Building high-end 'tables cheap at Home Despot II

Well, I decided to visit the good offices of AudioGon this morning which happen to be in my hometown, at least, the nuts and bolts part of the mission. After getting over the novelty of a virtual member dropping by the virtual mothership (a first, I was told), I had a pleasant chat with the moderator on duty.

Sadly, it appears, that despite gallant efforts, the old “Despot” thread has not been found and the likelihood of its recovery is growing doubtful. It also appears that the new thread will continue to fall under AudioGon’s now universal policy of moderator review on all postings.

It is my belief that AudioGon should not be second-guessed over exercising their prerogatives in this matter. We’ve had a long run and AudioGon has provided an excellent platform to allow us to have our unfettered discussions.

It is about how and whether this run should continue that we should now calmly reflect on.

My case for pressing on, is rooted in a meaning of continuum – to flow like an uninterrupted river with tributaries and distributaries. People get on or off at their pleasure – but this “old man river” needs to keep rolling along for many of us. The alternative, I fear, will be the occasional Lenco/Idler related post that will be short-lived and thin soup because of its fleeting nature and lack of full, round table discussions. The “Despot” thread has been a Kiosk and it is ours. We’ve known it would be there as surely as the rising sun, and it has allowed us to build a hobby into something a little more special. It has been the long term camaraderie, I believe, that has lent it that special luster – allowing people to check back in, catch up and be genuinely welcomed.

By the way, welcome back Bornin!

My selfish stake in this is only wanting that continuum. There is no stake for me as being “the leader of the pack” – because I’m not. I just happened to restart the thread because of desperation over its absence, an act that I’m beginning to regret. There are others far more knowledgeable than I.

But as Jlin has demonstrated, there are archives that can be called on, even if some of that knowledge base has elected to depart, for the time being, over the unfortunate, yet understandable row that has developed.

About that row, I will only say this. Jean’s control had its purpose in establishing the discipline over his innovations as he (and most of us) applied them to the Lenco. New innovations by new originators have, at times, been encouraged, cautioned or discouraged, under Jean’s close (too close - for some) tutelage. The results of these innovations have sometimes been applauded and sometimes ignored. The course of human dynamics of the whys and hows in all this is too great a minefield to warrant further treading. But I’ll only add this: Innovation is what the original thrust was about – and it should continue to have its day in its furtherance.

Hi folks,
this is an awesome thread! I've just got my hands on a GL75
and I have been reading for the past week or so looking for info. is there a description some where of what the wiring for the tonearm to preamp (Gl75 arm) looks like? My table apparently was removed from a console of some sort and all the wires were cut. What is confusing is that there seems to be only one wire from the junction area (area where arm wires connect to preamp lines) to preamp. I realize this probably sounds really confusing but perhaps someone can help a lenco newbie.
Thanks widge29

Hi Widge,

At first blush, this sounds like a mono hook-up either bridged (grounds and hots married) or static. How many catridge clips are at the headshell? How many tonearm wires are at the phono to pre "junction"? A longways back someone posted pics of one these console jobs - but I don't remember seeing anything with the tonearm wiring.

- Mario

About my Lenco: As I proceeded to post the info requested, the thread was gone. Looks like Jlin saved the day. Many thanks!

Per Kim’s request, I will describe my Lenco 75.
After several emails to the lenco Masta, and to a few of his disciples, I set out to find a specimen which would meet the proper criteria for achieving what has been described as excellent, ass-kicking, (or better yet, multithousand-dollar-costing beltdrive, ass-whooping), turntable. I was skeptical, but my desire is to reach sonic nirvana. Therefore, I took a chance.
Within a few weeks, I had a Lenco in my hands and on the card table. Camera at my side, I disassembled and made notes. Quite simple in design, it is the fine machinery and solidly built motor that most impressed me- just as the Masta had promised.
First I cut out the upper right corner, easily done with a metal cutting blade on the hand held jig saw. I placed masking tape on top and underneath the metal base and drew my cutting lines. It was easy. Lightly filed the edges. Piece of cake.
Masked the chrome plate, lightly sanded the grey base and found my son’s can of gold spray paint. Maybe I’ll call her Goldy?
Found a good buy on a Rega 300 arm and a Denon 103.
Searched for a template on the web. Found it easier to just make my cuts, leaving as much Baltic Birch plywood as possible to stay true to the Masta plan. Jig saw, hand drill and router and good light was all I needed. One trip to use a table saw to get clean straight sides after gluing 5 layers of ply and one sheet of drywall.
The table base fit well, the motor hanging proud and loose.
Oh yeah, I did adjust the motor with the set screw, after I cleaned and repacked with grease.
It all looked good, but I couldn’t just leave her with the chipped ply on her sides, so I looked for a solution. The tables on Lencoheaven.com were definitely a source of inspiration. To my surprise, I found someone near me with LOTS of exotic veneer. Beautiful patterns. I settled on “Goya” for the sides and Birdseye Maple for the top. I first glued the veneer to a flat thin board, sanded, varnished, sanded, varnished XXX, then cut to fit the sides of the plinth. I was warned by 4yanks, that veneer would likely be brittle and a problem in that it chips easily. He is right. At times all I had to do was look at it and it chipped. My nephew, who has a way with words, suggested I call her “Chippy.” That was after I referred to his house, which is being remodeled, as the “Golden Arches.” But he hits below the belt. I am almost over it. I must remind myself that he has 3 young children, and I don’t want to raise them. His life is spared.
Anyway, barely able to see through my tears, I managed to cut out a few armboards out of oak. Setting up an arm and cart was new to me. Advise was sought from the disciples. All along I was encouraged to do everything myself. This proved to be good advise.
The table measures 18X16.5X4 inches. It is incredibly quiet between tracks and sweet when it supposed to purr. But she growls and roars when called upon. Sends me and my audiophile buds tapping our feet, bobbing and weeving when the bass and drums lock it in. Vocals sound like real people, with feelings. Right now, Otis Redding is telling me to try a little tenderness. I got to remember that.
For more info about my system, you know where to look.
The rebuilt took about 2 months. I like to go slow, and methodically. It is fun, economical, enlightening, a sonic jewel, and, bragging rights are priceless. My only regret, and needless to say, TREMENDOUS guilt, is that friends should not let friends drive their tables with belts. I am guilty. Some of my friends have Basis with Graham arms, Nottingham Spacedecks, Regas, VPIs… oh! The shame I feel in the morning after a listening session at their houses! Only to come home to my listening room, turn on my preamp, amps, turn the switch that sets that well balanced, 9 pounds of gentle fury spinning, lay a favorite black vinyl disc, drop the stylus, and hear beautiful music.

I've got the speed sorted now (thanks 4yanx) - I'd connected the speed lever control to the idler control arm at a very different point on the slide plate to that which it had originally been fixed. Obvious really - feel rather foolish now!
Still can't get rid of the vibration (it's not a bent cone/rotor as far as I can see), but it seems to have reduced slightly over the last couple of days. Maybe it'll bed itself in and sort itself out, but I'm not sure.