Vinyl record grading


Hi

I’ve recently acquired several 50’s jazz records in below-average condition. I’m not interested in keeping them, because my jazz tastes are from mainly 70’s and up and my collection is mainly VG+ to M-

The record labels are also desirable such as Atlantic, Verve, Prestige and Fantasy.

After cleaning with ultrasonic machine (hand-made by me) they sounded as if they would grade at least VG being visually graded not more than G+. Even those that grade as G play great with very minimal surface noise.

Would you price it to the sound-testing or visual testing?

czarivey

Grading is about your reputation and buyer expectations. Personally I would rather have ugly records that sound great than pretty ones that sound horrible ( common ). 

50's Jazz labels in good condition? 

Unfortunate, you're not a fan of the  golden era.

Collectors want the complete package. Maybe some music/audio  fans will be more interested in SQ over superficial scuffs.

Prepare to price on low end of Discogs scale.

I have my share of visually questionable LP's that play fine.

 

I too am curious about vinyl values. Seems to me audiophiles would be much more concerned with sound quality vs esthetics. So the question becomes who's purchasing vinyl these days?  Guess I assumed anyone purchasing older jazz recordings would be in audiophile cohort in which case these albums could be graded higher based solely on sound quality. Seems to me rock or popular music in equal condition would be rated lower, assuming non-audiophile market for these.

Almost splitting hairs between VG and G+. Pricing is going to be on the low end either way. If it was me, I'd grade them a G but note that they were US cleaned and sound VG.

After cleaning with ultrasonic machine (hand-made by me) they sounded as if they would grade at least VG being visually graded not more than G+

@noromance ,

Technically even between G ad VG+ should not be much difference. Logically, within between good and very good you should have good or very good experience listening to those, but Goldmine standard of grading is slightly different where rating G can show a lot of surface wear.

So rating G is typically "not so Good"; G+ -- slightly better than "not so Good" and VG is average wear condition...