Garrard 301-Worth the effort?


A friend very generously gave me his Grandfather's Garrard 301 to restore or sell. It's not in bad shape, but won't play yet as it looks like it needs a new idler wheel and spindle (so far). I'm not crazy about the tonearm (Garrard with unknown Shure Cartridge) or plinth (plywood box). My dilemma is whether it's worth the effort and money to fix or would I be better off selling it and putting the money towards something new, possibly a VPI classic with a better tonearm? I currently use a Harman Kardon T-65C with a Grado Statement Sonata II and am very happy. But maybe I don't know any better. I've read great things about the 301, but I'm more into the music than collecting antique pieces.
Any opinions would be appreciated.
heyraz
"Lastly, NEVER touch-up the platter - especially an early one! Whether grey or black those bare platters have a resonance to them (like a bell) and repainting will kill it!"
Just curios, why would a resonating platter be desirable? Is there a resonant frequency that makes it sound better?
Rccc, congrats, you picked up on one of the many "facts" posted in this thread.
Here are a few more...

**The wheel ... and be of proper diameter to DRIVE the inside face of the platter properly. **

**the 301 LOVES mass**

How many more can you find?
"However, I really do not think that they have a bunch of physicists working for them"

Neither do any of the other modifiers of Lenco or Garrard for that matter.

I somehow seriously doubt the majority of diy folks could build anything like the Artisan Fidelity 301 or Dobbins plinths in their home work shops, these guys are pros imo. And I really don't think you have any idea of the amount of design work and time that goes into an Artisan F turntable construct. If you spoke with them directly as I have, you would know exactly what I am talking about regard their research and development process. I can assure you there is nothing quick and easy about it. This outfit is really serious about their work. When I spoke directly with Chris, he explained part of the process involved prototyping the many different plinth materials for their Lenco and Garrard's and I was quite impressed to say the least. If you had any idea of how many different materials they use to achieve the proper tuning in their cld plinth construction you would be shocked.
Here is a testimonial. Audiogon's feedback does not allow for enuf. I was lucky enough to find a Garrad 301 at a decent price and after researching and speaking with many restoration experts I choose Chris. I could not be happier with this decision. Of course, the most important part of the restoration is the sound of my turntable. I can say that listening to my favorite recordings now is like hearing them for the first time. Everything sounds as if it should and the soundstage places everything where it should be. The second part of the restoration is the communication of the process. Chris was very attentive and provided updates both verbally and through emails, including photos, along the way. His service went beyond what I expected even for the cost of the restoration. The third part is the craftsmanship of the the piece. Suffice it to say that my listening room WAS a spare bedroom. When my wife saw the finished product she suggested that I move everything to our living room making Chris' creating to focal point. Thank you Chris for everything.