Sold Date: April 17, 2022
Start Date: April 7, 2022
Final Price: $27.00 (USD)
Bid Count: 8
Seller Feedback: 380
Buyer Feedback: 102

Nina Simone - Little Girl Blue | 1959 | Mono | Deep Groove | BCP6028 | Bethlehem.
Ultrasonic Cleaned
VINYL: F (3.0 of 10).  Vintage Nina Simone - mono - deep groove.... but...
This is one of those records that's lived a good portion of its life in a cardboard outer sleeve with no inner sleeve.  Both sides have total loss of sheen due to full coverage surface scuffing.  Significant groove wear and light scratches on both sides.  
No gouges or deep scratches.  No chips, no warps, no cracks.  If you like old fashioned vinyl record crackle - this has it!  Expect constant, invasive surface noise all songs, both sides.
I play tested the entire record and there were no skips on my turntable - the stylus once got momentarily hung up between one track but played through without assistance.  Some portions were a difficult listen due to the poor condition - ortofon stylus, 1.75grams tracking.
Obviously, the record is sold as is - no returns accepted given condition.  Only listing due to the collectability. 


COVER: F (3.0 of 10) Surfaces actually look decent with moderate wear/staining - pictures are representative.  The low grade is because both top and bottom seams are totally split.  The spine is in nice shape, but the sleeve opens like a book.  For the winning bidder, I'll throw in two SEAMZEAZY repair strips should you decide you want to try and repair the sleeve.  Would still look decent displayed for the artwork.
Please feel free to ask for more pictures, or if I can answer any questions.  This record will be shipped in an aftermarket paper inner sleeve, tucked behind the album cover in a poly outer.

************************************** SELLER TERMS:

US Buyers only, no international sales.  Domestic taxes are not included in the item listing price or shipping charges. These charges are buyer's responsibility and vary regionally.  Any taxes on an invoice are the result of Ebay's system.  Domestic TRANSIT TIMES ARE NOT GUARANTEED BY USPS or by the seller.  Please message and request shipping insurance if there are concerns. 

SHIPPING/HANDLING: MEDIA MAIL - $3.99 for the 1st 12in LP. | $4.99 for 2-3 12in LPs, then $2.00 each additional LP.  Tracking will be provided upon shipment.

HANDLING TIME: Seller is a collector and vinyl enthusiast - not a full-time media sales business operator.  As such, all purchases will ship in no more than 2 DAYS from the date of order.  I will use my best effort to ship ASAP.

PACKAGING: Records will be packed in recycled cardboard records mailers with stiffeners and/or bubblewrap.  The vinyl record will be removed from the original inner-sleeve and placed in an aftermarket  inner.  The record sleeve will be placed in a poly-outer sleeve with the record inserted behind to avoid seam-splits or scuffs during shipping.

CLEANING (w/ Ultrasonic!):  All vinyl is cleaned prior to shipping.  I use a multi-stage cleaning process.  I use a sticky record roller to remove any surface debris followed by a bath in a Spin-Clean with distilled water and Spin-Clean's formula, followed by a clean microfiber cloth wipe and air dry.  Records are finished in a HumminGuru Ultrasonic cleaner.  All records, while having been owned by me are only played on a high-end turntable/cartridge - no Crosley or Suitcase stylus will have ever been used while in my possession.

GRADING: All records listed are visually graded unless otherwise noted.  I use a combination grading system with a Goldmine "style" rating, a numerical rating, and a written description of condition.  All grading is subjective, but I strive not for a "conservative" or "liberal" grade - but to meet the buyer’s expectations based on the combined system.  

RETURNS:  Because so much care is taken to provide an accurate grade as well as Seller availability for pictures and questions - RETURNS ARE NOT ACCEPTED.  Unfortunately, records are delicate, and I cannot control what happens once a piece has left my possession.   

I am an enthusiast and frequent buyer of records online and understand the disappointment when a record arrives in worse shape than described.  I want all buyers to be happy with their purchase, so please contact me with any issues before opening a dispute or leaving negative feedback!

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GRADING SCALE (1/2 point intervals):  As a collector myself, any record graded 8.0 or above is something I'd consider a final copy and would be thrilled to have in my collection.  A record graded 8.0 or above will have no audible loud pops, ticks, skips or warps resulting from visible surface/groove damage.  If I suspect a flaw may produce noise, I'll play-grade for records graded 8.0 and above.  While even brand-new records and almost all records have surface noise, an 8.0 or above record will have no or negligible surface noise that appears to be the result of use or handling.

Mint (M) (10/10) - Only sealed records are rated as "M."  Seller cannot stipulate to record's condition upon opening by the buyer.  Returns are not accepted for sealed records with factory warps or unknown defects.  Buy at your own risk.

Near Mint (NM) (9.0 - 9.5) - A NM record will be visually flawless, appear unplayed, and have beautiful sheen.  An absolutely perfect record will be rated a 9.5 - few if any records will meet these criteria.  A record that is virtually flawless and appears unplayed but has the slightest visual irregularity likely from the pressing process will be rated a 9.0.

Excellent (EX) (8.0 - 8.5) - An 8.5 EX record will have something minor that knocks it out of NM category.  You'll have to look closely under a light to see imperfections.  A very light hairline mark or minor paper scuff.  An 8.0 EX record will have the same very minor hairline mark(s) or paper scuff(s) with perhaps less than perfect wet sheen due to very light superficial rubbing marks.  8.0 + are awesome records.

VG+ (7.0 - 7.5) - VG+ records will have the most variance.  Even a 7.5 will have light hairline marks or scuffs that are visible without having to squint under a bright light.  All VG+ records will likely have very minor surface noise but will still sound great.  A low end 7.0 VG+ will have more light marks, scuffs, minor scratches - but the key is they should not in any intrusive way affect playback.  A short-lived pop or tick may appear - this is usually indicative of a flaw that can be barely felt.  VG+ records might have a slight minor storage warp (listing will specify), but it cannot be audible.

VG (6.0 - 6.5) - VG records are well-loved records.  They will have noticeable loss of sheen, obvious hairline scratches, scuffs and marks - some which can be barely felt.  They WILL play with surface noise and will likely have a longer lasting pop, tick, or minor warp that may or may not be slightly audible.  Even VG records, especially rock or loud music should be a fun listen.

G+ (5.0 - 5.5) – Almost anything goes as far as visual appearance, groove wear, or mild warps.  G+ records will have audible surface noise and some pops/ticks.. may have slightly audible warps.  Expect G+ records to play without any skips unless a tiny skip is specified in the listing and definitely no loops.

G (4.0 – 4.5) – Anything goes as far as visual appearance.  G records will have intrusive surface noise, loud pops or tickets and any warp will be audible.  Expect the possibility of skips and/or loops.

F or P (0.0 - 3.5) -  A F/P record should be considered unplayable and only used as a collector’s showpiece.  It might be playable - but will have constant intrusive surface noise and may skip.

CAVEAT - While 95% of records will fall into one of these categories - there will be outliers.  Sometimes a record looks visually almost perfect, but while playing has an intrusive tick that lasts <10 seconds.  Sometimes a record looks rough but plays beautifully.  I'll do my best to account for anything like this with a note and written description.  

SLEEVE GRADING:

I'm less picky about sleeve grading because I'm happy to send high-res pictures of any record and I'd rather the buyer inspect and decide based on their own judgment.  I will make effort to list any sleeve splits, tears, shredded spines or stickers.  I will grade sleeves using the same scale as above.