Eliminating static electricity from albums??

Ncarv,

I had the impression that playing an LP causes static buildup. No?

I still use my trusty Zerostat gun before each play. Seems to still do its magic.

Has anyone noticed that if you take a statically charged record, hold it with hands at 180-degrees, and shake it back and forth (like you would shake a piece of sheet metal to make thunder, so it vibrates in and out), the static goes away. I discovered this in my teens. You can "feel" the static charge on a record by bringing it close to your nose - it must attract the small hairs on the skin. After "shaking" or vibrating the record, it no longer attracts the hairs.

I know you'll think I'm crazy, but try it and see!

After cleaning and just before play, to dispel static charge lift the LP from the turntable and touch its edge to the tip of your nose. It works, no kidding!

I've been cleaning my records for many years with my VPI 16.5 and Torumat Fluid. I don't know why, but the Torumat Fluid pretty much eliminates static electricity. After cleaning, the record gets a new rice paper sleeve. This technique removed the problem entirely.

Like Vvrinc and unlike Ncarv I find playing records often produces static buildup. My spindle and arm are both grounded but apparently there's still no good path from the vinyl to ground.

The old 'Dust Bug' type devices (sort of an extra tonearm with a brush instead of a cartridge) could be modded by adding conductive CF bristles and a ground wire. That would presumably do the trick.

Cleaning on my Loricraft invariably removes all static. I use a Zerostat after playing each side to remove any buildup. I'll have to try shakin' and nosin', good tips!