Yamaha GT-2000 Turntable Social Group

[808_state]

I have cut out the mdf layers, installed the parts for a test fit. Milled up some quarter sawn white oak, 1/4” thick and two 6” diameter cocobolo boards. I bought an saec we 308N, I’ll get a second arm soon. Lot of fun fellows.

It's movin'...love it!

 

[brunomarcs]

there isn’t a lot of info on rebuilding a GT that I could find. I also found a site dedicated to DD’s over a 100 pages without a mention of the GT, I couldn’t believe it.

 

[Beobloke]

there isn’t a lot of info on rebuilding a GT that I could find. I also found a site dedicated to DD’s over a 100 pages without a mention of the GT, I couldn’t believe it.

Disappointing but the site sounds interesting! Do you have a link?

 

[brunomarcs]

I can’t find it as of now. Had mostly commercial direct drives with top models mentioned. I think one table weighed 600 lbs. I’m still looking for it and I’ll post it when found.

 

[brunomarcs]

That’s it, without a mention of the GT, or none I could find. but like you said outside of Japan! I’m sure most on here has seen it already. Really like the museum section.

 

[brunomarcs]

He does mention the GT under other decks. I hadn’t seen that before.

 

[brunomarcs]

A few more

 

[ateal]

A few more

Wow!! This is going to be one hell of a spectacular GT2000. Fantastic job so far.

 

[brunomarcs]

I’ve routed out the holes for the parts and have started sanding. Have to figure out how to apply a finish. Those dark streaks are the spalting in the oak, brings out character. 5 5/8” height, 18 5/8” by 27 1/8”

 

[ateal]

I’ve routed out the holes for the parts and have started sanding. Have to figure out how to apply a finish. Those dark streaks are the spalting in the oak, brings out character. 5 5/8” height, 18 5/8” by 27 1/8”

Holy Moly, that’s some beautiful veneer work and the grain looks fantastic. Are you going piano finish?

Drooling already at the thought of the finished product.

 

[Mark B]

I’ve routed out the holes for the parts and have started sanding. Have to figure out how to apply a finish. Those dark streaks are the spalting in the oak, brings out character. 5 5/8” height, 18 5/8” by 27 1/8”

That's gorgeous and the craftsmanship is outstanding! Your shop (what I can see of it) is very nice.

 

[brunomarcs]

I’ve got about 10 colors of stain and used this one, the can reads cherry but I believe it’s mis labeled, no red in it at all, the red ones are horrible. If I spray a lacquer, multiple coats I think I can make that work. Anybody have an opinion on a good brand? I need perfection. Shop wise I used to buy old machine tools and restore them, best way to go about it on the cheap. And I have a sheet metal shop to the right.

 

[brunomarcs]

Going with this for a gloss finish

 

[808_state]

You need to get yourself some tools Bruno....

I think you should buy Bruno some more tools and have him build you your very own dream plinth.

 

[brunomarcs]

I don’t think I could possibly build a plinth to theophiles’s standards, he had an older post on don’t even get me started on what I think a plinth should be or what he had in mind. Look at his isolation.

 

[brunomarcs]

Theophile, I really like those smaller baringnton caskets, would make a great cabinet for a phonograph. And you could add a ton of weight to it.

 

[Sound Dragon]

Theophile, I really like those smaller baringnton caskets, would make a great cabinet for a phonograph. And you could add a ton of weight to it.

That’s really good work bud.

 

[brunomarcs]

I want to thank all you guys for commenting on my work. Yesterday I used a brand new gun from a pawn shop, it didn’t work and after the 3 coats I had to sand it all off and sanded off the stain. Grabbed an old gun, started over and it worked great. 3 coats of cat var is like 12 pre-cat lacquer coats, I really like this stuff, can be re-coated in 30 min.

 

[Poorbeek]

Today i have an update on my GT2000 project.

The first picture shows an renovation of the plint. Damaged wood was taken away and all the wood was impregnated to be more strong again.All the edges where recontructed.

The last picture is impregnating the veneer for better showing the veneer lines and to make is ready for the high gloss finish

 

[VinylAddict8]

Originally posted this in another thread, but had a request to move it here.......

VinylAddict,
Given that you have extensive experience with many top flight turntables, how would you rate the GT 2000 series. Let's say strengths and weaknesses?

Hi Theo - first realize my TT collection is modest by others standards – in addition to the GT-2000L (which I have owned since Nov '17 timeframe), there’s a Pioneer PL-70Lii, Kenwood KP-9010, Denon D-59L, Micro DD-8 and a Technics SL-1200 . All are definitely in the mid-fi category but still all very fine examples of 80's Japanese tables. Sometimes I wonder why I didn't just buy one $10K TT instead of a bunch of more modest ones, but it has been fun and I wouldn't trade the experience for anything!

Of all TT's I have or tried, the GT-2000L is the "gift that keeps giving." Once you think you have the 2000 figured out it offers a new surprise!! There are so many options to improve the sound from stock – YOP-1, isolation upgrades, tonearm upgrades, platter, etc.

Strengths:

• Aesthetics - the GT-2000L just looks impressive, it is eye catching and a conversation piece. Everyone who comes over is drawn to it and comments on it; and most every pic I post of it to someone who hasn't seen it before comments on it. I particularly like the L version with the walnut, it complements the stainless / silver components well with an impressive presence. Is that truly a "strength??" Well, I always prioritize function over form, but will take both when I get them! I think the look of the GT-2000 platform is a big part of its charm and appeal to many.

• Versatility - Case in point the SPU results shared above. No other TT I own could even carry that cartridge. Then, I can turnaround and install a modern microline like the PTG33ii, and although conventional compliance matching says it is "marginal" at 8Hz resonance, the GT-2000L still brings near everything out that it has to offer! Then put a low compliance DL-102 or a little higher compliance (but still low) DL-103R and it still shines. How many TTs can you put the gamut of cartridges just mentioned, and be able to play them all well?

• True “value add” Options & Upgrades – of course many TT’s and audio gear offer options / upgrades, but whether they garner an appreciable difference is another story. For instance the YOP-1 (I bought a clone) – immediately after installing I noticed subtle improvements. Then, others have attested to isolation related improvements (yourself included) – a couple of months ago I built a DIY / homemade isolation pad for (trust me it is nothing to write home about) but the difference was immediately apparent. I have been reading for some time about the benefits isolation can bring to the GT-2000L platform, and been meaning to take some small steps to test it. My modest DIY isolation pad gave back and rewarded effort with.... after a while all these subtle improvements add up to one big one! Then there are tonearm, platter upgrades that are ready made for the GT-2000 that many also attest to.

• Power, yet with finesse – the 2000 has a very high torque motor, strong enough that it provides a platform to hand clean all of my records. Enough so that it allowed me to get rid of the large, noisy, space-consuming and messy RCM. No other TT I own has enough power/torque where I would feel safe hand cleaning the number of records I do. The 2000 doesn’’t even blink under the load of repeated cleaning – literally – the LED that flashes when you put enough pressure to slow it stays solidly lit when I clean! Then on the flipside, all that power is transformed into the required finesse and delicacy to enjoy a violin or piano concerto…..

• Build quality and durability – my GT-2000 is all original, and 37 years old. Yet it plays like the day it was made. Not only were the internals engineered with great care, so was the construction, build – it is truly idiot proof and can survive the small “oops” or probably evening worse mishandling some can dish out! I will be passing this TT down to my sons. It was made to last forever – it is a tank!

• Simple, yet precise – only the required buttons, well placed. On / off and speed. That’s it!!! Then the tonearm is easy to operate and adjust – VTA is easy to adjust, the cueing is precise and simple, balancing the counterweight is simple and easy to access. Yet the simplicity translates into repeatable precision, every time.

• Last but not least - It sounds really good!

Weaknesses:

• Hmmmm… I am usually one that has no trouble finding weaknesses,I am critical by nature. But I am thinking “what is the 2000’s weakness” and struggling to come up with a good one…….. I dunno, it’s heavy? LOL But not sure that could be construed as a weakness!

• Skate - How about an upgraded skating system – although I appreciate the “hanging weight” type system, many don’t and maybe that could be construed as a weakness. Then again, I have experimented with not using the weight with little issue with certain cartridges – the arm tracks well on its own!! (but I still employ the weight). I don’t mind the skating – but stepping back and thinking of what others might point out.

The GT-2000(L) is a unique, well made and fun to operate turntable! A welcome addition that I would buy again and something I will be passing down......