Zerostat: Old is Gold?

I purchased an original red Zerostat in the late 1970s, and replaced it with the blue "Milty" version about 8 or 9 years ago. As far as I could tell the original one was still working as well as ever, but I wanted to eliminate any lingering uncertainty. I did not notice any difference in the performance of the two devices.

Ghosthouse is correct that the blue Milty version is supplied with a plastic attachment enclosing what I believe to be a small neon bulb, which allows one to test the gun.

His recollection is also correct about the instructions provided with the original version, except that I believe they called for three pull and release cycles at each of the three locations, rather than one at each location (with the final release at each location being performed away from the record). That is what I have done on every side of every record I have played for the past nearly 40 years.

I also use a Nitty Gritty record cleaning machine on new records and occasionally on ones that have been played a number of times, and after cleaning I put the record in a previously unused Mobile Fidelity sleeve. I also clean the tip of the stylus with Last stylus cleaner before and after playing every side, while being careful to not let the fluid migrate up the cantilever. I have never felt the need to use a brush, and I’ve been happy with the results of these protocols.

Best regards,
-- Al

Thanks, Al.

This might be of general interest (no personal agenda in posting it) ...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OQmTm9ZlAS4

I have a red Zerostat bought in the 80's. It also came with the little neon bulb tester. Keeping a finger at the tip of the Zerostat will also tell you if its working. I use my Zerostat frequently, and to good effect. I also have no sense of any diminished performance over the years. I have two more observations- first, it's the only piece of gear I used in 1987 that I also use in 2017, and second, it has proven to have provided the best "bang for the buck" of any hifi purchase I have ever made. 

A quick perusal of eBay revealed this gem!

Anybody seen a white one before?

Of course no mention from seller if it is working.....

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Original-Zerostat-Gun/302572054063?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&am...

Am I correct in surmising that most of us are using the "hold the trigger in then release slowly as you move the gun away from the LP" method?  Seems like ghosthouse does.  Yesterday, I searched Youtube for videos like the one cited above.  There you can find several different would-be gurus touting several different ways to use the Zerostat.  I did like the demonstration that a Zerostat treatment can cause a charged up balloon to fall off the surface of an oppositely charged LP.  I would accept that demo as "data".

My neighbor up the street owns a system in which he has invested well north of $100,000, maybe north of $150,000.  I observed that he haphazardly squeezes his Zerostat rapidly and repeatedly over the LP, without any regard for avoiding the clicking sound and without the "hold down" final step.  When I advised him that his technique is not optimal, he gave me a quizzical look and basically showed no interest.  This is a guy who uses cable lifters, ICs and PCs that each cost in the 5-figure range, those crazy things that are supposed to change the room air to promote sound propagation, $100 fuses, etc, etc.  Each of us is crazy in a different way, which makes this a great hobby.