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Random Static Hits

What can I do to eliminate the random static hits that I'm getting with playing all of my vinyl. About 4 or 5 times a side, there's a medium loud pop right down the center. It doesn't happen in the same place if I play the LP again and it happen on every LP I've played in the last couple of weeks. The wall mounted turntable is a WT Simplex and it's grounded as always to a Herron VTPH-1MC. Nothing has changed in my system recently, but the weather has changed I guess.... it's dryer. Floors are hardwood so no spraying the carpet to increase humidity. Help!
dhcod
chayro
3,000 posts
 
I almost hate to open this can of worms, but my place is quite dry and I have previously had issues with very loud static discharges. I found that applying Gruv Glide completely cured the static problems. I won't say it made the records sound better, because it didn't - but IMO it didn't make them sound worse either. In any case, it works for static and I'll leave it at that.
dhcod OP
710 posts
 
Well, walking by the humidifier works sometimes. Other times, not so much. I've ordered a Zerostat. Will report back. This really sucks. I might have to go the Gruv Glide route if all else fails.
lewm
13,171 posts
 
Or... some mammals find that winter is a fine time to hibernate until spring.

Using a Xerostat is kind of an art form in itself, but if it is used properly it should at least ameliorate your problem. Mapleshade makes a record brush that is said to simultaneously drain off static charge. (It must be grounded in order to do this.) I bought one but have not yet tried it, since another inmate or two said that it sheds its bristles onto the LP surface, not a good thing.
stringreen's avatar
stringreen
6,475 posts
 
I like the Mapleshade gizmo. It doesn't (but may eventually?) shed some metal bristles, but why should I care?...I'm sweeping the record before playing with the brush anyway. The metal bristles are very soft. The brush is very effective.
rodrigaj
32 posts
 
MILTY Zerostat.

Squeeze slowly, release slowly on three spots of an album (12, 4, 8 o'clock positions) with the album sitting on the platter not moving.
Repeat in the center but don't release. Move the Zerostat away from the turntable and release.
The trick is not to hear a click as the zerostat is squeezed and released.

Repeat before each play (both sides) and if you have an RCM after each cleaning.
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