Source for Garrard 301 plinth (and other 301 questions)
I recently picked up a Garrard 301 (found in a console in a blighted house in Detroit, off all places). It's in surprisingly good condition -- runs quietly and keeps perfect speed without any adjustment). I'm embarking on the restoration, upgrade Odyssey and am looking ahead to needing a plinth.
I see a seller on eBay who charges about $1,000 plus shipping from Germany. Does anyone know of a domestic source (and ideally one that isn't so expensive)? I don't have the deep pockets that seem to be needed for this endeavor, so I'm trying to keep costs down.
Secondarily: Can anyone recommend some DIY maintenance tips for getting the best out of this table until I can afford to send it off for a professional tune-up? It's an oil-bearing version. I've added a few drops of oil to the bearing but am wondering if I should disassemble and clean it. Same with the motor.
Thanks
As @br3098 states above, this guy's work looks really good. Not sure on pricing but ... ... the $50 for a 30-minute consultation would be a bit of a red flag for me (e.g. "Need help deciding which turntable is best for you?"). Surely advice leading to a potential purchase does not need to be charged. If the conversation is about DIY there are other means of dealing with that. |
Thanks for all the great replies. I wish I had the tools to make a plinth myself, but since I don't I think I'll just save up to buy one. I'm not seeing anything much cheaper than $1,000, so it might take a while. Is anyone aware of a source for nice plinths that are less expensive than that?
Just for your amusement (since I assume people who read these forums find this as interesting as I do), the table is sitting in a walnut console, mounted on a 1-inch thick walnut board. It has a Rek-O-Kut S120 tonearm, and I mounted a Shure SC35C that I had available. Even in that state, it sounds fantastic.
All I've done to it at this point is add a drop of oil to the idler wheel bearing, a few drops of oil for the top of the motor and the spindle bearing, and oil the felt washer.
I'm planning to mount an SME 3009 II with Shure V15III (SAS stylus) as soon as I get a plinth (or maybe in the current board for now). That's about what my budget allows at this point.
Short of sending it off for a full refresh, any other recommendations for what I should do to get the best out of it for now?
Thanks again for all your help! |
Send Anwesh on LH a PM, the Board is able to be Precision Rebated for you. A High Grade Sanding will bring this very hard Wood Board to a attractive Patina, a thin coat of a Varnish will finish it to a very attractive aesthetic. https://www.lencoheaven.net/forum/index.php?topic=42484.0
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