Talk About Static Cling...

Ya know, the anti-static treatment that RCA touted in their vinyl formula back during the 50's & 60's really does seem to work. Is there something missing from newer vinyl formulations that should be reconsidered? It does seem to me that my most susceptible records tend to be the more recent editions.

P.S. - BTW, Bob B, I have always considered raising the dustcover during playback to be the most problematic position for this necessary evil. If you play your music loudly, it can really be set in motion up there, and it's wobbling mass transmits straight to the plinth. Better to remove it and all it's attendent resonances altogether during play, but if you have a dust problem like I do, you may want to try my solution of damping the closed cover by resting the bottom edge in front on a couple of sorbothane-type 1/4" washers, and then damping the top surface, which I accomplish using a spare soft rubber platter mat laid on top. A closed cover does also have the theoretical virture of somewhat attenuating the music's SPL within the confines of the stylus's working environment.

OK I did some testing last night. Zaik's theory that static builds up simply via platter rotation turns out to be correct in my case - after a 20 minute spin without the stylus engaged I still get that static cling. I then neutralized with Zerostat & per my wife's suggestion I applied Endust for Electronics (an antistatic cleaner/spray) to the platter top & sides with a lint-free paper towel. After another 20 minute spin, the static was back again although the charge was not as strong as before, so at least that helps.
Measuring the spindle-to-ground resistance I get an infinite reading, so I'm going to run a separate ground wire from the bearing-carrier back to the phono stage ground. This may help despite the use of insulating mat; the spindle contacts the record's center hole tightly enough that this could theoretically do some good. Then again this grounding didn't help Mot's problem, but I'll try it anyway & cross my fingers.
Herman's suggestion regarding the static drain-brush is certainly worth trying as well; nice idea.
Zaik I must agree the cover-issue is certainly problematic; this VPI is a suspended table with the cover hinges fastened to the base which is spring-isolated from the deck, so may or may not be an issue. I'll have to experiment with sonic comparisons of cover-open, cover-removed, & cover-damped per your suggestion.
Thanks to everyone for chiming-in here with their theories & suggestions; much appreciated.

Unfortunately I do not have a TT to experiment on. I was wondering, if Endust for Electronics helped a little, would it be too off the wall to try a dryer sheet under the LP? Bob D

Neither the dryer sheet, nor the Endust -nor anything like them that would leave a residue - should ever touch the record, Mr. D. But what about everyone here's getting together to develop a vacuum chamber for LP playback? No air, no static - and no dust if there was! (And I just thought now, no airborne vibration reaching the stylus...Rockport is probably already at work on this - might only cost $100K or so...) Nighty-nite, champions all...

A vacuum is perfect for developing a static charge, not preventing one. Here are a couple of sites that have some info.

http://www.netlabs.net/hp/echase/
http://www.networkmagazine.com/article/NMG20000724S0014