VPI Scoutmaster static

Try rerouting ICs downstream of the phono stage and preamp to be sure they avoid AC or other interference. Though it seems improbable, this can sometimes causes problems with noise from phono source.

Walt if your room humidity is adequate, then I believe that Scifi's solution will work for you; it is an easy fix. I had the same problem also. I tried the Zerostat too. The Zerostat neutralizes static initially, but it builds up again while playing the record. I have a wood body cartrige which does not permit static charge to drain away from the vinyl as it plays. A plastic body cartrige would also do this.

I have no photo to send you (no digital camera - sorry). Just get some stranded conductor wire - very small guage will work for you. Radio Shack is a good source. Ask for stranded 20awg or 22awg wire. (guage number means size of the conductor). It will be about the same size as the arm grounding wire which you should already have connected to your preamp ground post. Any color wire will work; ask for black color wire so it's less visible.

Strip about 3 or 4 inches of insulation off the end of the wire and then wrap the bare wire around the turntable bearing sleeve underneath your turntable. The bearing sleeve is the metal carrier directly underneath the platter center in the middle of the turntable underside. Wrap some tape around the wire to hold it in place, or use a nylon cable tie, also available from Radio Shack store.

Now strip about 1/2 to 3/4 inch of insulation off the other end of the ground wire, which you have cut to a convenient length to reach the preamp ground post. Fasten it there along with the arm ground wire you already have there. It's that simple.

You could also ensure the ground of your electrical power outlet is actually grounded. An inexpensive three-prong tester light will check that for you. Found at hardware stores or probably also available at the Radio Shack.

Thanks a lot for a very detailed instruction, will definitely try and will post the result for future generation / archives. Suggestions are much appreciated.

Walt I forgot to mention:
You should loosely spiral wrap the additional ground wire by wrapping it around the tonearm cable pair for the full length. Fairly widely spaced coils perhaps 1.5" to 2" apart. Then attach to the ground post. This should help to prevent ground loop hum pickup.

Funny, I never thought of doing this ground wire spiral until I received the tonearm cable that came with my moerch tonearm. That's exactly what they do.

Bob