Garrard 301 barn find... do’s and don’t’s & Q&A

[biscuithead]

This isn’t actually a barn find, but it might as well be...

This guy has seen its better days:

I need a new switch lever, need to figure out how the dustbug base was glued on, need to figure out if the pulley is 60hz...
The mat is toasty-

So many questions... I’ve restored a dozen or so 50s tts so I know a bit, but is there anything that is specific to this that isn’t intuitive?

The list of goodies on this is pretty decent:

SME 3009 mk1
SME Headshell
ADC-1 cart

 

[bob06]

That SME is a series 1 which is pretty rare and worth a few bucks.

 

[cafe latte]

That is not a barn find, this is a barn find https://www.vinylengine.com/turntab...&t=34547&sid=0d8d56137dff056fa1f002f2026fb9a5

Yours just needs a little tlc and a good lube and you will have a lovely turntable.
Chris

 

[Grbluen]

Any chance we could get the backstory?
At any rate, Congrats!

 

[sol7]

I actually had the opportunity to buy one of those as a real barn find. Was in a horse stall. I passed because I didn't know at the time what it was....

 

[totem]

I was waiting for the confirmation of purchase thread, congratulations.

Regarding the arm there are some be carefull things like the cueing and removing the collar ring.

Can't tell do the acorn nuts have a slot in the top?

 

[Beobloke]

Watch the linkages. They’re cadmium plated so don’t lick them too much!

Other then that, the usual effort on the bearing and motor should see it spinning sweetly if it’s in good health - put it in a heavy plinth and enjoy.

 

[cafe latte]

I actually had the opportunity to buy one of those as a real barn find. Was in a horse stall. I passed because I didn't know at the time what it was....

I almost did the same with my Commonwealth. It was offered to me for free but I knew it was not a Garrard so I said no, then could not sleep thinking about it so I went back and it was still available so took it home and learned it was worth more than a Garrard! I will never sell it anyway so value is actually unimportant how it sounds is all that matters..
Chris

 

[biscuithead]

Any chance we could get the backstory?
At any rate, Congrats!

Thanks!
The backstory is this:
A couple years ago a friend of my mother in law was invited for thanksgiving, she got a tour of my two main listening rooms. Loved the decor and sound.
She was helping a friend of hers sell off her household for an overseas move... that led me to the first find, then produced a new contact that led me to this.
When I first contacted this person, they mentioned the name Garrard... I never dreamed it was this caliber... but I paid handsomely for it. Now begins the work.

 

[biscuithead]

I was waiting for the confirmation of purchase thread, congratulations.

Regarding the arm there are some be carefull things like the cueing and removing the collar ring.

Can't tell do the acorn nuts have a slot in the top?

Thanks!
The acorns do have slots.
Is this a series one feature?

 

[biscuithead]

Watch the linkages. They’re cadmium plated so don’t lick them too much!

Other then that, the usual effort on the bearing and motor should see it spinning sweetly if it’s in good health - put it in a heavy plinth and enjoy.

... but my favorite flavor is cadmium yellow
Who needs kidneys?

 

[biscuithead]

That SME is a series 1 which is pretty rare and worth a few bucks.

Is there a preferred source for bits n parts for these?
I see a dozen or so web sites, wondering if there is one with stricter tolerances , ie “better” parts?

 

[bob06]

Is there a preferred source for bits n parts for these?
I see a dozen or so web sites, wondering if there is one with stricter tolerances , ie “better” parts?

Not sure. You might have a hard time finding parts for the series 1. You don't see many of them and when you do they bring top dollar.

 

[maxhifi]

Just take it slow. It has the same dried out grease and issues as any other turntable it's age. Rubber renew from mg chemicals works wonders on the idler. Be aware that there are two transport screws for the motor, you can screw them in to work on the deck without having the motor flopping around on its suspension.

I sprayed the mat with an automotive product, which made it look a lot nicer. Mine was dried out too.

Well not mine, the customers... Not sure how I will be happy wirh my TD124 again once the 301 I fixed up goes home.. Never thought I'd say that about ANY turntable.

 

[maxhifi]

Is there a preferred source for bits n parts for these?
I see a dozen or so web sites, wondering if there is one with stricter tolerances , ie “better” parts?

Contact SME directly. They sent me new rubber parts for my series II 3012, maybe they can help you too. Their customer service is excellent.

 

[totem]

The acorns do have slots.
Is this a series one feature?

As rare as the series 1 is with one of the differences being the material the arm tubes are made of
there were even less made with the acorn nuts not having slots. These are referred to as prototypes
at least the ones I have seen.

Heads up the rear isolation coupling is not like later SME arms and will have to be worked around
regardless whether Alfred [SME] or Johnnie7 [Audio Origami] does the rebuild or others.

 

[Kosinki]

Wow nice condition for a barn find

 

[the_nines]

It looks in pretty good shape.

Congrats!

 

[UncleBingo]

Try naptha (lighter fluid) to remove the dust-bug mount. It shouldn't hurt the lacquer at all. Don't use alcohol or lacquer thinner or even that goo-gone stuff without testing it on an inconspicuous area first. If a q tip soaked with the solvent picks up any color, don't use that solvent.

 

[biscuithead]

Wow nice condition for a barn find

Well... it wasn’t actually a barn find. It was just stored, untouched for about 50 years.