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GARRARD ZERO 100c

rshadley

rshadley

Active Member
Just picked up a minty Garrard Zero 100c table at the local thrift for 30.00. The table is a little noisy so I lubed all the recommeded spots but still sounds noisy. Is this standard for this model? It is missing the headshell and cartridge. Is it a worthwild effort to try and bring this beauty back to life?
 

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Another plus is that it has the Deluxe Wood Base, though it appears to be missing the cover for the storage compartment.

Should be easy enough to make a replacement, though.

Go for it. It'll keep you out of the bars. :D
 
I've always been intrigued by that articulated tonearm. I'd love to come across one for $30 somewhere.
 
There seem to be quite a few appreciative owners of that model around AK. Unfortunately (for me), I'm not one of them... :sigh:, but judging from peoples' comments, it would be well worth fixing up. Yours certainly looks nice enough. Go for it! :yes: For starters, do a search and you should find a number of threads and comments about that TT; perhaps one of them will give you an idea of where to start tracking down the noise.

Most of the time, I've found noise to come from either aged (dirty, dried or gone) lubricant in the main platter bearing, shot motor mounts or bad lubricant in the motor bearings. Check those spots for starters, if you haven't already. Does that model have a sprung chassis? Sometimes aging spring mounts can allow things to rub and generate noise, too. I'm sure some owners will be along with more specific suggestions. Good luck! :thmbsp:
 
How's the idler -- or is it the later belt drive? Lube the motor and give the top of the motor spindle a tap just in case the bearings are self aligning. The platter bearing tends to be noisy -- its an aspect of changer mechanisms that Garrard seems to have had more problems with than other companies, in my experience.
 
lube center bearing, check table for wobble as well.... these are great tables. another thing to check is the bearing play in the tonearm cantilever. wish i could find one for 30!
 
I have the 100C and did a complete restore on the drive and auto functions. As has been said maybe you need to clean that idler wheel and lubricate its center shaft with some sewing machine oil. Add some sewing machine oil to the motor bearing. Clean and lube the platter bearing area as well. I am thinking the idler wheel may have become hard causing some rumble in the sound. Check to be sure it is not cracked and brittle. Lightly scuff the wheel all around with some 1000 grit sandpaper evenly and gently then apply some rubber restoring agent to it.

Lube that platter as well. Take your time and yes these are very nice tables to own and enjoy.

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Arkay said:
Most of the time, I've found noise to come from either aged (dirty, dried or gone) lubricant in the main platter bearing, shot motor mounts or bad lubricant in the motor bearings. Check those spots for starters, if you haven't already. Does that model have a sprung chassis? Sometimes aging spring mounts can allow things to rub and generate noise, too. I'm sure some owners will be along with more specific suggestions. Good luck! :thmbsp:
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A great point, the older garrards are somewhat infamous for having lube that turns to glue over time, refreshing it helps, but a full cleaning is needed. It really is worth it, one beautiful table:yes:.
 
I'd fix it up for sure. They get a lot of bad press which they don't deserve, and personally I think it's a great table. I miss my old Zero 100 - that's one I never should have sold. :sigh:

ps - looks like a wooden base but that one is actually the plastic base, I believe. Also, I can vouch for that guy up there ^^ in post #12. He's a good dude and he does know his parts!
 
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Just won my headshell from ebay and I cant wait to get it. The idler looks good, the noise is coming from that area, idler shaft or motor may need a cleaning. Thanks for the input and the photo, yes it is plastic and not real wood. will still try to contruct my compartment lid out of wood and stain it too match. Thanks again!
 
PacificStereo said:
I'm pretty sure I have NOS Garrard idlers and other parts. If you need something, get 'hold of me.
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I'm restoring my Garrard Zero 100 and I need to replace the idler wheel and motor grommets because they were hardned by the time.
I would like to know if do you have the Idler Wheel and Motor mounts (grommets) and if you are interested to sell it.

First of all, many thanks per your attention.
 
Hello.
Someone already used the pulleys rebuilt by Mr Terry? It would be possible to give me some comments about the rumble level produced?

Many thanks!

Best regards.
 
I did a restore job on whatever the Zero that played 78s was. It was idler, later ones used belts. Typical Garrard-itis when I got it - the lube was amber gunk. So lots of noodle time and de-gunking, and it worked like a charm. It did have some rumble though, as the platter was nowhere near as heavy as a Miracord or Dual, and it was kind of "chimey" as well, so it made the noise a bit pronounced. But all the auto functions worked. I sold that particular one because Garrard had a design flaw in it - the tonearm would not set down at 10" for 78s! Otherwise it was a fun machine.
 
eb2jim said:
...I sold that particular one because Garrard had a design flaw in it - the tonearm would not set down at 10" for 78s! Otherwise it was a fun machine.
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Yeah, I always thought that was weird. They have a size selection for 12" 78s (which I've never heard of) but nothing for 10" 78s on the full size Garrards that ran at the 78 speed.
 
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