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For decades collectors of comic books, coins & sportscards have protected their collectibles by having them professionally graded & slabbed. The team behind Vintage Media Grading (VMG) shares how their process can be a gamechanger for vinyl record collectors.
Topics include:
Vinyl grading is tricky – why use VMG?
VMG Grading comes from Goldmine standard
Using best practices from Baseball Cards & Comic Book gradings
Walking through the grading process
Supplying info, provenance, etc
What would get rejecting for rating?
How other industries get graded (paintings, cards)
Is there an appeals process for a grade?
The difficulty in getting a “10” grading
Grading is consistent no matter the rarity
12” records now, 7” and 10” under development
Can they do double or triple LPs?
What about inserts, special LP additions, etc
Ability to change album details if new information arises
Vinyl has much more complexity than other graded items
VMG Focuses only on facts, cannot state assumptions
How VMG labels promotional copies
Their sources for determining authentic pressings and info
Not relying on crowd-sourced materials
Does VMG do play-testing?
Hot-stampers may not be right for VMG
The impact of the plastic case on records and covers
Can the plastic case be opened?
Autographed records, backstage passes, etc
Will they work with acetates and test pressings?
Working with international customers
Best practices for shipping to VMG
How are the records handled through the grading process
Length of time the grading process takes
Not just collectible records but personally important records
Interview wrap up
Extended, High-resolution & Commercial Free version of this interview available at: www.Patreon.com/VinylGuide
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About The Vinyl Guide
If you like records, just starting a collection or are an uber-nerd with a house-full of vinyl, this is the podcast for you. Nate Goyer is The Vinyl Guide and discusses all things music and record-related.