PDA

View Full Version : Lenco GL75



Tom-Brown
19-11-2015, 21:20
Well!! after owning my new 401 for a couple of months I'm an idler convert - so much so I've just picked up a Lenco GL75 - I pick it up on Saturday :) :) what do I need to check and what would you recommend me do to it?? It's a runner apart from the tone arm which is not a major problem :) :)

walpurgis
19-11-2015, 21:49
Well I'm just refurbishing and customising a GL75. It's on my blog and more or less starts here: http://theartofsound.net/forum/showthread.php?38292-Whatever-Next/page8

The main things to look at if you want to keep it standard are the arm 'V' bearings, idler rim condition and idler bearing, main bearing, motor and taper spindle and platter underside. It's all pretty easy if you use a bit of common sense.

Lots of info on Lenco Heaven site.

Tom-Brown
19-11-2015, 22:50
Cheers Geoff, very interesting thread - lots of photo's.... I'm thinking of "pimping" it full service, respray etc I'll know more when I lay my hands on it - cost me peanuts so room to manoeuvre :) :)

walpurgis
19-11-2015, 23:01
I seem to have accumulated about three and a half GL75s in various conditions and an incomplete GL68 in the last month or two Graham. So I may end up with some spare parts if you need some. Mind you, they are plentiful on eBay and so far, reasonably cheap. That won't last though. The Lencos are going through a big phase of renewed popularity at the moment and I reckon prices will zoom soon.

I don't think most people realise the sound potential of these turntables. The GL75 is basically similar mechanically to the G88 and G99 transcription units (which I've owned) and properly set up those sound as good as the idler Garrards (which I've also owned). In other words, the GL75 (and GL78) are capable of competing with the best!!

Tom-Brown
19-11-2015, 23:14
That's what I heard, even now there are some pretty ordinary 75's on ebay for the wrong side of £200!! Knowing me - I'll end up keeping it when I've given it some tlc :) :)

walpurgis
19-11-2015, 23:35
The Leak badged versions seem to sell for marginally less and are every bit as worthwhile. Some Goodmans and Dynatron music centres have GL75 or GL78 units installed and can often be bought at sensible prices. The lack of a plinth is not a problem, as unless radically modified, the standard item is not great at all and best replaced. As I'll be doing with mine.

walpurgis
19-11-2015, 23:39
That's what I heard, even now there are some pretty ordinary 75's on ebay for the wrong side of £200!! Knowing me - I'll end up keeping it when I've given it some tlc :) :)

The Linn Basic LV-V will fit easily into the standard arm hole with a bit of sleeving and give correct geometry. This arm may be available cheaply, but is actually pretty capable and should not be understimated. With a rigid headshell fitted, it can handle very good MC cartridges.

struth
19-11-2015, 23:39
The Leak badged versions seem to sell for marginally less and are every bit as worthwhile. Some Goodmans and Dynatron music centres have GL75 or GL78 units installed and can often be bought at sensible prices. The lack of a plinth is not a problem, as unless radically modified, the standard item is not great at all and best replaced. As I'll be doing with mine.

mine came out of a dynatron.... alas it got ruined but thats another story :doh: Geoff's one is coming on and shows what can be done.

Tom-Brown
20-11-2015, 00:12
The Linn Basic LV-V will fit easily into the standard arm hole with a bit of sleeving and give correct geometry. This arm may be available cheaply, but is actually pretty capable and should not be understimated. With a rigid headshell fitted, it can handle very good MC cartridges.

Got my eye on a nice rega rb200 at the mo - thought that might fit straight on - quite fancy the bonus of being able to swap headshell's out for various cart's :)

walpurgis
20-11-2015, 00:32
Got my eye on a nice rega rb200 at the mo - thought that might fit straight on - quite fancy the bonus of being able to swap headshell's out for various cart's :)

Don't buy an RB200 under any circumstances. Most of these are on their last legs and all are doomed. The anti skate mechanism is controlled by a small toothed belt which perishes and is no longer available as a spare part. The arm is not that well made in any case. The LV-V is a considerably superior option which also offers removable SME fit headshells (I suspect you may have had the LV-X in mind). Look on eBay and you will regularly see RB200 arms offered as needing attention because of the knackered and non available belt.

drSM
20-11-2015, 05:27
Don't buy an RB200 under any circumstances. Most of these are on their last legs and all are doomed. The anti skate mechanism is controlled by a small toothed belt which perishes and is no longer available as a spare part. The arm is not that well made in any case. The LV-V is a considerably superior option which also offers removable SME fit headshells (I suspect you may have had the LV-X in mind). Look on eBay and you will regularly see RB200 arms offered as needing attention because of the knackered and non available belt.

Hi Geoff
I have an ancient Rega planar2 with original arm.
Is that an RB200 on it ? ( actully an Acos Lustre or something). S Shaped, and yes the the anti skate is buggered.
oops sorry for going off topic here !

Jimbo
20-11-2015, 08:35
Hi Graham,

I have acquired a Lenco GL75 this year and serviced it in Standard condition with no modifications and I am extremely impressed with its performance even with an AT95E cartridge fitted.
Personally I would just service the one you have and change the V blocks to the Desmo V blocks and set it up carefully with a good cartridge and take a listen before chopping it up.

You may be surprised how good it sounds in stock form:)

Gazjam
20-11-2015, 10:12
Graham,
If you havent already get yourself over to Lencoheaven
http://www.lencoheaven.net/

All things Lenco and all you'll ever need.


Well!! after owning my new 401 for a couple of months I'm an idler convert - so much so I've just picked up a Lenco GL75 - I pick it up on Saturday :) :) what do I need to check and what would you recommend me do to it?? It's a runner apart from the tone arm which is not a major problem :) :)

walpurgis
20-11-2015, 10:49
Hi Geoff
I have an ancient Rega planar2 with original arm.
Is that an RB200 on it ? ( actully an Acos Lustre or something). S Shaped, and yes the the anti skate is buggered.
oops sorry for going off topic here !

Yes. That will be the one. Generally it can be regarded as scrap once the belt fails. There are one or two clever souls who have repaired these with cord or been lucky enough to source a compatible belt from another source.

walpurgis
20-11-2015, 10:53
You may be surprised how good it sounds in stock form:)

That's true. Unmodified, the GL75 can produce a fine sound. In my opinion, the arm headshell is the main limiting factor. It's a bit thin and resonant, but there are ways of doing something about that.

montesquieu
20-11-2015, 11:49
That's true. Unmodified, the GL75 can produce a fine sound. In my opinion, the arm headshell is the main limiting factor. It's a bit thin and resonant, but there are ways of doing something about that.

Actually getting really good results on mine with a plastic Sony headshell.

Jimbo
20-11-2015, 12:32
Actually getting really good results on mine with a plastic Sony headshell.

Tom, Is there a headshell which will do a better job on the Lenco GL75 arm which will fit using the standard electrical pin /screwthread arrangement?

montesquieu
20-11-2015, 13:00
Tom, Is there a headshell which will do a better job on the Lenco GL75 arm which will fit using the standard electrical pin /screwthread arrangement?



I got this with the deck, it came from a Sony-branded Lenco, it's actually not hugely lighter than the Lenco one, quite substantial and the benefit is it's easier to get the cartridge aligned properly, I had the Dr Freickert on this and it aligns perfectly (hard to do with the standard shell unless by chance).

Cartridge is a B&O SP1 which is a bit of a marvel actually, one of the earliest stereo cartridges from 1958 it has more of the feel of an SPU about it than your regular modern MM. Low compliance too which goes well with the overall setup (it's something like 10g on its own).

http://i1181.photobucket.com/albums/x440/montesquieu61/sony-lenco_zpslsyrzv38.jpg

Tom-Brown
20-11-2015, 18:59
Cheers Guy's, loads of sound advice!!! I'll post some pic's up when I have it :) :)

Tom-Brown
21-11-2015, 13:29
Finally got to collect the GL75 today so here are a few pic's in it's initial condition :) It's not run for some time, but I plugged it in and the motor spins up fine and the speed adjuster seems to work fine although I can hear a slight "hum"/"rumble" on all speeds?? The arm lifter works well but the arm is all over the place and is very stiff when you try to move it over to the play position?? Apart from that it looks to be in great condition....
http://i992.photobucket.com/albums/af42/tombrowntracker/Mobile%20Uploads/2015-11/20151121_121901_zpsfxapall1.jpg
http://i992.photobucket.com/albums/af42/tombrowntracker/Mobile%20Uploads/2015-11/20151121_121911_zps5z0b3a9s.jpg
http://i992.photobucket.com/albums/af42/tombrowntracker/Mobile%20Uploads/2015-11/20151121_121921_zpsqgwwmhyu.jpg
http://i992.photobucket.com/albums/af42/tombrowntracker/Mobile%20Uploads/2015-11/20151121_121927_zps11gzebbp.jpg
http://i992.photobucket.com/albums/af42/tombrowntracker/Mobile%20Uploads/2015-11/20151121_122744_zpscoukh5ko.jpg
http://i992.photobucket.com/albums/af42/tombrowntracker/Mobile%20Uploads/2015-11/20151121_122758_zpsi4ay4kh0.jpg
http://i992.photobucket.com/albums/af42/tombrowntracker/Mobile%20Uploads/2015-11/20151121_122830_zps4hivzeto.jpg
http://i992.photobucket.com/albums/af42/tombrowntracker/Mobile%20Uploads/2015-11/20151121_123018_zps8ul0rqtc.jpg
http://i992.photobucket.com/albums/af42/tombrowntracker/Mobile%20Uploads/2015-11/20151121_123022_zps5xmjr3xt.jpg

Sorry about the pic's, but I'm getting excited about giving this a proper strip down :) :) :)

mido
21-11-2015, 13:45
Looks good!

It looks like the two red transit screws are still tightened, this could be the source of the hum/rumble you are experiencing. Try loosening these or removing them completely, the motor should hang loose.

Frank

Firebottle
21-11-2015, 13:51
Hi Graham, no probs about getting exited but you do have a couple of bits missing from the arm :(

There doesn't seem to be a bias weight, the plastic clip / spiral wire bias arm and the small vertical tracking weight.

Good project though :)

Tom-Brown
21-11-2015, 14:34
Hi Graham, no probs about getting exited but you do have a couple of bits missing from the arm :(

There doesn't seem to be a bias weight, the plastic clip / spiral wire bias arm and the small vertical tracking weight.

Good project though :)

Yes, I see that - but my main concern with the arm is that it is very "stiff" when trying to move it in the normal tracking arc ??

struth
21-11-2015, 14:40
Ive got an arm out in shed if you need one. Think its all there.

walpurgis
21-11-2015, 15:19
Give the arm a strip down and check the bearings. You should find info/diagrams on Lenco Heaven site.

Tom-Brown
21-11-2015, 15:59
Ive got an arm out in shed if you need one. Think its all there.

Cheers Grant - I'll keep that in mind :)