New Project!

sarals · Post by **sarals** » Mon Jun 22, 2015 2:40 pm

I have a new project, but, it's not a motorcycle. My latest project is a turntable, a 1965 Garrard A70 MkII. It also is something my family has had for a long time, although it's been out of my possession since 1971 or 1972 - I don't remember! My dad bought it for me when he was in Vietnam in 1965. I was talking with my dad a couple of weeks ago, and he mentioned he had my "old Garrard record player" in a box in his garage. He said it looked to be in nice condition, and asked me if I wanted it. No need to ask!! He sent it to me, and I've been playing with it for the last couple of days. Cosmetically, it's just outstanding, and that was such a surprise. Considering that I don't know where it has been over the last almost 50 years (I suspect one or more of my brothers had it), it's a real treat that it's so nice. Mechanically, it needs help, but not bad. The original grease is dried up, and some of the linkages and hoorahs underneath the thing are sticky as a result, so I'm thinking I'll have to take it apart to get it cleaned up and lubricated. It's super intricate, so that's going to be a challenge!

Anyway, I thought I'd share.

G-Man · Post by **G-Man** » Mon Jun 22, 2015 5:10 pm

Fantastic! A justification for the ultrasonic cleaning bath perhaps? :-)

Have fun with that.

G

Steverino · Post by **Steverino** » Mon Jun 22, 2015 6:45 pm

That's cool Sara
Now all you need is about a dozen pairs of vintage speakers and three or four old receiver/amps to go with it. I enjoy collecting any of the old stereo equipment I could only dream about back in the 70's. Sony Bose and Marantz are at the top of my list. It never ends.
Steve

sarals · Post by **sarals** » Mon Jun 22, 2015 8:35 pm

G-Man wrote:Fantastic! A justification for the ultrasonic cleaning bath perhaps? :-)

Have fun with that.

G

As good a justification as any, Graham!

sarals · Post by **sarals** » Mon Jun 22, 2015 8:37 pm

Steverino wrote:That's cool Sara
Now all you need is about a dozen pairs of vintage speakers and three or four old receiver/amps to go with it. I enjoy collecting any of the old stereo equipment I could only dream about back in the 70's. Sony Bose and Marantz are at the top of my list. It never ends.
Steve

Steve, I've got a pair of original Smaller Advents, given to me by a friend. The woofers have been refoamed, so they're good to go. I also have an old Harmon Kardon receiver, I forget the model number. It came to me in my last year of college, and I never used it much. I think it works, but if it's like most electronics of that era, it should be recapped. I know how to solder!

sarals · Post by **sarals** » Wed Jun 24, 2015 6:39 pm

Here it is! Some cleaning, some lithium grease here and there, and it works a treat! The way this device sounds as it goes through it's cycles is so, well, "precision". It's really cool!

I need to obtain a base for it, and the cartridge it has is suspect. I should probably replace that. The 45RPM adaptor is missing, as well, so at some point I'll find one of those. Other than that - what a sweet machine!

modelman · Post by **modelman** » Sat Jun 27, 2015 10:10 am

Hah!!
Coincidence or what, I too have an old Garrard turntable, I bought it new in 1974 & still have it along with 3 pairs of Celestion studio monitors, they will NEVER leave me!!
Enjoy your refurbishment, take pics as you dismantle, just in case!!!