I agree, the words very good/VG taken at face value can be very misleading if the actual stipulation of the grading isnt understood. VG usually means pretty knackered.
Anything less than NM should be aproached with caution, even NM listings need a healthy dose of caveat emptor and I still wouldnt buy without first contacting the seller for a more elaborate description and some photos if possible. Most decent sellers respond helpfully, those that don’t I wont buy from.
Ouch. I wouldn’t put that on my TT even to photograph it. Looks like it could transfer all kinds of horrors onto the platter mat. That’s a very sorry looking LP. Best of luck with the seller.
I’m not sure this will help, it’s really as a data point, I received a very decent 1986 copy of Graceland today, graded as NM, it had very obviously been freshly cleaned, and came with the original printed inner sleeve and a new plastic lined paper sleeve with the LP in. It plays beautifully, totally silent between tracks, and only on direct inspection is the odd paper mark present. I’ve received worse new vinyl.
Just to add for anyone new to buying on Discogs. Click the (i) icon next to the grade and of course review the sellers feedback
I sell stuff on Discogs and play test everything before I list it and I also give details of the specific items so people know exactly what they are getting. Probably to my detriment in terms of sales but I prefer the sale to be hassle free.
I don’t buy a lot from the site but like most who do, I have had at least one very over-graded item from a seller who listed the item as VG+ and it was barely G+.
The lesson I learned is that unless the item is NM or above I won’t buy unless there is a description that shows the buyer has actually listened to it. I also find buyers who are selling fewer items (not those selling 1000’s) are likely to be way more reliable and friendly.
Stores selling lots of new items seem trustworthy to me. Sadly it seems that is the the ones selling 1000s of second hand items where the problems arise.
Thanks everyone for feedback, will proceed with more caution, especially on more expensive records.
Hi @GraemeBC
Just wanted to thank you for that post about Discogs - I found that really helpful.
Dammit, these Dark Side Of The Moon pressings are addictive.
Final purchase is the Japanese Pro Use. Once that and the UK A3/B3 arrive - the final shootout.
I have to say, I’m quite enjoying this whole process - it was not an album that I owned or listened to all the way through (always much preferred earlier Floyd) so it’s nice to finally delve into it and get to know it. The heartbeat finally got me!
Can I ask where you get them from?
I have a couple of trusted sellers on Ebay who are great and apart from them, I keep searches for specifics ie Japanese pressings, masterings, labels etc.
Oscar Peterson Trio - We Get Requests, Verve/Acoustic Sounds. (2022)
Not much I can add to what had been said about this excellent Acoustic Sounds reissue it’s excellent.
Jackie McLean - 4, 5 & 6, Prestige/OJC. (2014)
These U.S OJC pressings are right up there with the very best as good as any Blue Note Classic series I’ve heard. I know there have been some negative reports regarding these later issue OJC’s against the earlier ones but I personally haven’t bought a bad one for the price they are a steal.
The music on this is of the highest calibre an all star cast of 1950’s Jazzmen playing their socks off.
Sorry to reply to an old post! Just ordered a copy of Ryuichi Sakamoto - Hidari Ude No Yume from WEWANTSOUNDS (though I do wish they wouldn’t shout 
) too. I’ve been following them on Bandcamp since ordering Alice Clarke’s eponymous album from them. That’s a great LP and was one I used recently when auditioning TTs.
How’s the Ryuichi Sakamoto, whilst I await delivery!?
Sorry for the delay (Covid forced me to bed until now)!
Following here my votes:
Sound 7/10
pressing 8/10
presentation 8/10
These are my impressions after just two listening.
Interesting label WeWantSounds, their reissue of Omar Khorshid - Giant + Guitar is a favourite of mine
Their notice that Farid El Atrache’s, Nagham Fi Hayati was available piqued my interest too. “…one of Brian Eno’s favourite albums” apparently.
I must be being weak today, ordered X)
I love the Ryuichi Sakamoto album have not played it for a while will rectify that this evening.
ATB Graham
Many thanks for taking the time to post your impressions.
