Stylus Cleaner/Brush?

James Edward · February 10, 2020, 06:47:56 PM

What's everyone in the know using to clean their stylus these days? Brush, liquid, gel? I just ordered a table and now the paranoia is setting in about cleaning things...

S Clark · February 10, 2020, 07:15:43 PM

Mr. Clean Magic Eraser. Cut a small square and simply lower the stylus on to it a time or two. Doesn't require passing the cartridge over it.

Folsom · February 10, 2020, 11:28:58 PM

I use a magic eraser but also have another thing similar to zerodust. The magic eraser does something other stuff won't so periodically using it or a sonic cleaner would be advisable.

toobluvr · February 12, 2020, 07:46:18 AM

+1 on the Magic Eraser. We don't need no stinkin exorbitantly priced rip off snake oil cleaners 'round here!

Seriously, it works amazing. Use it all the time and stylus is always sparkling clean. It's white so you can easily see the lil blobs of black debris it pulls off. If your hands are steady enough just dab up and down a few times as arm is raised on lifter. Don't lock arm into resting place, just in case you slip. That's my technique, it's quicker and easier than laying it down and dropping stylus on it. Also, if you really trust yourself, you can very very gently shimmy it around a few times on the horizontal plane to get it super clean.

I also sometimes dab stylus a few times with a blob of Blu-tak stuck on the end of a tongue depressor -- or similar. Also works great.

Both these methods are recommended by respected members of the vinyl community: Mark Baker at Origin Live, Peter Lederman at Soundsmith, among others.

Nick B · February 12, 2020, 09:06:40 AM

Quote from: toobluvr on February 12, 2020, 07:46:18 AM
+1 on the Magic Eraser. We don't need no stinkin exorbitantly priced rip off snake oil cleaners 'round here!

Seriously, it works amazing. Use it all the time and stylus is always sparkling clean. It's white so you can easily see the lil blobs of black debris it pulls off. If your hands are steady enough just dab up and down a few times as arm is raised on lifter. Don't lock arm into resting place, just in case you slip. That's my technique, it's quicker and easier than laying it down and dropping stylus on it. Also, if you really trust yourself, you can very very gently shimmy it around a few times on the horizontal plane to get it super clean.

I also sometimes dab stylus a few times with a blob of Blu-tak stuck on the end of a tongue depressor -- or similar. Also works great.

Both these methods are recommended by respected members of the vinyl community: Mark Baker at Origin Live, Peter Lederman at Soundsmith, among others.

Thanks for the info. I had heard of Origin Live, but not Mark Baker. Mr Baker has an interesting profile and the site is very detailed and informative.

rollo · February 12, 2020, 02:20:58 PM

Its magic that eraser. Highly recommended.

charles

James Edward · February 12, 2020, 04:40:14 PM

So I just lower the stylus into/onto the eraser, then lift it up? No back to front scrape?

S Clark · February 12, 2020, 05:02:13 PM

Quote from: James Edward on February 12, 2020, 04:40:14 PM
So I just lower the stylus into/onto the eraser, then lift it up? No back to front scrape?

Yep. Repeat a time or two. Back and forth can lead to very, very bad things... especially with a MC.

toobluvr · February 13, 2020, 08:19:01 AM

Quote from: S Clark on February 12, 2020, 05:02:13 PM
Quote from: James Edward on February 12, 2020, 04:40:14 PM
So I just lower the stylus into/onto the eraser, then lift it up? No back to front scrape?
Yep. Repeat a time or two. Back and forth can lead to very, very bad things... especially with a MC.

Yeah, I guess it's possible to rip the stylus or cantilever off.

I dab it manually with an up and down movement, find it gets it cleaner -- probably because no matter how steady the hand, there is a small amount of lateral / horizontal plane movement to kindof scrub the stylus sides.

Anyways, I find it easy to keep a steady hand by simply resting the outside of it on the plinth (or on your other hand if there is no plinth), and dabbing the ME (or BT) up and down.

toobluvr · February 13, 2020, 10:40:45 AM

Watts dust bug! Man, I used one of those in the 70s!!

No idea where it is. Probably lost in college somewhere.....

Nick B · February 13, 2020, 10:41:10 AM

Couldn't find it on the web. How does it work?
Nick

Nick B · February 13, 2020, 10:52:41 AM

Quote from: doug s. on February 13, 2020, 10:46:34 AM
the keith monks record sweeper works by tracking the record with a fine bristle brush opposite the tonearm, keeping it dust-free whilst playing. also, it's got fine carbon fiber in the brush, and w/the ground wire, it keeps static away. it's nla new; you can find 'em used, albeit a bit pricey. newer less expensive iterations are available:

https://www.myneedlestore.com/produit/professional-anti-static-record-cleaning-arm/?gclid=CjwKCAiAhJTyBRAvEiwAln2qB1YeVf0B3fXF_FifOdHB7H9FDKN1bw3S9WgmS2Z5DIGvuUrMEvRJohoCmlYQAvD_BwE

doug s.
Quote from: Nick B on February 13, 2020, 10:41:10 AM
Couldn't find it on the web. How does it work?
Nick

Thanks, Doug. The look of this product reminded me of the Lenco wet playing device that I used a very long time ago.
Nick

Nick B · February 13, 2020, 11:58:31 AM

Quote from: doug s. on February 13, 2020, 10:55:28 AM
here's an original keith monks iteration:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/202880330217

it's one of two things i need on my decks; the other is one of these:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Automatic-Tonearm-Lifter-Arm-Lift-Set-For-LP-Turntable-not-Audio-technica-/264590502345?_trksid=p2385738.m4383.l4275.c10
or
https://www.turntablelab.com/products/qup-automatic-tonearm-lifter?variant=249440394&currency=USD&utm_campaign=gs-2019-04-04&utm_source=google&utm_medium=smart_campaign&gclid=CjwKCAiAhJTyBRAvEiwAln2qB02a5RKkbjZJD5nvXpjFqr_-WMBx905NEQjPjSV5C5LysInhWeyW5hoC6oAQAvD_BwE

doug s.
Quote from: Nick B on February 13, 2020, 10:41:10 AM
Couldn't find it on the web. How does it work?
Nick

Thanks for the links. It's amazing what's available on eBay. This device is nearly identical to what I used on my Linn LP12

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Analogis-Clean-Cleaner-Vinyl-Records-Record-Cleaning/163642194914?epid=1302834068&hash=item2619d5bbe2:g:EwAAAOSwNuxXasir

James Edward · February 13, 2020, 02:33:40 PM

I would love another Dust Bug. The link is a similar product, but I don't see anything out there that doesn't need to be shipped from abroad. Is there anything more locally available?
I'll be picking up the Magic Eraser tomorrow, but as Doug said, there's less to take off the stylus if you're cleaning the record as it plays.
Further reading tells me these devices may add a slight sonic signature, but who's perfect...

Nick B · February 13, 2020, 04:01:19 PM

Quote from: doug s. on February 13, 2020, 02:57:00 PM
this looks interesting, nick.

i'd be concerned that playing "wet" might somehow negatively impact the stylus on its cantilever, but i'd need to learn more about it.

doug s.
Quote from: Nick B on February 13, 2020, 11:58:31 AM
Thanks for the links. It's amazing what's available on eBay. This device is nearly identical to what I used on my Linn LP12

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Analogis-Clean-Cleaner-Vinyl-Records-Record-Cleaning/163642194914?epid=1302834068&hash=item2619d5bbe2:g:EwAAAOSwNuxXasir

Doug, it was so many years ago, but did play the records quietly. That's about all I remember. I've still got my Nitty Gritty, but doubt it can come close to the performance of an ultrasonic cleaner.