Tweeks

[Jim Pittsburgh]

Had the original Zerostat back in the day, and
was never impressed. Didn't use it long and it
disappeared somewhere along the line without
notice.

Fast forward a few decades, and I ended up with a
Zerostat 3 (red). I'd have to say they've certainly come
a long way over those years. The thing actually works now
and really quiets things down. I'm now making
using it part of my vinyl playing routine.

[Sir Thrift-a-Lot]

Where did you live "back in the day"?   Static electricity is more of a problem in some areas than in others.   It tends to be worse in areas of higher humidity.

[Jim Pittsburgh]

back then it was 100 yards from Lake Erie in Lorain OH....

I was a real skeptic this time around, but found a noticeable difference on both the Technics 1200 and the ClearAudio tables.... which have vastly different platters and mats....
I've tried it while a song was playing and after about three slow cycles (didn't want to say slow squeezes lol) the back ground noise reduction was very noticeable. As you know my albums are always clean and I always use a carbon fiber brush or now a Disc Washer brush prior to playing....

Just passing this along... bought the Disc Washer kit for the stylus cleaner brush ( I have the exact same stylus brush in the main system that I've used for 30 years) and ended up really liking the zerostat 3.... and using the album brush and the new to me second stylus brush on the garage Technics table...  The ebay deal was very good, got the zerostat 3 and disc washer album brush for about $20 more than just buying the vintage Disc Washer stylus brush.... 

[EmperorNorton]

Is the stylus brush about two inches long and two sided (one side brush/other side mirror)?   I think I might have one around in the closet.

[Jim Pittsburgh]

yep that's the one... wood slotted handle that the brush slides into...  have tried many other brushes but that one always seemed to be the easiest to use and least likely to tear the the stylus off with a small slip of the hand... not that any of us has ever done such a thing...

[bmwr75]

Where did you live "back in the day"?   Static electricity is more of a problem in some areas than in others.   It tends to be worse in areas of higher humidity.

My experience is static electricity is worse in areas of low humidity.  Quote from the article below shown in attached picture.

http://www.asse.org/professionalsafety/docs/Alan%20McCartney%20Article.pdf

[Jim Pittsburgh]

I understand the point about humidity  But I find even removing an album from the sleeve can generate a little static year round.... and using my anti static carbon fiber brush seems to have always helped. But whether the static is apparent or not, the Zerostat 3 has made albums I play, on my equipment, in my home and garage a little bit quieter / blacker these last 10 days or so .... I'll continue to use it as part of my pre-play routine.

[MacGeek]

I still have my original white Zerostat, in the box with the test bulb. When I am too impatient to use it, I have a Decca carbon record brush that works well

[Sir Thrift-a-Lot]

Where did you live "back in the day"?   Static electricity is more of a problem in some areas than in others.   It tends to be worse in areas of higher humidity.

My experience is static electricity is worse in areas of low humidity.  Quote from the article below shown in attached picture.

http://www.asse.org/professionalsafety/docs/Alan%20McCartney%20Article.pdf

You are correct.   I stated it backwards.

[schwarcw]

I like the Zerostat.  I became a believer when I saw it release styrofoam "popcorn" from the side of a box.

I have found that wet cleaning and anti-static sleeves go a long way to reduce static on a new or highly charged record.  I have a carbon fiber brush also.

Best of all, one of those roller brushes mounted on the plinth opposite the tonearm, will prevent static build up.  Although they may have been originally designed to remove dust they actually do a great job to prevent static so when you put the record back in the sleeve, it's static free.

[schwarcw]

My experience is static electricity is worse in areas of low humidity.  Quote from the article below shown in attached picture.

Yep!  Just think of why a humidifier is helpful in reducing static during Winter by increasing the humidity in the air.

[Jim Pittsburgh]

Haven't seen one of those "dust bugs" in a very long
time. I think there was a brand that had a ground wire
on it?