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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
bukanona
174 posts
 
If you use heating problem will persist.

Techniques from semiconductor industry/cleanrooms will help.

Use proper ground -  google  "ESD Grounding Requirements"  
Use mat under table which is described as used for shelving (should be black carbon) - mat must be grounded.
Ground turntable, mat and stand if possible - use separate leads for each
and use  "Earth bonding plug" (google) for ground 
For cleaning use antistatic cloth or wipes. Also where are a lot of pro esd solutions which are not toxic or poisonous. Don't use domestic products for garments.

kenrus
28 posts
 
In addition to washing every new record when I first get it home, I use a Furutech Destat III on each side of a record before I play it. This does a great job of getting rid of static electricity. I then store the records in MFSL inner sleeves. This keeps the record from collecting a new charge. 
mucker
12 posts
 

I do have to say dryer sheets, followed buy a carbon fiber brush  have been 90% effective here in the cold, dry Detroit area over winter. Not perfect, but effective.

 

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