Our Record Grading System

At Heathen Records, we understand that the quality of a vinyl record is crucial to the listening experience. That's why we have implemented a meticulous grading system based on industry standards to help you understand exactly what you're buying. Below, you'll find detailed explanations of each grade we use to classify our records and sleeves.

Mint (M)

Record: Absolutely perfect in every way. This record looks like it has just left the manufacturer, with no visible flaws. Sleeve: Perfect with no creases, folds, seam splits, or any other noticeable similar defects.

Near Mint (NM or M-)

Record: A nearly perfect record. Played very few times, if at all, it shows no obvious signs of wear. Sleeve: A nearly perfect sleeve with no creases, folds, seam splits, cut-out holes, or other noticeable faults.

Very Good Plus (VG+)

Record: Shows signs of having been played, but there is very little lessening in sound quality. Surface noise might be evident upon playing, especially in soft passages and during a song's intro and fade, but will not overpower the music otherwise. Sleeve: May have slight wear and slight creases but still aesthetically pleasing.

Very Good (VG)

Record: Will show signs of wear, including light scratches and/or scuffs that do not affect the listening experience. Sleeve: Normal wear and tear on the cover and extra items, without any major defects, is acceptable.

Good Plus (G+)

Record: Can play without skipping, but it will have significant surface noise and scratches and visible groove wear. Sleeve: A cover or sleeve will have seam splits, especially at the bottom or on the spine. Tape, writing, ring wear, or other defects will start to overwhelm the object.

Good (G)

Record: Has significant noise, scratches, and visible groove wear. It is playable but may have skips. Sleeve: The sleeve may have substantial ring wear, tape, writing, or other defects that will affect the overall integrity.

Fair (F) and Poor (P)

Records: These grades are for die-hard collectors only. These records typically are not enjoyable to listen to but can be used for archival purposes. Sleeve: More than one major problem, such as heavy writing or significant seam splits, large tears, and other similar issues.

Understanding Our Grades

Each record is visually and audibly inspected to ensure a precise grading. The grading is provided on both the record (vinyl itself) and the sleeve (cover artwork and additional materials). When you select a record from our catalog, you will see the grading information clearly displayed, helping you make informed choices about your purchase.

For further assistance, please feel free to contact us, and one of our experts will be happy to help guide you in finding the perfect record for your collection.