I observe the same ritual as the original poster. Before each side, I give a quick clean with Magic Eraser and then a swab with Stylast. I do have a good lab grade microscope and use a record cleaning machine. There is some loose debris on the stylus after one play, nothing is "gummed up" though. RW seems certain this is frequent cleaning isoverkill, too each his own. I just know that after regular use of the ME and Stylast for well over a year on near daily basis, my stylus is in great shape and looks like the day it was new. There is no accumulation of any sort around the base of the stylus where it inserts into the cantilever or in the end of the cantilever. Stylast evaporates very rapidly, so if it is applied with a delicate touch from a none too wet brush, it seems unlikely one could apply enough to run into the cantilever and have it migrate elsewhere through capillary action. I suppose there are those hamfisted enough to screw up anything though.
OK, record is now clean, how about the Stylus?
There has been a lot of emphasis above about keeping the STYLUS clean as even more important than cleaning the record. I use an Onzow Zero pad before each side of an album, then some Stylast stylus treatment.
Two questions: what do you think of that regimen (expensive)? what do you think about dipping the stylus on some Magic Eraser for cleaning (very cheap)??
Two questions: what do you think of that regimen (expensive)? what do you think about dipping the stylus on some Magic Eraser for cleaning (very cheap)??