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garrard 301 and its' restorations

i was looking at a recent  you tube video of a restored garrard 301 in action. the platter motions while playing an lp were  very "wobbly" and bouncy ,like it was tracking a warped record or a spring in the suspension was "detuned"  is  this an optical illusion or is this normal to the idlers ?. i've never seen this on a vpi ,acoustic signature ,technics 1200 direct drive , kronos ultra high end etc .


 

theoriginalthor1
lewm
13,458 posts
 
Whatever it is that you are talking about, it is not "normal to idlers".  Idlers can be judged by the very same criteria used to judge belt- and direct-drive turntables; the platter should never wobble visibly.  At the micro level, probably no turntable is absolutely perfect in that regard, but if you can see the phenomenon, you've got a problem.  My guess is that the LP was warped.
theoriginalthor1 OP
107 posts
 
it is clearly unstable  
islandmandan
1,260 posts
 
The Garrard 301, and 401, have no suspension. The platter sits atop a spindle that is around 5-6" long, in a substantial bearing well, and bronze bushings. This bearing well is affixed solidly to the chassis. I can't imagine a scenario in which a platter/spindle would be so unstable. The spindle/bearing on my 40+ year old Garrard 401 is still functioning as well as it did when new. It has to be caused by something else, as mentioned, a warped record or such.

Regards,
Dan
mikelavigne
2,205 posts
 

maybe post the specific video so we can relate better to your comments.

i owned a Dobbin's Plinth'd and refurbed Garrard 301 that as i recall was dead solid steady appearing to the naked eye. but with a 50+ year old turntable anything is possible.

jperry
2,468 posts
 
You really need to post a link if you want to receive any on point responses.
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