Groove wear will start to be noticeable, as with light scratches (deep enough to feel with a fingernail) that will affect the sound.
Labels may be marred by writing, or have tape or stickers (or their residue) attached. The same will be true of picture sleeves or LP covers. However, it will not have all of these problems at the same time, only two or three of them.
G, G+ (Good, Good Plus)
A record in Good or Good Plus condition can be put onto a turntable and will play through without skipping. But it will have significant surface noise and scratches and visible groove wear (on a styrene record, the groove will be starting to turn white).
A cover or sleeve will have seam splits, especially at the bottom or on the spine. Tape, writing, ring wear or other defects will start to overwhelm the object.
P, F Poor, Fair
The record is cracked, badly warped, and won't play through without skipping or repeating.
The picture sleeve is water damaged, split on all three seams and heavily marred by wear and writing. The LP cover barely keeps the LP inside it. Inner sleeves are fully seam split, crinkled, and written upon.
Abbreviations
ST ( Sticker, Tape)
WD (Water damage)
CC (Corner cut)
PH (Punch Hole)
DH (Drill hole)
PROMO (Promotion copy)
WOL ( Wright on label)
WOS (Wright on sleeve)
SPLIT (Seam Split)
ACI (A Cave In Record)
Warp (Warped)
EW (Edge Warp)
OBI (帯）- sealed paper strip wrapped around sleeve of disc; originated in Japan where obis printed with Japanese translations of foreign titles.