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Static Build Up

First of all I want to thank all the knowledgeable people here for the information that they have imparted to me as I have been putting together my first serious analog system. Hopefully, one day I will be able to return the favor but, when it comes to audio I am way to inexperienced to give advice. Now, should any of you have any questions about surviving big surf, or what to do when your 400lb. Aldabra tortoise sits on your foot, or how to light a movie set, I am full of worthless info on these subjects.
Ok, static build up. Living at the beach I thought that this would be an issue that wouldn't come up with my turntable. I was wrong. Lately when I take a record off the table I can hear the static between the record and the plinth. Am I right that for some reason static builds up in a table over time? How do you get rid of it (I use a Audioquest brush before playing, always)?
agaffer

Showing 2 responses by dweller

dweller's avatar
dweller
3,751 posts
 
You mean you don't use a Zerostat gun? This is mandatory both before and after you play...
dweller's avatar
dweller
3,751 posts
 
I think "Milty" is what they call the Zerostat these days. In olden, fully leaded days, the Zerostat anti-static gun was born. It contained some kind of radioactive (no kidding) material that discharged positive electrons when the trigger was squeezed and negative when released. The Milty is the environmentally friendly anti-static gun that won't neuter inquisitive children who open it to see how it works. Before extracting, spread both inner and outer jackets and spray the record several times to neutralized it. You will almost always sense the jackets "relaxing" after static is removed. Doing this prevents airborne dust from homing in on your record as soon as it comes out of the jacket. Hold it up and zap it again right before cleaning (you DO wet clean before each play, don't you?). Next, zap the hell out of your turntable's platter and tonearm (first turn the volume to zero or switch preamp to another source -positive electrons sound like do-do thru a good system). You are ready to play your record. Zap record again before removing from turntable and spread-and-zap the record jacket before returning record. Simple!
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