OK, record is now clean, how about the Stylus?

I was shown the light as to the Magic Eraser. That is all I use now. Just a light, careful brushing with a soft stylus brush and the ME, followed by another brushing, after each LP side. Personally, I don't like the idea of adding anything to the stylus.

Dougdeacon's Magic Eraser preceded and followed by brushing with a dry Discwasher carbon fiber brush is what I'm using. I made some of Doug's ME "lollipops" and cut slits in the ends of them...it helps prevent "snagging". Using a magnifying lens I can see the before and after effects of cleaning (dark material removed).

Cleaning the stylus twice for playing an album is *very* excessive. Unless your records are incredibly grimy, you can easily go 5-10 albums before cleaning again. This will cut your costs dramatically and your stylus will stay plenty clean. Your current regimen is very wasteful, time consuming, and costly...

I worked for several hi-end shops back in the late 70s, early 80s. I played a lot of records. I also looked at a lot of stylii under a microscope to see their condition and whether they needed cleaning - this is how I developed my 5-10 albums cleaning regimen. As I said before, unless your records are absolutely filthy (no way, right?), you are over-cleaning.

-RW-

Oh! So you're one of those sons of b****s that sold us that crap that clogged our records and stylii. And, when did you say before?

It's not always what you see on the stylus, but rather what you don't see build up on the stylus. With the ME there is virtually no cost per cleaning. I believe the recommendation to touch up between album sides came from a very reputable cartridge designer. But, clean when you will, not sweat off my arse.