Buying used vinyl records: a beginner's guide
Grades, scratches, warps and storage: how to dig through a crate and go home with records that play well.
By Vintage Finds Antiques, Wichita. Updated . 4 minute read.
Start with the record, not the cover
A great cover can hide a tired record. Slide the disc out, hold it by the edges, and tilt it under the light. Light hairline marks often play quietly. Scratches you can catch with a fingernail usually click or skip.
Check for warps and wear
A few quick checks catch most problems before you pay.
- Sight along the edge at eye level to spot a warp.
- Look for a grey, dull sheen in the grooves, a sign of heavy play.
- Check the center hole and label for wear from years of spindle marks.
- Look at the sleeve for seam splits and ring wear if the cover matters to you.
What record grades mean
Many sellers use a simple scale borrowed from collector price guides: Mint (M) means unplayed, Near Mint (NM) looks and plays nearly perfect, Very Good Plus (VG+) shows light signs of play, Very Good (VG) has noticeable surface noise, and Good (G) plays through but with clear wear. For listening, VG+ and better is the sweet spot.
Look at the dead wax
The smooth band between the last track and the label often has stamped or etched numbers. Collectors use them to identify pressings. You do not need to learn them on day one, but they explain why two copies of the same album can be priced differently.
Store them standing up
Once home, store records upright, never stacked flat, away from heat and sun. A plastic outer sleeve protects the cover, and a clean inner sleeve protects the disc.
Dig in Wichita
Our crates on East Douglas change as new collections come in, so it pays to stop by often. We also sell turntables, receivers and speakers, and we buy record collections.
