Ok, let's try again:
Finally, after many, many months of work (and, to be honest, of mostly not working) on this project, I have assembled my Garrard 301 and given it a spin. What can I say: it looks good, it sounds good, it is completely silent and runs perfectly on 33.2rpm with the dial set dead-centre. The arm board (Yellow Wood) is still a temp one, and I will be making a few more from different woods to see which I like best - although the Yellow Wood looks good with the African Rosewood veneer.
Here are a few pics of this journey:
In play, and what a great album this is!
The motor unit - in excellent condition, and just needed a service.
The arm - in very good condition and just needed a small service, new bearings, a clean (still more to do) and new wiring. It is a beauty, and looks and sounds like I had imagined it would.
Plinth construction - 8 layers of 22mm Brazilian Poplar. I thought I would try this (something less expensive) as I would probably cock up my first attempt, but I am very happy with the sound and will see how it settles in over time. Bottom sprayed black, and solid rubber feet fitted.
Veneer - African Rosewood. Difficult to work with, and quite a few near-disasters needed to be recovered from. I am 90% happy with this. But compared to this, working with Teak or Walnut veneer is a lot easier (to me).
All linkages cleaned with mineral turps, tested, and re-greased.
Motor opened, cleaned and lubricated. Bottom well was bone dry, as expected after years of not being used. Now whisper quiet!
Idler wheel removed, cleaned, treated and re-fitted. Still in very good shape, and seems perfectly true.
And it works!
Grease bearing removed, cleaned and re-greased. Everything is in as-new condition - this baby has very low miles on the clock...
Final assembly starts...
I was so afraid of the screw driver slipping and scratching the pristine top plate, I made a special "perfect-fit" screwdriver to fasten the custom-made top plate bolts.
In play on the test bench (aka my desk). First record: Oscar Peterson - Oscar's Choice.
I am very please with how this has turned out. To my ears, this is the perfect Jazz Machine.
Of course, I could not have done this without help, guidance and contributions, in various forms, from: Alvin, Andre, Darryl, Helen, Jacques, Mark, Patrick and Sean. And VE, AK and AVFSA!
Finally, after many, many months of work (and, to be honest, of mostly not working) on this project, I have assembled my Garrard 301 and given it a spin. What can I say: it looks good, it sounds good, it is completely silent and runs perfectly on 33.2rpm with the dial set dead-centre. The arm board (Yellow Wood) is still a temp one, and I will be making a few more from different woods to see which I like best - although the Yellow Wood looks good with the African Rosewood veneer.
Here are a few pics of this journey:
In play, and what a great album this is!
The motor unit - in excellent condition, and just needed a service.
The arm - in very good condition and just needed a small service, new bearings, a clean (still more to do) and new wiring. It is a beauty, and looks and sounds like I had imagined it would.
Plinth construction - 8 layers of 22mm Brazilian Poplar. I thought I would try this (something less expensive) as I would probably cock up my first attempt, but I am very happy with the sound and will see how it settles in over time. Bottom sprayed black, and solid rubber feet fitted.
Veneer - African Rosewood. Difficult to work with, and quite a few near-disasters needed to be recovered from. I am 90% happy with this. But compared to this, working with Teak or Walnut veneer is a lot easier (to me).
All linkages cleaned with mineral turps, tested, and re-greased.
Motor opened, cleaned and lubricated. Bottom well was bone dry, as expected after years of not being used. Now whisper quiet!
Idler wheel removed, cleaned, treated and re-fitted. Still in very good shape, and seems perfectly true.
And it works!
Grease bearing removed, cleaned and re-greased. Everything is in as-new condition - this baby has very low miles on the clock...
Final assembly starts...
I was so afraid of the screw driver slipping and scratching the pristine top plate, I made a special "perfect-fit" screwdriver to fasten the custom-made top plate bolts.
In play on the test bench (aka my desk). First record: Oscar Peterson - Oscar's Choice.
I am very please with how this has turned out. To my ears, this is the perfect Jazz Machine.
Of course, I could not have done this without help, guidance and contributions, in various forms, from: Alvin, Andre, Darryl, Helen, Jacques, Mark, Patrick and Sean. And VE, AK and AVFSA!
