Zerostat Milty really?

I doubt that static on the underside affects sound or tracking until you turn the LP over and play it. It's just that it compounds the problem when it is played. A fellow neurotic advised me to de-stat both sides and the mat before each play. I am not doing that! I'm not that bad yet; but it shows that we have a progressive disease.

The welding electrodes arrived yesterday and I played with them a bit. They definitely do something. They attract some things and repel others that are bound to a MoFi inner sleeve by static, but it takes quite a while to make them drop off. I don't think the rod over the LP while it's playing will work for me unless I let the record spin for 5 minutes before playing. I probably have a very static-filled environment, even though I humidify. However, leaving several rods on the mat for 15 minutes before a session seems to help. Normally after I play a side and lift the lid I immediately see dust being attracted to the LP. I saw almost none yesterday.

I'll keep experimenting and report any success.

@2channel8, it is good to know that the electrodes working well for you. The cartridge is such a sensitive device (measures from few milli-volts to sub-milli-volts). The static measures mostly from hundreds of volts. The typical thickness of record is from 1mm to 3mm. The impact is there. Most of the people do not hear the impact of static. They feel it because of the spark or pull from the platter. The impact on the cartridge is there even no spark or pull from the platter. It sounds degraded (edgy, fewer details, definition, extensions, etc). There is no turning back after heard how vinyl sounds without static. Just my experiences of dealing with static.

There are many reasons (recording, cartridge, arm, table setup) that some people do not hear the differences. This is also perfectly fine.

I tend to agree with controlling humidity, or lack there of, and using a brush with a ground connected to it. I used to live in the Midwest where humidity was in abundance. But out In Arizona, well you gotta be careful not to get shocked out of your mind When touching ANYTHING metal.

I had a small device back in the mid 70's call a Static Master. It had a brush and metal grid with radio active Isotopes incased in ceramic beads. The brush and radioactivity  would suppress the static. I guess they felt this thing was to dangerous as the ceramic incasing was to prevent you from radiation poisoning if you accidentally  ingested or inhaled the Isotopes if they let loose from the grid!  Maybe that's why I'm bald now. lol.

(1) Controlling humidity - This will help.
(2) A brush with a ground wire - Not all the brushes the same. You may need something like this to work well. (http://www.analogueseduction.net/anti-static-solutions-cleaning-cloths/furskfil.html)
(3) Ingest or inhale the Isotopes and become bald - It is a NO NO, too big a price to pay. :-)

There are a few conceptual errors contained in some of the above posts.  I am not a physicist, but based on my reading, static electricity as we experience it is not due to the accumulation of "positrons" (which is a legitimate subatomic particle for sure); it is due to a relative lack of or loss of electrons on the surface of a nonconductor.  This results in a positive charge with respect to any other surface that has its normal number of electrons. These relative opposites attract, until the charge is dissipated to ground. Likewise, the Zerostat does not squirt positrons or suck them up either, as the case may be. As far as I know, the static electric charge is dissipated nearly instantaneously when ground is contacted, regardless of the intensity of the field.  If the voltage is very high (can be millions of volts in one of those "Frankenstein" van de Graf generators), the spark is correspondingly more intense.

2channel8.  What is the rationale behind your hope that the thoriated rods will reduce or prevent static electric buildup?  Even the vendor does not make that claim; they are for TIG welding.  I ask this in ignorance; no disrespect intended.

I am surprised that no one here mentioned the latest Audioquest LP brush, which now has contacts built into its handle.  The idea is that gripping the brush as you wipe it across a spinning LP will allow a pathway to ground, via your body, thus draining away any electrical potential build-up. I have one, and truthfully, I cannot be sure it helps vs the old original Audioquest brush, but I use the new one anyway.

Most of all, don't walk up to the turntable over a wool carpet while wearing leather soled shoes.  Do touch something connected to earth ground, before touching the LP, in order to neutralize your own net charge as much as possible beforehand.