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Being somewhat immobilised at the moment, I'm not able to run down to the nearest music store and buy... Also, none of the girls in the house would know what the hell to ask for... :-)So, can anyone suggest a concoction that can be whipped together in the kitched for cleaning a stylus?
I have the Audio Technica Ultrasonic Cleaner but the fluid is now finished and, with AT no longer represented in South Africa, am not able to source more.. :-(
My guess is a starting point of something like iso-propyl alcohol, although I would not want anything that might dissolve the adhesive used to mount the stylus on the cantilever. :-(
So, any tips from anyone with personal experience of making-up a solution AND using it with good results, would be greatly appreciated.
Follow Ups:
I believe the best styus cleaning method all depends on how it's used and how often, there are any number of valid approaches as you've seen from all the responses none are THE WAY !I like both the Zen Dust, the Magic Eraser and the Linn recommended
3M green sandpaper they all work quite well and are very convienent so they're likely to be used with considerably greater frequency, which is the most important aspect of all, you don't want to let your stylus become coated with crud and riding on a big ball of lint before cleaning it.For examining the stylus microscopically a quality liquid cleaner is very helpful, for regular cleaning a liquid is not necessary and can in fact be problematic as the liquid can under certain circumstances convect up a hollow cantilever and gum up the suspension or in some instances get into the cartridge itself.
Some people simply use a camels hair brush for regular cleaning like before each side then use one of the other methods on a daily basis or every so many hours.
One thing ios for certain clean vinyl makes stylus maint. easier.
with nice clean dust free vinyl your stylus is coming in contact with a lot less grunge and crud.Good luck getting back on your feet,
absolutely CLEAN thanks to my Loricraft RCM.
As soon as I get my hands on $2K that isn't needed for superfluous stuff like shelter food or medical, the Loricraft is the first place
it goes !
Anyone who spends much time on the VA is likely aware that I'm quite obsessive about record cleaning and from everything I've read coupled with my own personal experience,I don't believe any other
type of RCM even comes close, except the Monk's which is simply a Loricraft dressed for dinner ;-)
i have several 10 year+ old cartrides in perfect condition that have never seen any fluid. They are cleaned with a brush before each play.No build up and I inspect them under a high powered stereo microscope.
Do a search here, you'll find many dozens of satisfied users since I first described it over a year ago. That and a dry brush are the only things ever to touch my styli, except a bit of vinyl from time to time.
__________
"Do not meddle in the affairs of wizards, for they are subtle and quick to anger." - JRRT
I've looked in cleaning sections of grocery stores.
It is generally available in NYC. In virtually every supermarket I frequent and even in CVS and Rite-aid stores. You might enquire of the store manager if you cannot find it.If all else fails you may order it online.
Link below
- http://www.drugstore.com/templates/brand/default.asp?brand=29357&aid=333158&aparam=mr._clean_magic_eraser (Open in New Window)
Just bought one from OSH, a hardware store by me.
I use the RRL stylus cleaner, LP#9 Stylus Cleaner, and then follow it up with LAST Stylast, stylus preservative.This regimen is quite effective. I sold my Benz H20 to an audiophile jeweler in NYC and he said that the stylus looked brand new under his microscope. The stylus still had its original-like polish and the diamond's shape and condition was crisp. He was just checking it for un-even wear and discovered instead that there was no visible wear!
The Benz had roughly 300-500 hours on it, yet it was in nearly new condition. The guy thought he was getting a good deal on a cartridge he could use for a few months and then trade it in for a new one. Instead, he was ecstatic to receive a cartridge that was nearly perfect for $500!
I think this speaks in volumes as to what great products LAST and RRL are!
I just use the Stylast Preservative before each side of an LP. Keeps the stylus nice and clean.
Henry
Need to be careful with that. You really shouldn't use it as a cleaner. If there's dust on it, it tends to turn it to muck and not necessarily clean it off.I use Stylast for every side of a record also, but I clean it first.
Cheers!
Henry
nt
I seem to remember John Elison saying he used just the Stylast Preservative as well. Works for me.
Henry
YMMV, I guess :-)
Guess so. I do have a soft camel hair brush I use to brush dust bunnies and dog hair off the stylus. D.J. is about the furriest critter I ever had. Sheds like you wouldn't believe for a 25-pound furball.
Henry
I use distilled water
Tubes forever
Can you get the Mr. Clean Magic Eraser in SA? It's a microfiber cleaning pad, looks like a white sponge. Cut off a small chunk, glue it on a stick of some type (q-tip stick works) and dip the stylus into the material. Just dip in and out, don't drag. Works great and no fluid needed.
For one tense moment there, I misread the post...Your monikker (Laudanum) is an opiate and, for a moment, I thought you were suggesting the use of a heavily-controlled substance... :-)
Seriously, many thanks for the tip - I'll have to scrounge around and see if I can find any Mr Clean Magic Eraser (or local equivalent) in the shops (once I get mobile again...)
I would neevr advocate the use of my moniker or any other opiate ... without, of course, a legal prescription from a licensed medical practitioner ... :-)
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