My favorite and most used accessory is my wallet....😅😅

@chrisgraham847

4 ай бұрын

Nice....how can I get your wallet? 😂

the hole in the dishwasher is the store the red bottle of fluid, and the smaller brush that cleans off dishwasher clips onto the bottle

Man, brushes, guns and other gadgets. No wonder we went to CDs! 😊

Today, owning records reminds me of fishing, wherein people through money away on things they don’t actually need. I’ve been collecting records since 1964 and the only thing I’ve bought for my records was protective sleeves and a vinyl cleaning cloth the rest is unnecessary junk, how anyone would pay $90 on an anti static gun is bizarre, if your stylus has a bit of dust on it, clean it with your finger and give it a blow, it’s worked for me for sixty years. I still have all my records from 64 and while I couldn’t say they were in mint condition (I was ten), they still play relatively well, as I got older and started paying more attention to their condition, those records from the late seventies to present day are a joy to behold both visually and aurally, no fluid, no brushes, no guns. Stop wasting money on junk and buy more records 👍

@ijuggle42

4 ай бұрын

That's not going to be a popular take but I agree with you.

I'm 25 now, as a young teen (from around 10-14) I got into records, had a terrible £40 all in 1 player that was good enough for me at the time. Had a handful of albums that meant something to me at the time, Queen, Journey, ACDC, Rick Astley etc. But for one reason or anothet I eventually just grew out of wanting to use them or collect anymore. But over the past few years I've been really getting into music again, exploring genres I'd never fathomed existed in the past, started listening to albums in whole which I rarely ever did when I was younger either, and it's just really made my love and appreciation for music and musical artists grow bigger than it ever has. And just over the last few weeks I finally splurged and bought 12 records and a semi-decent player, along with accessories. Your channel has helped with learning about it all again, and learning stuff I didn't even know as a kid.. because I never once cleaned any of my records back then! 😂 I didn't even know you could. One thing for me with this whole journey though is personally I never want to fall into the trap of buying loads of vinyl that I'll never actually listen to, or any albums at all that don't really mean anything to me. I'm only ever buying albums I already love beforehand. It's not the vinyl medium that I'm collecting, it's just the albums I love that I'm collecting. Because at the end of the day I can always listen to any of my music digitally, the main draw for records is to just be able to hold the albums in my hands and be able to admire all the art work, lyrics and even use it as a way to support the artists if I buy it directly from them. Something that streaming barely does at all. And for me CD's are just boring. Mainly because they're just the same digital files you can find online but stored digitally on disc shaped USB sticks pretty much. While vinyl IS! the music! No digital files, the music is literally engraved in the plastic! And that's just so cool and gives such a real sense of ownership.

@ScottEvil

4 ай бұрын

My rule of thumb, back in the day (I'm old enough to be your dad), was to not buy an album unless I heard 3 songs from it that I liked. Things have changed, but I still think that rule applies.

@cookiesontoast9981

4 ай бұрын

@@ScottEvil Good rule for sure. But yeah I've almost always listen to albums in full multiple times before I consider buying them. My favorite genre I just always like every single band within I've ever heard, but even then I prefer to know them beforehand.

The hole in the Discwasher was where you stored the washing fluid and the cleaning brush for the record brush. The brush held the fluid in the handle of the big record brush. Love the Texas band, Black Pumas.

It's also been shown that the products like onzow leave a residue build up on the stylus that can be almost impossible to clean off.

I use all the products you mentioned except the Zerostat. I guess I’m fortunate that static electricity is not a problem in my area. My number one product is the GrooveWasher, which does an excellent job in cleaning records.

I still have mine from the 70's. And I still use it today. Thank you for the moment in time when we had our turntables, vinyl, and our record cleaners.

I think Frank pretty much covered it. I use a carbon fiber dry brush instead of the Discwasher because it's easy which means I use it every time. My antistatic gun is a Discwasher brand (pre-Milty), still working after 40 plus years! When records were the *only* medium I used, I treated all my records with Soundguard (later, Last) record preservative. None of them have worn out from repeated plays so that makes me a believer.

Fun fact: The Zerostat also works great for getting rid of static cling on clothes in the winter.

@patbarr1351

4 ай бұрын

"Works for rock as well as sock" (Not their slogan but shudda been.)

I believe the resolution of the Onzow Zerodust controversy was to replace in every couple of years. It seems in SOME cases, that gel can start to break up and leave residue on the stylus. So it’s now recommended to only use them for a few years and avoid excessive heat

@Channel33RPM

4 ай бұрын

Thanks for the info.

If you want to use a liquid cleaning solution for Ortofon, use Last. It doesn't contain alcohol, which is what they warn against causing damage to the bonding of the stylus to the cantilever. As for recommendations, I would say a record clamp; not to flatten records, but to confer better contact with the platter.

Agreed on the accessories, I use the discwasher stylus brush and special fluid. It’s worked for 45+ years just like the discwasher has

Frank, the opening in the side of the Discwasher was for the bottle of cleaning solution that came with it. I bought mine in the late '80's and still use it! My uncle had an anti-static gun and it was fun to blast the stylus on his needle before dropping it on Ozzy's Diary of a Madman when i would hang out at my aunt and uncle's house! Another great video!

@Channel33RPM

4 ай бұрын

Thanks! I do recall the fluid in there (along with the booklet...and I believe the little cleaning brush). Diary is such a great album.

Love the Discwasher. I also got 3 of them, but only found 1 since moving. Found 2 of them the same day at a Goodwill. My first one, for whatever reason. Has the entire fabric block come off. I hot glue gunned it back on. But it also gave out and hangs there. One brush i would love to find again is called a Fuzzy Wuzzy. Was meant for cleaning blinds. But i found they were the best brush to clean 45s with. Found it in a dollar store. Wish i bought 10 of them. Because i also have no idea what happened to the 2 i did have before moving.

I have the complete "DiscKit" with wood block / cover, I make my own homemade cleaning fluid and use the old bottles. Unfortunately, you will see a lot of folks bashing the hell out of this whole system in record groups today on facebook in favor of expensive ultra sonic cleaners and such, but I roll with the old fashion system and works great for me.

@n.miller907

4 ай бұрын

I own the entire kit as well, with the static gun, stylus brush etc which I believe I bought in the early 80's. I certainly can't remember what I paid back then but it had to be reasonable if someone like me could afford it. 😊 But over the past decade, my love of vinyl isn't very strong. I am fully immersed in digital surround sound audio. I either buy Blu-ray audio discs, or find SACD files online that I end up converting to massive WAV files. Recently though, I did finally buy a replacement stylus for my old Audio Technica Precept cartridge and a DEVO 50th. limited edition 4-record set. Records, in general, just don't appeal to me much audio-wise and cost-wise.

I love my GrooveWasher!

Thanks for the info, Frank!

My top five as well. Though I have not jumped for a Zero Stat as yet. I have a vintage Discwasher as well. I got it at an estate sale for $1.00 U.S. I felt like I held them up.

To be honest Frank, I have an easy and cheap way to get rid of static. 😊 Some Luke warm water and dish detergent gets rid of it. 😊

I have had my Discwasher since the mid-70's and now have another one also. Use it before just about every spin. The little red cleaning solution bottle slides into the handle so it's all there ready to go. Too bad the newer one doesn't measure up.

The Zerostat gun is a essential tool for myself. I can hear a noise when I use it. I do only use it once per side . But will try the 3 per side zap thanks for the tip Frank

I agree with your top four choices and use all of them myself. My Dishwasher and original Zerostat (red) were purchased in the 70's when I was using a Sansui receiver, beautiful walnut Sansui speaker's with the intricate carved walnut grill, Technics turntable, I also had a Sansui turntable, 8 track tape deck and a Numark graphic equalizer. The original red Zerostat eventually stopped working, I now use the blue one. I have never used the album cover sleeves. Thanks for sharing this important and necessary information, newbies take notice

I have heard from one of the best retippers that the problem with fluid is that it can migrate up the cantilever and cause issues with the cartridge, he flatly says don't do it he sean too many issues.

The older Disc Washer used a micro fibre type pad whereas the newer versions have something else less effective (imo). I now use the nearly identical one made by Groove Washer.

The Vinyl Attack did a great video on the Zerostat, testing different techniques, etc. He also did some videos on the gel. They are worth checking out.

I bought my Zerostat in 1985- paid about $30. Mine is red. Continues to perform flawlessly. Best money I ever spent

@mjp8648

3 ай бұрын

Bought mine at about the same time but never seemed to stop the dust. One of a few reasons for not bothering with LP's for the last 30 years or more.

i have a discwasher that comes in a display case with a zerostat stylus bush with other little accsesories it has a plastic lid thats smoked to really give you the 70's vibe

In typical vinyl fanatic fashion your four must haves are like ten! Love it thanks Frank!

I've been using the Onzow Zerodust stylus cleaner for over 8 years now and I've never had any issues whatsoever. What I like the most about this cleaning method is you actually get to see just how much gunk there was on your needle unlike with the brush thing. I ordered mine directly from Japan off of an eBay store. It's a super easy and safe product to use. I couldn't go without it. It's just too practical and part of my record listening ritual. One accessory people tend to underestimate is a record clamp or weight. For those lightly domed or warped records, especially those cheaper records they used to press in the 70's and 80's, it's important to have a flat surface as much as possible for two reasons. Firstly, you want your needle to hit those grooves at a 90 degrees angle or else you're not getting an optimal reading from both sides of the groove. Also, you will be putting more wear on one side of the groove and end up with an uneven worn record. A good record clamp/weight is just as important as setting the anti-skating.

Nice video. Perhaps an additional tip/caution that is worth mentioning is that older records from the 80s or so often came in PVC covers. It turns out these can over time and exposure to heat emit a vapour that bonds to the record, creates a haze which permanently damages it. I have a lot of records from that era and still find the odd record in my collection with a PVC cover which I remove and discard (and replace with a VSS cover). I’ve been lucky though and haven’t had any seriously damaged. You can tell which sleeves are PVC as they often have ripples or wrinkles and can feel hard or brittle and have welded edge seems. Beware!! P.S. I don’t use my Onzow anymore (since Wally Tools discovered the issue with it). I have resurrected my old Audiotechnica ultrasonic stylus cleaner which still works great!

Sound advice Frank & I liked the demonstration of the Zero stat gun I've often wondered whether they really work.

Great video. I think you covered all the bases (plus one) lol.

The Zero Stat. If this was mentioned excuse the repetition. I don't own a Zero Stat but I suffer from record static, especially in drier winter months here in upstate NY. A few yrs ago I saw a mention of a cheaper alternative which was a USB rechargeable Arc Lighter. I paid $8US on Amazon to try if it actually removed static. The idea is you put your record on and get it spinning. Then press the button on the lighter and the spark arcs between the two prongs. Then move the lighter over to and just above the record's outer edge. Now you slowly move towards the label. It takes 3 to 4 seconds. The lighter shuts itself off at that time automatically so you know you're done. The static is then gone or greatly reduced! I made vids elsewhere of before and after to show it works. I keep my lighter charged and near my tt to give a quick de-staticing as a matter of course now. The ZS gun is great but this could be a cheaper alternative for some.

If you want a step above the Zerostat, the Destat works better and easier on static removal. I've had two of the Zerostat, and had the last one fail for some reason.

I have an original Discwasher record cleaner that I have owned since the 80s! Came with a stylus brush also! Love them! Would love to get the Milty, but wish it was less expensive! Sleeves definitely a must! Love the ones I get!

Great video Frank! I picked up a few Discwashers including the whole kit in a case with the stylus brush and the Zerostat. I use the sleeves from Vinyl Storage Solutions too. I'm surprised that you didn't include your Spinclean or Humminguru cleaning systems.

I like to use a brush for stylus and a small piece of Mr Clean sponge…only dip the stylus in and out and don’t drag it. Works great and I verified it with a loop to see the difference after using. You can also use Blue Tack the same way.

I have a couple of other essential accessories I use. A sticky roller & I modified a cordless hand held vac nozzle w/ velcro strips ( like a vacuum record cleaning machine). I also have tip for turntable owners... Clean your Turntable Mat !!

Got all of them Frank except for the Zero Stat gun... but its on my list !! Keep on Spinnin !!

While the anti-static "gun" may do what is intended, I would think while holding the record in your one hand and grounding yourself with the other would do the same. Just a theory...I have no proof of this but it is logical to assume. I have an Onzow Zerodust. Works GREAT! Outer sleeves ARE essential! All my LPs are in Poly! I have mint records from the 70s and 80s because they were bought new and place in poly sleeves. Inner sleeve replacements came later on the unsealed ones.

I don’t use a record cleaning brush anymore really. I wet clean every record upon opening (record Dr) and then I use a rubber bulb before playing to try and blow the air off from the inside out. I tried a couple before I found one that really blew hard enough to be effective. I was probably being too OCD for my own good but upon close inspection my brushes always left something behind, or worse added dust that wasn’t there.

Hi Frank. I have a stylus brush and a separate fluid and brush. I use the brush regularly and the fluid only when I think the stylus needs a really good clean. I find giving a record a good clean with cleaning fluid stops static for me and I use Near Mint fluid. Does the trick for me. I usually outer sleeve my new records and sometimes replace the inner sleeves if they’re not poly- lined. I’ll catch up with my older stuff at some point lol.

Fun video Frank. I too am a Discwasher collector. I think I have six and will probably buy the next one I see. 😂

When I bought my Degritter it really helped with static and I really use an anti static brush anymore, of course that is a very expensive option.

Amazing that there so much use differences on the Zerostat … I will check your way, cause I’m often not as satisfied with how I used it, thx!

Great list all very helpful if not essential, I saw that report on the zerostat as well but as your demonstration showed it should be considered unfounded. I use the motif inners as well alway have and always will. I must say that the vinyl storage solutions products are outstanding and have given me all the options I needed. I generally wait for a sale as the shipping to Australia is pricey but with a deal well worth it.

We spend good money on our collection and we want them to last forever. Take care of your records and they'll take care of you.

AWESOME VIDEO !!!

@Channel33RPM

3 ай бұрын

Glad you enjoyed it

I have a method to remove static in 2 seconds. It also has to do with your environment as well.

I would think the best record accessory is a good quality turntable. Without it, playing a vinyl record is a little difficult. My second accessory is a good quality cartridge and stylus. After that, would be the record cleaning and maintenance products of your choosing.

@Channel33RPM

4 ай бұрын

Yes, absolutely those would be my top picks as well... I was thinking beyond that, but I totally get your point. Cheers!

Drop the Zerostat and just have a spray bottle with distilled water spray a little on the record, and then run your Discwasher Brush around it. Static gone instantly.

I love my Star Trek gun. I set it for stun and wham!! No static. Beam me up Scottie. Outer sleeves are useless man

For me the record cleaning brush never worked well and ive not used one for over 2 years and will never use one again. It always leaves dust and dirt in the grooves and ut also leaves dust on the surface due to static even if the static seems low. The only way ive found to get grooves clean as well as the surface is vacuum or ultrsonic cleaning. I have to say my Degritter is the single most important and effective accessory ive owned by far. With 2500 records and their mean value on Dcogs the Degritter represents about 2% of my collections value, so although not cheap to buy (and it does cost a fair bit of distilled water to run too) its cost is still easily justified to me. Not only does the record get cleaned better and quickee and less time consumingly than any other method, its totally safe with zero risk to the LP. It also eliminates any static so no need for a gun. My only other accessories are replacing paper/card inners with poly lined anti statics and either the Onzow or AT Gel stylus cleaners which i also feel are far better than a brush as well. And thats it for me! My routine is now maximum of care with minimum of time spent carrying out and the time i gain over a collection of 250LPs let alone 2500 is priceless because the hardest thing by far in this hobby, is having the free time to enjoy it!

Thats why it's called Winterpeg.

I use a brush, manual washing machine and the tin you dip your needle in. I don't have the gun, but have found that when removing vinyl from the mat on my new turntable the mat remains on the turntable. On my old turntable, the mat would come off with the record.

@Channel33RPM (Frank), the hole in the handle of the discwasher is to store the cleaning fluid and the brush used to clean the dishwasher. The original cleaning fluid container fits in there and cleaning brush holds it in via friction. I can send you a photo if you like.

@Channel33RPM

4 ай бұрын

I couldn't remember how it all went together but I have all those elements - I will give it a shot. Thanks!

I use the anti static gun very quickly, I don't wait like you do and it works great.

@Channel33RPM

4 ай бұрын

I will give that a try.

I know that the Zero stat static gun works, but I'm sorry $100 is just too much for me for that. What I do to break up the static is do a quick wet clean with my D4 liquid. It breaks it up every time with the D4 brush. BTW, a few years ago they changed the material on that brush and it is MUCH better than what they had previously.

If you want to demonstrate static, remove a record from an anti-static sleeve(if you can get it to slide out without damaging it), do the tissue test which will stick to the record, zap it with the ZeroStat gun, repeat the tissue test, showing it doesn't. THEN.........slide the record back into the anti-static sleeve. See if the record will slide out. When you get the record out of the sleeve, do the tissue test again and watch it stick to the record again. lol When cleaning the stylus, use the brush and then blow it off with canned air. Sliding a record in and out of a lined/anti-static sleeve actually charges the record with static electricity(especially in a dry climate).

No love for the super expensive Hart record cleaning brush. I bought one after watching your demo. £69, gulp, but it is rather good.

groove washer is another for me

I agree with everything you picked, but I would also add a good record clamp or weight to the list.

@Channel33RPM

4 ай бұрын

Stay tuned for Part 2 in a few weeks!

I use my spin clean...love it to be honest over the brush. Don't get me wrong, the brush is great and I have a couple....but for the time it takes? Ya...spin clean.

@Channel33RPM

4 ай бұрын

Fair - I like/use both... brush for light cleans, SC for deeper cleans.

@TheHammerofDissidence

4 ай бұрын

I use my record doctor... love it to be honest over the spin clean. Don't get me wrong, the spin clean is great and I have one... but for the time it takes? Ya... Record Doctor.

I think I might be the only person in the VC who doesn’t like those VSS dual pocket outer sleeves. My experience is they are commonly too loose where jacket wants to fall out bottom or too tight where warping is a concern. Also, the 4 mil sleeves are prone to ring wear more than most crystal clear sleeves I’ve tried. Of course, I’m one of those weirdos who prefers the 2 mil resealable sleeves so what do I know!

I still have my own original disc washer and the zero stadt to me these are way too expensive ,yes during winter time static is bad but at this time the money is not there , on the zero dust I heard about the problem with it leaving a residue I don't have one so I cannot say I thought they were expensive so I never got one I did I saw on youtube some body suggested using a mr clean erasor cleaning sponge thingy I bought one and cut a small square and tried it on a dirty stylus it really cleans it very well ,you just drop stylus onto sponge 1 or 2 times the stylus comes out like you used a brush and its economical cause I cut the sponge into 2 small pieces and you have another one when the other piece is no good ,I have always used these it does reduce static almost all of my records have these sleeves and record cover protector I have always used to keep cover clean and damage free these are my essential record protectors JRo

I agree with all 4 and use them all. My Zerostat must be 30 years old and still going strong. When taking the record out of the non-static sleeve, I’m prone to leaving a fingerprint or two on the trip to my turntable. Have you ever used those mitten things for your hand to eliminate this from happening when taking out and returning the record? Or something else? Thanks for the video.

I just bought an old Discwasher DiscKit which includes a Zerostat and Stylus cleaner. I was curious. Is the old D4 and SC-2 still safe to use. I am looking at getting some of the Groovewasher fluid.

In another video, you showed a stylus magnifying glass. I can't find the video. What is the one you use? Thanks!

"I approve this video": recovering audiophile who recently fell off the wagon.

Thanks, Frank. I have all of these except the 'kangaroo' sleeves, which look awesome. I do get some queer looks when I use the static gun, about £60 🇬🇧 price.

@Channel33RPM

4 ай бұрын

Yeah, the gun isn't cheap, but it is worth it for me.

Hey, Frank, what about using canned air to blow any dust particles off the stylus. Will that work? Thank you.

@Channel33RPM

4 ай бұрын

I have not tried this, so I don't really have an opinion.

@notalcno9

4 ай бұрын

Sounds like you'd be blowing your own trumpet . 😂😅 Sorry.

@davidscott2095

4 ай бұрын

@@Channel33RPM Thank you

I thought the hole in the dishwasher was a stash for weed. 🙂

I could never use that recod cleaner brush. I'm not bi-lingual. I can't read Canadian. I wouldn't know how to use it.

With the onzow if it's over 3 years old throw it away and get a new one.

Moongel.

@Channel33RPM

4 ай бұрын

Moongel is a good tip.

My new-production Zerostat, that I had bought from Amazon, broke - inner parts - and just fell apart inside. Not sure about the vintage ones’ quality, but the new ones are garbage.

@Channel33RPM

4 ай бұрын

Oh man, that sucks.

@rouslank1784

4 ай бұрын

@@Channel33RPM Sure does. $100 for a few months of usage :-/ Glad yours has been good to you. If I ever decide to drop a few hundred, I’ll get the Furutech unit: looks nice.

I stay away from those Zerostats I paid $24.00 for one 40 years ago when Discwasher put them out and it broke a year later people can really get by without spending $100 for one I know you get paid Frank for putting in a good word with them if it works for you maybe but it was a worst experience for me . I still buy Records today if there is a little static at the end of a record it may be due to needle wear yes you will get some pops that Zerostat can not stop another reason why the CD is still a must have in others collection .

Owning vinyl seems like one giant hassle.

@StukaUK

4 ай бұрын

It is, but that’s half the fun. You have to have been there to understand.