Category Archives: Garrard 301 / 401

all about Garrard 301/401 projects

Garrard 301 / 401, General, Service and Repair, SME tonearms, SME Tweaks

There are news about SME tweaks

There are news, the revised “5-Pin Conversion Kit V” for the SME tonearms of the 3000 series allows the connection of the phono cable with phono DIN from the bottom side, if a side connection is not possible due to space limitation.

In addition, the bronze groundplate xh is still quite new, the solid bronze base plate has been specially designed for use with a Garrard 301 or 401 to raise the tonearm (SME 3009/3012) to an ideal height for optimal VTA adjustment. In addition to the elevation, there is more punch and dynamic with the bronze groundplate xh and a deeper and more controlled bass range. The stage response becomes wider and deeper.
The pictures show an SME 3012-R with “5-Pin Conversion Kit V” and bronze groundplate xh. The tonearm internal wiring is made with Pure Silver Hair Wire. The tonearm has got a complete restoration.
Garrard 301 / 401, General, SME tonearms, SME Tweaks

Bronze groundplate xh


The Gronze Groundplate xh (extra high) is specially designed for a Garrard 301/401. The Bronze Groundplate xh elevate the SME 3009/3012 to the optimal level so that the VTA can be adjusted optimally.

The Bronze Groundplate xh is not a common spacer, but a stable and solid foot for the SME tonearms. The SME 3009/3012 is firmly screwed to the bronze groundplate and for adjustment the complete tonearm including the bronze groundplate is moved. The tonearm can be moved by 12mm (+/-+6mm) for adjustment.

Garrard 301 / 401, General, Service and Repair

Wow&Flutter improvement with the Kokomo Kit MK3

Some weeks ago Jaap Pees from Hanze Hifi sent me these pictures of a restored Garrard 301. The Garrard is beautifully restored and, as the measurement results show, with a perfect result. Nonetheless, it is noticeable that after the installation of the Kokomo Kit 301 Mk3, the wow&flutter is improved by about 50% compared to the original thrust bearing.

Garrard 301 / 401, General

Installation review Kokomo Kit 301 MK3

I was very happy about this german installation review of a customer, because the characteristics of the Kokomo Kit Mk3 are described in detail.  Read the complete review: ms-vint-audio.de

Garrard 301 / 401, Service and Repair, SME tonearms, SME Tweaks

Garrard 401/SME 3012-R in Vinylista plinth with Bronze-Slider

I made this beautiful Garrard 401 for a customer. The plinth is made by Vinylista, Berlin (Martin Brenner), the plinth is equipped with a Continue reading Garrard 401/SME 3012-R in Vinylista plinth with Bronze-Slider →

customer feedback, Garrard 301 / 401

….it was absolutely worth it (T. Vogel, Germany)

Hello, Robert,
got your bearing today and installed right away. Installation very simple. Bearing completely disassembled and cleaned, slightly oiled and assembled. Bearing could only be mounted as it did not fit through the hole.  Upper bearings Oil refilled to top. Platter etc. put on the turntable.

The first impression:
The sound became clearer and the midrange increased. Cymbals became clearer, voices are more forward. You can see immediately that the bearing was built with knowledge and experience, which is nowhere else in this design. It was absolutely worth it not to promise anything too much. Your bearing is worth every penny!

Product(s): Kokomo Kit 401 Mk3 für Garrard 401

 

 

Garrard 301 / 401, SME tonearms, SME Tweaks

Plinth project with Vinylista

In teamwork with Martin Brenner of Vinylista this originated these plinth project for a Garrard 301/401. It can be used tonearms from 9” to 13” length. Continue reading Plinth project with Vinylista →

Garrard 301 / 401, Service and Repair

Restauration of Garrard 401 motor with the new solder-free motor isolation board

These is another example of a full serviced Motor of a Garrard 401. The motor was completely overhauled and cleaned, the bushings were also reconditioned and the motor has a new modified bottom bearing. These motor got also the new “solder-free motor isolation board“, it replaced the old motor isolation board without resolder the cables from the motor. It´s a minimal work plug´n play design.

Garrard 301 / 401, SME tonearms, SME Tweaks

Bronze slider for a Blumenhofer Garrard plinth

Garrard 401 in Blumenhofer plinth with the new bronze slider for SME 3012-R

On customers request I designed and manufactured these mounting block for a SME 3012-R on a Blumenhofer plinth. The mounting block can be moved to the setting between 9.5 “and 14”. I like the result, here are the pictures.

Garrard 301 / 401, Service and Repair

Reconditioned Garrard 401 motor

Here is a 401 motor from our workshop an example for the overhaul of a Garrard. The motor was completely overhauled and cleaned, the Continue reading Reconditioned Garrard 401 motor →