Good record cleaning brushes

[Keith Anderson]

When I bought my TT I was also sold a carbon fibre brush that is supposed to help with static and obviously brush dust off the record. well I think it's crap...

it doesn't seem to do anything and actually looks like is shedding fibres onto the record. 

 

So now I'm looking for a good brush to brush the records before playback. 

 

Any recommendations

[Hergest]

The Audioquest carbon fibre brush is the best. The vast majority of the carbon fibre brushes available look almost exactly the same but they are not all created equally. Some are as stiff as a wire brush, some as soft as used toilet paper and some that shed fibres all over the place like a short haired dog at the end of winter. The Audioquest is none of these and is excellent.

 

I've had this one for so long i've worn the name off but with a flick of it before each use it works perfectly.

 

Edited May 20, 2013 by Hergest

[Guest yamaha_man]

This is very highly recommend.

Hunt EDA Carbon Fiber Brush by Music Hall.

Edited May 20, 2013 by yamaha_man

[metal beat]

YM, stay away from the Hunt part brush, part velvet.  I found it scratched the surface of the lp. Perhaps I pressed to hard?  It was binned quite quickly.

 

As Hergest has said, the audio quest is good, but imo it still really only collects the surface dust so you can flick it off to the side.

 

The only real way is too use a RCM, then you don't need the brush.    Takes lots of work thou to clean all those darn LP's. I don't think I will ever get there.

Edited May 20, 2013 by turntable

[Jake]

The Audioquest pictured and other anti-static brushes are not designed for removing dust. That is not part of their brief. If they do so then that is a bonus.

 

As Shane said, an RCM is the go.

[Guest yamaha_man]

Hmmm, I haven't had a problem thus far TT.

Will keep a look out, cheers.

[Hergest]

The Audioquest pictured and other anti-static brushes are not designed for removing dust. That is not part of their brief. If they do so then that is a bonus.

 

As Shane said, an RCM is the go.

They are designed for removing dust surely? In fact that's all they do. What have i been missing over the last 15 years or so?

[CraigC]

These work well too.

http://www.turntableneedles.com/Nostatic-Arm-Kit_p_1706.html

[Keith Anderson]

Well I definitely think the one I got was a short haired dog.

 

Yeah I know I probably should get a RCM but the cost of them is so expensive when I don't have a great number of LP's yet.

[soundfan]

A brush is a must have item IMO.

 

Even with a RCM, there's every chance that dust will fall on your vinyl at some stage between leaving it's plastic sleeve and being returned after a spin.

 

I'd much rather use a brush, than having the stylus pick it up while record plays, so use a brush before dropping stylus

 

Put a good light over your turntable, then you'll see dust on vinyl. 

 

This is what I use.

Edited May 20, 2013 by soundfan

[Hergest]

A brush is a must have item IMO.

 

Even with a RCM, there's every chance that dust will fall on your vinyl at some stage between leaving it's plastic sleeve and being returned after a spin.

 

I'd much rather use a brush, than having the stylus pick it up while record plays, so use a brush before dropping stylus

 

Put a good light over your turntable, then you'll see dust on vinyl. 

 

This is what I use.

Which one is that? I don't recognise it.

[soundfan]

Which one is that? I don't recognise it.

 

Not sure. It has no markings on it.

 

It seems like I've had it forever., but cannot remember where I got it.

[Hergest]

Not sure. It has no markings on it.

 

It seems like I've had it forever., but cannot remember where I got it.

 

 

I've still got the first one i ever bought back in 1977 or so. A piece of velvet wrapped around a rectangle of sponge with a plastic top where you hold it. There's 2 holes in the top where you were supposed to put anti static fluid to dampen the whole thing as when the cleaner was dry it would create so much static that when you tried to take the record off you could pull the platter out of the bearing or lift the turntable off the shelf    I've kept it for the memories as it's got beer stains and cigarette burns on it from my wild days.

Edited May 20, 2013 by Hergest

[andyr]

Well I definitely think the one I got was a short haired dog.

 

Yeah I know I probably should get a RCM but the cost of them is so expensive when I don't have a great number of LP's yet.

 

Then you have to live with the problem.

 

Plus, by not having "spotless" grooves, you are grinding the dust into the sides, each time you play.   And wearing out your stylus more than you could be.

 

 

Regards,

 

Andy

[soundfan]

Well I definitely think the one I got was a short haired dog.

 

Yeah I know I probably should get a RCM but the cost of them is so expensive when I don't have a great number of LP's yet.

You can buy an effective RCM for under 200 bucks. One of the best things you will ever invest in for the care of your vinyl.

Search the rcm threads.

[Keith Anderson]

I have one of the Spin Cleaners and my records are pretty clean, helps when most are new pressing but I have a couple of older ones that no matter how I try to clean them they are still like a packet of rice bubbles. but they are second hand and not the best condition, I just wanted a brush to wipe the records before play that wouldn't leave fibres everywhere like the crap on I have now.

 

Maybe one day I'll spend money on a vacuum cleaner but for now the spin clean doesn't do a bad job

[Krispy Audio]

People laugh at my brush, likening it to a lady's make-up applicator! I concur - but it gets the dust off and reduces static, and is ultra soft on the LP surface. 

 

[metal beat]

People laugh at my brush, likening it to a lady's make-up applicator! I concur - but it gets the dust off and reduces static, and is ultra soft on the LP surface. 

 

CP,  make sure you don't get it mixed up with your eyeliner  :nana

[Krispy Audio]