Am I having a problem with static?


I am very new to turntables. When I play a record the sound becomes quiet "fuzzy" at times. Sometimes it starts out fine to my ears but after a few sides the fuzziness becomes apparent. On one occasion when I went to lift the lever up to move the tonearm I got a brief spark (which was visible). I do use an antistatic brush on both sides of the record before playing.

The system is a Clear Audio Champion TT, Graham Robin arm, and Benz Glider cartridge.

Do you think it is static or something else? Should I purchase an antistatic gun (like the one UHF mag advertizes).

Digital sources through the rest of the system sound fine.

Thanks in advance.
mmdecapo
Static depends on a lot of things (carpet, ventilation etc) but try keeping a moist sponge near the turntable, and also cover an old record in a piece of tin foil, and rest the record on it to remove the static (this is an alternative to the gun. If you buy a gun, remember to pull the trigger very slowly, and release slowly).
Dar Mmdecapo: Sometimes help to have grounded the TT. Try it.

Regards and enjoy the music.
Raul.
Raul is correct. In addition, using a carbon fiber record brush is the best way to get static off the record but you must:

1.) Either hold the metal part of the brush and touch your other hand to a grounded knob or something grounded, OR
2.) Attach the metal handle of the brush itself to something grounded using a keychain, or flexible wire, etc.