Cool Vinyl Accesories (the other thread won't load)

[Grainger49]

Shawn,

Great Vinyl Accessory!  We should mention, as I'm sure you know:

If the Zerostat clicks you are squeezing/releasing too fast!

I sold them when they came out distributed by Diskwasher way back in the 70s.  They cost $30 and I thought I would have to save for a month.  I'm very glad I have one today.

The first squeeze, in, puts a very large charge on the LP, then releasing the "trigger" sends ions of an opposite polarity to it neutralizing the charge.

As I have posted many times, my listening room has a gallon humidifier running all winter except when listening.  That really helps.

[Noskipallwd]

Grainger, unfortunately the zerostats cost 100 bucks now and their QC sucks, I have had to open mine twice to repair it. I wish I still had one of the older model, they were built great. I had to replace my furnace this winter, so I added a humidifier to the new one , it does help.

Cheers, Shawn

[Grainger49]

That is sad to hear.  I don't think that Diskwasher made them, just distributed them in the US.  I very well could be wrong.  Who is making them today?  (Diskwashers are labeled RCA today)

Staticmaster, a 3" element to remove a charge off of the LP and a horse hair brush to remove dust:

Staticmaster

Ouch!  $139 from Amazon.  The 3" model covers all the grooves at once. the 1" ($90 on Amazon) only takes longer.

[Noskipallwd]

Grainger,
I think the company is Milty in the U.K.. I tried to diy one using the piezzo electric device in those long butane lighters, just was not effective enough.

Cheers,
Shawn

[matthewmckay]

I use the 'grounded' brush from mapleshade... $40, works great.  They also make a far cheaper version of the zerostat which works the exact same way, just thumb-press instead of hand trigger.

Hey Grainger,

do you spin your vinyl when using the zerostat, or do you hold the record in your hand and move the gun around it?  apparently I have been treating my cd's improperly...

(click click)

[Grainger49]

I hold the LP between my thumb and fingers, thumb at the hole fingers on the edge and shoot it.  I have tried the Zerostat on the table and it didn't work as well.  Maybe because the platter was grounded, maybe not.

[Grainger49]

Also For Dusting:

Radio Shack Carbon Fiber Brush (I'm Cheap!):
(https://forum.bottlehead.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi244.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fgg7%2FGrainger49%2FFor%2520Posts%2520Private%2FIMG_1173.jpg&hash=bed4cb48af8f502aa31e832b3abd28d54379524f)

[Grainger49]

For Your Stylus, removes gunk:
(https://forum.bottlehead.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi244.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fgg7%2FGrainger49%2FFor%2520Posts%2520Private%2FIMG_1175.jpg&hash=82d5a952ee7da7bb4b27d70093a93c8eb6ed0c59)

I can't remember the name of this one but for $22 much cheaper than the other stuff.

[Wanderer]

For stylus cleaning I have been using the Mr Clean "Magic Eraser".

I have found it very effective and VERY cheep. 

[Grainger49]

I've not gotten the right idea of using the Mr Eraser.  How does it work?

[Wanderer]

The ME is used much like the Extremephono unit you show.

I just have a chunk of ME next to the platter and dip the stylus a couple times straight up and down with the tone arm cue after each side.  DON"T drag the stylus throught the ME. DON"T wet the ME with anything. Just cue up and down. 

The the plain white bottom-of-the-line ME is the one. 

http://www.high-endaudio.com/Magic.html

http://www.plasticsportal.net/wa/plasticsEU/function/conversions:/publish/common/upload/foams/basotect_consumer_eraser.pdf

[Grainger49]

My assessment of the ME was that it was a micro abrasive.  It does get scuffs off of walls but leaves a residue.  I see where the Extreme Phono goo would clean the stylus, but don't really get why the ME would.  But if it does, that is good for me.

[Wanderer]

My assessment of the ME was that it was a micro abrasive.  It does get scuffs off of walls but leaves a residue.  I see where the Extreme Phono goo would clean the stylus, but don't really get why the ME would.  But if it does, that is good for me.

I was hardly convinced myself but others were singing it's praises on Vinyl Engine and Vinyl Asylum. For a couple bucks I gave it a whirl and was impressed.      

[Grainger49]

BTW, I went back and added pictures to several of the cheapskate vinyl accessory posts I had made.

[howardnair]

one of the turntables i have is a linn-the instructions say not to clean your records but let the needle do it-i don't follow this advice-i use use a light wash of dawn on used records then one or the other of the cleaning solutions from the needle doctor and always a static brush before playing