Sold Date:
July 10, 2019
Start Date:
May 20, 2019
Final Price:
$16.99
(USD)
Seller Feedback:
258
Buyer Feedback:
42
The Surfaris - Fun City, USA in Stereo LP vinyl record (1964, Decca Records, DL 74560). Includes a bonus Surfaris 7" promotional copy single of "Shake" and "Search". Fun City, USA Record Sleeve is in Very Good Plus (VG+) Condition. Fun City, USA Record is in Very Good (VG) Condition by viewing it, however we tested the record and it plays in Very Good Plus (VG+) condition.
Please click on photos/enlarge to see the exact condition of the items listed. Stored in and ships in clear plastic cover sleeve.
MINT (M)
These are absolutely perfect in every way. Often rumored but rarely
seen, Mint should never be used as a grade unless more than one person
agrees that the record or sleeve truly is in this condition. There is no
set percentage of the Near Mint value these can bring; it is best
negotiated between buyer and seller.
NEAR MINT (NM OR M-)
A good description of a NM record is “it looks like it just came from a
retail store and it was opened for the first time.” In other words, it’s
nearly perfect. Many dealers won’t use a grade higher than this,
implying (perhaps correctly) that no record or sleeve is ever truly
perfect.
NM records are shiny, with no visible defects. Writing, stickers or
other markings cannot appear on the label, nor can any “spindle marks”
from someone trying to blindly put the record on the turntable. Major
factory defects also must be absent; a record and label obviously
pressed off center is not Near Mint. If played, it will do so with no
surface noise. (NM records don’t have to be “never played”; a record
used on an excellent turntable can remain NM after many plays if the
disc is properly cared for.)
VERY GOOD PLUS (VG+)
or EXCELLENT (E)
A good description of a VG+ record is “except for a couple minor things,
this would be Near Mint.” Most collectors, especially those who want to
play their records, will be happy with a VG+ record, especially if it
toward the high end of the grade (sometimes called VG++ or E+).
VG+ records may show some slight signs of wear, including light scuffs or very light scratches that do not affect the listening experience. Slight warps that do not affect the sound are OK. Minor signs of handling are OK, too, such as telltale marks around the center hole, but repeated playing has not misshapen the hole. There may be some very light ring wear or discoloration, but it should be barely noticeable.
VG+ covers should have only minor wear. A VG+ cover might have some very minor seam wear or a split (less than one inch long) at the bottom, the most vulnerable location. Also, a VG+ cover may have some defacing, such as a cut-out marking. Covers with cut-out markings can never be considered Near Mint.
Very Good (VG)
Many of the imperfections found on a VG+ record are more obvious on a VG
record. That said, VG records — which usually sell for no more than 25
percent of a NM record — are among the biggest bargains in record
collecting, because most of the “big money” goes for more perfect
copies. For many listeners, a VG record or sleeve will be worth the
money.
VG records have more obvious flaws than their counterparts in better shape. They lack most of the original gloss found on factory-fresh records. Groove wear is evident on sight, as are light scratches deep enough to feel with a fingernail. When played, a VG record has surface noise, and some scratches may be audible, especially in soft passages and during a song’s intro and ending. But the noise will not overpower the music otherwise.
Minor writing, tape or a sticker can detract from the label. Many collectors who have jukeboxes will use VG records in them and not think twice. They remain a fine listening experience, just not the same as if it were in better shape.
VG covers will have many signs of human handling. Ring wear in the middle or along the edges of the cover where the edge of a record would reside, is obvious, though not overwhelming. Some more creases might be visible. Seam splitting will be more obvious; it may appear on all three sides, though it won’t be obvious upon looking. Someone might have written or it or stamped a price tag on it, too.
Good (G),
Good Plus (G+)
or Very Good Minus (VG–)
Good does not mean bad! The record still plays through without skipping, so it can serve as filler until something better comes along. But it has significant surface noise and groove wear, and the label is worn, with significant ring wear, heavy writing, or obvious damage caused by someone trying to remove tape or stickers and failing miserably. A Good to VG– cover has ring wear to the point of distraction, has seam splits obvious on sight and may have even heavier writing, such as, for example, huge radio station letters written across the front to deter theft.
POOR (P)
and Fair (F)
Poor (P) and Fair (F) records go for 0 to 5 percent of the Near Mint
value, if they go at all. More likely, they end up going in the trash.
Records are cracked, impossibly warped, or skip and/or repeat when an
attempt is made to play them. Covers are so heavily damaged that you
almost want to cry.