Static attack! Time to get the humidifiers going
With the temperature dropping and the heat kicking on that old nemesis is rearing it's ugly head again. Easily noticeable on most records lately. Especially today when I went to do some listening. I have a Hudson hi-fi Anti static dust brush contraption set up and I think it does help. I especially like how it dusts the record as it spins. But when I went to throw on a record (Mahavishnu Birds of Fire) the dust brush swung over towards the record like a shot! Hit it with the Zerostat (had forgotten to use it first) and tried placing the record on the platter again. The dust brush stayed put! Good to see the Zstat doing it's job.
But, I am considering purchasing a Furutech destat in the near future. Anyone actually use one with good results? It is a bit pricey but I'm thinking it may be a worthwhile investment.
The following link provides detailed instructions on how to operate the Zerostat. I find it (Zerostat) effective, but using it correctly (both slow draw "and" release are required) is not intuitive and requires practice. I usually don't need it, but it can come in handy when I first install a 100% wool mat or the OEM Thorens rubber mat.
DeKay
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@dekay Yes, it does take some practice. But, by George, I think I've got it! So what is your preference, the wool or rubber? My Rega has felt (is that wool?) but I've been considering trying cork or something else. I think the felt holds a lot of dust. |
OK, fortunately I live across the river in Washington. Yeah… twenty years ago when we moved here Portland was my favorite city. Safe, friendly, odd, with the old Eastern city feel and a touch new… perfect. Then over the last five years, it completely… utterly changed to a unfriendly, unsafe shambles of a city. What a horrible transformation. |
PK: The OEM rubber is my least favorite, but I still use it as a "shim" mat with the wool on top for exceedingly thin imports LP’s. I prefer my DIY cork spot mat, but it’s fragile (paper base) and I’m on my 3rd effort @ this point. This said, we have different decks and it would be better, IMO, to go with advice from those with a Rega, such as yours, in regard to mats/sonics. As far a static goes I just nip it @ the source/cause and up the humidity, which offers numerous benefits in addition to the HiFi ones. Too low humidity also has adverse affects on older furniture (we have a bed frame, a bentwood settee and a Tansu cabinet that are 100+ to 200+ years old in range that took a dive) and my wooden walking cane purchased new in 1973 also took a hit when I didn’t keep up on maintaining comfortable levels for 2-3 years. I knew the drill having owned vintage Fender/Martin electric/acoustic guitars in the way past, but just got lazy/preoccupied with other stuff. I’ve remedied most of the damage done to the bed frame and my cane, but the Tansu cabinet is only a little bit better with increased humidity (it has odd woods like pear wood, so further research is needed before I resort to using moisturizers and or glue/joint shims).
DeKay |
