How to know if vinyl records are original?

How to Tell If a Vinyl Record Is Original and Avoid Getting Scammed

The other day, my friend Carlos came over with a huge grin and a bag full of records he’d just snagged at a flea market. He was buzzing—convinced he’d scored a treasure trove of most valuable vinyls. But the moment he started pulling them out, I had a feeling something was off… some of those albums looked way too “new” to be original pressings, especially for older releases. Poor guy got played.

We went through the stack together, and it turned into a crash course on spotting fakes. Here’s everything I told him—so you don’t get burned next time you’re crate digging.

Start with the Cover Art: First Impressions Matter

First thing I told him: always check the album cover closely. Originals have razor-sharp printing and accurate color tones. Some of Carlos’ finds looked a little... washed out, like someone ran a scan through an old printer. “Bro, check the details,” I said. “If it looks off, it probably is.”

Fakes of limited edition albums are especially common. Pressings like the early versions of The Freewheelin’ Bob Dylan—with songs that were later removed—are so rare they’re worth a small fortune. And guess what? Scammers know that. So if something looks too good to be true, it probably is.

Touch the Record: Feel Tells the Truth

Next up: feel the record itself. Originals usually have a smooth, clean finish—no weird stains, scratches, or blotchy spots. One of his records had what looked like a printing mishap on the vinyl. I joked, “Touch it properly, man. That ain’t normal.”

We also talked about bootlegs—unauthorized pressings that often claim to be rare live shows or unreleased material. But really? They’re low-quality copies. To serious collectors, they’re not worth more than a record box coaster. Some of these even show up on big platforms like eBay or Discogs, so always double-check before buying online.

Label Check: Read the Fine Print

I had him flip the record over and look at the label. Originals have clean, sharp printing. One of his had a blurry label, and I told him: “Read it carefully, mate. If the print looks dodgy, it probably is.”

This is key when shopping online. I warned him about listings with fake pics or generic stock images. Always ask for detailed photos and buy from sellers with solid reviews. Whether you're browsing through stacks or shopping from your vinyl rack at home, knowing what to look for saves you time and money.

Listen to the Sound: Trust Your Ears

Then came the real test—we played one of the records. It sounded muddy and full of distortion. I laughed and said, “If it sounds off from the start, it's probably a fake.” Originals usually sound crisp and clean, especially if they’ve been taken care of. Bad pressings scream low-quality, and your ears will pick up on it right away.

Know the Edition: Details Make the Difference

Finally, we talked about knowing which edition you’re holding. One album can have dozens of versions over the years, and not all of them are equal in value. I told him to always look at catalog numbers, matrix codes, and edition info on the sleeve and label.

Quick Tips to Avoid Getting Fooled by Fake Vinyl Records

Since we were on a roll, I gave him a cheat sheet for future hauls:

• Do your homework: Learn about the album’s original editions, including label info and cover design. It'll save you from disappointment.
• Stick to trusted sellers: Whether in person or online, look for good reviews and reputations. Bonus points if they offer close-ups or provenance.
• Ask for proof: A certificate of authenticity or clear origin story helps, especially for best-selling vinyls or rare pressings.
• Inspect it properly: Look for quality across the board—labels, vinyl surface, even the sleeve design.
• Play before you pay (when possible): The sound will often give away a fake. Originals just hit different.

Carlos left with fewer records than he arrived with—but way more knowledge. We laughed about his "intensive vinyl masterclass," and he promised next time he’d be the one schooling me. Classic Carlos.

So if you’re stacking up records on your shelves for wall or showing off that color-coded record box in your living room, make sure what you’ve got spinning is the real deal. After all, half the magic of collecting music vinyls is knowing each piece has a story—and a sound—that's worth preserving.