The Truth About the Zerostat Anti-Static Gun

Placebo? Snake oil? Gimmick? Waste of money? Are any of the things true? The Zerostat anti-static gun has been around for decades. Have we been being fooled all along? Today I reveal the answer.

Written & Produced by Rick Coste

[jimburke]

I have a Zerostat Anti-Static Gun from the 1970's and is is red with a metal trigger. The gun was sold with a Discwasher brand and has extensive directions on the back of the box. It says it should take about 2 seconds to squeeze in, pause 2 seconds and release taking about 2 seconds. It says to do it as many times as it takes and that the last release should be aimed away from the record. It also states the distance should be between 10 and 20 inches and record should not "earthed". It still works. I almost forgot I had this until I saw your video.

[MarkWentsel]

I have a red one that must be at least 25 years old. The instructions say to point the gun at three different points (like a triangle) approx 12" away. Squeeze and release at these 3 points and then point at the center and squeeze, then remove the gun to release. I like what you showed with the tpilet paper test which I will try myself. Great job!

[russellewandowski]

I am now using the Furutech Destat III. I used to have one like yours and wore it out over time. The Destat III runs on 4 AA size batteries. Eventually I'd like to upgrade to the anti-static device from DS Audio. Now that's class!! Check it out.

[russelhaxby]

Mine is probably 40 years old, but there was a 20 year gap in there when it wasn't used.
I do 3 squeezes, with the record on the turntable. 10, 2, and 6 o'clock, release the third squeeze pointing away.
I use a similar technique with a rechargeable candle lighter. That works, too.
Anti-static poly sleeves help a lot to keep static levels down.

[shaunhourston-wells]

Hi Rick. I'm a new subscriber to your channel and was so pleased to see this video on the Milty Anti-Stat.

I have one identical to yours and have had it for years. I'd always used it when the LP was on the platter, so there's mistake no.1! I also had no idea I had to point it away from the record when releasing the trigger for the final time!

Anyway, thanks for an excellent video and for educating me on how to use my wee blue gun properly!

[knockshinnoch]

Great channel- no nonsense, straight talking jargon free and loads of practical advice.
My dad bought an anti- static gun back in 1977, unfortunately my little cousin broke it while using it as a Star Trek phaser.

[marcstull]

Thank you for this video! I still have 1 that came with my "Disc Washer" kit in the 70s

[JonKentplus]

Great instructions, so few of those. Used one for years and so glad I have it. You can use it to remove/reduce static in other items, not just records, which I've found useful

[jgilvey]

So as its get colder in the NE my heat's been coming on with its attendant static issues leading me to research the Zerostat. I wind up on this video and was dumbfounded. Wait, the Evolution Talk guy? WHOA! Very happy to have found a vinyl channel with your brains behind it. And my new Zerostat is working wonderfully used as you describe (with no help from the non-existent "manual").

[palopalkovic]

I bought this zerostat 3... I just Thank you very much for this video 🙏👍 I can't wait to try it

[superbmediacontentcreator]

That was great for those that ever got that far. I have an original red ZeroStat set with a wooden-backed dust brush and wooden base. It's worked for over 40 years. If you wear a cheap ground strap it increases the effect too.

[tmengay]

Rick, thank you for this video and the recommendation. Living in the Cleveland, Ohio area, with cold winters and furnaces constantly running, static is huge issue. I was about to give up on vinyl because I couldn't get it under control with my anti-static brush. I purchased the ZeroStat and followed your directions (and you were correct, ZeroStat doesn't supply them!), and the problem was knocked out!! A thousand thanks!!!

[sezles]

I have 2 zerostats. I found the best way to use it is as you state fire it 4 times. However, I divide the record into 4 quarters and fire it at each quarter in turn. Been working for me for around 30 years that way.

[MyCroWave]

Recommendation: Use zerostat on your turntable mat and platter too

[StormInMindMusicClear]

Thank you very much for the explanations!

I’ve been using it for about 10 years and I hadn’t seen anything practical!

[fidelios_frequency]

Just found your channel because I was given Zerostat as a gift and wanted to know more about how to use it. Thanks for the informative video. I’ll take your suggestions when I first use my Zerostat.

[robk]

I have owned mine for 40+ years and it works great. Thanks for the refresher.

[nigelsilverthorn]

Absolutely agree this works though I lost mine years ago, I need another! One thing, if you use a brush after the zerostat it can put static back on your vinyl, I think some brushes claim to be anti-static generating but you'd need to check. The toilet roll experiment looks perfect to check. Always best to play with little or no static, also argue to close the deck lid if you have one as that's the time dust will be attracted as well as helping to isolate the playback from the sound pressure. All simple logic. PS, without the properties of crystals we would not have watches (remember the quartz watch revolution?), smart phones, computers....pretty much any modern electronics, they all use crystals as their base clocks.

[VinylRescue]

I bought one of these back in 1982 and wore it out. It was originally red and it did come with instructions back then. Your procedures are about spot on. The instructions, as I remember them, are the fourth and last trigger squeeze you're supposed to aim at the middle of the record take it a few inches away slowly pull away, and then point away while releasing the trigger. Why? I really couldn't tell you as that was too many years ago! 🤣🤣 I now have the same blue one you have and it works fine.

[dimensionsofmusicD]

I've used one for years. It definitely helps. I recently purchased a Degritter mkll that not only quiets the vinyl remarkably well but a secondary bonus is the vinyl is resistant to static effects. Happy listening 🎶