Garrard 301/401 owners club!

Well SB we will need a picture or 3 now aren't we.
Hi totem,

I'm not really into photography, actually I'm kind of a Luddite but I'm working on some pics. It appears that there's some sort of 'handshake' issue between my iMac and my camera. I've tried several suggestions from some camera savvy folks, but nothing yet. I'll probably have to buy new or have the old clunker repaired. I'll post some pics as soon as I get it worked out.:D

Cheers,
SB
 
Is a heavy slate or layered birch plinth preferred for a 301? I have a temporary light weight box one I'll use for testing and tuning up but would like something nice when it is finished. Any suggestions?
If it matters I'll be using a SME 3012 arm with a SPU cartridge.
 
401 in sapele wood plinth with Analogue Instruments arm
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Schedule 1 grease 301. Bought a strobe but no plinth. I don't have an arm mounted on any of my tables right now :(

Garrard 301 grease 2.jpg
 
VERY nice... I have my 301 Schedule 1 Grey Grease bearing table at Jim Campbell's in Pennsylvania right now for rebuild and 3" thick slate plinth... 2 armboards, EMT 997 Banana arm and Shick 12" . Can't wait to get it back!
 
VERY nice... I have my 301 Schedule 1 Grey Grease bearing table at Jim Campbell's in Pennsylvania right now for rebuild and 3" thick slate plinth... 2 armboards, EMT 997 Banana arm and Shick 12" . Can't wait to get it back!

Nice early 301! Jim does great work. Post some photos when you get it back.
 
A strange state for a vinyl lover to be in, but still 'armless fun'.

Yes it is strange. I'm changing arms, and cartridges and somehow ended up disabling both tables. I do have a Thorens TD-135 I've recently got going that works well for now. It will be OK until I get things together on the 301 and TD-124 again next month.
 
Strangely, I was going to suggest that you set one aside with a fixed tonearm. I'm in that situation now, with my vinyl listening limited to an Elac Miracord 750III into a SS amp, because none of my other tables (301 and 401, and a TD-135 with a 12" arm) are hooked up to the tube amps I prefer.
 
VERY nice... I have my 301 Schedule 1 Grey Grease bearing table at Jim Campbell's in Pennsylvania right now for rebuild and 3" thick slate plinth... 2 armboards, EMT 997 Banana arm and Shick 12" . Can't wait to get it back!

Who makes the slate plinth you are going with? I'd love to get a slate plinth for my 401.
 
Thank you. It seems to run very quiet and keeps speed well. Looking for a plinth that takes a 12" arm is not as easy of a pick as the TD-124 was.

I built my own wood layered plinth, really not a difficult task. I've been wanting to do a slate plinth for a while...it's at the bottom end of a very long project list unfortunately.
 
SME Limited Acquire the Garrard Audio Brand

1st May 2018 – Steyning, England – SME, the British engineering and specialist Hi-Fi company, has acquired the rights to the Garrard audio brand from IGB Gradiente S.A. of Brazil. A British brand synonymous with the design and manufacture of class-leading Hi-Fi products throughout the 1950’s, 60’s, 70’s and early 80’s, including the iconic 301 and 401 transcription turntables, Garrard is a much-admired audio brand whose products are eagerly sought out and traded worldwide.

Commenting on the acquisition, Stuart McNeilis, CEO of SME, said, “It is with great pleasure that we can announce the acquisition of the Garrard audio brand. Responsible for true icons of vinyl reproduction with the 301 and 401 turntables, in many ways, Garrard’s legacy mirrors SME’s, with precision engineering, design and manufacturing, based in the UK. Many of these great turntables were paired with SME tonearms and there has always been a natural synergy between the two company’s products. As an iconic British brand, Garrard deserves to be enjoyed by a new generation of audiophiles.”

To support owners of existing Garrard idler drive turntables, SME has also acquired Loricraft Audio, the only authorised Garrard service agent. Responsible in many ways for keeping the Garrard legacy alive, Terry O’Sullivan, Managing Director of Loricraft, and his team has serviced and rebuilt Garrard products since 1997, along with manufacturing support products, including its renowned range of vinyl record cleaning machines. “With years of experience and expert knowledge that will be crucial as SME develops the Garrard audio brand, the acquisition of Loricraft Audio was essential, as it enables the continued ability to service and maintain existing products.” added McNeilis. “We are delighted that Terry and his team will join the SME family and bring their vast experience with them.”

There will be further announcements regarding the development of the Garrard audio brand in the near future. For the time being, Loricraft Audio, now supported by SME, will continue offering its re-build and repair service for Garrard 301’s and 401’s, along with the supply of its accessories and record cleaning machines, from its facility in West Berkshire, England.
 
Strategic combo Loricraft and the Garrard name, as to adding it to SME "family" they apparently have a business
plan in mind and I wish them success.
Ballsy move IMO.
 
I'm in the market for a 301 is one model better than the other? is there one's to stay away from? I've found one that has a 60hz pulley but a 50hz platter.
 
That happened a lot. Few if any 301s sold by British Industries Corp. in the USA had strobe platters, and in any case BIC stopped importing the 301 after 1961 or thereabouts. After that, most in the USA who wanted a 301, and later a 401, would order them from dealers in the UK and fit a 60Hz motor pulley to it. The 301 and 401 were always dual voltage models so the motor easily could be converted to either 220-240V or 110-120V. But the 50Hz strobe platter could not be changed over without getting a new 60Hz platter from Garrard.

I'd ignore the 50Hz strobe and use a strobe disc.

I will also let others argue grease vs. oil bearing.
 
I will also let others argue grease vs. oil bearing.

I'll pass on getting involved in that debate also.
As to fist generation or second we know which one your likely to come across more frequently.
 
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