Garrard 401 Restoration

[Clive]

Point taken Dave. Would it also be fair to say that 401's at the end of their production run were probably the least well put together examples?

My 301 had a single owner before me. I stripped the motor, lubricated it, did the same with the main bearing, installed a new spark suppressor and that's it, that's my "restoration". Just a service really.

[DSJR]

Would it also be fair to say that 401's at the end of their production run were probably the least well put together examples?

To be honest and to be fair to Garrard, I suspect that "set-up" was probably more to do with it - setting the supply wires to the motor so the suspension worked better etc. The motors did seem to vibrate though and whether this was the prime cause of the motor "hum" that came through I don't know. Apparently, setting the eddy current disc on the motor shaft was important too.


What all you 301 and 401 owners need to complete the set is a decent condition Garrard chiming clock - they're fantastic and built like solid outhouses. I'll take some pics of a couple of mine, both in use (but not chiming )

[Clive]

What all you 301 and 401 owners need to complete the set is a decent condition Garrard chiming clock - they're fantastic and built like solid outhouses. I'll take some pics of a couple of mine, both in use (but not chiming )

I've only gone as far as a Garrard stylus gauge. The clock will be interesting to see! Instead of chiming does it rumble?

[DSJR]

No!!!

They had an interesting history from 1930 to the early fifties and only packed it in because of the cheaper German clocks (well made, reliable but cheaper to make) that flooded the post war market (Now where have I heard similar stories before?). Smiths did a "Ford Focus" with their chiming movements too, having thin, pressed wheels and "chime-work," fine fragile pivots but retaining 2mm brass plates. The result was a very reliable, low torque gear-train needing less power to make it work and stopping running when clogged with goo. Garrards though, tend to power their way through all obstructions, run dry and the pivots can wear as a result, but they're lovely examples of heavy-duty engineering..

You can see where my Aspergic tendancies also go, can't you. I wish I could strip out, clean and rebuild a clock movement as well as I used to be able to with auto-change mechs and cassette decks

[goraman]

The Garrard 401 came in two production runs, one run the timing light was flat the other run it stuck up some. Dose anyone know what run was the early production ?
The one in the picture is the one that sticks up.
And is one better than the other?
I have a good friend that wants an early production G401.

[gortnipper]

Flush mount strobe was early production. Supposedly they are the best of all Garrards. But I have a late 301 and a mid-production 401 - and they are both awesome!

See here for a thread on how to date a 401.

[goraman]

Flush mount strobe was early production. Supposedly they are the best of all Garrards. But I have a late 301 and a mid-production 401 - and they are both awesome!

See here for a thread on how to date a 401.

Thank you so much,My friend has a line on a very early one 1965.
These 401's are hard to find in the U.S. and to get a first run in near mint is even harder but I'm pretty sure his search is over.