Heybrook 'TT2'

[Vinyl Grinder]

Bought this before the weekend.Be here tomorrow, what a state it's in! Need a lot of TLC to get A1..First things scrapping that Airpax AC motor for a DC jobbie.I suppose at £75 including postage i aint gonna sniff at it.Folk say they sound like 'Sondek's but i don't think so.(Hadcocks not included in)

[shane]

That's one of the early the steel chassis versions. Although it seems to be accepted that the later alloy chassis is an improvement, I'm not totally convinced. Mind you, it's at least 25 years since I compared the two. Only the first hundred or so had black platters because the finish of the first batch of platter castings wasn't all it should have been. What's the serial number?

The main thing to check is the condition of the spindle. It should be bright and clean, and there should be no discernible depression where it sits on the ball. The thrust bearing itself is a bog-standard 10mm steel ball which is unlikely to be worn. If it does show any sign of wear, simply take it out and put it back so that the spindle rests on a new area. The sides of the spindle are unlikely to be worn unless it's been run without oil for a very long time. The bearing area is so big that it should last for years without problems.

Heybrook can still provide belts, but I'd be surprised if they still had any major parts available. If it needs any major parts, I can put you in touch with the engineering company who did all the machining. There's nothing that couldn't be re-made by a decent engineering shop except for the platter, which was a bespoke casting for which I imagine the patterns have long since gone.

[Vinyl Grinder]

Hi Shane
I've no idea about what version it is or unit number till it arrives.

I was kinda hoping the suspension was gonna be this:



Was an impulsive purchase due to the reasonably asking price...

[shane]

The plinth, motor and armboard will look exactly like that, the chassis will not. Early TT2s had a simple cross-shaped chassis welded up from 2"x1" 1/8" wall steel tube that could have done service as an anchor for the Titanic. The later cast alloy chassis shown in your picture was supposed to be an all-round improvement but I'm not sure that it was really, and I know that Peter thinks it was a retrograde step sonically.
The truth is that the cast chassis represented a substantial investment, and once the patterns were made it was cheaper than the steel one so there was no going back. It was supposed to be lighter, more rigid, less resonant, more supportive of the arm-board and less agricultural-looking. It succeeded in the last aim. Not so sure about the rest!
If you ever get the chance to compare the two side-by-side, I'd be very interested to know the results!
When you get it, show us some pics.

[Vinyl Grinder]

Hi Shane

Yeh i know the other sub..I couldn't really make judgement over which as i'm not sure if the black paint on the platter is original or not being in such a state.

Heres the other one anyway.I'll report back when i get my mits on it:



Anyone got a pic of a TT1'?

[shane]

Anyone got a pic of a TT1'?

I'd be very surprised. There's no such thing!

[Vinyl Grinder]

I'd be very surprised. There's no such thing!

What i thought but seem to remember someone saying there was maybe one off!!...I also seem to remember an ex employee of Heybrook selling a stand for the 'TT2' that never went into production!He was an e-bay seller

[Marco]

The TT2 was a great deck - used to have one, but my oh my, Andre, that's a sad looking specimen...

You've got your work cut out with that one!

Marco.

[Vinyl Grinder]

The TT2 was a great deck - used to have one, but my oh my, Andre, that's a sad looking specimen...

You've got your work cut out with that one!

Marco.

When the master gets to work he's a genius..

Be a beauty when i get mi nice shiney Mayware on it..

[shane]

I also seem to remember an ex employee of Heybrook selling a stand for the 'TT2' that never went into production!He was an e-bay seller

That would be me...