Beechwoods' Goldring Lenco GL-75

[Beechwoods]

Some time ago I posted a thread asking for recommendations for a good budget turntable and the almost immediate and unanimous response was to find a Golding Lenco GL-75 rim-drive, and to put some effort into replinthing it, and improving / replacing the tonearm.

It seemed like a fun project and not long after I got hold of a (perhaps slightly overpriced) turntable off eBay for slightly shy of £50. A week or so later it arrived.

My plan is to post irregular updates for my own amusement as much as anything, and to invite thoughts ideas and assistance along the way. Having 2 kids under 3, a 9-5 and a wife who doesn't wish to become an audio-widow it's going to take some time, but that's OK, because it's better to go slow and get right, than rush and repeat

So here's 'Day 1' : The Bare Bones.

[Beechwoods]

Since these pictures were taken I've assembled the stock tonearm, and now am thinking about powering it up. Which brings me onto my first question: do the motors on these things take 240v AC directly, or do I need a step-down transformer? The notes on the top of the motor wiring assembly suggest 240v in is OK, but I figure the wires look old so should be replaced anyway...

PS. Hope folks like my temporary plinth. £3 from the local hardware store

[Prince of Darkness]

You will have no problem running direct from 240V mains.

Your temporary plinth is probably better than the original.

[Cotlake]

Yep, it's 240v. See the 50~ symbol. You also have the metal idler wheel which is apparently favoured over the later plastic wheel although Technical & General (spares suppliers) challenge that generally held view.
All the moving parts look unworn. I think you should be OK.

Keep us informed. If I can help, remember I'm only 15 minutes away

[Beechwoods]

Thanks Greg, and Kevin. I was pleased that it seemed to be in pretty good shape. It spins really nicely, no noise when I spin it, and all the mechanics move smoothly. The rubber V joint on the tonearm looks slightly saggy so looks to have had it's day. I'm inclined to give it a go until I get as far as considering a new tonearm. It has no cartridge at the moment anyway.

So next job is replace the mains wiring and fire it up. The real test will be seeing it it runs true to speed... Lenco Lovers has strobe cards so I'm looking forward to trying that out

[Cotlake]

Running to speed will be no problem. Using a strobe disc, if you do find it is out, and mains supply variation will effect this, you can remove the stepped plate for speed selection and convert it to a variable speed slider. Basically you change it from fixed speed position selection into a variable option using the control arm to select exactly correct speed. Like the Garrard decks, this may need tweaking according to the time of day and the local power demand on your mains at the time. Solution is probably a regulated power supply but my experience with my 401 is these don't seem to work too well for various reasons and the occasional manual adjustment is no big deal. You'll find the significant time to make adjustment is when Eastenders finishes when everyone puts the kettle on. What does that say about the UK?

[Beechwoods]

So is the speed determined by a factor of voltage and frequency rather than frequency alone? I guess that voltage could affect the torque developed, but I flunked 'A' level physics!

[Primalsea]

You'll find the significant time to make adjustment is when Eastenders finishes when everyone puts the kettle on. What does that say about the UK?

Today at around 1:30pm the mains was 246V @ 2.5% THD, a few minutes later it had risen to 247V.

I don't think there was anything on telly to account for that, I can only imagine what its like during prime time telly.

[Cotlake]

Prime time telly.......exactly!

The new BBC 'Britain from above' or whatever it is called put that all in perspective. Watch it and learn

[Primalsea]

Yeah, whats happened to the BBC. They came under fire a while ago and actually started to make some interesting TV but that has seemed to have ended.

More often than not they seem to get it wrong. Remember the BBC's advert with the giant flying head made up of smaller heads that would detach and then reform again with the large one. That was fairly disturbing and it got many complaints.

Anyway, probably the best thing you can do with the Lenco is to strip it down and throughly clean and oil it.