Options for ridding records of static electricity

Dear Mijo, You wrote above, "Lewm, it is very easy to measure with a high voltage probe. Building ESLs I just happen to have one. You are not arguing with me Lewm you are arguing with scientific facts of life. All you have to do is get up off your back side and do a little research instead of trying to convince me I am wrong."

Do you mean to say that you are measuring static electric charge with a typical multimeter using a high voltage probe?  Can't be done, but maybe you have a probe of a type I don't know about.  If so, I'd like to buy such a probe. I use a 6kV probe on my Fluke meter when I am working on my Beveridge amplifiers, which drive the panel directly and develop +/-3200VDC.  That probe is not suitable to measure a static charge.


I have owned nothing but ESLs since about 1971, including KLH9s, Quad 57s, Quad 63s, and various Martin-Logans. I currently own a pair of Sound Lab 845PXs.  I wouldn't think of "building" an ESL panel, but I have done some repair and upgrades to my 845s.  I also own a pair of Beveridge 2SWs, which incorporate a novel type of ESL panel.  So, I know about ESLs.

Finally, as to your central statement, "You are not arguing with me Lewm you are arguing with scientific facts of life.", what are you talking about?  I'd like to know what science I am denying, in your mind.  I didn't know we had a conflict of that sort.  All I know is that I have asked you to cite some evidence that a diamond stylus moving on vinyl is the base cause of static charge on LPs.  I am open to the idea if you show me evidence, but I like the other 3 mechanisms I've described, and which others have described, better.


Here is the video that shows clearly that one does not need an inert gas atmosphere in order to observe that UV light of the proper intensity and wave length can discharge a static charge.  It works quite well in room air.  It's the photo-electric effect.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ubkNGwu_66s

@mijostyn,

Audio Magazine 1978-May, starting ~page 44 of 124 has a discussion with measured data for static charge on records.  The article does say -  "Incidentally, measurements with these instruments have shown that electrification from the direct friction between the diamond and vinyl is, oddly enough, negligible."  You can download a copy of this magazine here:   https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Audio/Archive-Audio/70s/Audio-1978-05.pdf.  However, this does not diminish the success of using a conductive (as defined by ESD practices) brush to remove static charge from a record that can develop during play - this is a very common method used for ESD control as is continuous ionizing devices (harm to Buna-N rubber notwithstanding).

Also, for info, the pressure the stylus develops on a record is actually pretty complicated - RCA  Engineer magazine 1966 Aug-Sept has an article DISC PHONOGRAPH RECORDS written by Dr. Max that shows the calculation.  You can download a copy of this magazine here:   https://worldradiohistory.com/ARCHIVE-RCA/RCA-Engineer/1966-08-09.pdf.  

Thanks, Antinn.  I have been unable to find anything on the internet, up or down, that would incriminate or absolve the stylus, until this.

I use a felt mat.....and have practically zero issues with static.  But I'm always barefoot around the house.  So I'm always grounded......seems to work for me.

1) Get rid of the felt mat, replace it with rubber or cork, there are many options.

2) Rinse your records under the tap, such that the record, the water stream running on to the record and the metal spout of the faucet makes ONE UNBROKEN electrical contact.

3) After 2 above, air dry your record with no cloth friction whatsoever.