Abstract: A protective device for pivotable attachment to the cartridge or pickup arm of a record player so that, when lowered onto a moving record disc, the record will pivot the device from a guard position in which it hangs below the stylus to a playing position in which it is clear of the stylus. The device may comprise a contact brush which projects downward in the guard position, a cleaning brush which trails behind the stylus in the playing position, and a wiping brush which wipes the stylus when the pickup arm is raised from the record. The brushes may be conductive, and may be of carbon fibers, with arrangements for electrical connection to earth or ground through mounting means on the cartridge or pickup arm. Various means for acoustic damping are described. A method of making a brush assembly for the device is described, utilizing ultrasonic welding of pieces of plastics material to form a body.