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Static Build Up

First of all I want to thank all the knowledgeable people here for the information that they have imparted to me as I have been putting together my first serious analog system. Hopefully, one day I will be able to return the favor but, when it comes to audio I am way to inexperienced to give advice. Now, should any of you have any questions about surviving big surf, or what to do when your 400lb. Aldabra tortoise sits on your foot, or how to light a movie set, I am full of worthless info on these subjects.
Ok, static build up. Living at the beach I thought that this would be an issue that wouldn't come up with my turntable. I was wrong. Lately when I take a record off the table I can hear the static between the record and the plinth. Am I right that for some reason static builds up in a table over time? How do you get rid of it (I use a Audioquest brush before playing, always)?
agaffer
4yanx
1,576 posts
 
I might use some advice about getting a 400 tortoise off my foot. I hate when that happens! :-)

As far as static, you can try touching something grounded as you use your Audioquest in the other hand. Sometimes it helps to run a ground wire from the TT spindle sump to a grounding point. Keeping a small humidifier in the room can help. If you have carpeting, I've heard of folks diluting fabric softener in water and spraying it on the carpet near and in front if the table.

In my experience, it has mostly been ME who has the static (shuffling across the carpet, etc.) and find that if I touch my hand on something grounded or rub it across the top of my TT stand before removing the record, I have less trouble in that regard. Good luck.
dweller's avatar
dweller
3,820 posts
 
You mean you don't use a Zerostat gun? This is mandatory both before and after you play...
dougdeacon
3,338 posts
 
I assume you've grounded your TT bearing and tonearm.

My record pre-playing ritual goes like this, also with a carbon fiber brush:
- dust platter at the start of the session
- dust underside of record (don't grind dirt into side B)
- zap record with Milty (it does eliminate static)
- clamp record, dust and touch a grounded piece of metal (tonearm) before lifting brush from record

Despite all this, a static-free record still builds up static by the end of play. I assume this is due to friction from the stylus. Yes, the tonearm is grounded, but apparently there's no path to ground from the record surface. There used to be a record-riding brush with metallic fibers and a ground wire, but I haven't seen one of those in years.

I zap the record with Milty again before it goes back in the sleeve, so it doesn't attract dust while sitting on the shelf.
onemug
784 posts
 
I use the Zerostat antistatic gun. I got it from the Audio Advisor catalog. I blast the platter and the under side of the record being played. It works quite awhile for me. We'll swap surf stories sometime. Good Luck.
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