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Options for ridding records of static electricity

I am getting back into vinyl, listening to “garage sale” finds and also new albums that I have been picking up. I have a nice old Linn Sondek LP12 with the felt mat. Every time I go to remove a record from the spindle or flip the record, static electricity grabs the felt mat and it sticks like a magnet. I have to very carefully flip the felt mat at the corner with my finger but one of these times I’m going to slip and smudge or scratch a record. 

I’ve seen the “Milty Zerostat” and seem to remember this product from back in the day. I see that it is still made and there is one eBay vendor that has them for $77. Is this my best bet? I thought Michael Fremor talked about these in one of his videos. 

Are there other products I should look at to reduce static electricity on my records? Thanks for any help you can give.
masi61
daveyf's avatar
daveyf
2,835 posts
 
@masi61  The felt mat on the LP12 is certainly the cause of the static issue ( well one of them), unfortunately it is also the best mat IME for getting the best sound from the table. Replacing the mat will probably mean a reduction in SQ, and no more static issues. Alternatively, if you want to hear what many folks are saying is a great mat ( albeit, at a high price) the Collaro mat is supposed to be better than stock ( I have not heard it). 
bdp24's avatar
bdp24
9,432 posts
 

The Zerostat is imo somewhat tricky to use (if you squeeze the trigger too rapidly, it "clicks"). I long ago found a better static eliminator---the Nagaoka Kilavolt No. 103---but it is long out of production, and rarely seen for sale.

If you don’t mind spending a little money, there is a great one now available---the Furutech Destat III. It’s the best anti-static device I’ve owned and used. Good on CD’s, too!

I’ve always hated felt mats, and though Linn insists theirs is essential to the Sondek’s complete design, I see no reason for that deck to be unique in that regard. I would consider trying the Herbies mat and/or slaw’s. Both are very reasonably priced, and I believe offered with a money-back guarantee.

slaw's avatar
slaw
20,408 posts
 
Hi

The MyMat wasn’t developed as an anti-static mat. It was developed for superior SQ. Having said that, I haven’t had anyone request a return for any issue but one, that was a listener bias issue.

A felt mat is a no no for any TT. I personally use a Furutech DeStat as well. I believe their is a similar product made by ORB.

I’m not a proponent of the Milty.

Look for a forth coming review by a third party soon.
teo_audio
2,197 posts
 
I have a double thick stiffer backed felt mat for my LP12. with a label indentation area. I pulled it off an old trashed lenco, IIRC. It was glued on, from the factory. Best felt mat ever, so far...

The LP12 needs a felt mat, overall. I've tried many a mat on an LP12, but keep returning to some form of high grade semi compresed felt.
slaw's avatar
slaw
20,408 posts
 
There is a product called Tigercloth out there that is said to be very good. Haven't tried myself yet. On my list.

Wipe the clean lp before play.
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