I couldn't find a record seller that met my standards, so I created one...

 

I NOW ULTRASONICALLY CLEAN ALL MY RECORDS: I have worked hard to earn my buyer satisfaction because I care deeply about music. I play grade all auction items on my reference system so that the description is accurate. Because I want all my records to sound the best they can I have searched for a record cleaning machine that would produce better results than my 6-step manual cleaning method. I finally found one: The Audio Desk Ultrasonic Record Cleaning Machine. It was a significant investment on my part but I was so impressed with the results I had to buy one. This machine has helped eliminate noisy artifacts in the grooves such as; dirt, dust and oils, and is creating an improvement to the sonics, that in general, is at least one grade above my manual cleaning method. I attribute that to the way the ultrasonic technology cleans the grooves:

"The ultrasonic condenser produces compression waves the amplitude of which is sufficient to break the cleaning fluid's surface tension causing it to tear apart and leave behind millions of microscopic vacuum bubbles that compress or implode creating tiny liquid jets tiny enough to clean inside the smallest LP record grooves."

My LP's are now as clean as they can be so my grading is the most accurate it can be.

 

 

THE INCREDIBLE JIMMY SMITH

"Crazy! Baby"

 

Label: BLUE NOTE 4030

Format: 1 x LP Mono

Country: US Pressing

Year Released: 1962

Additional Notes:

Original mono release. Fantastic recording. "New York USA" on label Recorded by Rudy Van Gelder "Van Gelder" stamped in runout Van Gelder ear symbol in runout

 

Vinyl Grade: (VG+/VG++)  Ultrasonically cleaned and play graded on both sides and this recording sounds good. Plays with clarity and presence. No sibilance from groove wear which is always something to watch out for with records of this period. The record is clean and glossy. Side 1 Etched (BN-LP-4030  VAN GELDER  (ear) Very clean and with most of it's original lustre. Record looks great except for one area with several needle scratches across track one and two. When play graded there is definately some tics as a result of these scratches. Quiets down after the middle of track two. No spindle marks I can see. Side 2 Etched (BN-LP-4030  VAN GELDER  (ear)  Plays excellent with a few light hairlines from a paper scuff in one area. This side plays with a slight amount of static and a few light tics near the very beggining. Otherwise very quiet. No spindle marks. 

NOTE: All my records are now treated with my Milty Zerostat on both sides and brushed with a carbon fiber brush before play grading. This treatment helps to eliminate static on my discs.

Jacket Grade: (VG++) The jacket is in excellent condition. Excellent overall. The spine is completely readable. No splits. The only real wear is along the mouth edge on the front- it shows some chipping of the lamination. 

Sleeve Grade: (NEW) A new paper and poly sleeve is included. The original inner is not inlcuded- I used it for another Blue Note I have.

Shipping: Album will be placed inside new 3mm poly sleeve. Inner sleeve and lp will be placed bewteen jacket and outer sleeve to protect the jacket during shipping. Shipped in pro-quality #200 LP mailer w/padding when necessary.

 

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Grading Terms I Use and What They Mean:

"SPOTS": Small cloudy blotches usually caused by old poly linings in inner sleeves- sometimes known as "sweating". They usually play through with no noise or effect on the sonic's. "HAIRLINES": Those faint wispy surface marks visible under strong halogen sidelight. They are usually caused by the paper sleeve. They usually play through with no noise or effect on the sonic's. "PAPER SCUFF": A faint surface mark visible under strong halogen sidelight on an area of the LP that is usually caused by the paper inner sleeve. They usually play through with no noise or effect on the sonic's. "STATIC": A faint and occasional background noise that is heard in quieter passages. In most cases this is caused by dirt or dust that is deeply imbedded in the grooves. It can usually be removed with a deep and thorough cleaning. "CRACKLE": A consistent surface noise that is caused by many things including dirty grooves and grooves with deposits stuck to the groove walls. This type of noise is often difficult to remove. "SIBILANCE": A term I use to describe distortion caused by early groove wear. It usually shows up first as a sort of buzzing in the higher scale notes on a piano or a female vocalist. This can only be found by play grading. A record with overall groove wear results in distortion of most of the music. There are many causes for this including the use of too light a tracking force in a newer tonearm and cartridge. Older tonearms and cartridges used very high tracking forces (greater than 5 grams) and can cause groove wear on an older LP. Groove wear cannot always be easily spotted by a visual inspection and is best determined through play grading. "SCRATCH": A surface mark usually caused by the phonograph needle. These are not always heard, especially on older, heavier pressings that have deeper groove cuts. On newer, thinner pressings, they may result in a tic or pop but not a skip. "NEEDLE SCRATCH": The worst kind of surface mark caused by the phonograph needle. These marks usually disturb the vinyl surface to such a degree that they cause loud pops and in rare cases they may cause a skip. "JACKET RASH": Sometimes called ring wear by other sellers but I use it differently to describe an overall spotty wear that is caused by the wear on the high spots of the paste caused by the bumps in the cardboard under the paste. This is common on older 1950's and early 1960's jackets. It's the earliest sign of wear on a jacket. "FLAKES": Older coated jackets from the 1950's have a heavy coating on the slick that is prone to cracking and flaking when it dries out and ages. "SPLITS": These flaws are physical separations in the jacket halves. Sometimes the older coated jackets can have cracks in the coating that look like splits when the jacket is actually structurally sound. "SWINGERS": This is an off-center record, i.e., the center hole was not punched concentric with the record. All records are somewhat slightly off center if you measure them very accurately. A certain amount of this is expected and acceptible. Severely off center records can cause harm to the playback of the recording as the needle swings inward and outward to try and track the groove. It is really surprising how bad some records can be off center. Off center records cannot be detected visually, they must be played to uncover this defect. 

 

 

Voice of Vinyl Record and Jacket Grading Standards

I have been very unhappy with the variation in grading I see between record sellers. While all grading seems to reference the Goldmine grading standards, there are subtle variations in condition that can make a big difference in the sonic enjoyment of a record, especially at the higher quality end of the grading spectrum. As such, I have created my own grading standards for records and jackets that points out these finer differences.

 

(SS) Still Sealed:  "Still Sealed" is a grade I am reserving for factory sealed records that have never been opened. This grade assumes the disc inside is undamaged and in "Mint" condition but this cannot be verified until the disc is opened and examined. The jacket will have its original shrink wrap.

(M) Mint: "Mint " is a grade I am reserving for a perfect record. There are no scratches, scuffs, hairlines, fingerprints, spindle marks or other indications that it has been handled or played. The jacket will have its original shrink which is opened. The are no corner bumps, scratches, mars, creases or other signs of jacket wear.

(M-) Mint Minus: A "Mint Minus" record may have one very light paper scuff but no hairlines or other surface scratches. It looks clean and unplayed. I may also use a "Mint Minus" to grade a sealed record that has corner bumps or tears in the shrink wrap.

(NM) Near Mint: "Near Mint" is a record that is virtually flawless, clean and glossy. A near perfect, rarely-played record. May play with some very light and occasional dust or static related light noise that is only heard in the quietest passages. The vinyl and label surfaces show no obvious sign of wear. It looks clean with the factory shine and there may be a very light, barely visible paper scuff or two and a few light hairlines but no scratches. An LP jacket has no seam splits or any other obvious signs of wear but one or two light creases are acceptable. Ring wear should be almost invisible. No punch holes or other discount marks.  Very minimal corner bumps. Artist signatures are the only acceptable forms of handwriting for this grade. Basically, "Near Mint" looks as if you just got it home from a new record store and removed the shrink wrap.

(NM-) Near Mint Minus: Same as above, yet shows a few very light hairlines which have no effect on the sonic quality. The record will have its factory gloss and “rainbow luster” and only light spindle marks. Ring wear is minimal but starting to show lightly at the top and bottom. The jacket may have discount cuts or sales stickers, which will be noted. Artist signatures and minimal owner marks are the only acceptable forms of handwriting for this grade.

(VG++) Very Good Plus Plus: Shows some signs that it was played and otherwise handled by a previous owner who took good care of it. Record surfaces may show signs of use and may have slight paper scuffs or very light surface scratches that only reveal themselves in the quietest of passages and don't detract from the overall sonic quality. Most factory shine is still present. Slight edge warps that do not affect the tracking or sound quality are OK and will be noted. An LP jacket may have some signs of ring wear and shelf wear and a small corner bump or two these are minimal and acceptable for this grade.  A small seam split is also acceptable and will be noted. Light owner signatures, DJ marks and other forms of handwriting are acceptable for this grade. In general, if not for a couple of minor things wrong with it, this would be a showcase piece. All but the most discriminating collectors will find a “Very Good Plus” record highly acceptable.

(VG+) Very Good Plus: Many of the defects found in a VG++ record are more pronounced in a VG+ disc but it is still a keeper. Surface noise is evident upon playing, but does not overwhelm the music. Groove wear will start to be audible and a random click, tic or soft pop may be evident but will not detract from the enjoyment of the recorded material. The jacket may have a seam split or ring wear and labels may be marred by writing, or have tape or stickers (or their residue) attached. A small light stain or some discoloring may be evident. The cover may exhibit a combination of these flaws but they will not overwhelm the piece.

(VG) Very Good: A VG disc will have more flaws but it is still a keeper. Surface noise is evident upon playing but does not overpower the music. Groove wear will be audible along with occasional pops and tics but there are no skips. The jacket may have a significant seam split and the spine may be seriously flaked. Labels and jackets may be marred by writing, or have tape or stickers (or their residue) attached. A small light stain or some discoloring may be evident. The cover may exhibit a combination of these flaws but they will not overwhelm the piece.

(G+) Good Plus, (G) Good: “Good” means acceptable…not completely roached. The grade I usually reserve for listing the rarest of records. A record in “Good” condition can be put onto a turntable and will play but it will it will have significant audible surface noise. A jacket or sleeve has larger seam splits and there may be significant water stains. Tape, writing, ring wear or other defects will start to overwhelm the object.

Special Note:

(+) Plus: An extra "plus” may be added occasionally to a grade to highlight the finer points of some better grades.

 

Shipping Cost and Terms

Domestic/U.S.A. Shipping (excluding Alaska and Hawaii)

Domestic Buyers Please Note: Shipping costs to Alaska and Hawaii will have to be based upon actual weight. A handling charge of $1.85 (USD) will be added to the final shipping fee to help cover the cost of the high quality materials I use in the preservation and shipping of my records. Packages over $50 will have to be shipped with tracking and full value insurance. Packages will be shipped only to a confirmed Paypal address.

 USPS Media Mail (Tracking included, no insurance)

Media mail rate is approx. $4.00 (usually a little less). Cost for additional LP's in a combined purchase are calculated by weight. Usually it is $1.00 for each additional record

USPS First Class (Tracking included, no insurance)

First Class mail rate stated in invoice Cost for additional LP's in a combined purchase are calculated by weight

USPS Priority (Tracking and Insurance included) Priority mail rate stated in invoice Cost for additional LP's in a combined purchase are calculated by weight

 

International Shipping

International Buyers Please Note: Import duties, taxes, and other Customs charges are not included in the item price or shipping cost unless the auction is using the ebay Global Shipping Program. In that case the buyer pays the import duties, customs charges etc. up front. These charges are the buyer's responsibility. Please check with your country's customs office to determine what these additional costs will be prior to bidding or buying. I declare full value for customs- this is a US and International government regulation.Tracking is included now in all shipments. Insurance is required for packages over $50. For packages under $50 the insurance and tracking is optional but, I will not refund payment for damaged or lost items without insurance and tracking.

Shipping Cost Calculate by Exact Weight: USPS pricing is constantly changing for almost all international locations. In order to provide a fair international shipping cost (to me as well as the buyer) I calculate all shipping charges by exact weight rather than a flat “per LP” rate as I do for domestic USA shipments.

First Class Air Mail (Tracking included, insurance optional)

Allow 2-4 weeks delivery time depending on your country's customs. First Class Air Mail International includes online tracking. If order is over $50 it will be shipped Priority Air Mail. Packages weighing more than 4 pounds will automatically be shipped by USPS via Priority Air Mail at a roughly $10-15 increase.

Priority Air Mail (Tracking included, insurance included)

Allow 5-14 business day’s delivery time depending on your country's customs. Packages over $50 or over 4 pounds will be shipped via Priority Air Mail.

 

Ordering Multiple Items, Double LP’s and Boxed Sets

If you are ordering more than 1 item, please wait to submit your payment until you receive a combined invoice to ensure you are charged the exact amount of postage. All international orders over $50 or over 4 pounds must be shipped USPS Priority Air Mail with tracking. Double LP’s, boxed sets, etc. are heavier and will incur additional shipping costs.

 

Customer Service and Return Policy

A five star rating is important to me and I will work with a reasonable buyer who is not satisfied. You can buy with confidence because I provide a thorough assessment of a record. In a case where a buyer feels that I have provided a record below what has been described or I missed a major fault, please contact me through Ebay within 2 weeks of receiving your item, explain your problem and If we agree, the I will take the item back and provide a full refund. Buyer must pay return shipping. Sealed records must be returned still sealed to be eligible for a full refund.

Thank you.

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