Garrard 301 restoration project

[Woodsong Audio]

Rexton, if you are thinking about valve damper rings on a stock Garrard bearing housing, 301, or 401, I suggest investing in a granite plate, a V-block long enough to support the spindle, a dial indicator that measures 'tenths', and some precision gauge pins that correspond with the bore of the Garrard bearing housing. Measure the spindle tolerances, and the housing design. The stock 301/401 bearings were engineered with longevity, AND ease of manufacturing in mind. At that, they excel. The experience of the brand shines through, in that respect. In terms of a great turntable bearing, the 301/401 bearing is a weak link. That bearing is a turd, aside from the fact that they last forever, abused even. Careful measurements will cut through the inaccurate words of parrots, and the 'intentioned', no matter who they are. Precision measurements and engineering formulae are fairly believable, assuming that a proper turntable bearing design does not call for a wobbly, changing axis.


There are some aftermarket bearings for the 301/ 401, that suck, but be careful in thinking that the stock 301/401 bearing is the best available bearing for these decks, as it is not.

I have measured many stock 301/401 bearings, seeing an average of between 0.005" - 0.008" of side to side 'play' in the spindle, measured dry, at the tip of the spindle, with a dial indicator on a granite plate. The spindles themselves are measurably not straight ( as are at least 3 examples of commercially available aftermarket bearing spindles which are equally poor, or even worse than the stock spindles) 0.005" - 0.008", as a tolerance, is much, much bigger than the engineering figures call for, for an 'ideal', audiophile bearing, with the rpm/ load/ weight / drag figures of a theoretical bearing such as the 301/401 bearing call for, with the suggested oil viscosity of SAE 30wt, and the size of it's molecular structure. This tolerance was engineered to allow for ease in production, longevity, and manufacturing inaccuracies therein, not, !, to enable a 'top level' audiophile bearing. The closer the tolerance, the more room for error.


Then, there is the question of what is the 'best' bushing material? Best for what? Longevity? or sound? or both?

I know that there is better, as it is sitting on my rack right now. I have heard it on numerous decks now.


I have heard it mentioned that, the 301/401 bearing 'does not (really) matter', as it is 'quieter' than the level of noise of the motor, which is one of the major considerations in the ultimate audiophile performance of the 301/401. What is missed in that proclamation, is that the bearing also is a path of transmission of motor noise, to the platter (through 'boundary condition' metal to metal contact between the spindle and the bushings). Mechanical idler wheel/platter noise, as well. A quiet bearing is great. A bearing that spins very, very true to it's axis, is great. One that achieves both, and also, filters/ diminishes transmission of mechanical noise to the platter from both the motor, and other mechanical sources of noise in the 301/401, through mechanical impedence 'filtering', is another step beyond in audiophile performance of the 301/401.