Cleaning/restoring turntable in Fisher Executive--guidance appreciated!

[kristenss]

I lucked into a Fisher Executive console in great condition a few years ago. Everything on it works except the turntable, a Garrard Type A II. I got motivated this week to finally give the turntable some attention. It's now out of the console, motor exposed, and it clearly needs some cleaning and love. I'm completely new to this: what should/shouldn't I use to clean it?

Thanks for the help. I'm eager to get this working!

 

[adnick]

Considerable amount of stuff has been written about that table. Here is an example: https://audiokarma.org/forums/index.php?threads/garrard-type-a-ii.581771/

Recommend doing a search for info and then I’d probably pm one or more of the individuals with history refurbishing that Garrard.

Just refurbished a Model Ta myself, any original items like the tonearm was put in a box and labeled so it could be restored back if so desired.

 

[little-al]

No knock on Audio Karma and the turntable sub-forum and prior posts here (which will themselves be very helpful), but I'd actually recommend going over to vinylengine.com and ask for guidance in their Garrard sub-forum.

The Vinyl Engine site is dedicated to turntables, and has a focused community that is very helpful with everything turntables and vinyl.

I've received a lot of assistance in their Garrard sub-forum when I was rehabilitating my SL95B.

Good luck!

 

[Tim D]

How about some pics of the Executive?

 

[Astolat]

If the issues are purely age related you could refresh the turntable yourself. Take your time and assemble the oils, grease and minimal tools with the service manual from vinyl engine. You likely wont have to take much apart if you just want it to work right. Anyway. I feel if I can do it, you can.

 

[Tim D]

I've cleaned and lubed lotsa Dual's. Can't imagine that unit is anything more challenging, but who knows?

 

[kristenss]

Many thanks, all, for the help. I love the sound this generates, and I'm eager to listen to my grandfather's jazz LPs on it. Plus, it's a beautiful piece of furniture--my favorite piece, in fact. I've lugged this to two different apartments and three different houses over the years (sometimes to my husband's chagrin, because it is *heavy*).

 

[Astolat]

Many thanks, all, for the help. I love the sound this generates, and I'm eager to listen to my grandfather's jazz LPs on it. Plus, it's a beautiful piece of furniture--my favorite piece, in fact. I've lugged this to two different apartments and three different houses over the years (sometimes to my husband's chagrin, because it is *heavy*).

 

[KentTeffeteller]

Fisher's worth the two or more strong person lift to move. As it was said, "If You Can Lift It, You'll Love It". I with several physical challenges, was part of the 2 strong man lift to move my 1966 Custom Electra console. Fisher's worth it. I have really enjoyed my console, and I am so happy you are.

 

[ukfan4sure!]

Man, that is gorgeous!

 

[larryderouin]

Gorgeous looking Modern Executive. It's either a '63 Model 950 Executive VIII or a '64 Model 960 Executive IX. Best looking of the Model. The '63 Executive has a 10000 series 800c in it which is slightly different than the '64 and later (20000 series and higher) 800c. Different enough that it has it's own Service manual. Suggest strongly that you download it (after verifying the serial # is between 10001-19999) print it out and store it for future use should the 800c need work done.

http://www.fisherconsoles.com/service manuals/FISHER EXECUTIVE VIII 950 SM.pdf

Otherwise, if the serial is above 20001 it's a 64. and the higher #'ed Service manuals will all work. Better to get the S.M. with yours in it's serial range.

Mine's a '63 Italian Provincial.

 

[gadget73]

Mostly its a matter of taking it apart, cleaning the petrified grease out, and applying a bit of fresh grease. The trick is that it only fits together one way. Take lots of pics as you go and be careful of flying clips. I've done two A's and several other models. Never really had a step by step process other than figuring out what parts were stuck and working out how to peel back the layers to get to it. The idler wheel could probably use a refurb too. They get hard and noisy. Sometimes you can chuck it in a drill and lightly sand the outside if its not too bad but if its got deep cracks you need a re-tread.


Alcohol will usually clean the old lube out. If it absolutely will not, mineral spirits should. If nothing else works, acetone will get it but thats likely to damage paint and plastic so be careful. Silicone or lithium grease for the grease bits, and sewing machine oil for the oiled stuff should get it done. Lube things sparingly, it needs just a light wipe or a few drops.

 

[larryderouin]

Fisher's worth the two or more strong person lift to move. As it was said, "If You Can Lift It, You'll Love It". I with several physical challenges, was part of the 2 strong man lift to move my 1966 Custom Electra console. Fisher's worth it. I have really enjoyed my console, and I am so happy you are.

ROFLMAO! That's the only thing I DON'T LiKE about mine. It's too Dang heavy!!!! All up (with 800c, Ampex R2R, Type "A"MKII, and speakers it goes close to 300#. Need a Hand Truck to get underneath it and lift up one end to slide a furniture Dolly under it. And my back ain't what it used to be 10 years ago, either. My cardiologist would have a massive stroke if he even heard of me moving an Executive around. LOL! I think the MCM is about 20# lighter than the Italian Provincial. Not that it matters much. I now get some of the young'uns down at the firehouse to move my big stuff. (MONGO LIKE MOVING STUFF!).

 

[larryderouin]

91% Isopropyl alcohol (or even Anhydrous Alcohol (talk to your pharmacist)) for cleaning with LOTS of Q-TIPS! Go to Ace Hardware and get some White Lithium Grease in a tube (NOT the spray stuff!) and a bottle of Zoom Turbine Oil. You don't need a lot of lube on them. a small acid proof brush can be used to spread the lithium grease (the brush is fairly stiff and used in plumbing to apply acid core flux for soldering). And the Oil has a long spout tube for getting into those hard to reach places.

The idler wheel can be cleaned with HOT WATER and "DAWN". Let it soak in the Dawn solution for about 10 minutes, scrub it with a greenie (nylon scrubbie), and rinse with HOT water. Handle the wheel assy by the center metal with a paper towel. Don't get fingers on the rubber. The skin oils will make it slip. Clean the inside of the platter the same way, but go lightly on the scrubbie and don't soak the platter. Wipe the perimeter with a clean dry paper towel and finish it off with a hair dryer. DO NOT TOUCH the INSIDE SURFACE NOW. Clean the motor spindle with a cotton ball soaked in alcohol (turn on the motor and push the cotton ball into the side of the spindle. Do this a couple times or until the cotton ball comes back clean (use a new one every time after you see dirt on the ball). Assemble without touching wheel perimeter or inside of platter with fingers (nitrile gloves work very well).