I decided to try music grading
The speaker attempts music grading for the first time, specifically grading their favorite grunge album. They discuss the debate around grading sealed CDs, compare it to comic book grading practices, and explain why they're comfortable with a sealed copy since they listen to music via Spotify and vinyl instead.
Summary
The speaker decides to try music grading as a new activity and selects their all-time favorite grunge album as the subject. They acknowledge an interesting debate within the grading community: some people question the value of grading sealed music because it cannot be played in a CD player, while others draw parallels to the long-established practice of grading comic books, where sealed copies are intentionally kept unopened. The speaker shares their personal perspective, noting that they appreciate the sealed condition and the hype sticker on the album. They justify their comfort with keeping the CD sealed by explaining that they don't plan to play it anyway, preferring instead to listen to music through alternative formats like Spotify streaming or vinyl records. The speaker assigns a grade of seven to the album but expresses uncertainty about whether grading standards for music are strict and whether factors like "pop count" (likely referring to manufacturing defects) are considered in the grading process. They conclude by calling the grading experience cool and inviting audience feedback on whether music grading is a worthwhile pursuit.
Key Insights
- The speaker received pushback from some who question the value of grading sealed CDs since they cannot be played in a CD player
- Comic book grading has established a decades-long precedent for sealing and grading collectibles that cannot be accessed in their original form
- The speaker appreciates the sealed condition with hype sticker because they never intended to play the physical CD anyway
- The speaker grades their album a seven but acknowledges uncertainty about whether music grading standards are strict or whether specific defects like 'pop count' factor into the grade
- The speaker's primary music consumption methods are Spotify and vinyl rather than CD players, which supports their willingness to keep the CD sealed
Topics
Transcript
[0:00] I decided to give music grading a shot. This is my all-time favorite grunge album. And it's kind of an interesting debate. I hear people on one side say they don't really think this has any value because I can't open this up and play it and put it in a CD player. And yet other people are like, "Well, they've been doing that with comic books for decades, right? Where you seal up the comic book, you can only see the front and the back of it." Me personally, I like the fact that this thing's sealed with a hype sticker. And I was never going to play this anyway. I'll play it on Spotify or vinyl. I…
Full transcript available for MurmurCast members
Sign Up to AccessMore from Boston Card Hunter
Where Are The Opportunities In Baseball Cards?
Marshall shares investment opportunities in baseball cards, highlighting affordable leader cards from classic sets like 1962-1963 as undervalued alternatives to expensive cards. He advises collectors to focus on star players in mainstream sets rather than niche oddball collections to preserve value.
A Whale Shares His Prediction For Baseball Cards & Vintage
Marshall predicts that the vintage baseball card and memorabilia market will continue to thrive due to nostalgia and emotional connections to legendary players from baseball's history. He argues that vintage cards represent a legitimate wealth management asset comparable to stock investments, and that modern players like Mike Trout lack the cultural resonance and nicknames that define classic baseball legends.
How Cards Helped Me Find My Way Back
The speaker recounts his journey from childhood card collecting through a major health crisis to becoming a prominent figure in the card collecting community on social media. He discusses how a counterfeit card trade led him to complete a 1986 Fleer autographed set, which served as a therapeutic outlet during his battle with an autoimmune disease, ultimately launching his YouTube and Instagram presence.
Buying Cards From Kids? You Should Know This
The video explains the legal risks of buying sports cards from minors, specifically the 'infancy doctrine' which allows anyone under 18 to void contracts without parental consent. Dealers can face significant financial losses if minors rescind deals, and parental signatures are necessary to protect high-value transactions in the hobby.
A Whale Sounds Off On The Sports Card Industry
Marshall Fogle, a prominent sports card collector who owns one of the world's most valuable Mickey Mantle cards, discusses how increased card production and industry expansion is democratizing the hobby by making cards more affordable and attracting younger collectors who will become high-value buyers as adults.