Need a Record Brush. Got a recommendation?

I don’t know if it’s still available, but I like the Hunt brush. Made in England, it has a center, velvet covered pad, with carbon fibre bristles on either side.

I've tried several brushes marketed for record cleaning and found them all ok at best. My solution may be weird, but it works for me. When humidity is higher and static isn't an issue, I just use microfiber cleaning cloths that I fold over into a pad. I have a big pile of them and I get a new one every week. Wash only with detergent, no fabric softener of course. When humidity drops and static becomes an issue, I hold a photographer's wide antistatic brush on the record with one hand and use the microfiber cloth with the other hand. The antistatic brush precedes the cloth in rotation. The Kinetronics brush is also available with a grounding wire  lead if you like. https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/26193-REG/Kinetronics_KSW100_Model_100N_Plastic_Handle.html/?ap=y&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIo7G4h7bv3gIVC7jACh0isgzEEAkYASABEgJmovD_BwE&lsft=BI%3A514&smp=Y

I’ve had great success using the Zerostat, then wiping up the loose dust with the Audioquest fiber brush.

There’s a new Audioquest-anti-static-record-brush which may be what you’re looking for...
https://www.musicdirect.com/record-cleaning/Audioquest-Anti-Static-Record-Brush

I've owned several, I currently use the latest Audioquest brush and don't find it really superior from others I've used. I just ordered the brush offered at Sleeve City just for the heck of it. I own a Destat. I always use the carbon fiber brush then the Destat before playing a side. This seems to work best

Always used various  incarnations of Audioquest brushes.
Currently using a carbon fiber anti static one.
Nope, no idea why apart from they are fairly priced and work well enough for me.

Another vote for HUNT EDA brush.

Thanks All. I put the Audioquest Carbon Conductive Brush on my Amazon Wishlist. Hope it comes through.......

I've tried several brushes over the years (Hunt, Audioquest, Clearaudio,Furutech, Kinetronics).  I dislike the new Audioquest brush because it felt awkward to use. The best anti-static record brush that I've tried is from Analog Relax in Japan.
http://analogrelax.com/en/page-206-2/

Mapleshade brush with grounding wire works nicely to eliminate static problems. Have also used Hunt, Audioquest brushes. Mapleshade is my main brush now.

Analog Relax. I tried many but this one is a keeper.

Still using my Discwasher from 1970's.  Seems to work fine on direct-to-disc records as well as all others.  Not sure that is fair as my records and turntable setup haven't changed much since then either.

Cheers!

Swiffer® Dusters™

Work perfectly!!!

The Analog relax looks great, but it would cost more than my record cleaner (SpinClean). Just can't bring myself to pay that much, or ask for it as a gift. I think I'll stick with the $20-$30 options for now.

Still use my Discwasher from the early 80’s also, and it still works great. 

Sounds crazy but ticks and pops are super distracting to me so with much trepidation I forked for a Furutech Destat 3 ($389). I also use a goat hair brush that has a conductive coating (I forget the name). I tried many of the other brushes and they are basically worthless IMO. My records are super quiet now.

BTW, if anyone is interested, www.partsconnexion.com recently had the Destat 3 for $269.00.

I received my brush from Sleeve City today, seems similar to what @leotis is using. I'll give it a whirl and report back. 

Here's another vote for the Hunt brush.  It's the best of both worlds.  It has a soft pad to take off the easy top level of dust then a stiff, directional row of carbon fiber filaments that digs deep into the grooves.

Analog Relax, $79 at Amazon isn't a great deal of money when you consider what we spend on tweaks.
It could also be a substitute for the expensive Milty which some say is unreliable.

@slaw , what brush did you order?

@lowrider57 ,

It’s called Thunderon Record Brush, look for it at www.sleevecity.com Got it at 18% off on Black Friday.
…………………………….

I’ve listened to several lp sides now while using the Thunderon. My usual process is to use an anti-static brush first then my Destat III before and after each side.

Initially I noticed the latest Audioquest is best at picking up the smaller tiny dots of (stuff), then the Thunderon was better at picking up dust fibers or particles. Then I realized those "tiny dots" ….I’ve really never noticed before. So I got my steamer fired up to give the Thunderon a quick clean. (not saturated). This lessened the dots left behind after using it. So, one more time with my steamer. This was an additional improvement. While all of this is early on, my feeling is the Thunderon needs to be steam cleaned a few times before it will perform at it’s best.

This is my initial report.

The Audioquest is somewhat of a pain to use, mainly because of how close the swing out wiper attachment is mounted to it. Of coarse you can remove this.

@kenrus,

The last brush I used before buying the latest AQ was the DAK. www.DAKindustries.com It is identical to the HUNT. It had the fiber pad between the two outer rows of carbon fiber as well. I really didn’t find it any better than the AQ.

another vote for the Hunt. 

i have several brushes including the Audiquest which is pretty popular but for me the bristles are too flimsy and it leaves dust behind nearly all the time.  in contrast the Hunt which usually does a decent job but is certainly not perfect.

i would like to try the "Analog Relax" but Amazon shows that it may arrive after Christmas :(    There is a German brush that has been mention on this site but i cannot remember the name, i would also like to give that a try.

Just for reference, all of the lps I'm using have been through either my steam cleaning regimen or my steam & US regimen prior to this testing.

Also, for me, it's more about getting everything off of a lp, not the anti-static properties since I have the Destat.

I like the AcousTech Big Brush.  I find the conventional carbon fiber brushes too stiff.

https://www.needledoctor.com/AcousTech-Big-Brush?_vsrefdom=adwords&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIi_Pa3qH93gI...

The demo for the Thunderon makes the process look quick, easy and effective.
https://www.sleevecityusa.com/Sleeve-City-Thunderon-Conductive-Record-Brush-p/dc-505.htm

I see that the Hunt/DAK brush claims to remove dust from both the surface and inside the grooves. 
Good word of mouth about the Hunt over the years.

It goes without saying that the record being used has first had a thorough wet/ultrasonic cleaning.

What I wonder is how long will the charge last on the fibers of these brushes. 
When my original Audioquest-anti-static-brush was new, it worked so well picking up dust that I didn't need to use my Zerostat. Now the brush has no anti-static properties and I use it in combination with the Zerostat.

@lowrider57 ,

You bring up an excellent point regarding how long the anti-static charge will last on one of these brushes? This may be one of, or the main reason I opted for the Destat to use in my regimen?

In the end, I think there is no one perfect solution, especially since static is formed by the act of the stylus traveling the lp anyway. In the long run, the expense of the Destat was worth it for me...at $100.00 off retail.

The very best solution I ever had was when my Audio Desk cleaner was working....after the air drying mode...straight to the platter......Ahhhhhh!!!

@slaw , I completely understand your reasoning. As I discovered, I needed to use my Zerostat, then use the brush to remove any leftover particles.

If you noticed on the Thunderon site, it's recommended to hold the record and not have it on the platter.
I've also found that the anti-static procedure works best when off the platter.

FWIW: I just don’t want an option that has a wire connected to it.

So far, with the Thunderon, my best solution, which is much better than the AQ, is after it is cleaned/steamed a few times, to use it for at least two rotations then flip the brush over and repeat. The result is VERY nice to the eye.

i just ordered a Thunderon to see if ti works like in the video.

 i really want a Destat but right now i cannot afford it.   and it looks like partsconnection is sold out, lucky for my wallet because i probably would have bought one.

@rsandor,

If you're registered with them, every now and then they'll offer 15% off. That's when I take stock.

@slaw , so the brush works well👍.
Have you tried it on a record that's been pulled out of its sleeve and put onto the TT?
(An LP that was washed and put away).

@lowrider57 ,

Yes. According to my previous posts. Those will answer your question.

 "If you're registered with them, every now and then they'll offer 15% off. That's when I take stock."

good to know 

thanks

I use this:
https://www.turntableneedles.com/Record-Cleaning-Brush--Carbon-Fiber-True-Velvet--Deep-Clean-Antista...
And then this at the spot where I lift the brush. (never got the hang of the swish-lift just right)
https://www.turntableneedles.com/Record-Cleaning-Brush--Carbon-Fiber-True-Velvet--Deep-Clean-Antista...

You may find even lower prices if you shop.

I'm not trying to hijack the thread, but does anybody use one of these brushes to wipe CDs before playing? 

I've read all the CD demag threads in the archives, dont want to get into that.
Just wondering if dust collects on the reflective side of a disc.
 

Static electric charge is an issue for CDs, LPs and cables. I doubt you will ever see dust on a CD unless you leave it out exposed for some time. 

Will a CD hold a static charge when stored in the soft plastic holders similar to clamshells? I use the Audioquest brush when removing the discs, but not a concern when using jewel cases.

That’s actually an interesting question. The mystery is why would removing the static charge -  if any - prior to playing the CD help, since spinning the plastic disc at high speed during play is what ostensibly places the static charge on the disc in the first place. As to whether CDs or other objects in the room develop static charges I suspect depends mostly on humidity in the room. It also depends on what size static charge is audible.

 Geoff, that's right. Any static charge on the disk would happen in the transport. Now what happens if I remove the disc and place it directly into a soft plastic case. Since plastic is an insulator and not a conductor, would the static charge be preserved on the CD?

The Diskeeper Anti-Static CD Sleeve adds to my confusion regarding CD's needing to be statically discharged...
https://www.amazon.com/Diskeeper-Anti-Static-Round-Bottom-Sleeve/dp/B00HS4352Q

I don’t know. If it’s any consolation the anti static sleeves are apparently designed for Japanese mini LPs. As I already asked, what good is eliminating static charge on the CD prior to play if the static charge is placed there by playing It? Ditto keeping them in anti static sleeves. I.e., it doesn’t matter if the CDs in sleeves have a static charge or not.

I use the audioquest carbon fiber brush. I have the hunt brush as well but I prefer the audioquest. Important not to touch the carbon fibers with your fingers but flip the bristles back and forth inside the guard to clean.

https://www.sleevecityusa.com/diskeeper-anti-static-cd-dvd-sleeve-p/3cdcir.htm

I guess I've wasted enough time. I'll continue with the anti-static brush when using plastic CD cases. Thanks.

OMG, I totally flaked by not mentioning Nordost anti static spray or my own Sonic Tonic anti static spray, both of which are more permanent or at least semi permanent solutions (no pun intended) for CDs, LPs and cables.

An email I received today, states that www.partsconnexion.com has one more Destat at $259.00/free shipping. This really isn’t a recommendation, just info. If you’re in this for the LONG haul, I think it’s a good investment. The Miltys don’t last forever and at $90 a pop, if you buy three, you’ll be better off with the Destat.

Gon'rs, I got the Audioquest brush as a birthday gift today. Used it on 2 LPs, so far, and it seems to work very well.

Thanks for all the recommendations. 

I conducted the non- scientific tissue test last night with 8 different anti static devices. They are ranked from bests to worst. Six of them are brushes as noted below. The other two devices I used in the test was the Mity Zerostat Gun and the Walker Audio Talisman.

My testing method was slightly different than placing the record on the table and gliding the brush/device over the record.  I held the record in my hand while using each device. The Milty Gun and the Kirmuss Brush completely eliminated the static as well as the Boundless Brush.  But the Kirmuss was a bit better than the Boundless Brush. I must state that they are my newest brushes with very little use.  After my initial results I blasted the 5 other devices with the Milty Gun.  The performance of the brushes improved to the approximate degree of the Boundless Brush.  

I think my older brushes retained some level of charge as a result of more use even though they are insulators. 

++1) Milty Zerostat Gun, the best. Effected both sides of the record from a one side application.

1) Kirmuss KA-B Combination Brush
2) Boundless Brush
3) Pro-Ject Brush
4) Audio Quest Brush w/gold handle
5) Analog Relax Brush
6) Walker Talisman
7) Audio-Technica Sonic Boom Brush/Pad. The Sonic Boom added static charge to the record.

Uh, the Walker Talisman is not an anti static device. It’s a demagnetization device. That probably explains it’s low ranking in your test. 😃 Assuming you were measuring static charge.

I would agree.  However their advertisements states something a little different.

“Magnetic fields and static electricity can greatly affect audio and video playback equipment and source material. The Talisman temporarily dissipates magnetic fields and static electricity allowing the phono cartridge or laser reader to transmit a purer, more accurate signal. Use the Talisman to treat LPs, CDs, SACDs, DVDs, HD-DVDs, and Blu Ray discs, as well as treating your audio and video cables in place!

Newest Application: Speaker Drivers
We recently began treating speakers with the Talisman with great results.”

https://walkeraudio.com/product/talisman-magnetic-optimizer/

Static charge and magnetic field are independent physical properties. They even have entirely different causes, effects and definitions and units. Lloyd was apparently over-reaching a little bit. 🤗

BTW, I got the Audioquest Carbon Conductive Brush. I've been happy with it.

I have been using the Analog Relax and the Audio Quest exclusively.  Apart from my experiment I find the results of those two satisfying.  Normally I pre-clean with the Analog Relax before playing.  Then I use the Audio Quest as a clean sweep before placing the record into it’s sleeve.