Vinyl Grading Guide
Vinyl Record Grading Codes
| SS: | STILL SEALED, Still in original shrink wrap. Unopened and in original manufactured condition. | |
| NM: | NEAR MINT, The record and sleeve are in original, unsealed condition. They may have been played, but will have no visual or audible deterioration. | |
| EX: | EXCELLENT, The record may show slight signs of wear and use, but will have almost no audible defect. Sleeves in this condition may show marginal deterioration that will keep them from being graded mint, but will not have any repairs, pen or pencil. | |
| VG: | VERY GOOD, Records will be noticeably less than perfect. They obviously have been played, but the damage is not visually or audibly distracting. Minor scuffs and light surface defects may be present. Background ticks and hiss are minimal. Sleeves may show some slight ring wear and may have minor creases. Seams will be intact unless they are separated due to failure of manufacturer’s gluing agent. | |
| G: | GOOD, This record will have both visual and audible distractions, but will still be playable. The record and sleeve will show visual wear and moderate use. Sleeves will show ring wear, but will not be physically damaged. | |
| F: | FAIR, This record is visually and audibly distracting. It will still play although obviously damaged and will not have skips, but may have “play through” scratches. It is still usable. Sleeves will show heavy ring wear and some minor physical damage. |
In the case of albums and records with picture sleeves, the first code represents the record, the second is the sleeve, e.g., EX/EX.
Join me as I relive music memories from the ’50s, ’60s, ’70s and ’80s. Hear the songs. Read the stories. Experience the emotions.
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In 1981, two songs with the same title (written by different people and recorded by two different women: one a well known American Country Music artist, and one a relatively unknown Scot) topped the Billboard™ Hot 100.
To avoid confusion, the name of one of the songs was changed. Here’s the story. |
- Boo! A girl named Lavender (or Laurie) · Laurie (Strange Things Happen) · Dickey Lee · 1965
- Could I have this dance? · Monster Mash · Bobby “Boris” Pickett · 1962
- Deja Vu · El Paso · Marty Robbins · 1959
- Don’t worry about me · Don’t Worry · Marty Robbins · 1961
- Here’s the long and the short of it · Stay · Maurice Williams and The Zodiacs · 1960
- If you’re fond of sand dunes and salty air… · Old Cape Cod · Patti Page · 1957
- It’s a brand new year and now who’s sorry? · Who’s Sorry Now · Connie Francis · 1958
- It’s all in the game · It’s All in the Game, Morning Side of the Mountain · Tommy Edwards · 1958
- Just another day at the office · 9 to 5 · Dolly Parton & Sheena Easton · 1981
- Rockin’ Mama · Rock and Roll Waltz · Kay Starr · 1956
- Saturday night at the movies · Various · Various Artists · 1955-1984
- Teenage tragedy tunes · Teen Angel · Mark Dinning · 1960
- The Battle Tunes of 1959 · The Battle of (Camp) Kookamonga · Homer and Jethro · 1959
- The Jersey connection · Sherry · The Four Seasons · 1962
- Those one hit wonders · Various · Various Artists · 1963-1976
- Two yellow roses · The Yellow Rose of Texas · Mitch Miller · 1955
- You can dance · Save The Last Dance For Me · The Drifters · 1960