2. analog
  3. 161304-4466

SUPER Staticy Record???

So, I got a shipment from overseas of some new vinyl.  The first LP I pulled out of its sleeve literally had to be PULLED out of the sleeve there was so much static.  I spin washed/vacuumed it and then hit it with a carbon brush when I put it on the TT.  When I put the needle down it sounded like it was pressed through a layer of gauze.  I was pissed.  Shitty pressing from a small "audiophile" label - I surmised.  Its a double LP and I didn't bother to try out the second record.  I got three other albums from this label so I'm now expecting the worst and not a happy camper.

So today I pulled out the second record - which was also pretty staticy - spun washed it, carbon brushed it and it sounded fine... really good actually.  

Then I pulled the first LP out of the sleeve today to double check my ears (it slid out smoothly this time).  I put it on the TT; hit it with the brush; dropped the needle; and... viola - it sounds fine (more than fine, it sounds great).

Query: a vinyl be SO staticy that brushing, washing, vacuuming and brushing again doesn't get rid of the static?  Why did it sound so bad before I put it back in its sleeve last night and sound fine today?  When I say "so bad", I mean it sounded like every groove was full of grainy distortion to the point where it was virtually unlistenable. 
128x128Ag insider logo xs@2xsumadoggie
dekay's avatar
dekay
5,607 posts
 
Items shipped via common carrier pick up electrical charges from the sorting machines, scanners and conveyor belts.

I've noticed this most with vacuum tubes (especially large power tubes) that attract dust like a magnet when unpacked.

Usually powering them on/off 2-3 times with a waiting time/period between episodes rids them of the static charge.

For the few LP's I've received (shipped) I just used a Zerostat.

DeKay
sumadoggie's avatar
Ag insider logo xs@2x
sumadoggie OP
62 posts
 
I use an Audioquest carbonfiber brush. (The gold and black one ’cuz it looks posh).

Use the Record Doctor to clean: drops across one side; bush around prob four times +/-; flip and vacuum around about 5x.

Honestly, I was shocked (haha) when I tried to get the vinyl out of the sleeve the first time. The second in the 2 LP set was the same. I opened up the others the following day and they were likewise pretty sticky with static, but not as bad as the first LP the first evening.

The record had been inside a few hours after delivery before I put it on the TT, so it was up to temperature (if that’s a factor).
ebm
9,311 posts
 
Buy Furutech Destat 3 ASAP!!!
mijostyn's avatar
mijostyn
8,570 posts
 
If the records are in a paper sleeve (paper is high on the list) they move around a bit in shipping. Paper rubbing vinyl makes a great static charge.
Try it. Take a paper record sleeve and rub a record vigorously. You won't hurt it. Pass the back of your hand over the record and you will feel your hairs stand on end. 
As for what made the record sound awful after cleaning? Lord knows but I doubt it was static. 
As far as discharging the record a path directly to ground is the gold standard. This is easily done with a conductive sweep arm or a carbon bristle record brush attached to ground. You can drill and tap one of these brushes and wire it to ground near your table where it is handy. This is the best way to discharge a record. All that other stuff is making a mountain out of a mole hill. 
antinn
407 posts
 
@lewm,

Agree completely with your statement. An old Audio magazine article showed that just removing a record from a paper sleeve could produce a static charge on the record = 30,000V (this is not a typo).

Otherwise, it appears the folks over at the VinylEngine have found a <$20 device that works fine for removing static - http://www.vinylengine.com/turntable_forum/viewtopic.php?f=53&t=120963&sid=e001cca548c0a23ce....
More to discover