This image is a general representation of the item and the actual product may differ slightly in terms of color shading, logo placement, borders, or other small details. Used items may have various cosmetic differences as well.
There may be different interpretations or standards used to grade pre-owned vinyl record albums & CDs.
These are the grades that we use and what they mean for items that are not new copies.
Used Vinyl Grades
These are the stated conditions for a used vinyl records at Dusty Groove. Grading for
the cover should be assumed to be near (within a "+" or "-")
the grading for the vinyl.
If there is significant divergence from the condition of the vinyl, or specific flaws,
these are described in the item notes. However, please be aware that
since the emphasis of this site is towards the music listener, our main concern is with
the vinyl of any used item we sell. Additionally,
all of our records are graded visually;
considering the volume of used vinyl we handle, it is impossible
for us to listen to each record. If we spot any significant flaws, we make every attempt
to listen through them and note how they play.
The following grading conditions apply to the vinyl component of an album or single:
Sealed
This is what it says, that the record is still held fast in shrink-wrap.
We tend to be pretty suspicious about these things, so if the shrink-wrap doesn't
look original, or if the record seems to have undergone some damage over time,
we'll probably take it out of the wrapper to ensure that it's in good shape —
which is why we don't have more of these. In some cases the shrink-wrap may be
torn in spots, but if it's not possible the record has been taken out and played,
the record will still qualify as "Sealed".
Near Mint
Dusty Groove does not use the grades of Near Mint
(or Mint, for that matter) because in our experience, we find that no records
ever qualify for such a high grade. Even sealed records tend to have one or two
slight faults, enough to usually qualify them for a grade of NM- or lower. We've
often found that records which are clearly unplayed will have a slight amount of
surface noise, especially in quieter recordings.
Near Mint - (minus)
Black vinyl that may show a slight amount of dust or dirt.
Should still be very shiny under a light, even with slight amount of dust on surface.
One or two small marks that would make an otherwise near perfect record slightly less so.
These marks cannot be too deep, and should only be surface marks that won't affect play,
but might detract from the looks.
May have some flaws and discoloration in the vinyl, but only those that would be
intrinsic to the pressing. These should disappear when the record is tilted under
the light, and will only show up when looking straight at the record.
(Buddah and ABC pressings from the 70's are a good example of this.)
May have some slight marks from aging of the paper sleeve on the vinyl.
Possible minor surface noise when played.
Very Good + (plus)
Vinyl should be very clean, but can have less luster than near mint.
Should still shine under a light, but one or two marks may show up when tilted.
Can have a few small marks that may show up easily, but which do not affect play at all. Most marks of this quality will disappear when the record is tilted, and will not be felt with the back of a fingernail.
This is the kind of record that will play "near mint", but which will have
some signs of use (although not major ones).
May have slight surface noise when played.
Very Good
Vinyl can have some dirt, but nothing major.
May not shine under light, but should still be pretty clean,
and not too dirty.
May have a number of marks (5 to 10 at most), and obvious signs of play,
but never a big cluster of them, or any major mark that would be very deep.
Most marks should still not click under a fingernail.
May not look near perfect, but should play fairly well,
with slight surface noise, and the occasional click in part of a song,
but never throughout a whole song or more.
This is clearly a copy that was played by someone a number of times,
but which could also be a good "play copy" for someone new.
Very Good - (minus)
Vinyl may be dirty, and can lack a fair amount of luster.
Vinyl can have a number of marks, either in clusters or smaller amounts, but deeper.
This is the kind of record that you'd buy to play,
but not because it looked that great. Still, the flaws should be mostly cosmetic,
with nothing too deep that would ruin the overall record.
Examples include a record that has been kept for a while in a
cover without the paper sleeve, or heavily played by a previous owner
and has some marks across the surface. The record should play okay,
though probably with surface noise.
Good + (plus)
Vinyl may be dirty, or have one outstanding flaw,
such as a light residue, which could be difficult to clean.
May have marks on all parts, too many to qualify as Very Good-,
or several deeper marks, but the record should still be ok for play without skips.
In general, this is a record that was played a fair amount,
and handled without care. A typical example may be a record which has
been heavily played by a DJ, and carries marks from slip cueing.
Depending on the quality of the vinyl, may play with surface noise throughout.
Good
A record that you'd buy to play, cheap, but which you wouldn't buy for collecting.
Will have marks across all parts of the playing surface,
and will most likely play with surface noise throughout.
May have some other significant flaws, such as residue, or a track that skips.
In most cases, a poor quality copy of a very difficult to find record.
Fair
This is a grade we rarely use, as we try not to sell records
in very bad condition, though in some rare cases we will list a
record in such bad shape that it does not conform to our standards.
A "Fair" record will have enough marks or significant flaws that it
does not even qualify as "Good", but is a copy you might consider
for playing, if you're willing to put up with noise and/or flaws.
An example might be a recording with surface noise so heavy that
it is equal to the volume of the music. For records listed as "Fair",
we will describe the extent of the condition in the notes.
Poor
Like "Fair", we rarely list records in this condition,
as they represent the extreme low end of spectrum.
These records typically have multiple serious problems,
and we offer them as "relics" or "objects" only — for
those who want to at least have a copy of a record,
even if it is not really worthy of play, perhaps for the cover alone.
For these records, we will describe the extent of the condition in the notes.
Used CD Grade
We use the all-encompassing grade "Used CD" for non-new CDs because we only buy and offer used CDs in the best possible condition.
When you purchase a used CD you can expect the disc to be free of all but the lightest of surface marks, the case to be clean (we often change the cases ourselves), and the booklet to be in good shape. Used CDs may show some signs of use, but if there are significant details or defects we describe the item's condition (just like we do with LPs), so look for notes on cutout marks, stickers, promo stamps or other details before ordering.
All of our used CDs are guaranteed to play without skipping or flaws. After you receive a used CD from Dusty Groove, you have 1 week to play it to determine that it plays correctly. If it does not, you can
request a return
for a full refund.
Used Book Grade
We use the all-encompassing grade "Used Book" for all non-new books.
You can expect each volume to be clean and free of markings, tears or major defects unless mentioned in the notes just like we do with LPs and CDs. Used books may show some signs of handling or age. Specific issues with the condition like remainder marks, stickers, underlining, or other defects are described in the notes.
Used Grade
We use the all-encompassing grade "Used" for miscellaneous non-new items. Specific condition details
are described in the notes.
Condition Notes
If something is relevant, we try to describe it in the notes — especially
if it is release or pressing details,
or an oddity that is the only wrong thing about the record.
This might include, but isn't limited to, warped records, tracks that skip,
cover damage or wear, or strictly cosmetic flaws.
A very cool collection of weird and wonderful tunes from the farther reaches of the Italian cinema scene of the late 60s and early 70s – work that's maybe less psych, folk, or pagan than the title might imply – but music that's definitely in keeping with the mad collage of images on the ... LP, Vinyl record album
A legendary soundtrack from the key years of British gothic horror – music for a film that was creepy enough on its own, but which really got sent over the top with the sounds provided by composer Paul Ferris! Ferris was working with the De Wolfe sound library at the time, but the music is ... LP, Vinyl record album
A pretty fantastic soundtrack from a very unlikely source – a British film based on a 19th century story by Herman Melville, but recast with a scene in London of the swinging 60s! As such, the movie gets a superb score from the great Roger Webb – jazz pianist and sound library genius, ... LP, Vinyl record album
One of the most enigmatic soundtracks we've ever heard from Luis Bacalov – a set that's still as groovy as his work from the 60s, but with a lot more 70s rock touches overall! These elements come through in some of the English language vocals at the start, but then slide into lighter ... LP, Vinyl record album
A really beautiful collection of work from Ennio Morricone – one of the greatest soundtrack composers of all time, especially during the period covered in this set! The songs here are from a time when the maestro was effortlessly combining jazz, mod rhythms, rock instrumentation, and other ... LP, Vinyl record album
Groovy and funky – all wrapped up beautifully together! The soundtrack's an overlooked gem from Italian maestro Piero Piccioni – one of his more sublime efforts of the 60s, and that's saying a lot, given the strength of all his work! There's some wonderful light melodies on the set ... LP, Vinyl record album
Excellent work from Bruno Nicolai – and the album's one of his key soundtracks that really echoes his time spent collaborating with Ennio Morricone! There's some great piano on the record – handled with that Morricone-like way of hitting the keys that's off-tune and weirdly isolated in ... LP, Vinyl record album
Sweeping strings, African themes, and one of the most beautiful Armando Trovajoli soundtracks of the 60s – a real standout from the already-great Italian scene of the time, and filled with beautiful tunes that are pretty new to our ears! The set's got plenty of those great Trovajoli bossa ... LP, Vinyl record album
Maybe the greatest moment ever from Brit soundtrack genius Roy Budd – an artist who started with his roots in jazz piano, but who really explodes here in a range of groovy styles! The main title is an incredible blend of Eastern percussion and moody jazz – and other cuts bring in some ... LP, Vinyl record album
Franco Micalizzi was one of the unrivaled maestros of the action score on the Italian scene of the 70s – and here, he does a great job of blending that experience with some slightly moodier touches – creating a really nice blend of tunes that swing effortlessly between clubby groovers ... LP, Vinyl record album
One of the greatest soundtracks ever – an archetypal album from French composer Francis Lai, and a record that set the tone for countless other imitations to come – yet which is still the best! The groove here is really unique – a spare blend of bossa influences, jazzy organ ... LP, Vinyl record album
One of our favorite Italian soundtracks of the 70s – a wonderful score written by Piero Piccioni and conducted by Berto Pisano – easily our idea of heaven! The tunes are languid and laidback – moving in a way that's slow, yet often with an undercurrent of funk too – this ... LP, Vinyl record album