GARRARD 401 - Restoration thread!!

[RobbieGong]

Sorted now Robbie, thanks for your help.

You're welcome, anytime

[Wakefield Turntables]

Superb job Andrew and an excellent, informative and very generous thread. It has inspired me to get a 401 out of the loft and have a go at it myself. I bought it from a junk shop in the early 80's on a piece of plywood with a Neat tonearm. It hasn't been spun since apart from a half hearted attempt a few years ago to oil it in the right places more for preservation that anything else. It spins now though... after all those years!

When I can work out how to post pictures I'll start a thread. Thank you!

Ah, that's pretty cool thanks, that's what the thread was about. Good luck with the resto.

[Wakefield Turntables]

The Garrard 401 (39432) Restoration Pt XI - 3 Years and now we see some more updates..........

I've been tweaking my Garrard 301, again! And so I needed a TT to play my Jazz on Sundays, the 401 fitted the bill. It has been a long time since I did any work on the 401 and this post and a few others will hopefully update this thread and detail how my system sounds. I own three systems and currently I'm listening to System 3 (see my signature to see what's in it). I'm using system 3 because my SME 3012 is going on holiday upto Scotland for some surgery. Surgery is needed because the cartridge pins in the tonearm are stuck which is really common on these old SME's and as a consequence we have lost a channel which in this instance is the right channel. The 401 has replaced the Heybrook TT2 which I own and think is one of the best spring suspension TT's ever devised, it's good, but not as good as the 401. I'll post more tomorrow and some pictures......

Stay tuned...

[Jimbo]

look forward to the pics and a continuation of this project Andy

[Wakefield Turntables]

Thanks Jim, no-one seems to be posting anything like this anymore. A bit sad really!!

[Jimbo]

Thanks Jim, no-one seems to be posting anything like this anymore. A bit sad really!!

It is a bit thin on the ground for posts like this, but this is not the only forum that has gone a bit quiet. I think the great heyday of audio forum participation and enthusiasm is waning. Lots of folk now fall into the following categories.

1. Create interesting content and participate enthusiastically in forum content.
2. Occasionally add a comment.
3. Lurk and very rarely contribute anything.

I feel that the majority of folk on forums are now in category 3.

Maybe most folk are either very happy where they are or couldn't be bothered?

[Wakefield Turntables]

It is a bit thin on the ground for posts like this, but this is not the only forum that has gone a bit quiet. I think the great heyday of audio forum participation and enthusiasm is waning. Lots of folk now fall into the following categories.

1. Create interesting content and participate enthusiastically in forum content.
2. Occasionally add a comment.
3. Lurk and very rarely contribute anything.

I feel that the majority of folk on forums are now in category 3.

Maybe most folk are either very happy where they are or couldn't be bothered?

I try to be option one but admit to being too tired most nights to make any decent contributions!

[Wakefield Turntables]

The Garrard 401 (39432) Restoration Pt XII - System 3

I have added a few more photo's so that people can see what System 3 looks like. So, here it is in all it's glory.



I really need to do more with the 401 as the Martin Bastin plinth is just sitting on top of the rack and not really being isolated from any of the vibration coming from any of the other components in the system. I do have some very thick Sorbothane in the garage, I'll be making some nice feet when I have a spare 30 minutes in the garage.



The above picture shows a couple of upgrades. Firstly JICO SAS/S stylus for the SC35C and secondly a Panzerholz SME tonearm mount I made for the SME V-12, it's a bit rough and ready but fits perfectly and no-one see's the rough edges!!!



Finally, not a very good shot but here's the JICO SAS/S fitted to the SC35C.

I have more things planned for this system so, as ever, stay tuned.....

[Jimbo]

Great photos and update Andy

[Wakefield Turntables]

Great photos and update Andy

I thank-you very much.