Ep395: Grading & Slabbing Vinyl with VMG - Vintage Media Grading

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 Learn more at VMGVinyl.com Extended, High-resolution & Commercial Free version of this interview available at: www.Patreon.com/VinylGuide Listen on Apple: https://apple.co/2Y6ORU0 Listen on Spotify: https://spoti.fi/36qhlc8 Follow our Podcast: https://linktr.ee/vinylguide Facebook: www.Facebook.com/VinylGuide Instagram: www.Instagram.com/VinylGuide Support our show: www.Patreon.com/VinylGuide 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