Garrard 301 restoration project

[Jimbo]

I'm interested on how you experimented the effects of feedback through the stylus . Can you explain how you did it, or give me a call if you don't fancy doing a load of typing.

Ahh, yes I was explaining that the other day to Brian. I will give you a call sometime over the weekend and let you know. Its VERY unconventional.

[Wakefield Turntables]

Can’t wait.

[Wakefield Turntables]

Tonight's Update - The Garrard Project Pt XXXI - 18 Adult Rated!!!

The 301/3012 combo have a combined age of over 110 and have given me pleasure (and quite a bit of frustration) over the last 10 years. The 3012 is knocking on a bit and has from time to time lost a channel, I think I may have finally found the culprit. It looks like it could be the 4-pin cartridge connection at the end of the tonearm. The connector has 4 spring loaded pins which are pressed down when a cartridge is screwed and locked into place. It looks like one of my springs has failed on the pin with the pin being in a permanently depressed position and hence no connection. So, I'm on the hunt for a new one. It's a quick call to SME tomorrow to see if they might have one, if not then it's a case of hunting one down second hand or buying the expensive version from AudioSilente . I've also noticed the the Yoke on the 3012 has a slightly bent anti-bias column so I've managed to source of the older longer versions and finally I've bought some new coupling rubbers as the counterweight appears to sag a little. Hopefully these little tweaks will keep the 3012 going for many years to come.


As ever stay tuned.....

[Wakefield Turntables]

Tonight's Update - The Garrard Project Pt XXXII - Nearing the end....

I've finally managed to get my finger out of my backside and got on the phone to SME, £104 spent and I now have a proper SME 3012 cartridge bayonet to fit into the end of the 3012 tonearm and hopefully cure the intermittent loss of the right channel once and for all. The 3012 should be performing really well as it's had several new components including a new Yoke and coupling rubbers for the counter weight and now a new bayonet connector. The Silver Meister II SPU has also been retipped with a FGS profile diamond so things should sound pretty bloody good. Too bad I'm going to Spain for a week. Most likely all my spare parts will be delivered and waiting when I get back.

Now the 301 may recieve another 2nd arm and a new plinth, I'm undecided. I do have a very very special valve MM phonostage on delivery should the deal go through and it's something which I've always wanted to have in the 301 system and that's a phonostage just for MI/MM carts, and also be used for MONO duties. The Rek-o-Kut equalizer III will also get some usage for older 78 and MONO recordings as I get them. More on the new MM phonostage later, with some pictures. For the time being my 401 is being pressed into action and I'm enjoying that with some other kit.

Stay tuned....

[Jimbo]

Excited to hear and see the valve phono stage.

[Wakefield Turntables]

Excited to hear and see the valve phono stage.

It needs to arrive and then be in working order! I'll not know for another week.

[Barry]

Glad to hear SME were able to help with the bayonet connector, though £104 seems a lot to charge. But that's SME for you.

[Wakefield Turntables]

What's the alternative? You can always buy one from ebay and then run the gauntlet of it not working and then you could always look for a scrap 3009 or 3012 and then pay silly money for that and possibly not working as well. £104 is very steep but it's hopefully piece of mind. That's the problem with running vintage kit.

[brian2957]

Enjoy your holiday mate

[Wakefield Turntables]

Enjoy your holiday mate

Thanks!