Cassette Grading

Grading based on Discogs guidelines.

Mint (M)

Cassette is brand new, and professionally produced. Possibly even still sealed.

Near Mint (NM)

Cassette: Tape is likely new, free of any wear or damage.

J-Card: J-Card should be totally crisp and clean with only the slightest evidence of handling.

Very Good Plus (VG+)

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

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

Very Good (VG)

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

J-Card: J-card will contain 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+)

Cassette: Tape will have heavy wear on shell. Felt stopper may be missing. Tape may have minor creasing, but not broken. Must play through, may have heavier degradation that will overpower music.

J-Card: J-Card will be well worn, marked, and contain obvious indentations, fading, and/or writing, more so than a VG grade - possibly a more significant tear/rip.

Poor (P), Fair (F)

Cassette: 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.

J-Card: J-Card will be torn, heavily stained, showing general heavy damage, or will be partially missing.