Cassette Grading Guide

Mint (M)

Media: Cassette is brand new, free of even the slightest blemishes and/or defects. Usually sealed - check item description for details.

Sleeve: J-Card is crisp, clean and perfect in every way.

Near Mint (NM)

Media: Tape is like new, free of any wear or damage.

Sleeve: Sleeve is crisp and clean with only slight evidence of handling.

Excellent (EX)

Media: Tape has been taken very good care of with light marks or spindle wear only. Should play cleanly with minimal noise and no degradation.

Sleeve: Sleeve has slight wear but generally crisp and clean. May have some light marks.

Very Good Plus (VG+)

Media: Tape has been taken care of and may have light marks or spindle wear only. Should play cleanly with minimal noise or degradation.

Sleeve: Sleeve has slight wear, marks, indentations, and/or may possibly have a cut-out hole or similar.

Very Good (VG)

Media: Shell may have heavier marks and wear than a VG+ including discoloration. Should play with some stronger hiss or degradation, but not enough to overpower music.

Sleeve: More wear, marks, and/or indentations than a VG+. May have slight fading, a small tear/rip, or some writing.

Good (G), Good Plus (G+)

Media: Heavy wear on shell, felt stopper may be missing. Tape may have minor creasing, but not broken. Plays through but may have heavier degradation that will overpower music.

Sleeve: Well worn, marked and with obvious indentations, fading, and/or writing, possibly a significant tear or rip.

Poor (P), Fair (F)

Media: Tape will be heavily damaged, showing complete fading on the face, crinkled tape, missing screws or teeth, staining, and other heavy wear. Cassette will more than likely not play through.

Sleeve: Very worn. May have obvious writing or margins, may be ripped or torn, significantly faded or water damaged.

Standard Cases:

Standard hard plastic cases are not graded as they are replaceable.