=fold-out cover If a single LP ships in a fold-out cover like a Double LP, it is most commonly stated. As it has been for a long time very common for Double LPs , we do not mention it there.
= original inner sleeve Applies to all printed sleeves containing lyrics, photos, credits etc. White sleeves or those with commercial printing are no original inner sleeves.
Refers to extra sheets containig lyrics etc.
Term is used for covers that are still shrink wrapped but not sealed on the opening spine. Shrink wrapped covers usually are in very good shape, the vinyl has been played though.
The lamination is a thin layer of clear plastic that protects the cover from little damages. Sometimes you can tell a pressing by it´s lamination, for instance if the 1st pressing of a record is laminated and the 2nd is not (or vice versa).
= a simple unicoloured cover with a center hole and no printing
Most 7" and some 12" don´t have covers but instead come in printed sleeves. Not to be confused with OIS.
Sometimes different records, most of all 12", are released in unitary covers that have the label logo and design printed on it.
Refers to covers with special formats, bricolage etc. For special cuttings we use the term "die cut sleeve".
= cover with embossed printing or artwork (does not count for Braille)
= cover made of coarse-grained board
Doesn´t necessarily have to be white but is definitely a blank label used for promo copys and test pressings. Though some promo versions are identical to the retail version but with a promo stamp on it.
= ultra-thin, bendable record (mostly 7") that can be played on a normal player. Flexidiscs often were added as gimmicks to official LPs.
= record with enhanced sound due to high quality pressing, special remastering etc. There are various techniques to enhance the sound quality of a record. For example Half-Speed-Mastering where the extrusion die is cut at half speed which makes a cleaner cut. Or the Dircet Metal Mastering (DMM) where the grooves are cut directly into a copper plate which reduces mush.
Japanese presings usually come with a paper clip that contains information in japanese. A record that still contains the OBI could be more valuable.
A slipcase normally contains more than one record and is heavier and thicker than a normal cover. Sometimes ordinary LPs are released in slipcases too.
Normally cut-outs are small cuttings on the cover corner that don´t affect the quality of the cover. Bigger cut-outs are mentionend seperately.
Sometimes distributors would not add a notch to the cover but punch a little hole into it. Normally these holes have a maximum diameter of 8-5mm. A bigger diameter will be mentionend separately.
Term is used when a corner of the cover is cut off instead of a notch or a hole. The raw edge normally has a length of 2-3cm max.
= wearing on cover that has the shape of the record.
This is a very common phenomenon with used records due to the mere pressure of the record against the cover.
Seam splits appear when the record shoves through the edges of the cover. The location of the split is described as "seam split on spine / top spine / bottom spine".
A damage that is not a seam split is simply called damage. For explanation of "(top/bottom) spine" see previous article.
= writing on cover/writing on back cover
Term used for every kind of writing or painting on the cover front or the back cover.
=writing on label. Term used for every kind of writing or paintig on the label.
= sticker on cover/sticker on back cover/sticker on label
Abbreviation is used for stickers that are bigger than a usual price tag. Promo stickers like "Includes The Hit Single ... " are part of the record and will not be mentionend.
= tape on cover/tape on label
Very commonly tape is used to fix damaged covers. On the label especially Hip-Hop DJs would stick tape to the center hole so the record is more stable on the platter.
= stamp on cover/stamp on label. You´ll find stamps mostly on the covers or labels of promo records.
Term is used if there´s stains of adhesive left after the removal of a sticker.
If the sticker removal causes a superficial damage of the cover it´s called sticker rip-off.
Depending on how a laminated record was stored and handled, it´s lamination can be in superb condition or irreparably cracked.
Referring to bends on cover corners.
For crooked records we use the term "warped vinyl".Normally the warp doesn´t affect playing. A strongly warped record may skip. The skipping will be mentionend additionally.
If a record skips the location of the crack is described with "skipping on side A/on track 1", for instance.
In the 70 the wet playing system from swiss manufacturer Lenco was introduced. While playing cleaning liquid was transmitted onto the record which reduced friction and crackling significantly. But afterwards debris from the liquid collects in the grooves so if played on a normal turntable crackling is stronger.
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