My ritual for EVERY record I play (short version concentrating on the static question).....
I mute the preamp (using the remote control) and ground myself to the chassis. Then I first touch the table. Regardless of whether I am wearing any static-generating clothing or not, the last thing I do before moving the cartridge into position over the lead-in grooves of the record, I hold a new model Audioquest carbon fiber brush lightly against the surface of the spinning vinyl. Then unmute the preamp and slowly / carefully lower the stylus onto the lead-in section of the groove.
After the record has been played, I mute the preamp and ground myself to the chassis before touching anything on the table.
I mute the preamp (using the remote control) and ground myself to the chassis. Then I first touch the table. Regardless of whether I am wearing any static-generating clothing or not, the last thing I do before moving the cartridge into position over the lead-in grooves of the record, I hold a new model Audioquest carbon fiber brush lightly against the surface of the spinning vinyl. Then unmute the preamp and slowly / carefully lower the stylus onto the lead-in section of the groove.
After the record has been played, I mute the preamp and ground myself to the chassis before touching anything on the table.