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.
THIS RECORD DOESN'T LACK MOST OF THE ORIGINAL GLOSS. GROOVE WEAR IS NOT EVIDENT ON SIGHT. THERE ARE NO SCRATCHES DEEP ENOUGH TO FEEL WITH A FINGERNAIL. YOU CAN HEAR SOME SCRATCHES IN SOFT PASSAGES AND DURING THE BEGINNING OF A SONG. I'M GOING TO SHARE A SECRET - I'VE BOUGHT AND OPENED SEALED RECORDS THAT HAVE THE SAME FLAWS THE FIRST TIME ON A TURNTABLE. THERE IS NO SEAM SPLITTING. THERE'S NO WRITING ON THE COVER. THERE'S A SLIGHTLY VISIBLE OUTLINE OF RINGWEAR AT THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE COVER BUT FAR LESS THAN WHAT YOU USUALLY SEE ON THIS ALBUM. LOOK AT THE OTHER LISTINGS TO SEE WHAT I MEAN - FOR SOME REASON, THESE ELEKTRA LPS WERE PRONE TO TERRIBLE RING WEAR - THAT SAID - THIS LOOKS BETTER THAN MOST OF THE OTHER DOORS LPS IV'E SEEN - EVEN THOSE STILL IN THE SHRINKWRAP LIKE THIS ONE.
IT WAS A GREAT LISTENING EXPERIENCE FOR ME. MAYBE IT WON'T BE FOR YOU. I TOOK EVERYTHING INTO CONSIDERATION AND CALLED IT A VG+ RECORD. THE FELLOW QUESTIONED THE GRADE SO I MADE IT AN UNGRADED RECORD. HERE'S MY WATERED DOWN DESCRIPTION.