Antistatic Innersleeves

There's a number of suppliers on the web, you could buy a batch say 50, 100 or whatever and save a trip. I use V.R.P. by Discwasher.

Peter

Thanks for the diverse vinyl link, I have it bookmarked for future vinyl purchases.

Andrew

Andrew Randle
Currently in the "Linn Binn"

For that matter does anybody have any other good tips for preventing static on LPs - a problem which I seem to have 'in-spades'. I use an Audioquest carbon fibre 'anti-static' brush and have tried a Watts X-Static device, neither of which seem to do much good - still crackles and bangs everywhere and the LP12 mat sticking to the disc - Oh Well!
Any ideas gratefully received.

David S

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Do these anti-static sleeves actually work? or are they just another way of parting the audiophile from his well-earned cash?

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Yes, they sure do work. However, antistatic properties are NOT the main reason for buying them. As you take vinyl in and out of its cardboard sleeve, tiny radial scratches can result within the grooves. A plastic sleeve prevents this.

Andrew

Andrew Randle
Currently in the "Linn Binn"

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Originally posted by David Stewart:
Do these anti-static sleeves actually work? or are they just another way of parting the audiophile from his well-earned cash?

For that matter does anybody have any other good tips for preventing static on LPs - a problem which I seem to have 'in-spades'. I use an Audioquest carbon fibre 'anti-static' brush and have tried a Watts X-Static device, neither of which seem to do much good - still crackles and bangs everywhere and the LP12 mat sticking to the disc - Oh Well!
Any ideas gratefully received.

David S

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Get a VPI RCM, essential equipment ... If you really are into analog, forget the next Hicap and get the machine. And after cleaning with the VPI brush and fluid, zap the record with the Milty Zerostat, brush off any excess lint with the Decca 2+2 brush. Finally, the anti-static sleeves keep them clean and scratch-free, and static-free of course. And you won't have to clean them again for a long long time ...

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As you take vinyl in and out of its cardboard sleeve, tiny radial scratches can result within the grooves. A plastic sleeve prevents this.

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This is true, but not any plastic will do, for example those luxurious '60s EMI or Decca inner sleeves have plastic interiors and these leach onto the records. Something like the V.R.P. or Nagoaka Sleeves are required that wont 'stick' to your LPs. Vivante source for nagoaka sleeves in the UK

Another way of dealing with Static but this involves more patience and practice to perfect is the Disc doctor cleaning fluid.

The Disc Doctor

Peter

I very occasionally use a Decca carbon fibre brush if the record in question is quite visibly dusty. Even when grounding myself to drain static away from the record/brush, enough static is induced in the record to lift the felt off of the platter when changing sides/records.

This never happens if I resist the urge to clean the disks in the first place and merely clean the stylus between sides. Records tend to 'quieten down' when treated in this fashion.

If one is in the habit of buying a lot of used vinyl then one should consider getting a wet vacuum type record cleaner such as those produced by Keith Monks, VPI and Nitty Gritty. These devices clean records so thoroughly that I have had quite shabby examples become rejuvenated to near new condition with one cleaning. New records can benefit as well.

Craig

Craig

i use a similar gadget to the decca brush -- its called "2+2 Record brush" by CA. and i use it on all records that need it. however, i dont have this problem of lp's stocking to the felt mat -- probably because i have a conducting mat on the floor in front of the lp12.

something that i have also used a lot is the nagaoka rolling cleaner -- a clever gadget that has a sticky roller that licks dirt/fluff of the record. when the roller gets dirty, you simply run it under warm water and wipe the fluff off, and the stickiness returns after the roller is fully dry. nagaoka, i believe, are the same people who make rather nice antistatic inner sleeves. i need to buy some more of these sleeves (next time i am at vivante) as not all my records have them...

many thanks guys and

enjoy

ken

A friend uses a soft makeup brush (non conducting) for dusting LPs and swears by it. He and I will probably invest in a VPI or Moth machine soon and perhaps then the cracks and pops may go away - I hope so as its very discomforting when instead of enjoying the music you're gritting your teeth waiting for the next mini-explosion from the LP12!

Has anyone tried Linn's recommendation of sticking down the mat with double-sided tape?

David S

It really did lift all of the surface dust off of the record though, however, I found it hard to believe the claim that it cleaned down into the groove as well.

For anyone interested it trying this approach, the Nagaoka Rolling Clean was based upon similar devices that are used to clean film negatives. Just don't use one while the record is on the platter as a bit of force is needed.

Craig

funny, i dont really have this problem. must be something to do with the conducting mat in front of my lp12.

enjoy

ken

Bizarre.

P

very nice twist!!! in a lot of senses, YES!!! especially playing records. wierd?? there is more where that came from...

good one P!!

enjoy

ken

Result: (judged by whether the TT mat stuck to the record after being played)

Nagaola 102s: 100% successful. No static.
VRP's: No perceiveable anti-static effect. Much better than paper or card in terms of fine radial scratching, though.
Strange graphite sleeves: No perceiveable anti-static effect, and seemed also to trap dust from the inside of the outer sleeve. Bad news.

Conclusion: Nagaoka No. 102s, every time. Accept no substitutes.

I also have a Hunt EDA tracking brush. At first glance it seems similar to the ubiquitous Watts Dust Bug, but it's actually very different, as it is "pushed" by the groove (rather than "pulled" as is the stylus), which forces groove-resident particles up into the carbon fibre bristles rather then letting them collect on the fibre tips and then fall off again back into the groove. Its tracking weight is adjustable, and being fully conductive, it has an earth lead which goes to an earthing point at the rear of the TT. It came with its own (tiny-toothbrush-style) cleaning brush, and after playing a grubby one, it actually appears to "smoke" for a couple of seconds when brushed with this, so small are the particles removed. It's the best thing I've ever found, as you don't have to stop listening to clean a record, and is completely dry. Theoretically, of course, it short-circuits the TT's suspension, but I have yet to hear any negative effects.

Just my experience...

Best;

Mark

(an imperfect
forum environment is
better than none)

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Yes, they sure do work. However, antistatic properties are NOT the main reason for buying them. As you take vinyl in and out of its cardboard sleeve, tiny radial scratches can result within the grooves. A plastic sleeve prevents this

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I agree. My main recommendation would be not to get the 'inners' that slip inside the existing cardboard inner sleeve as they are a pain to use -they tend to crinkle up when putting an LP in and then sit at the bottom on the cardboard etc. Instead get compete inside leeves that are ploy lined - the liner is glued to paper outer hence are easy to use.

I've got the Nitty-Gritty ones, but I'd guess they cost a fortune in the UK, they cost a lot in the US....

Enjoy the LP-12.

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probably because i have a conducting mat on the floor in front of the lp12.

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can you shed a little light on this?

thanks
jim

I have been buying them since 1983 but they are getting much harder to find these days. When I do stumble across some I usually buy the entire stock before Vuk gets to them.

Craig

I just checked the LP12 manual and it definitely recommends the sticky tape tweak. Hmmmm! - makes you wonder though cos it also says that 'record cleaning generally does more harm than good - let the stylus clean your records' - I wonder??

Mark

Your mention of the Watts Dust Bug brought back some happy memories - as I recall, that thing used to work quite well! ......... now, where did I put it????

I think I shall invest in some Nagaoka sleeves as they seem to generate almost universal praise (in place of static)

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purchased the DiscDoctor stuff some while ago but havn't found time yet to properly clean all my LPs - it did seem reasonably effective though on the ones I tried, even though they were some of the worst in the collection. Having just inherited another 100 or so, the problem is becoming acute so I think a machine will be the only answer.

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They are expensive and they make a lot of noise! The disc doctor method takes me about 6 mins a disc. I started over two years ago to do my collection (c. 500 LPs), and I've only about 50 more to do.

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I just checked the LP12 manual and it definitely recommends the sticky tape tweak. Hmmmm! - makes you wonder though cos it also says that 'record cleaning generally does more harm than good - let the stylus clean your records' - I wonder??

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Rega manual says the same thing, interestingly with the discdoctor method the Stylus has to create a new path way through the groove, so the discs in general improve with playing. I rarely now have visible dust, gunk, on the stylus as I had before the DD stuff.

YMMV

Peter

the mat i am referrring to is something your ought to be able to buy in an electronics shop. apparently the lay these on test benches to reduce static when working with senstive electronic components. mine is about 1m by 0.6m and its in front of the lp12 such that when i want to change a record i have to stand on it.

before, i used to get quite noticeable electrostatic discharge when i touched the cueing hook on my aro. now i dont have that problem anymore. and as a bonus, static on the records is reduced as well.

regardless, the nagaoka sleves are a bloody good idea...

i hope this is useful. oh, i bought my conducting mat by mail order from an electronics shop is edgware, london uk -- but i would guess any electronics shop could also stock it.

enjoy

ken

Andrew

Andrew Randle
Currently in the "Linn Binn"