GRADING

We are frequently asked . . . we're often asked . . . somebody asked me once . . . about grading. Here's a little information on how we grade:

All records are visually graded. It is impossible to listen to all the items we list in the time available -- especially with LP's & CD's.

Since the material used to make records varied from time to time and from label to label, each company has its own "sound." Columbia "A" series records typically were as noisy as most early '20s records. The "D" series have superb surfaces while the Red Columbias are usually somewhere in between these qualities. This is knowledge you should have as a collector -- our grades don't measure the original surface quality; only wear, scratches, scuffs, and digs in that surface.

We are only grading the wear and abuse that a record has had. It is important you NOT expect E+ Victors to sound as good as E- Okehs (8000's and 41000's) from the same period. They will not. So, 78s with noisy surfaces such as Victor & Musicraft can be graded E+ and be noisier than E- or V+ black Columbia "D" series when played.

As grades go down from E's to V's, scratches, chips, scuffs and gouges are an expected part of the wear. We try to note any major deviations from the norm. This includes evenly worn records that may play better because they have fewer than expected digs and scratches.

Section 1 below shows the grading codes for 78s, and section 2 has the codes used for 45s and LPs. Section 3 has some abbreviations used to describe the record's condition.

SECTION 1 -- GRADING CRITERIA FOR 78s

N- Virtually free of any marks or signs of wear. No chance of degraded performance from new. (Remember, pressing defects were common in those days.)

E+ slight wear visible and may have scuffs and/or very light scratches or just not look shiny and new.

E Very minor wear (visible on less than 10% of the surface). Scuffs possible or a minor ding or click. Should play like you bought it yesterday (or maybe the day before).

E- Some graying, covering 10-30% of record. A few light scratches, nicks and dings. Grooves will show wear.

V+ Graying and/or groove wear over 30-60% of the record. Dings and scratches begin to take the fun out of listening.

V 60-90% gray. Frequent scratches, nicks and general discomfort when you listen.

V- No surface left. Noise approaches the level of music.

G, P These poor abused creatures have been heavily pre-enjoyed. To own one will cost very little and you can say you own it. But understand that a "G" Okeh generally can play as well as a V+ Victor.

Collectors: Know your labels and pressing qualities!

SECTION 2 -- GRADING FOR 45s and LPs

N Sealed (LP's Only)

N- Only the scuffs we created when we pulled the record out to look at it. Some dust, a cat hair or two and the faintest marks. You might hear them, but our feeble ears would not.

E+ Minor marking which probably give you some occasional ticks when played.

E Definite noise, probably 30% of the time on the record.

E- Noisy on a consistent basis. Certainly dings, maybe skips and maybe some obvious wear.

V+ Unless they are really rare, we try not to list these. Worn and left out of their jackets, these have accumulated many scratches, dings and dust. Not much fun, but they can complete a collection (or get you discographical details at low cost.)

The best thing to do with all auctions is to try them out. That's the only way to see (hear) how they grade and then you can decide whether to bid again or not. AllJazz has a "sorry we goofed" policy (as do most auctioneers) so you really have no risk. Simply pay attention to the grades.

SECTION 3 -- STANDARD ABBREVIATIONS

In general, condition comments are in lower case letters. Some of these are:

sol - sticker on label
wol - writing on label
ihlc - internal hairline crack
hlc - hairline crack (starting at record edge)
ihlcnap - hairline crack, not affect play
lam - cracks in laminated pressing
rc - rim chip (If the rim chip affects play, the "rc" should be followed by a number, which indicates the number of grooves affected, e.g. rc8 is a rim chip that affects 8 grooves).
rcnap - rim chip not affect play
dig - A dig may cause skips or sticks
pdig - passing dig (no skip or stick)
mx - matrix number (usually noted on test pressings)
scr - scratches
scf - scuffs
cc - cut corner on jacket
drilled - drilled jacket

In addition to these condition abbreviations, AllJazz has a
list of more than 1500 abbreviations for the record labels.
You can see the complete set here.