The Perfect Imperfection: In Defense of the "Very Good"
In the sanitized world of online marketplaces, "Mint" is the holy grail. It implies a record that has never known the touch of a human hand. But for the listener who actually wants to hear music, it is often a trap. The "Very Good" (VG) record is the backbone of vinyl culture. It is time to stop fearing the scuff.
Grading the Vinyl: The Listening Test
Mint (M) / Near Mint (NM)
The Speculator's Choice. A Mint record is an orphan. It has no history. It came from a factory and sat in the dark. Paradoxically, you are paying a premium for the absence of experience. If you are an archivist, buy this. If you are a listener, save your money.
Very Good Plus (VG+)
The Gold Standard. This is a record that has been played but loved. It might have a few wispy lines from a paper sleeve, but the music dominates. You can play this loudly on a $10,000 system with zero regrets.
Very Good (VG)
The Campfire Crackle. This record has lived. It will have scuffs. It will have a gentle, low-level surface texture—a faint crackle before the music starts, like a campfire. But once the drums kick in, that noise floor disappears behind the pressure of the sound. This is where the bargains hide. A VG copy of Rumours sounds just as "huge" as a Mint one, but costs 70% less.
Good Plus (G+)
The Placeholder. Typically, this is a warning sign. But for a true rarity—a 1950s Blue Note or a private press psych LP—it is a savior. It will look like it was dragged behind a car. It will pop. But it will play through. It allows you to hold history until a cleaner copy finds you.
The Field Guide to the Hunt
The Surface Sweep
Hold the disc under bright light. You will see lines. Do not panic. Look at the nature of the lines. Wispy, hair-like lines that sit on top are usually just from paper sleeves. They are cosmetic. Feelable scratches are the only real enemy.
The Gloss Test
Forget the scratches for a second. Look at the shine. A record that has been played to death will look dull, gray, and hazy. Avoid this. But if a record has scuffs yet still shines like a mirror, it has life in the grooves.
Provenance (WOL / WOC)
Writing on Label / Cover. Do not recoil from a name written in ballpoint pen. That name—"Susan, 1973"—is evidence. It means this object was a cherished possession, taken to parties and loaned to friends. It carries psychic weight.
Ring Wear
The circular fade on the album jacket. That isn't damage; it's a badge of honor. It means the record was stored tight in a stack, likely next to other favorites, flipping in and out of rotation.
Beyond the Grade: Other Marks to Know
Cut-Out (CO)
A clipped corner, a hole punched through the sleeve, or a slice in the spine. This indicates the record was sold at a steep discount from a remainder bin. It is not considered a defect for grading purposes, but rather a part of the record's history.
Promo / DJ Copy
A copy sent to radio stations or journalists for promotional purposes. Often marked with a gold foil stamp or a special label. These are not defects; in fact, they are often desirable as they can indicate a very early pressing from the first stamper.