Garrard 301- rocket scientific or a spinner for dummies?

Posted by: T38.45 on 04 November 2015

Folks,

just saw an Artisan Garrard 301 player in the web and now i'm in love ;-)

Now reading some points about Garrard (it is really that old )- so my question:
Is this a set&forget spinner or is there a lot of maintenance stuff to do (exchanging parts, oil, etc etc). I'm using a LP12 and the only thing I have to do is change the bearing oil and change the drive belt after years!

Thanks for you insides!

Ralf

Posted on: 04 November 2015 by Tony2011

As far as I'm aware the 301 if set up properly, just like the LP12, will be trouble free for a number of years, depending on usage, but will eventually need to be seviced. Not for the faint hearted though. It is a complex machine and parts are not as widely available as the Linn's. A good plinth is essential part of the secret of its success. Iconic deck with a huge following.

Posted on: 04 November 2015 by Richard Dane

The Garrard is fairly bomb-proof; which is fitting really when you consider that Garrard made the bomb release mechanisms for Lancaster bombers.

Just ensure it's properly lubricated and the idler parts kept clean - servicing is not beyond the whit of anyone who is reasonably methodical and can follow instructions. There's no spring setting, or careful dressing needed, or bounce setting, so in that regard it's quite straightforward. Be careful of the plating on the levers underneath though - they're plated in cadmium, which is poisonous. Most rebuilds re-plate in zinc, which is OK.

There are lots of parts available, either NOS, or remanufactured, sometimes to an even higher quality than before. You can even have an entire chassis milled from solid alloy - stronger and stiffer than original.

Posted on: 04 November 2015 by The Strat (Fender)

Great sounding TT.

Posted on: 04 November 2015 by T38.45

Wow- thanks for feedback!