How We Grade Vinyl Records at The Den

If you've spent any time collecting vinyl, you've probably seen grading terms like NM, VG+, VG, and wondered what they really mean.

The truth is that grading vinyl records is a little bit of an art. There are official grading standards out there (most collectors are familiar with the Goldmine grading system), but every record shop develops its own feel for how those grades translate in the real world.

At The Den, we try to grade records the way we would want them graded if we were buying them ourselves.

Most of the records in the shop fall into the VG+ range. That's the sweet spot for collectors: records that play great and look good, but don't carry the premium price of pristine copies.

A Quick Note About Expectations

Vinyl records are physical objects that have often been around for decades. Even well-cared-for records can pick up small sleeve marks, faint scuffs, or other cosmetic signs of life along the way.

Our goal is simple: be honest, consistent, and conservative in our grading.

When you buy a record from The Den, we want you to feel like the record you received matches — or exceeds — your expectations.

NM (Near Mint)

We reserve the NM (Near Mint) grade for records that are truly exceptional.

These are records that look almost untouched. The vinyl surface is glossy and clean, with no visible lines, scuffs, or sleeve marks. Labels are clean and the packaging shows little to no wear.

In other words, a Near Mint record should feel like you're holding something very close to new.

Because most vintage records have lived a little life over the years, we don't use the NM grade very often. When we do, it's because the record genuinely deserves it.

VG++ (Our Favorite Grade)

You’ll see us use the grade VG++ quite a bit in the shop.

Technically, VG++ sits between VG+ and NM — though many shops would simply call these records NM.

At The Den, a VG++ record is beautiful. The vinyl is glossy and looks fantastic overall, but you might see one or two very small, light marks. These are usually sleeve scuffs or faint lines from packaging.

The key thing is that these marks do not affect play.

So if you're the kind of collector who wants a record that looks fantastic but doesn't necessarily need to be museum-perfect, VG++ copies can be a great find.

VG+ (The Sweet Spot)

VG+ is where most of the records in the shop land.

These records look good and play great. You might see a few light lines, sleeve marks, or small scuffs on the vinyl surface.

Occasionally those marks might produce a little bit of background sound, but nothing that distracts from the music.

For many collectors, VG+ records are the perfect balance:

• great listening copies
• nice looking vinyl
• more affordable than pristine copies

If you're building a collection to actually play and enjoy, VG+ records are often the best value.

VG (Very Good)

A VG record is still a playable record, but it will show more signs of wear.

You’ll likely see multiple marks or surface lines, and you may hear some background noise while the record plays.

That said, these records should still be enjoyable listens. At this grade, the music remains the focus even if the record isn’t cosmetically perfect.

We don't carry a lot of VG records in the shop, but occasionally a great album shows up that deserves to be on the shelf even if it has a bit more wear.

VG- and Below

Records graded VG- or lower will have more noticeable wear and surface noise.

At these grades you may hear consistent background noise, though the record should still play through without skipping.

In general, we try not to stock many records below VG. There are too many great playable copies out there to spend much time on heavily worn ones.

Why VG+ Records Are Often the Best Choice

When collectors first start buying vinyl, they often think they need Near Mint copies of everything.

Over time, most collectors realize something important:

VG+ records usually sound fantastic.

They capture everything we love about vinyl — warmth, depth, and presence — without the premium price of pristine copies.

That’s why VG+ has become the unofficial sweet spot for many collectors.

Final Thought

At the end of the day, grading is about setting expectations.

We try to describe records the same way we'd talk about them if you were standing at the counter in the shop — honestly and without hype.

If you're curious what kinds of records are currently in the bins, you can always browse the shop online or just keep digging through the crates.

That's where the good stuff usually turns up.

Vinyl Record Grading FAQ

What does VG+ mean for vinyl records?

VG+ (Very Good Plus) means a vinyl record that shows light signs of use but still plays very well. You may see a few light lines, sleeve scuffs, or small marks on the vinyl surface, but they should not cause significant background noise or interfere with the music.

Is VG+ a good condition for vinyl records?

Yes. VG+ is often considered the sweet spot for collectors. Records graded VG+ usually sound great and look nice, while costing less than pristine Near Mint copies. Many collectors build their collections around VG+ records because they offer excellent listening quality at a more reasonable price.

What does VG++ mean in vinyl grading?

VG++ is sometimes used by record stores to describe records that fall between VG+ and Near Mint. These records usually look glossy and very clean, with perhaps one or two extremely light marks that do not affect playback. Many collectors would consider VG++ records nearly perfect listening copies.

What is the difference between VG and VG+ vinyl records?

VG records typically show more visible wear and may have noticeable background noise during playback. VG+ records usually have fewer marks and play more cleanly. While both grades are still playable, VG+ records tend to provide a better listening experience overall.

Are Near Mint vinyl records common?

Not really. Most vintage records have been played over the years, so truly Near Mint copies are relatively uncommon. When a record appears almost untouched, with a glossy surface and clean packaging, it can be considered a Near Mint example.