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Stylus Brushes

fegs

pfm Member
I'm looking to buy a stylus brush
I'm guessing they are much of a muchness?
Or are there ones to recommend or avoid?
Thanks
 
I have one of these for a quick dust off:

https://www.analogueseduction.net/p...ct-clean-it-carbon-stylus-cleaning-brush.html

But I guess all the little black carbon fibre ones are much of a muchness, as they look pretty identical.

I also use something like:

https://www.analogueseduction.net/stylus-cleaners/vinyl-passion-dust-buster-stylus-cleaner.html

For a quick dab every few LPs, which works well with getting other gunk off.

I don't have RCM, as my collection does not really warrant it, but have a 'Spin-It' type cleaner, and Hunt EDA record brush (probably about 40 years old).
 
We used squirrel hair brushes for various purposes in Oxford Chemistry.
They make lovely stylus brushes.
If I have a spare one you’re welcome to it.
 
51017682037_24a101e42e_b.jpg


For actual cleaning there is nothing better than a Audio Technica AT637 IMHO. Can’t recommend it highly enough, though they take some finding these days. For gentle removal of fluff etc any soft brush is fine if carefully used. I use a little white plastic one that I think came with a DL-103, but they are all much of a muchness and Martyn’s suggestion for a nice fine artist type brush is a very good one.

PS Don’t, whatever you do, fall for the 1980s Linn/BADA idiocy of using that green sandpaper crap. Utterly ridiculous as a) it doesn’t even touch the playing surface (sides) of the tip, and b) it is an abrasive FFS! I’m amazed anyone ever fell for this destructive process, but some people did. There are also coherent arguments emerging against the Onzow Zero Dust gel which appears to leave a sticky deposit on the tip. I’d suggest anyone who uses one has a good google around.
 
Indeed.

In other news: people who sell cartridges/styli want them to wear out quicker…

PS You can actually still buy it, I just googled ‘Linn green stuff’!
 
God I remember the green stuff, Linn!! I think I actually used it once.
I Second use of artists brush, great for gentle dusting .
my last AT cleaner died of old age must hunt down another as there getting scarce and pricey.
Or maybe save up for the £200+ cartridge pre warmer, no kidding they exist.
 
I use the Audio Technica fluid in the little bottle with brush in the cap, it lasts about a century, well I’m on my 2nd bottle in about 40 years

I have some of that for my AT637, which I’ve had forever and is still about 3/4 full. Just a tiny drop on the vibrating pad before cueing onto it works a treat, though for reasons of pure OCD I’ve switched to the Nagaoka equivalent now I’m using an MP-500 (it has a bonded tip and I assume their formula is safe with their glue!).
 
I have some of that for my AT637, which I’ve had forever and is still about 3/4 full. Just a tiny drop on the vibrating pad before cueing onto it works a treat, though for reasons of pure OCD I’ve switched to the Nagaoka equivalent now I’m using an MP-500 (it has a bonded tip and I assume their formula is safe with their glue!).
I’ve read about it causing a stylus to come off or worries that it flows into the cart generator assembly but never had any probs, I do use it sparingly and infrequently, keeping records nice and clean must help reduce the gunge building up.
 
I'm still using the same little black carbon fibre brush that esteemed member @guey very kindly sent me over a decade ago when I asked a similar question. Thanks again Guey!
 
I’ve read about it causing a stylus to come off or worries that it flows into the cart generator assembly but never had any probs, I do use it sparingly and infrequently, keeping records nice and clean must help reduce the gunge building up.

I’ve never applied it directly to a stylus tip, only ever to the pad of the AT637 and only in a tiny quantity. I must have had the 637 for over 40 years now, I certainly had it back with my very first Lenco, and I’ve not had even the slightest issue with any cart (including an MP-11 Boron way back in the ‘80s that someone here managed to lose the tip from).
 
I've always used a truncated squirrel (?) haired artists' brush which allows for accurate positioning and a soft but dense clearing mass. I also have an AT 637 but my stylus rarely needs this (RCM records)
 
I used to use the AT637 for many years now moved on a couple of years ago to the DS Audio ST-50 it’s expensive so are styluses at £80, well worth it.

Regards,

Martin
 
It you are just looking to get fluff and general debris off, then I think this works better than the brush and Onzow devices.

https://www.sainsburys.co.uk/gol-ui/product/specialist-cleaners/flash-eraser-extra-power-x2

Just slice a bit of Magic Eraser off and lower the stylus up and down in to it (don't 'brush' back to front). If you don't like it then you've only spent £3 and clean all sorts of things with them instead.

I agree that the AT637 with a bit of fluid on it is great but it isn't available...Lyra SPT works fine though and I've found that a combination of cleaning techniques is better than relying on one. Hence alternating between Magic Eraser and Lyra SPT might be worth considering.
 


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