Garrard 301 restoration project

[DarrenHW]

Looking forward to seeing this progress.

[Wakefield Turntables]

Interesting experiment tonight. I borrowed a stethoscope from a friend just to see if I could hear any noise through the plinth and also through the decks chasis. Low and behind I could hear a low "rumbling" noise through the chasis which was minimised further when I listened through the plinth. I suspect that the bearing or motor are causing these effects. I therefore think a further examination of the deck by Dr. Bastin is in order. I intend to get the deck's new PSU working first and listen to its effects, then it's going to Dr. Bastin. I don't think that there is much more I can do on the deck apart from decoupling the motor and mounting the Tonearm on a seperate arm pod.

[Wakefield Turntables]

More listening through my Stethoscope but this time with and without the Michell clamp. I honestly don't think I can hear any difference between using and not using the clamp through either the deck chasis or through the plinth? I wonder if a record weight would help? It would also be interesting to compare slate plinth against birch ply!!

[Wakefield Turntables]

I've been messing around with the voltage supply to the 301 via my P10 regenerator and I'm pleased to say that the P10 set to 230V, 50hz, heavily regulated seems to generate further benefits. Bass has suddenly developed a more tuneful extension, piano decay and leading edge of notes seem a better defined. Brush work on drums seems a little crisper. Soundstage seems to have developed more cohesion. I understand that voltage values vary with values being quoted bewteen 190 to 230 making a big difference, I guess it's a case of suck it and see really. Oh dear, lots of experimentation needed! Next step is to decouple the motor. This IS something that I have to get round to doing in January. I've only been going to do it for the last year!!!!

[Wakefield Turntables]

Another day another mod! This time I decided to finally remove the Eddy current brake. A lot has been said about the eddy current adding additional vibration into the platter by transmitting vibration up the shaft up into the 50/60hz pulley. This is a modification which is as old as the hills and has been verified as given an additional improvement to the decks performance in fact it's a standard mod that Martin Bastin performs when he's hot rodding these decks. The entire mod take approx 5-10 minutes. Firstly platter is removed to reveal the pulley, the eddy brake and the eddy brake disc.

DSCN2105.jpg

The pulley is held on the main spindle by two small grub screws which need removing and carefully putting to one side. They spindle should look like this when the pulley is removed.

DSCN2106.jpg

It should now be possible to push the eddy brake to one side. The eddy brake disc slides off the spindle but is kept in place by the black idler wheel, this can very carfully be pushed to one side once the spring attached to the idler wheel housing bracket has been detatched. Once the eddy disc brake is removed the spring is attached back to the idler wheel housing and the idler wheel can be re-aligned to the pulley on the spindle.

DSCN2108.jpg

The idler wheel needs careful re-alignment making sure that it's outer edge articulates with the 33/45/78 rpm surfaces of the pulley. The above picture shows the finished job and the Idler wheel being re-aligned for 33rpm usage. The final picture (below) shows the completed job and the eddy current disc.

DSCN2109.jpg

So how does it sound? Well I'm afraid I don't know!! I've had a busy day and the valve amps not fully warmed up. I'll want a proper listen to the system when I'm less tired and have chance to fully evaluate what I hear over several records.

[Wakefield Turntables]

So it's nearly 2016 and what's going to happen to the 301? Well I have a few further upgrades planned.

1. A 401 bearing. Widely touted as being of much better construction than the standard 301 bearing. I think that current after market bearing are far too expensive and not as well made as the original Garrard bearings. This will be completely stripped down, rebuilt, re-polished and cleaned with an ultrasonic cleaner.

2. The motor will be de-coupled. The motor will be housed in a purpose built cradle which will be couple to the plinth. Much attention to detail will be taken to minimise the
transmission of vibration back into the plinth. This will probably be the last mod I make as I'm still researching the best way to do this.

3. New Tonearm cable for the SME 3012. This will be a SPD-4 Yannis Tome jobbie, the same as on my 1210. My current Nordost TYR is a very very good match for the SME 3012 and the 301 but I fancy a change and would like a complete "loom" of Yannis Tome cables as the IC's are of Yannis Tome construction.

4. I'll probably end up building a Nigel's Speed Controller. I'd like to see what effects this has over the 301. This will allow for greater experimentation with lower voltages and additionally will allow me to fine tune speed control. I'd also like to add a decently screened heavy duty power cable into the motor, this is something I can't do at the moment due to the excess weight of the cable dragging down on the motor suspension springs.

I don't think I can do any more to the 301 apart from cross bracing the 301 chassis and this is something that I'm about to do.

[Wakefield Turntables]

Garrard 401 bearing now purchased. Now awaiting delivery and then it's a complete restrip, rebuild, ultrasonic clean and then reoil. Old parts will be replaced for new where needed and old parts retained whenever possible. Pix to follow when the thing arrives!

[Wakefield Turntables]

The development of the 301 is now gathering pace. Laser Tachometer has been ordered to assess current platter speed and I may finally have a PSU that I'm happy with. Additional developments in the next few weeks will be assessment of the 401 bearing and assessment of a new idler wheel. I'm contemplating ordering a new Idler wheel and then that way I should have new idler bearing and minimal chance of idler wheel warpage.

[Tim]

If I was ever going to have a vintage TT the 301 would be it, I sold my 401 to Nathan who to be honest gave it the love it deserved

Good thread.

[Wakefield Turntables]

If I was ever going to have a vintage TT the 301 would be it, I sold my 401 to Nathan who to be honest gave it the love it deserved

Good thread.

You really do need to read around the 301 to learn how to restore them. I've been at 2-3 years and only feel like I'm finally getting to the end. I'm putting in a big final push to try and finish it off. I'd like to try and finalise this deck before end of 2016 so I can move onto something else. I fancy either a Lenco or Thorens after this one.