Grading of Vinyl Record, CD, and Cassette

We have fixed the grading of these items to be based on our references of various sites like Discogs and experience.

As it is not easy to check each product’s playing quality, especially seal packed products, Vinyl Records, & Cassettes. Also, we purchase these products from different vendors without any quality checks from their end.

But, we do perform a visual inspection of the products before proceeding it for publishing and maintain the grading of products according to its actual physical condition of media, inlay, jacket & jewel case as per our visual inspection.

As almost all the products we sell in Vinayak Music World are pre-Owned products & we are not the manufacturers. Vinayak Music world is not at all responsible for any kind of manufacturing defects or sound quality of any of the products. Hence, we cannot accept any return or replacement requests for any kind of manufacturing, sound quality or defects that fall under the grades provided to those products as per grading definition. So, a customer must keep this physical grading definition in mind and must observe the gradings mentioned in product descriptions before proceeding to check out.

Hence, the below mentioned grading definitions are based on physical visual inspections only, it doesn’t referrers to any kind of manufacturing or sound/playing quality issues.

100% (Mint)

Vinyl

Absolutely perfect in every respect. Certainly, never been played, possibly even still sealed. Can be considered Brand New but is preowned. This grading will be used sparingly as a grade, if at all.

CD

Absolutely perfect in every respect. Certainly, never been played, possibly even still seal packed. Can be considered Brand New but is preowned.

Cassette

Absolutely perfect in every respect. Certainly, never been played, possibly even still seal packed. Can be considered Brand New but is preowned.

Jackets/Covers

Mostly Seal-packed or can be considered as brand new but is preowned.

Inlays & Cases

Mostly Seal-packed or can be considered as brand new but is preowned.

95%+ (Excellent)

Vinyl’s

A nearly perfect Near Mint record. The record has most likely never been played. The record may not show no obvious signs of wear or other noticeable similar defects that barely affect the playing. The vinyl will play perfectly, with no imperfections during playback.

Note: It may skip some portions of tracks.

CD

Near Mint. No or hardly visible obvious signs of use, may have light couple of scratches. It may have been played – but has been handled very carefully.

Cassette

Used and kept in good condition, it needs de-moisturization as set aside for a long time.

Jackets/Covers

Slightly or rarely used. A 45 RPM or EP sleeve should have no more than the most minor defects, such as any sign of slight handling. An LP cover should have no creases, folds, seam splits, cut-out holes, etc. Hardly and distinguishing sign as compared to mint.

Inlays/Cases

Near Mint. No obvious wear, it may have only the slightest of marks from handling.

90-95% (Good ++)

Vinyl

A record may show some signs that it was played and otherwise handled by a previous owner who took good care of it. Record surfaces will be fresh and shiny, may have multiple but light visible scratches, that may or may not affect one’s listening experiences.

Note: It may skip some portions of tracks.

CD

A few minor visible light scratches. This has been played, but handled with good care. Playing might hardly be affected.

Cassette

Used and kept in good condition, it needs de-moisturization as set aside for a long time.

Jackets/Covers

Gently Used. It may have slight signs of wear and colour might be slightly faded with time.

Inlays/Cases

Slight wear & tear marks, scratches on either or both sides.

85-90% (Good+)

Vinyl

Quite Used. A less shiny surface. Groove wear will start to be noticeable, as with multiple scratches the surface noise will be evident upon playing in multiple tracks.

Note: It may skip some portions of tracks.

CD

Quite a few light scratches, or several more-pronounced scratches. May have some small pin holes. This has obviously been played, but not handled much carefully.

Cassette

Used and kept in good condition, it needs de-moisturization as set aside for a long time.

Jackets/Covers

Regularly used and handled with less care. Minor but multiple signs of wear & tear. Might be degraded due to moisture but reparable.

Inlays/Cases

Regularly used. More wear & tear marks. One of the hinges may be damaged. The tray of the case might be slightly damaged. Some of the teeth might be broken.

80-85% (Good)

Vinyl

Used record in good condition will have significant surface noise, deep scratches, and visible groove wear. Comparatively less shiny surface. May skip some portions of tracks.

CD

There are a lot of deep scratches with multiple pin holes. This has not been handled with much care at all. Playing experience might be with some disturbance.

Cassette

Used and kept in good condition, it needs de-moisturization as set aside for a long time.

Jackets/Covers

Roughly used. A cover/Jacket will have seam splits, especially at the bottom or on the spine. Taped, writing, or other defects like missing parts and faded colour will be present. It will be non-reparable.

Inlays/Cases

Roughly used. Extensive wear & tear marks. Both the hinges, the tray of the case & teeth might be broken/damaged. In case of paper case might be damaged with moisture and colour might faded. May have some of the parts missing same will be the case for the inlays.

75-80% (Fair)

Vinyl

The record will be used extensively and been handled carelessly by the previous owner. It might have multiple deep scratches on non-shiny surface, and won’t play through without skipping or repeating.

CD

The CD will be roughly used having multiple deep scratches and pin holes. Media’s coating or layers might be missing in various places that will have adverse effect on playing experience.

Cassette

Used and kept in good condition, it needs de-moisturization as set aside for a long time.

Jackets/Covers

Extensively used and carelessly handled. The picture sleeve is water damaged, heavily affected by wear and tear. The cover barely keeps the LP inside it or may have major portions of jacket missing that might be supported by any other jacket.

Cases

Standard Jewel Cases: Standard Jewel Cases are not graded with this grade as they are replaceable.

Inlays

It may be ripped/torn, or significantly faded, or water damaged. May have either front or back portion missing or more than 50% damaged.

Generic Jackets/Covers

The term “generic” refers to a type of jackets that is not specific to the release. A generic jacket is either a remade jacket or a company cover with standard company artwork and a central hole. A jacket that is graded as “generic” needs no further grading, as it generally adds little value to the item and can be easily replaced.

Xerox Jacket/Cover

It is a remade copy of the Original.