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Vinyl Singles Grading guide - 7" Records by Studio Records
Grading Conditions for 7" Vinyl Singles
Record grading for singles can differ to that of a vinyl album, due to only being 1 song on each side, therefore generally the grade should be for sound quality alone!
However singles collectors are as interested in label condition, centre condition and sleeve condition.
The majority of our grades are attained by visual grading only, unless the record is particularly rare! then they are play tested, we also do this if we are unsure by visual inspection.
See our Vinyl 7" Singles for Sale
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MINT Almost an impossible grade for a used vinyl single, but if it shows absolutely no marks, handling or evidence of use then it may be Mint. |
 
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NM (near mint) The vinyl should have no scratches and play without hiss or clicks, it may show a few light small handling or surface marks/scratches but nothing that can be heard. |
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EX (excellent) The vinyl should have no scratches and play without hiss or clicks, but will show more use and some light surface marks/scratches, this is a well looked after single. |
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VG+ (very good plus) The vinyl will show some light surface scratches and handling marks, but should play very well with just some light hiss and one or two very subtle clicks. |
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VG (very good) The vinyl will show use, with light surface marks and some scratches, but will still play without affecting the sound noticeably. |
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G (good) The vinyl will show heavy use with multiple surface marks and scratches, many of these will be deep and affect sound, hissing, clicks and pops but will play without jumping. |
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F (fair) The vinyl will have many issues, and look abused, it will play but with very noticeable unwanted noises. |
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P (poor) The record will be damaged, warped, cracked or totally abused and will not play properly or not at all. |
Record Labels and Sleeves
Record labels can and should be graded for collectors, for this reason we individually photograph all our vinyl singles showing both labels, rather than downgrade the sound grade for any issues with the label.
Record sleeves generally are not overly important as long as it has one to protect the record. But many prefer the original sleeve, we will always photograph the sleeve if it has its original one.
Notes and Information on record sleeves and record labels.
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Company Sleeve Most records released up to the late 1970s were issued in a company sleeve as shown, there were many variations from individual companies over the years. |
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Plain Company Sleeves (plain white) These unbranded sleeves were also used and are not relative to any company. |
Picture Sleeve Grades
 
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NM - This really is the highest grade for a pre-owned vinyl single picture sleeve. (This Sleeve can be classed as Near Mint, especially as this is a thin paper sleeve and is rare not to have creases, wear or damage to either side) |
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EX - This sleeve has been well stored and loved, it should show just the slightest wear, slight discolour, small crease, fold on flipback sleeves.
(This sleeve borders Ex-NM as at first glance it's almost perfect, but does have a crease to the top right side, still a very nice condition sleeve) |
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VG+ - This sleeve will show more general wear and tear with creases and/or folds, may have a fairy discreet name somewhere, slight ring wear or minor tear. |
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VG - This sleeve is very standard for most used collections, as above but more frequent, small tears now showing, writing more obvious, small seam splits, small stickers, obvious ring wear. |
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G - This grade of sleeve is not really 'good' and will show heavy wear and tear, but it still does the job of protecting the record, it could suffer from obvious tears, splits, frayed edges, sticker tears, writing that's very noticeable, heavy ring wear, Stains.
(2 Examples the top one has a sticker tear and multiple creasing and wear around the edges, the second image shows water damage, writing and a large non removabe sticker) |
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P - Poor sleeve is not now even doing its job of protecting the record, it is likely to have parts missing, completely defaced, been wet or abused in other ways. |
Notes on these grades -
The whole grading guide is extremely hard to nail, as there are so many factors, and levels, as a general if you want the record just for listening purposes then any from NM to G will suffice as they will hod and protect the record. |
But if you are a collector then you really should be looking for VG+ as a minimum.
Example of Damage and Wear to record sleeves
| Ring Wear |
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| Corner dints | |
| Fraying |  |
| Flipback Creases |  |
| Sticker tears |  |
| Seam Splits |  |