Grading and Pressing Info
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Found below are definitions of terms you may find while browsing through items on our website.
Definitions
New Records: New records are usually factory sealed but can also come from pressing plant without being sealed, it depends on the pressing. Usually, unsealed new records come in a generic plastic sleeve. A new record may also be opened by us to confirm the variant, when multiple variants of a release exist. When this is the case, we will mention it on the item page.
A new record, by definition, has never been played. If a new record has minor damage to the jacket (corner wear, surface wear) it will be mentioned in the item description.
New records can come with or without a hype sticker, usually will be mentioned in item description when one is present.
Vintage Records: Vintage records are used records which have seen various degrees of play, and come in various conditions. For our grading classification on vintage records, scroll to grading.
OBI: OBI, or OBI strip, is a paper band or a folded paper flap as an addition to your vinyl jacket. The OBI strips are best known from the Japanese import releases where they usually contain the release info in Japanese.
Hype sticker: A sticker left on the seal or sleeve of a new record to hype/describe the product.
180g: A release pressed on a heavier 180g 12" vinyl. The heavier and thicker design can increase the durability of the record and the resistance to warping.
Pressing/Release Information
Pressing Info: Sometimes, many different releases and variants exist with one album. For example, Pink Floyd's Dark Side of the Moon has over 500 different releases just on vinyl!
If you are wondering about the exact release details of an item, you can usually tell from the product page, looking at the label, catalogue number, year and country.
If you aren't sure or can't tell, you can search for the item in our Discogs Inventory, more details on the particular items can usually be found. You can also contact us at support@madfrankrecords.com if you require additional info.
Color Variants: Sometimes, usually with newer releases, records come in different colors/designs. When a record is in a special color, it will be described as such in the item description.
Picture Discs: A picture disc is a record pressed with a picture, artwork, etc. Usually, the sound quality on a picture disc is of lesser quality (surface noise, pops, clicks) since they are designed for display purposes. Regardless, a picture disc can still be played to great enjoyment.
Limited Edition: Limited editions are particular variants of a release which usually have something which distinguishes them from the standard release. This can include a limited number of copies pressed of the variant/release, a numbered release, a colored vinyl, added inserts, unique cover art, etc.
Numbered: A numbered release, either factory or hand numbered is a release which has a unique number out of the total amount of copies released.
Grading
Grading a record is a very subjective endeavor and can be affected by multiple factors (Turntable set up, Sound System, etc.). When grading a record we first inspect the record visually for any defects. We then proceed to clean the record and play test for at least a few minutes on both sides. Finally, we inspect the record again under bright light before giving our final verdict.
By keeping the process consistent, it helps us to grade the record as objectively as possible. This process does have it's limitations as the imperfections present in vinyl will always leave room for subjective interpretation, it is what makes it such a beautiful and unique format.
That being said, we will do our best to be as accurate and honest as possible in our grading. We use the goldmine standard with the added Excellent (EX) condition.
Record Grading
Mint (M) : New Record, never played.
Near Mint (NM) : In pristine condition, maybe a few light creases, hairlines which do not effect play, if any are present it will be specified in item description.
Excellent (EX) : Play is near flawless, maybe a few hairlines and light scratches, creases. Very close to NM, minus a few minor defects.
Very Good Plus (VG+) : Play is great, some light scratches, creases are present but do not cause any issue, light surface noise.
Very Good (VG): Play is very good, although there is more evidence of wear, light to medium scratches. Surface noise can be moderate but not take away from the enjoyment.
Good Plus, Good (G+/G) : Surface noise is moderate/heavy, and some significant scratches are present. Play will usually still be a nice experience, if you can handle the surface noise and the occasional pop/click.
Fair (F) : Some records with the fair grading will have one or two skips with the rest playing quite decently, will be specified in item description.
Poor (P) : Heavily scratched or warped, or both. Skips present. Some parts can still play ok, depending on the record.
Jacket/Sleeve Grading
Mint (M): Factory sealed jacket with no visible defects.
Near Mint (NM): Jacket is near perfect. One or two minor imperfections may be tolerated (very light surface or corner wear).
Excellent (EX): Some minor imperfections, light surface wear, start of ringwear, light corner wear. However, on first view these minor imperfections must be hard to spot for jacket to qualify as EX.
Very Good Plus (VG+): Jacket looks great, however minor imperfections are tolerated: corner wear, light ringwear, light surface wear, light writing in pen on back jacket, punch hole, light stain marks, etc. While a few of these imperfections can be tolerated for a VG+ jacket, a combination of all these imperfections will not qualify a jacket as VG+.
Very Good (VG): Jacket has signs of moderate wear: Corner wear, corner bending, moderate ring and surface wear, can have some writing in pen, some stain marks, light water damage, split seem starts, etc. While all these imperfections present on the same jacket would downgrade it further, a few more are tolerated than with the VG+ category.
Good Plus, Good (G+/G): Jacket has signs of heavy wear: Corner damage, bend marks, pronounced ring and surface wear, writing in pen or sharpie on front or back jacket, apparent stains/water damage, split seems. While a G+/G jacket can have all theses imperfections, it maintains some sort of structural integrity.
Fair (F): Sometimes a jacket with an unglued/split seem will be graded as fair, but be in quite nice shape otherwise. Read item description for more details.
Poor (P): A poor jacket will be damaged beyond recognition. Read item description for full details.
For more details regarding a particular product's condition, feel free to contact us at support@madfrankrecords.com
Formats
LP: LP, or "Long Play" is a vinyl record which usually plays for around 20 minutes on each side at 33 RPM. Most LPs are pressed on full sized records (12") at 33 RPM. LPs are the optimal format for full length albums.
2x LP: Double LPs, some newer releases split regular length albums on 2 LPs to improve sound quality.
Boxset: A collection of multiple records housed in a box type jacket.
Single: A single song, usually a hit, released on the A side of a 7" or 12" vinyl. A lesser known song is usually present on the B side. Singles can come in 33 or 45 RPM speed.
Maxi-Single: A single with 1 or 2 additional tracks included on the release.
EP: Extended play, usually longer than a single but shorter than a full album. Most EPs are pressed on 12" vinyl at 33 or 45 RPM speed.
Additional Definitions
Jacket/Sleeve: Usually printed with the album/release artwork, the record is housed in the jacket.
Printed Inner Sleeve: The inner sleeve is used to store the record before putting it in the jacket. Printed inner sleeves are custom made with artwork/lyrics for certain releases.
Insert: Collectible added with certain releases. Examples of an insert include lyrics/artwork sleeve, poster, pamphlet or booklet.
Label: Group responsible for publishing, distribution and marketing of a particular release.
Catalog Number: A catalog number or also known as “cat number” is an identification number which is assigned by a music label when a music is released. It is usually visible on the jacket and/or center label of the record.
Country: Country or region of manufacture of an item.
Year: Year item was released.