Vintage HiFi Audio Forum

Buy Sell Trade Audio Equipment => Looking for something special? => Topic started by: Sir Thrift-a-Lot on August 30, 2015, 03:58:09 PM

Title: WTB: Zerostat
Post by: Sir Thrift-a-Lot on August 30, 2015, 03:58:09 PM
Do any of you guys have an extra one or one that you don't use?   Now that I have the RCM, I think this is my last step to Vinyl Nirvana!
Title: Re: WTB: Zerostat
Post by: Kingman on August 30, 2015, 06:20:18 PM
I only have one, but it is a must for good vinyl reproduction. Good luck in your search!!!
Title: Re: WTB: Zerostat
Post by: MacGeek on August 30, 2015, 08:31:08 PM
Music Direct has them new, but they run $100.
Title: Re: WTB: Zerostat
Post by: Sir Thrift-a-Lot on August 30, 2015, 09:44:30 PM
Yeah, I'm hoping for half that or less.
Title: Re: WTB: Zerostat
Post by: papabearjew on August 30, 2015, 09:55:39 PM
I have one I bought new back in the 70s. Still works great. Will remove static from clothes and light up a CFL bulb. Not for sale though. My kids can fight over it when I'm dead
Title: Re: WTB: Zerostat
Post by: Sir Thrift-a-Lot on August 30, 2015, 10:07:09 PM
I didn't know it would light up a CFL.   I knew that they included testers with the early ones, but had no clue what the technology was.   Good info if buying one used (and not wanting to take a zap).

Don't taze me, bro!!!
Title: Re: WTB: Zerostat
Post by: papabearjew on August 30, 2015, 11:50:40 PM
Next time you pay I visit I'll show you. It's pretty cool. Mine is red and says "Made in England. Distributed by Discwasher". It was part of a set that also included the Discwasher with D3 fluid and stylus brush/mirror and fluid.
Title: Re: WTB: Zerostat
Post by: ataudio on August 31, 2015, 12:00:13 AM
Mark check out eBay....(you probably did).  I see completed auctions as low as $5.  Certainly worth a try at those prices.
Title: Re: WTB: Zerostat
Post by: MacGeek on August 31, 2015, 06:32:23 AM
Be careful of the used ones.  They have a test bulb for a reason and can "wear out" (not sure what the 1/2 life is).
Title: Re: WTB: Zerostat
Post by: Sir Thrift-a-Lot on August 31, 2015, 07:27:52 AM
Mark check out eBay....(you probably did).  I see completed auctions as low as $5.  Certainly worth a try at those prices.

Every time I check they are all big bucks.   I'll have to be more diligent with my searching there.
Title: Re: WTB: Zerostat
Post by: EmperorNorton on August 31, 2015, 08:14:17 AM
All this talk serves to remind me to look for my old Zerostat.  Not sure if it still around but I know I had one back in the early 80s.   

Does anyone recall an alternative method for discharging static from LPS?   I seem to remember that you were supposed to be to touch the edge of the record to the spindle on the record player or something to like that.  Could have been old old audio urban myth.
Title: Re: WTB: Zerostat
Post by: scorpio333 on August 31, 2015, 04:26:28 PM
I have one I bought new back in the 70s. Still works great. Will remove static from clothes and light up a CFL bulb. Not for sale though. My kids can fight over it when I'm dead

The CFL bulb made me think of this...I have a neon bulb test tester that belongs to a friend. Just tried a CFL bulb and it lit it up a bit. Now I wonder how this thing works and if it could be used to neutralize static it would be a low cost solution. I highly doubt it would work.

Here's a link to one:
http://www.amazon.com/Portable-Handheld-Neon-Fluorescent-Tester/dp/B00B3PV2NK (http://www.amazon.com/Portable-Handheld-Neon-Fluorescent-Tester/dp/B00B3PV2NK)
Title: Re: WTB: Zerostat
Post by: MacGeek on August 31, 2015, 06:32:59 PM
Not sure how it would "spray" the record.
Title: Re: WTB: Zerostat
Post by: scorpio333 on August 31, 2015, 09:44:32 PM
Not sure how it would "spray" the record.

It's magic! Just like all the other voodoo devices designed to make records sound better.
Title: Re: WTB: Zerostat
Post by: MacGeek on September 01, 2015, 05:36:55 AM
I have two and they actually do help reduce surface noise, along with a good cleaning.
Title: Re: WTB: Zerostat
Post by: Jim Pittsburgh on September 01, 2015, 08:44:21 AM
I agree, they do work. You can start playing an album with static ( after rolling with an "in the groove") and hear the noise diminish with three of four squeezes of the trigger. The key is to release the trigger very slowly.
Title: Re: WTB: Zerostat
Post by: scorpio333 on September 01, 2015, 10:58:18 AM
I just re-read my post...I wasn't trying to insinuate that the Zerostat was a sort of black magic. I've actually never seen one in action.

I was pointing to my own crazy theory. It's like that static brush with the grounding cable. Noise reduction market for records seems to attract a lot of "gizmos" or snake oils, I think my neon wand would fall in that category. It charges the dust and makes it jump off the record like reverse polarity. Can't be proved or disproved, order now!
Title: Re: WTB: Zerostat
Post by: papabearjew on September 01, 2015, 12:46:46 PM
It's not voodoo. It actually works and can easily be proven/demonstrated
Title: Re: WTB: Zerostat
Post by: Sir Thrift-a-Lot on September 30, 2015, 04:11:01 PM
Okay, to use a CFL for testing, do you aim the gun at the glass or the base?   Thanks.
Title: Re: WTB: Zerostat
Post by: Anders on September 30, 2015, 08:39:50 PM
What happens if you point a zerostat gun at an electrostatic speaker ?
I have one but I never tried it.
A zerostat gun is working if you hear a hiss as you pull the trigger.
Title: Re: WTB: Zerostat
Post by: MacGeek on October 01, 2015, 09:22:04 AM
If you pull the trigger to fast, the gun should click and you have to start over.
Title: Re: WTB: Zerostat
Post by: papabearjew on October 01, 2015, 01:55:31 PM
Okay, to use a CFL for testing, do you aim the gun at the glass or the base?   Thanks.

Just right against the glass. Pull trigger smoothly and slowly. It's also great for static cling on your polyester leisure suits!
Title: Re: WTB: Zerostat
Post by: Sir Thrift-a-Lot on October 01, 2015, 02:49:46 PM
Okay, to use a CFL for testing, do you aim the gun at the glass or the base?   Thanks.

It's also great for static cling on your polyester leisure suits!

I'll keep that in mind.    ;)

Thanks.
Title: Re: WTB: Zerostat
Post by: Sir Thrift-a-Lot on October 11, 2015, 04:02:54 PM
BTW, this arrived and does light up a CFL.   It also does make the records quieter.   $7 well spent!
Title: Re: WTB: Zerostat
Post by: OldiesButGoodies on October 11, 2015, 08:51:00 PM
this was from ebay?  you lucky person without a clear genealogy...  get me one!
Title: Re: WTB: Zerostat
Post by: scorpio333 on October 11, 2015, 09:11:38 PM
I've recently purchased multiple new, sealed records that I've had a REAL TOUGH time just getting the lp out of the sleeve due to static. To the point where half the record is out of the sleeve and I can hold the paper and the record won't slide out. Would one of these guns help in that case? What's the difference between the colors? I remember way, way back my dad had a red one. Now there's also blue.

Bonus question: is it safe and/or effective to point at my wife to relieve the static she's been givin me?
Title: Re: WTB: Zerostat
Post by: Sir Thrift-a-Lot on October 11, 2015, 09:27:57 PM
you lucky person without a clear genealogy

Took me a second.    O0