Garrard Type A refurbish

[Deleted User]
[Deleted User] Posts: 7,658
edited May 2013 in 2 Channel Audio
Hello,
This Garrard Type A was given to me as a parts donor for another unit and it's sat neglected on my shelf. I started with one corner, cleaning it to see just how bad it looked. As I cleaned more and more of it I started to see it could be salvaged. I got half of the top done and thought I'd share.
Cheers, Ken
Post edited by [Deleted User] on
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  • nspindel
    nspindel Posts: 5,343
    edited May 2013
    I remember my father having a Garrard table when I was a kid. Good luck with the restoration!
    Good music, a good source, and good power can make SDA's sing. Tubes make them dance.
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  • doctor r
    doctor r Posts: 837
    edited May 2013
    Love the half and half look. It certainly looked to be more compromised in the finish area prior to your diligent work. Thank you for sharing and look forward to future updates.
    integrated w/DAC module Gryphon Diablo 300
    server Wolf Alpha 3SX
    phono pre Dynamic Sounds Associates Phono II
    turntable/tonearms Origin Live Sovereign Mk3 dual arm, Origin Live Enterprise Mk4, Origin Live Illustrious Mk3c
    cartridges Miyajima Madake, Ortofon Windfeld Ti, Ortofon
    speakers Rockport Mira II
    cables Synergistic Research Cables, Gryphon VPI XLR, Sablon 2020 USB
    rack Adona Eris 6dw
    ultrasonic cleaner Degritter
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  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User] Posts: 7,658
    edited May 2013
    It was every bit as scuzzy as the "to do" side, you can tell why I didn't think it would cleanup at all. I just hate seeing a piece of audio gear neglected and looking so rough. My first turntable was a Garrard SL95 with a Shure M75 cartridge, then I upgraded to a Garrard Zero 100 and a V15. In those days the two competing turntables were Dual and Garrard. My buddies had Duals, 1019 mostly, and I went British. We'd haggle back and forth about which was better, lower rumble, better motors. Then I went to a Pioneer manual table, PL-41 I think.
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  • TNHNDYMAN
    TNHNDYMAN Posts: 2,145
    edited May 2013
    Ken,

    Where are you located at? I have a Garrard that might need a new home if you are interested. Good shape, came out of a weird console system but received power from the console, so I'm not sure what to do with it.
    2-ch System: Parasound P/LD 2000 pre, Parasound HCA-1000 amp, Parasound T/DQ Tuner, Phase Technology PC-100 Tower speakers, Technics SL-1600 Turntable, Denon 2910 SACD/CD player, Peachtree DAC iT and X1asynchorus USB converter, HSU VTF-3 subwoofer.

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  • zingo
    zingo Posts: 11,258
    edited May 2013
    That looks awesome!
    Jake
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  • boston1450
    boston1450 Posts: 7,639
    edited May 2013
    Ken. Looks great. I picked up a Gerrard ZERO-92 recently. Did some tuning on it to get it up running. Sounded quite nice actually. I have 2 other tables so i did sell it. But those Gerrards sound nice IMO...looks great keep us updated with how it comes along....Randy
    ..
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  • SCompRacer
    SCompRacer Posts: 8,498
    edited May 2013
    That's really nice resto work. What are you using to clean it?
    Salk SoundScape 8's * Audio Research Reference 3 * Bottlehead Eros Phono * Park's Audio Budgie SUT * Krell KSA-250 * Harmonic Technology Pro 9+ * Signature Series Sonore Music Server w/Deux PS * Roon * Gustard R26 DAC / Singxer SU-6 DDC * Heavy Plinth Lenco L75 Idler Drive * AA MG-1 Linear Air Bearing Arm * AT33PTG/II & Denon 103R * Richard Gray 600S * NHT B-12d subs * GIK Acoustic Treatments * Sennheiser HD650 *
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  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User] Posts: 7,658
    edited May 2013
    Thanks, I use cotton balls, Q-tips and Flitz. Sometimes if things are heavily tarnished I cut the ends off of tape head cleaning swabs and put them in my Dremel at the lowest speed with Flitz polish.
    On some things I use a cotton cloth with Flitz.
    I have to watch how much I work, I can give my arm and hand problems, I've tried to use my left hand to spread the effort.
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  • SCompRacer
    SCompRacer Posts: 8,498
    edited May 2013
    I was thinking it was Flitz! I have some here. I'm headed for some micro surgery on my right hand. Displaced or compacted tendon sheath from repeated grasping.
    Salk SoundScape 8's * Audio Research Reference 3 * Bottlehead Eros Phono * Park's Audio Budgie SUT * Krell KSA-250 * Harmonic Technology Pro 9+ * Signature Series Sonore Music Server w/Deux PS * Roon * Gustard R26 DAC / Singxer SU-6 DDC * Heavy Plinth Lenco L75 Idler Drive * AA MG-1 Linear Air Bearing Arm * AT33PTG/II & Denon 103R * Richard Gray 600S * NHT B-12d subs * GIK Acoustic Treatments * Sennheiser HD650 *
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  • muncybob
    muncybob Posts: 3,042
    edited May 2013
    I also had a Zero 100 with the V15 cart, was my 1st table. Gave it away to a friend when we had to move back to the States...wish I had it back now!
    Yep, my name really is Bob.
    Parasound HCA1500A(indoor sound) and HCA1000(outdoor sound), Dynaco PAS4, Denon DP1200 w/Shure V15 Type V and Jico SAS stylus, Marantz UD7007, Polk L600, Rythmik L12 sub.
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  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User] Posts: 7,658
    edited May 2013
    Progress:
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  • doctor r
    doctor r Posts: 837
    edited May 2013
    That is beautiful. Looks to be some nice paint under the grunge.
    integrated w/DAC module Gryphon Diablo 300
    server Wolf Alpha 3SX
    phono pre Dynamic Sounds Associates Phono II
    turntable/tonearms Origin Live Sovereign Mk3 dual arm, Origin Live Enterprise Mk4, Origin Live Illustrious Mk3c
    cartridges Miyajima Madake, Ortofon Windfeld Ti, Ortofon
    speakers Rockport Mira II
    cables Synergistic Research Cables, Gryphon VPI XLR, Sablon 2020 USB
    rack Adona Eris 6dw
    ultrasonic cleaner Degritter
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  • nspindel
    nspindel Posts: 5,343
    edited May 2013
    My Garrard way back when was a Lab 80.
    Good music, a good source, and good power can make SDA's sing. Tubes make them dance.
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  • treitz3
    treitz3 Posts: 19,029
    edited May 2013
    Very nice, Mr. Swauger! If you do not mind me asking, how many hours have you invested in the restoration so far?

    Tom
    ~ In search of accurate reproduction of music. Real sound is my reference and while perfection may not be attainable? If I chase it, I might just catch excellence. ~
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  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User] Posts: 7,658
    edited May 2013
    Yes the paint is really good on this table, similar to the paint on the Thorens, looks like what you find on older cars. The tone arm is more difficult, the stains seem to be much harder to deal with. I started using fine steel wool to clean it up, pretty time consuming.
    Tom, I've been working on it for three days, about 4 hours each day approximately. I'm also working on the road case that the Tapesonic is mounted in, re-glueing the vinyl cover and painting the insides. So, I go back and forth between them.
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  • boston1450
    boston1450 Posts: 7,639
    edited May 2013
    Ken it looks great. When it gets done you can sit and enjoy it knowing all the hard work you did on it....2 THUMBS UP.... Randy
    ..
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  • boston1450
    boston1450 Posts: 7,639
    edited May 2013
    Hows progress going ken ?
    ..
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  • leftwinger57
    leftwinger57 Posts: 2,917
    edited May 2013
    you are so right. The 2 competitors were Garrad and Dual.By the time I got my tt I went w/ a Dual.The build just looked better ,the rap that German engineering was far superior and also the United Audio base looked great.From the 40s> late 60s Garrad had the tt market.
    2chl- Adcom GFA- 555-Onkyo P-3150v pre/amp- JVC-QL-A200 tt- Denon 1940 ci cdp- Adcom GFS-6 -Modded '87 SDA 2Bs - Dynamat Ext.- BH-5- X-Overs VR-3, RDO-194 tweeters, Larry's Rings, Speakon/Neutrik I/C- Cherry stain tops Advent Maestros,Ohm model E

    H/T- Toshiba au40" flat- Yamaha RX- V665 avr- YSD-11 Dock- I-Pod- Klipsch #400HD Speaker set-

    Bdrm- Nikko 6065 receiver- JBL -G-200s--Pioneer 305 headphones--Sony CE375-5 disc
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  • dromunds
    dromunds Posts: 10,009
    edited May 2013
    Ken, it looks great. My first table was a Zero 100c with a V15 Type III that I bought new in high school. I still have it, although I parked it eventually when I lost the left channel. I really liked that TT. It was originally mated with Rectilinear IIIa's and a Sherwood receiver. Then I think I went to a more powerful Marantz receiver, then a SAE 2900 preamp with a Pioneer amp that just had two big meters on the front, wish I could remember the model. After the Zero 100c got shelved, I bought a Denon DL75 with a SME arm. Still kicking myself for selling that.
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  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User] Posts: 7,658
    edited May 2013
    I haven't had much time to work on the Type A, a Fisher tubed preamp has a problem with aux1 not working and an Akai X-355 with problems showed up and I've had to set my stuff aside. I always liked the Rectilinear speakers, especially the "tall boy" version of the IIIa. The Sherwood S7200 (I think) was one that got good reviews and had nice clean styling and sounded good.
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  • dromunds
    dromunds Posts: 10,009
    edited May 2013
    Yep, I had the IIIa tall boys. Bought 'em from a stereo warehouse, which was popular in those days, maybe the one in San Luis Obisbo. Can't remember whatever happened to mine.
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  • pglbook
    pglbook Posts: 2,222
    edited May 2013
    ken, what is Flitz? I just picked up a Thorens TD 160 and I'd like to clean it but do not know what to use. You did an awesome job. That cleaned up great and looks beautiful. My Thorens is not in bad shape at all but it could use a polish and clean up. Can I use Flitz on it? What is it? Where can I get it? Thanks.
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  • nspindel
    nspindel Posts: 5,343
    edited May 2013
    http://www.flitz.com/

    Any hardware store should have it.
    Good music, a good source, and good power can make SDA's sing. Tubes make them dance.
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  • pglbook
    pglbook Posts: 2,222
    edited May 2013
    nspindel, thanks for the info and link. I did not know about it and will have to pick some up.
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  • Poolgod69
    Poolgod69 Posts: 184
    edited May 2013
    Beautiful work!!!
    Marantz SR 5010
    Kenwood DR-V5070
    Polk RTi A9- Mains
    CSI A6- Center
    Elemental Designs A2-300 Subwoofer
    Panamax M4300-PM Power Conditioner

    Working on updating my set up :rolleyes:
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