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Options for ridding records of static electricity

I am getting back into vinyl, listening to “garage sale” finds and also new albums that I have been picking up. I have a nice old Linn Sondek LP12 with the felt mat. Every time I go to remove a record from the spindle or flip the record, static electricity grabs the felt mat and it sticks like a magnet. I have to very carefully flip the felt mat at the corner with my finger but one of these times I’m going to slip and smudge or scratch a record. 

I’ve seen the “Milty Zerostat” and seem to remember this product from back in the day. I see that it is still made and there is one eBay vendor that has them for $77. Is this my best bet? I thought Michael Fremor talked about these in one of his videos. 

Are there other products I should look at to reduce static electricity on my records? Thanks for any help you can give.
masi61
uberwaltz's avatar
uberwaltz
13,381 posts
 
I do have a serious question here and sorry if it has been discussed.
Not overly concerned with static per se as I rarely see it but......

I do very occasional have one or two odd records that have built up static as they played and on removal pick up the mat a little.
So what would account for this?
Meaning why might I get just one record out of say 10 played that builds up static during play?
Composition of the vinyl itself?
When it does occur usually the next record played is just fine.
And no I do not believe it is a slow buildup as it can be days before it might happen.
Or it could be two in a row.
Not troubled by it at all just curious.
antinn
381 posts
 
@uberwaltz,

If its consistent with particular records then it can be the vinyl formulation, and RCA made note of this in this magazine -  https://worldradiohistory.com/ARCHIVE-RCA/RCA-Engineer/1960-10-11.pdf  - read the article about anti-static records.

If its completely random - then the only consistent item is you.  You may be charging the record which could explain why the next record is fine - you discharged yourself.  Prior to handling a record do you always first discharge yourself by touching something metal that is preferably grounded? 
uberwaltz's avatar
uberwaltz
13,381 posts
 
I never discharge myself before handing records. As I never have any static issues.
Like I said this is more a just curious inquiry.
There is no static in the records prior to play, only a few odd ones seem to generate a small amount AFTER play.
Just enough to lift a very thin mat an inch or so off the platter.
Hardly earth moving....lol.

Vinyl formulation is more likely but who knows?
I had two records in a row today, I will try those pair again tomorrow.
orthomead
115 posts
 
@mijostyn.  Nottingham indicates the platter is composed of "carbon graphite" on their website.
@antinn.  I did not check voltage potentials.  When speaking with the dealer after installation, he had indicated he had a similar problem that was eradicated with the grounding wire.
@uberwaltz  I have had the exact same experience, and it seems to be album related.  I suspect that it is a property of the particular vinyl composition.
uberwaltz's avatar
uberwaltz
13,381 posts
 
orthomead.
I am now convinced it is just a peculiar material composition.
The two records that were affected the other day did exactly the same today.
None of the preceding or following records exhibited the static build up in the slightest.

As far as I am concerned that is the end of it for my curiosity.
More to discover