Vinylspot
Condition is everything in vinyl. It’s the difference between a dusty relic and a living document of sound. Accurate grading doesn’t just affect value. It preserves trust between listener, collector, and dealer. Every scuff, every hairline mark tells part of a record’s story; the trick is to read that story honestly.
Our grading is done carefully under strong light, ultra-sonically cleaned with a Degritter Mark 2 and play-checked on a Thorens TD-124 MK1. We listen for what collectors listen for; clarity, noise floor, groove wear, surface marks, warps. We never inflate a grade. If a record looks great but sounds rough, we’ll say so. If it looks worn but plays beautifully, we’ll tell you that too. We grade as if we were buying it ourselves.
We follow the internationally recognized Goldmine / Record Collector standard, with a few nuances for clarity. Vinyl is always graded first, followed by the sleeve (e.g. EX/VG+ = Excellent vinyl in a Very Good Plus sleeve).
Mint
As close to untouched as a record can be. Perfect in every way; never played, no marks, no surface wear. If sealed, we assume the record is mint, though the sleeve may not be. Occasionally, we’ll open a sealed record to verify vinyl colour or matrix info; if so, we’ll note it clearly.
NEAR MINT
A record that has been handled with extreme care. It may have been played once or twice, but shows no obvious signs of wear. Under bright light, you might see the faintest sleeve scuff or hairline, but playback is virtually perfect. Clear, dynamic, and quiet.
The sleeve will be equally clean: no splits, creases, or major defects, perhaps only the lightest signs of handling or a nearly invisible corner bend.
EXCELLENT
A near-perfect record with only minimal signs of use. Perhaps a few faint hairlines or paper marks visible under strong light. Plays cleanly with little to no background noise. The sleeve may show light wear along the edges or a touch of creasing but remains solid and legible, with all seams intact.
VERY GOOD PLUS
Loved and played with care. The vinyl shows light wear; a few scuffs or superficial marks that don’t affect play (DNAP). Some background noise may appear in quiet passages or between tracks, but it never intrudes. The sleeve might show mild ringwear, light spine whitening, or a small sticker, but no major flaws.
VERY GOOD
A record with visible signs of use and regular play. Surface marks and light scratches will be apparent, and background noise will be noticeable at times, especially in softer passages, but the music remains fully enjoyable. The sleeve will show honest wear: edge rubbing, small tears, writing, or faded spines, but no structural damage.
VERY GOOD MINUS
A record that has seen life. Noticeable surface noise and visible scratches, though still playable and intact. This grade is usually reserved for rarer titles worth owning despite their flaws. Sleeves may show heavier wear, splitting, or discoloration, but still hold together.
At Vinylspot, we believe that grading isn’t about perfection; it’s about precision. We’d rather slightly undergrade a record than oversell it. Because when you buy a record and play it on your own system, we want you to hear exactly what you expected, or better.
FAQ
How do I know if the grading is for the record or the sleeve?
The sleeve is always first. An item with a ‘Very Good’ sleeve and ‘Excellent’ record would be written as: VG/EX.
Why do you have an ‘Excellent’ category?
This is the biggest difference between the ‘Record Collectors’ system that we use and others like ‘Goldmine’ which you will find being used on sites like Discogs. It fits between NM and VG+, and allows us a little more nuance when grading. You can see the condition description in the section above this FAQ.
How do you play-grade the records?
Our grading is done carefully under strong light, ultra-sonically cleaned with a Degritter Mark 2 and play-checked on a Thorens TD-124 MK1. We listen for what collectors listen for; clarity, noise floor, groove wear, surface marks, warps. We never inflate a grade. If a record looks great but sounds rough, we’ll say so. If it looks worn but plays beautifully, we’ll tell you that too. We grade as if we were buying it ourselves.
What determines the price of a vinyl record?
The price of a vinyl record is determined by a combination of factors including condition, edition, pressing, country of issue, release date, record label, and overall supply and demand. Records in excellent condition, especially first pressings or original editions, tend to be most valuable. Limited runs, rare misprints, or copies tied to notable history can drive prices extremely high, while common mass-produced releases may be worth very little. Variations in how many copies were pressed, where they were manufactured, and whether they are early or later editions all influence collector interest and final value.
How do I know the used vinyl is in good condition?
Every second-hand record gets a professional, hands-on evaluation. We list any cosmetic quirks with honesty and guarantee that every LP we ship is fully playable. We praise ourselves in under-grading rather than over-grading.
Do you clean the records you sell?
All records above €100 are ultra sonically cleaned with our Degritter Mark 2, before being placed into anti-static inners and then stored in a resealable outer sleeve. This should prevent dust or damage during its time on our shelves or during shipping.