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Garrard Model 50 ? Any good?

Noborigama

Noborigama

PioneerJunkie AudioAddict
I have an opportunity to buy a Garrard model 50 record changer for $15, good deal? Sound any good on this model, I believe it has an idler wheel. I have no idea about the cart on it yet. I am waiting to hear back from the owner.
 
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Generally, I find that Garrard turntables and changers haven't weathered the years well. It's not unusual for the table to require 4-6 hours of serious hard work by an experienced tech to restore it to decent operation.

The villain is the lubricants. Garrard used this amber colored petrolium-based grease, and over the years it turns to "bubble gum." Often, it gets so sticky that you have to use heat (from a soldering gun) to get the part off so you can clean and lube the bearing.

In addition, the idler wheels often get hard and brittle. This causes a speed problem AND it causes the machine to stall or jam in the middle of a change cycle. Aftermarket idler wheels tend to be of extremely inferior quality, so it's usually necessary to send the idler to Terry's Rubber Rollers for a rebuild. Terry goes great work, but the price is $40.

If you're looking for a decent turntable from the late-seventies, I suggest buying a used Dual belt drive from the CS series. These restore nicely. Just make sure that arm hasn't been bashed. Other than that, I think that
Technics is a generally good buy.

Fred
 
I think Fred did an excellent job of summing-up the facts, as one would expect from a true professional. Judging from threads I've read around the net, Garrard grease is truly infamous! And judging from what I've seen of Garrard TTs in the used-audio market here, the quality runs from the outstanding level of the sought-after 301s and 401s downhill to some very cheap and cheesy units. MOST Garrards are probably not worth getting, from an audiophile standpoint, but I'm not sure about the 50. In any case, expect the grease problems with most of them.

If you are looking for an idler-wheel turntable that is good value-for-money, try for a Dual 1219 or 1229. You'll still have to clean them up an re-lube them, which can take a few hours (like Fred said), but the grease won't be nearly as bad as the Garrard grease.

An even better idler-wheel turntable would be a Lenco L-75, or one of their other heavy-platter models. [I currently have five Duals and have passed up a bunch more, but I just recently got my first Lenco, only the second or third one I've seen for sale --not counting a belt drive one I found today. Lencos seem much rarer, at least here in Hong Kong. They are also sturdier and simpler, although the tonearms are a bit disappointing. ]

Alternatively, there are many decent belt drive TTs (like the Thorens Fred mentioned) and the late-seventies/eighties direct-drive tables from Japan, if you can find them where you live, are excellent (if often a bit expensive).

You might find this interesting. Not sure if I completely agree with the info, but it seems mostly accurate:
http://www.geocities.com/midimagic@sbcglobal.net/safchang.htm
 
My advice -You can't go wrong with a DUAL 1219 or 1229 turntable.
Far better than a Garrard.
 
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