I had one back in the early '70s and after getting back into vinyl a couple of years ago bought another. It made me remember how much I disliked the thing. In the winter when static is really bad you have to use it several times on each side. You can't be in a hurry because if you go too fast and hear that click you've done it wrong. I finally broke down and bought a Furutech Destat III and wish I'd done it originally. It cost about three times what the Zerostat does but it's so much more quick and easy. It takes batteries but they last quite awhile, and all you do is push the button and run it in a circular motion above the surface of the record one time per side. It has a built in fan but that isn't strong enough to blow off any dust so a brush is still needed. This is the most efficient way to handle static as far as I'm concerned and worth the cost.
I would nice to hear more vinyl care and cleaning tips, as well as, other hi-fi and accessories experience being shared. After all, music and hi-fi go hand in hand. One is almost meaningless without the other.
I still have my original one from the 80s. It's red. 1. That thing you called a "safety catch"? Mine's got a neon bulb in it, and it lights up when you squeeze the trigger to show you it's working. Remove it before using it on your record, obviously. 2. Since it makes static electricity, I don't feel comfortable using it on a record that's on my turntable. I hold the record, balancing the edge and label on my hand, as normal. 3. These are the instructions I remember getting with mine: Squeeze and release the trigger at 3 different spots on the record (think equilateral triangle), then point it at the center of the record and squeeze, then point it away from the record and release. Repeat for the other side. I usually use it before putting a record on the turntable, and then again after taking the record off the turntable, to get rid of the static that accumulated while playing the record.
I’m in a very dry area and while not the Milty Zerostat, I do have an anti static device for my records. It’s made such a difference many of my records sound brand new, opposed to the “G-VG” sound records can have without it.
Used for years. Great video man. I hold mine in hand and do 4 times at 12, 3, 6, and 9 o’clock. Wipe first and Zero Stat last thing. Finger on the spindle to collect any residual. Just me. I’m wierd like that.
That was really helpful, Phil, as I was wondering about the efficacy of that gadget. I recently replaced my turntable's felt mat with a black leather/suede mat and instantly noticed an improvement in sound quality (barely any clicks). Nevertheless, I'm now tempted to get trigger-happy with the Zerostat 3 but it's wildly inflated price in New Zealand (around $170) makes it a luxury purchase. I wonder if it also works on static cling and bad hair days : P
the first USA mass-market static gun was a milty, the brand name , "zerostat" a red gun. At one time there was a small shrouded tester bulb that fit on the end of the gun and provided a visual display of the generated charge, to check the discharge. Or you could just zap your finger, easily not as much fun.
My experience - wet cleaning after buying and carbon brush + stylus brush before playing and result is no statics. IMHO no need for zerostat, much too expensive, but as always, to each his own.
I had a Zero Stat gun back in in 1970s and early 1980's I had the Discwasher pad with the wood handle also. I stopped listening to Vinyl in 1988. Sold the Thorens turntable and all my Vinyl. I've never looked back.
Hi Phil - again thanks for the review. Very interesting. I've read a heap of reviews on the product and to be honest they are , as you would expect - varied. Some people swear by it. some people think its a waste of time !! Way to expensive for me to try, that's for sure. Take care. Cya Doug
Been there done that, got the t-shirt, and got rid of all my vinyl :-) but before CD's my dad had a zero stat worked great... glad to see they are still going... I agree its essential for vinyl listening, but for me I'll stick with lossless rips of my CD's Any reviews of the new Hawkwind remaster coming soon?
also a sugar cube sc-1 or higher model can solve many noise issues, that you may get even after great cleanings and and anti static devices (unfortunately, $1500 and up depending on what model you want) i don't believe you ever are going to eliminate all undesirable noise on some lps nature of the beast to a degree
i think it helps but not a cureall i still get some pops and clicks even on brand new records and records that have been cleaned with ultrasonic and vacuum machine and zerostat milty
Been using mine for years. Every new record gets the Milty treatment. These are used in many photolabs. Good stuff, Phil.
I can confirm the effectiveness of the Milty. I use it on every record before play.
I had one back in the early '70s and after getting back into vinyl a couple of years ago bought another. It made me remember how much I disliked the thing. In the winter when static is really bad you have to use it several times on each side. You can't be in a hurry because if you go too fast and hear that click you've done it wrong. I finally broke down and bought a Furutech Destat III and wish I'd done it originally. It cost about three times what the Zerostat does but it's so much more quick and easy. It takes batteries but they last quite awhile, and all you do is push the button and run it in a circular motion above the surface of the record one time per side. It has a built in fan but that isn't strong enough to blow off any dust so a brush is still needed. This is the most efficient way to handle static as far as I'm concerned and worth the cost.
A lot of my vinyl is from the '70s and looks like someone's been using it to chop coke out tbh. It's part of the charm😁
I would nice to hear more vinyl care and cleaning tips, as well as, other hi-fi and accessories experience being shared. After all, music and hi-fi go hand in hand. One is almost meaningless without the other.
I still have my original one from the 80s. It's red.
1. That thing you called a "safety catch"? Mine's got a neon bulb in it, and it lights up when you squeeze the trigger to show you it's working. Remove it before using it on your record, obviously.
2. Since it makes static electricity, I don't feel comfortable using it on a record that's on my turntable. I hold the record, balancing the edge and label on my hand, as normal.
3. These are the instructions I remember getting with mine: Squeeze and release the trigger at 3 different spots on the record (think equilateral triangle), then point it at the center of the record and squeeze, then point it away from the record and release. Repeat for the other side.
I usually use it before putting a record on the turntable, and then again after taking the record off the turntable, to get rid of the static that accumulated while playing the record.
It works brilliantly.
I’m in a very dry area and while not the Milty Zerostat, I do have an anti static device for my records. It’s made such a difference many of my records sound brand new, opposed to the “G-VG” sound records can have without it.
Used for years. Great video man. I hold mine in hand and do 4 times at 12, 3, 6, and 9 o’clock. Wipe first and Zero Stat last thing. Finger on the spindle to collect any residual. Just me. I’m wierd like that.
That was really helpful, Phil, as I was wondering about the efficacy of that gadget. I recently replaced my turntable's felt mat with a black leather/suede mat and instantly noticed an improvement in sound quality (barely any clicks). Nevertheless, I'm now tempted to get trigger-happy with the Zerostat 3 but it's wildly inflated price in New Zealand (around $170) makes it a luxury purchase. I wonder if it also works on static cling and bad hair days : P
Hi, make one static gun with a piezoelectric gas lighter. Really simple and very effective!
It definitely works I couldn’t do without it
I always wondered about those things .. a mate had one years and years ago …
Bout time I gave one a go ..
Hope your weekend is going well ..👍
had one in the 1970s. It was smaller and white. They were common back then
Wow ! Never heard of this before now. Thanks Phil and good day from the U.S.A.
the first USA mass-market static gun was a milty, the brand name , "zerostat" a red gun. At one time there was a small shrouded tester bulb that fit on the end of the gun and provided a visual display of the generated charge, to check the discharge. Or you could just zap your finger, easily not as much fun.
Yes I always use one . Thanks sincerely. 🎉🎉🎉
My experience - wet cleaning after buying and carbon brush + stylus brush before playing and result is no statics. IMHO no need for zerostat, much too expensive, but as always, to each his own.
I had a Zero Stat gun back in in 1970s and early 1980's I had the Discwasher pad with the wood handle also. I stopped listening to Vinyl in 1988. Sold the Thorens turntable and all my Vinyl. I've never looked back.
He’ll fire I had one of the original ones, shit I’m getting old 🙄
Amazing. Thanks😃👍
I can’t believe it, but I’m gonna have to buy one 😢
Hi Phil - again thanks for the review. Very interesting. I've read a heap of reviews on the product and to be honest they are , as you would expect - varied. Some people swear by it. some people think its a waste of time !! Way to expensive for me to try, that's for sure. Take care. Cya Doug
Been there done that, got the t-shirt, and got rid of all my vinyl :-)
but before CD's my dad had a zero stat worked great... glad to see they are still going... I agree its essential for vinyl listening, but for me I'll stick with lossless rips of my CD's
Any reviews of the new Hawkwind remaster coming soon?
Yes - it’s on my list !
Which Hawkwind?
I wet clean every record that comes in. That takes care of the static as well.
I had one in the 70s, not sure it worked then and still not sure it works now 🤣🤣🤣
It looks like the kind of thing K-Tel used to produce in the 1970s. But this actually works!
Strange but true… yes !
Always use this on all new records I get as think the manufacturing and distribution must charge them up with static.
What is strange, is that it was only on Side 4 🤔
Interesting. Will have to look at this seriously. I wonder though how you know if you've reached the 50,000 uses and it's no longer effective?
Very good question!
@@beerticker1260 it stops working so the audible benefits cease.
also a sugar cube sc-1 or higher model can solve many noise issues, that you may get even after great cleanings and and anti static devices (unfortunately, $1500 and up depending on what model you want) i don't believe you ever are going to eliminate all undesirable noise on some lps nature of the beast to a degree
I didn't think it worked well vs a quick wet clean-- no comparison - a dehumidifier works better too.
I've always been tempted, but I've always thought it was overpriced for what it is... The price has always put me off
its a mysterious device
furetech destat lll is a similar device that is suppose to work better than milty, but it costs $350-$400 i aspire to get one someday
I've had one for a few years and worth every penny, have had 2 Zerostats, they are OK, but the Furtech is much better.
Great gadget ........ don't go holding any banks up now Phil 🏦😉
i think it helps but not a cureall i still get some pops and clicks even on brand new records and records that have been cleaned with ultrasonic and vacuum machine and zerostat milty
I’m curious as to why it sat in your garage for 2 years before you used it?
I doubted it would work!
LOL, I bet you wished you’d tried it sooner now?
Sure do !
I’d get one but I’m not a fan of guns. Strict no firearm policy in my home.