Static electricity


Hey now  folks,

I finally made the  jump  back into  vinyl late last year. I am a midi  hifi guy but made sure I was on the  higher end getting back into analog, so I went with a Pro-Ject Classic SB in walnut with the Sumiko Bluepoint  No.2 MC cartridge.

I also upgraded my integrated amp to a Rouge Sphinx V3 and purchased the Record Doctor V. Just about out of the  break in period and very  happy over all...except when it comes to static electricity. It is especially bad coming off the platter. The Pro-Ject came with a  felt mat and the static was not that  bad. I read that cork would be even better so I got the Pro-Ject one.

I also have a Zerostat Milty 3, which I am using religiously at the 12/4/8 o'clock positions.

I do have  force air for heat and live in New England, so I know that the dry air is not helping. With the cork mat there is so much static electricity now, that the cork mat will stick to the record when I  try to flip it over, which is very annoying. I do have, and prefer, a  dust cover too.

I mean honestly I have peeled plenty of onions in my day but now this?!?

Am I doing something wrong here? Should I  go back to the  felt mat?

Pleading for wisdom from the turntable peanut gallery.

Staticky in Connecticut 
idigmusic64
Zerostat only neutralizes charges during use. Problem is a spinning record is a charge generator that certain materials only makes worse. Like noise and hum problems there's seldom a silver bullet its more about shot-gunning to get as many as possible.  

Different mat might help, but then you have the problem of it might not sound as good in other ways. There's devices that run along the record like a dust brush only they conduct charges off the record. Sometimes also helps to ground the spindle or chassis, depending on the table. Humidifier you already know about. Static Guard anti-static laundry spray is sold in many stores, I use it all the time. Waft around the turntable and over cables as well. I notice improvement and its not like I have any obvious static problem. There's other more long lasting sprays you can find. Haven't tried them myself but search around you never know.
I’m in Colorado and static is very sticky business. Drives me crazy! Especially vinyl. I gave up on mats, leather, cork, felt you name it... just makes it worse. Rubber might be an exception, haven’t tried that. I’ve found cleaning to be the best bet. And then all the stuff MC mentioned. Dryer sheets, anti stat brush, zero stat etc. Once the static gets really bad again (where I can feel my arm hair stand on end) I clean. It’s about a once a quarter job depending on how much play time each album gets. I’ve got a fairly small collection so it hasn’t gotten out of hand yet. Good luck. It’s a pain in ass.
This is always a point of contention here, but Gruv Glide will completely cure the static issue.  You can search the other threads I posted this on.  I can't say it helps the sound or anything else, but the static will be gone and you can go back to enjoying analog again. I have never seen anyone claim that GG harmed their records and it has been sold for many, many years by major analog outlets such as Acoustic Sounds and Music Direct.  There are definitely other methods for dealing with static and you will have to decide what route to take.  Best of luck. 
Lose the plastic lid. Double sided tape on the mat OR use no mat. Use a humidifier.