Guides for unknown records
Practical field notes for reading a mystery record, working out what it is, and deciding what to do next.
How to Grade Vinyl Condition When There's No Reference Copy
Grade vinyl by the Goldmine standard: M (mint, sealed or flawless), NM (near mint, played but indistinguishable from new), VG+ (light marks, minimal surface noise in quiet passages), VG (audible noise throughout, no skips), G+ (plays through but rough).
How to Identify an Unknown White Label Record
The fastest reliable way to identify a white label record is to transcribe the matrix etching in the runout groove (the deadwax) and search that exact string in quotes.
How to Read Vinyl Matrix Numbers and Runout Codes
Matrix numbers live in the deadwax: the smooth, grooveless band between the last track and the label, roughly the last 20 to 30 mm before the label edge.
Promo, Test Pressing, or Bootleg: A Physical Tells Guide
The fastest way to tell a promo from a test pressing from a bootleg is to look at three things: what the label says, what the sleeve looks like, and what the matrix string in the deadwax says.
What Is a White Label Vinyl Record?
A white label vinyl record is a pressing whose center label is plain, blank, or only minimally marked, usually white paper with little or no printed artist or title information.
Why Discogs Won't List Your Record
Discogs won't let you sell your record because it falls into their blocked category: unofficial, unreleased, or unidentifiable pressings.