| The information below is fairly standard for vinyl records and should be easy to understand. However, please don't hesitate to contact me at: johnny@johnnydj.com if I can be of further assistance. | |
| SS : STILL SEALED | Still in original shrink wrap. Unopened and in original manufactured condition. Usually sold for a premium. These are the most dangerous investment quality records to purchase. Since it is sealed, visual inspectionof the inserts cannot be made. SS records with any defect such as mildew or discolouration of the cover will not rate the premium that SS implies. |
| M : MINT | The record and sleeve are in original, unsealed condition. They may have been played, but will have no visual or audible deterioration. |
| EX : EXCELLENT | This record may show slight signs of wear and use, but this will have almost no audible defect. Sleeves in this condition may show marginal deterioration that will keep them from being graded mint, but will not have any repairs, pen or pencil. |
| VG : VERY GOOD | Records will be noticeably less than perfect. They obviously have been played, but the damage is not visually or audibly distracting. Minor scuffs and slight surface defects may be present. Background ticks and hiss are minimal. Sleeves may show some slight ring wear and may have minor creases. Seams will be intact unless they have separated due to failure of the manufacturers gluing agent. |
| G : GOOD | This record will have both visual and audible distractions, but will still be playable. The record and sleeve will show visual wear and moderate use. Sleeves will show ring wear, but will not be physically damaged. |
| F : FAIR | This record is visually and audibly distracting. It will still play although obviously damaged and will not have skips, but may have "play through" scratches. It is still useable. Sleeves will show heavy ringwear and some minor physical damage. |
| P : POOR | This record is one step away from the trash. It may or may not play. The sleeves are faded, torn, holed,marked or otherwise damaged beyond pleasrable viewing. Anything worse than this condition should be classified as BAD. |
| COMMONLY USED TERMS & ABBREVIATIONS PLUS SOME OF MY OWN: | |
| (These are important as their use saves a lot of space) | |
| BB (or DH) | BB sized holed drilled in sleeve and/or cover. |
| # | I've played it & it plays fine |
| ## | Canadian Artist (in Label Abbreviations file denotes Canadian Label) |
| 2P | Second pressing |
| CC | Corner of sleeve cut. |
| CC | Case cracked (CD'S ONLY) |
| CDAT | Coloured Dog At Top (on RCA records) |
| CTN | Cover tune (as original version done by) |
| CVR | Record cover |
| DJ | Radio station promotion copy |
| EP | Extended play. |
| F/CD | From Long Playing CD Album |
| F/LP | From Long Playing Vinyl Album |
| GF | Gatefold cover. |
| GTR | Guitar |
| IMP | Import (Disc not made in the USA or Canada) |
| LBL | Label |
| M | Mono |
| MNAP | Mark not affecting play |
| NRSOL | Previous owner's name rubber stamped on label (I've got a lot of 45's with this marking) |
| OVOAL | Original version on album |
| P/U | Previously unreleased stated on cover or label |
| PD | Picture disc |
| PIC | Picture |
| PNO | Piano |
| PR | Producer |
| PROMO | Promotional copy |
| PS | Picture sleeve |
| QUAD | Quadraphonic |
| RI | Reissue |
| RSOC | Rubber stamped on record cover.. |
| RSOL | Rubber stamped on record label. |
| RW | Ring wear |
| SCH | Small centre hole in a 45 (like on an LP) |
| SCR | Scratch |
| SCU | Scuff |
| SIM ST | Simulated stereo |
| SLT | Slight |
| SLV | Sleeve |
| SM | Saw mark - small cut in cover |
| SOC | Sticker on cover |
| SOL | Sticker on label |
| SPLIT | Split seam |
| SS | Still Sealed |
| ST | Stereo |
| TOC | Tape on cover |
| TOL | Tape on label |
| TS | Taped seams |
| TX | Tracks or Songs |
| WOC | Writing on cover |
| WOFC | Writing on front cover |
| WOL | Writing on label |
| WORC | Writing on rear cover |
| WR | Writer |
| WRP | Warp |
| WSOC | Water stain on cover |
| WSOL | water stain on label |