Condition Grading Guide

At Groove Junkie Vinyl, every item is graded for both the vinyl disc and the sleeve/cover, listed in that order — for example, VG+/VG+ means the disc is VG+ and the sleeve is VG+. We use the industry-standard Goldmine grading scale, adapted for our stock. Grades are assigned honestly; when in doubt, we grade down.

Disc Grades

M — Mint

Absolutely perfect in every way. Never played, still sealed or un-played. Extremely rare to find in used stock. We rarely list items as Mint unless they are genuinely un-played and unmarked.

NM — Near Mint

Nearly perfect. The record shows no signs of play and has been stored carefully. May have been played once or twice under ideal conditions. No surface marks, scuffs, or pressing defects visible. Plays silently with no noise between tracks.

EX — Excellent

Shows very light signs of play but remains in excellent condition. Minor hairlines may be visible under a direct light source but do not affect playback. Plays with minimal surface noise — quiet between tracks with only the faintest background hiss at most.

VG+ — Very Good Plus

Shows some signs of play but has been well cared for. Light scuffs or hairlines visible under direct light. Plays with light surface noise — occasional faint crackle or background hiss, but music reproduction is clear and enjoyable. The most common grade for quality used records.

VG — Very Good

Clearly played and shows it. Visible marks, scuffs, or light scratches. Plays with noticeable surface noise — consistent background crackle or hiss, particularly in quiet passages. Still fully listenable and a fair representation of the recording, but audiophiles may find it distracting.

G+ — Good Plus

Heavily played with significant surface marks. Plays with heavy surface noise throughout. Music is still audible and the record plays through without skipping, but sound quality is significantly compromised. Suitable for display, DJ use, or as a placeholder copy.

G — Good

Very heavily worn. Plays with very heavy surface noise and may have light skips. Recommended only for display purposes or as a filler copy while you search for a better grade.

P — Poor / Fair

Severely damaged — deep scratches, warps, or pressing defects. May skip repeatedly or be unplayable. Listed only for completeness, artwork, or as a parts copy. Condition is clearly noted in the listing.

Sleeve / Cover Grades

M — Mint

Un-played, sealed, or in perfect original condition. No marks, creases, writing, or wear of any kind.

NM — Near Mint

Virtually perfect. May show the faintest signs of storage but no handling wear, writing, or damage.

EX — Excellent

Very light corner or edge wear only. No splits, writing, stickers, or significant marks. Looks excellent on a shelf.

VG+ — Very Good Plus

Light ring wear, minor corner bumps, or very slight seam splits. No writing or price stickers (or sticker has been cleanly removed). Presents well overall.

VG — Very Good

Noticeable ring wear, corner wear, or seam splits. May have a price sticker or light writing. Still structurally sound and displayable.

G+ — Good Plus

Heavy ring wear, significant seam splits, writing, or stickers. Sleeve is intact but clearly well-used.

G — Good

Very heavy wear, large splits, or significant damage. Sleeve holds together but is cosmetically poor.

P — Poor / Fair

Severely damaged, taped, or partially missing. Listed only where the disc grade warrants it.

How We List Grades

Grades are always shown as Disc / Sleeve. Common examples you'll see on our listings:

• VG+/VG+ — Disc is Very Good Plus, Sleeve is Very Good Plus
• VG/VG — Disc is Very Good, Sleeve is Very Good
• NM/VG+ — Near Mint disc in a Very Good Plus sleeve
• EX/VG — Excellent disc, Very Good sleeve

Additional notes about specific marks, pressing details, or playback observations are included in individual product descriptions where relevant.

Questions?

If you have any questions about the condition of a specific item before purchasing, please get in touch — we're happy to provide more detail or additional photos. You can also visit our FAQ page for more information about buying from us.