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Wakefield Turntables
06-06-2019, 08:49
Hi, guys do any of you have a mint 401 platter? Could I ask a favour? Could you Please post a picture so I can examine it for my 401 resto project.

Many thanks

A

Roy S
06-06-2019, 09:17
This do you?

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190606/4638c7e993f74a61fdd06f40723227a0.jpg

Wakefield Turntables
06-06-2019, 09:57
That's great, how would you describe the outer, darker part? Matt black? Also, do you know if the whole of the platter was the same colour or two tone like yours?

mikeyb
06-06-2019, 10:10
Maybe dark gray ( gunmetal ?) then wire wool to rub down the central part to blend it to that lighter colour?

Looking at others photos on the net most seem to have that shading towards the middle.

Wakefield Turntables
06-06-2019, 10:16
Maybe dark gray ( gunmetal ?) then wire wool to rub down the central part to blend it to that lighter colour?

Looking at others photos on the net most seem to have that shading towards the middle.

i agree with you, I've done a couple of hours searching on the net and all you see is the two-tone variety

Roy S
06-06-2019, 10:33
That's great, how would you describe the outer, darker part? Matt black? Also, do you know if the whole of the platter was the same colour or two tone like yours?

Yes, definitely matt & it all looks original to me.

Primalsea
06-06-2019, 11:25
Mine is the same. As far as I can tell it looks like before final finishing the edge of the platter was sprayed. The two tone looks like overspray from not masking the top of the platter. Once sprayed the platter was turned to bring out the strobe indicators and the top edge of the rim.

Alex_UK
06-06-2019, 11:32
Mine isn’t as blackhttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190606/6aea768179e535eaaeb37dd1b74eca66.jpg


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Andy831
06-06-2019, 12:35
Mine looks pretty much identical to Roy S

DiveDeepDog
06-06-2019, 15:33
They're very dark brown/black rather than grey/black, the 301 does look black.

Same as anything, the painting did change, I've an early 401 which is smooth, almost 301 enamel, I've had later 401's with fine textured finish.

Wakefield Turntables
06-06-2019, 17:26
A bit more digging reveals that very very early 401's had a complete mat black top. Mine looks like Roy's. I'm in a quandary. Do I leave the platter "as is", or respray outer section mat black and clean up the inner section as bare metal?

Wakefield Turntables
06-06-2019, 17:26
Forgot to say thanks for all the help lads.

A.Grail
30-09-2019, 21:37
The very first push button 401's are all black topped, the very last 301's (Black plate 78ishK+ have all black tops and 401 mats that sit within the rim of the platter.)
Perhaps the platters were ready before the rollout of the 401 or there was a crossover period where Garrard were building up the last 301's whilst launching the 401.
Overall the 401 platter is a better casting, probably better quality aluminum (From the HDA foundry, based in Slough) with clearer definition of the strobe markings. The design allows for the mat to sit 'within' the platter creates better damping and slightly lower VTA setting requirements.

Wakefield Turntables
01-10-2019, 07:29
The very first push button 401's are all black topped, the very last 301's (Black plate 78ishK+ have all black tops and 401 mats that sit within the rim of the platter.)
Perhaps the platters were ready before the rollout of the 401 or there was a crossover period where Garrard were building up the last 301's whilst launching the 401.
Overall the 401 platter is a better casting, probably better quality aluminum (From the HDA foundry, based in Slough) with clearer definition of the strobe markings. The design allows for the mat to sit 'within' the platter creates better damping and slightly lower VTA setting requirements.

As always Matt, excellent post. Thanks. My 401 is still sitting at Martin's house waiting for the plinth.

Andy831
01-10-2019, 08:26
My 401 is a chrome strobe with raised chrome Garrard logo.

Having looked again my platter is much more like Alex UK's platter.

Having had a closer look the platter appears to be matt black between the raised strobe markings, and the two tone effect under the rubber mat is probabaly just the effect of over spray, ie Garrard never intended the top to be painted just the sides but inevitably some paint ended up on the top too. That's certainly what it looks like on my platter, so my guess is it was never an intentional two tone effect.

Sherwood
01-10-2019, 08:32
The very first push button 401's are all black topped, the very last 301's (Black plate 78ishK+ have all black tops and 401 mats that sit within the rim of the platter.)
Perhaps the platters were ready before the rollout of the 401 or there was a crossover period where Garrard were building up the last 301's whilst launching the 401.
Overall the 401 platter is a better casting, probably better quality aluminum (From the HDA foundry, based in Slough) with clearer definition of the strobe markings. The design allows for the mat to sit 'within' the platter creates better damping and slightly lower VTA setting requirements.

A bit like priest's socks then? :scratch: