Garrard 86sb

kramer50

kramer50

New Member
I've just paid far too much for a GARRARD 86SB TT, with a view building a new plinth for it as a 'project'. I'm probably going to regret asking this, but have I made a terrible mistake? Have to admit the quirky retro styling appealed to me in the first instance rather than how it might sound...

One final question, can anyone identify the ancient looking cartridge and is it worth keeping.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=320414135252&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT

My current system is as follows

Goldring Excelda 1 Turntable
Rotel RCD-965BX CD player
Pure DRX-701 ES DAB tuner
Denon TU-260L II
Pioneer A-300R
Tannoy Mercury F1 Custom
 
Garrard 86sb tt

I have now received the above TT from EBAY and boy did I have some problems (I knew i'd paid too much)

1. Horrendous clattering from drive motor, however this is due to the detachment of the top section of the commutator. I reckon the glue that held them together just deteriorated with age. I have just reattached them (hopefully) with some araldite and now runs virtually silently

2. Belt loose as expected and have got a new one from ebay.

3. No lid, again managed to get one from ebay

By the way the cartridge is a Shure, an RS F8 i think, do you think it might might have been rebadged as a Realistic (radioshack / Tandy?) as I do not recognise the serial no for this "shure". Any good? or a suitable replacement?

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2559/3886418441_fb24e72471_o.jpg

First attempt at making a new plinth (to replace this one http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2527/3880171253_134a966625_o.jpg )is well under way and will probably be my "Mark 1", as it may not asthetically pleasing enough for my wife...
 
Hi all

Well my garrard plinth is finished. Very much a rough and ready, but solid construction. But listening to it now with a silly grin on my face (Elvis Costello - Get Happy... underrated lp in my opinion).

Think this plinth will have to be my first prototype as my wife is not going to be too impressed when she sees it!!

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2555/3905788517_d6b064d3e4_b.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2449/3905788321_50f004964c_b.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2662/3906568154_12d3c324a8_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3479/3905787833_2479e7bd15_b.jpg
 
Congratulations on the restoration! I don't think you did too badly deal-wise. The cartridge is a clone of the M75ED, a very respectable cartridge of the past that many folks think betters the new Shure. If you need a replacement stylus look for either the N75ED Type 2 or N75HE Type 2 stylus (hyperelliptical) at lpgear. Sometimes Type 2 is written as T2 and sometimes omitted, but in reality they are all type 2.
 
Garrard 86SB cartridge alignment

I would like to check the alignment of my cartridge. Is there an easy way, as I've just checked at vinylengine and the alignment templates all look slightly baffling to say the least. Any suggestions (clean ones) appreciated..
 
The Garrard 86SB is a quality belt driven deck. Note that it is the last deck that isn't crap! One only needs to set it up properly and slam in an Ortofon OM 10 or 20 cartridge. And oh... the sound... I have listened to classical music on this deck and got goosebumps time after time. It´s a QUIET deck and was built to last! The cartridges provided by Garrard were cheap and refitted with a Shure or even better cartridge by many soon enough.
 
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I can vouch for this model of Garrard deck. My Dad has owned one since new, the only thing we have done to it was replace the belt this year. Fantastically heavy platter, great documentation with it as well. Certainly built to last a lifetime.
 
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