New Garrard 301

None of us knows, but does it really make sense for SME to start building brand new replica 301’s? Their own turntables are outstanding and cover a significant range of pricing. Why bring in Loricraft to build from new? Perhaps more likely that Loricraft’s re-building business had grown to the point where it required more high quality replacement parts than could be found NOS, made by Loricraft, or easily sourced elsewhere. Who better to make those low volume specialist parts runs than SME, albeit at a not insignificant cost. Think of it as Loricraft operating as a subsidiary of SME. The existing 301’s and 401’s can be kept going forever.

 

The 12a designation is a combination of the brand new Model 12 turntable and existing 309 arm. It will start shipping in June.

The Model 12 visually very closely resembles the Synergy all-in-one table/arm/cartridge/on-board phono stage.

 

I would've been really interested in a new 301 at new SL1200 prices, but not at 3-4x that

 

GARRARD restored to brand new standard on the SME engineering strict control.

 

i love nagra stuff!

i wonder how it sounded compared to the synergy?

 

Lol

 

I just don't understand why simply hosting Loricraft's refurb business is worth it to SME's bottom line, or what else they get out of it. Are the profits from refurbishing decks sent in by customers really worth an acquisition? There really aren't that many parts in a 301, if you manufacture the replacement parts you're basically already making them.

 

How does the new one make the vintage stuff more valuable? Doesn't it make the old ones less rarefied if you can buy a new one now?

 

If the price wasn't $10,000 more for the new ones you'd be dead on.

 

It’s been speculated elsewhere that future Garrard turntables of new design but with Garrard design values might be in the cards as well, as for example the Loricraft 501.

 

There's an awful lot of "speculated elsewhere" in this thread and not a lot of verified information. I've noticed none of the media write ups from Munich are printing the refurbished rumor.

 

I think I will be searching auctions for the old 301’s. That is $16500 in dollars.

 

Would rather have that gorgeous Fern & Roby for 7500 bones I think.

 

In pure economic theory it should slightly reduce the value of old ones, but humans aren't quite logical, so in practice it will raise them up.
In certain other collectibles, which must remain nameless here, when a major manufacturer re-introduces a long discontinued but beloved old model, mint unmolested originals always go up in value. But then again, in others, where the old ones were prized for utility value the price comes down.

Band instruments, brasswinds, tend to be like that. And the price of the most popular single engine light airplane, the Cessna 172, did go up when new ones were introduced after the great pwoduct wiability hiatus in the 80s. Th new ones were several times the price of the cleanest low time old ones, though, which approximates the condition here.

The pricing on this unit is obviously a substantial multiple of build cost-not including arm or plinth, the basic Garrard 301 can't cost a thousand dollars US to build except as a one off prototype. They have a market that feels this pricing is reasonable. In fact, they will buy it because, not despite its cost. It is Veblen goods, as higher end high end audio devices tend to be. If this market exists for the vendors, well and good. I have long been surprised someone else doesn't build a 301 or 401 clone, but then again, I'm not.

Personally I'm a belt drive turntable person, but the Garrard was among the best of its type, that's for sure.

 

Fremer has a more in depth interview with the SME CEO re: the new Garrard in his Munich High End Video. Apparently these are SME re-manufactured 301s, made from 301s that were acquired with Loricraft/Garrard Purchase. Limited stock. He does mention that they are planning new Garrard turntable designs in the next phase, but says nothing about what they will be like.

 

I find their pricing more than a little odd. For less than the tariff that's been rumored, CTC will refurbish or sell you a rebuilt Garrard 301 or 401, and you can then source a good plinth and tonearm for less than what SME is apparently considering charging. Is one-stop shopping really worth that much to a potential buyer?

 

You'd be looking at £1000 upwards Bill for a decent one Mint and fully fettled, then £1500/1700, but that'll vary and quite possibly upwards too.

 

Well, the other side of the coin is that SME's package is less then Artisan Fidelity's.

I personally had a fantastic time selecting the parts and service for my 301 build, but I've seen other people intimidated by the process who don't end up with good results. So I'd say there's definitely a modest market for one stop shopping. I'm sure SME will sell whatever they have in stock (which can't be that many).

 

You're right - Artisan will seemingly take on all comers for price. I don't doubt the quality is excellent, but that's a lot of kale.

 

Is it decoration or functional?

 

Fully functional.

 

No matter how much it cost, that is one fugly table .

 

I have an early 301. What options at CTC should o ask for?

It’s never been restored.

 

Grey or cream? Grease or oil bearing? Is the paint work good?

I had CTC restore my 1954 301, but it had sat in a garage for several years so I went for a repaint, if your paint is good I'd say just go for a full service, Ray will strip it down and replace anything that needs doing, he will also strip the cadmium plating, if you want more there are many options he offers, depends on what you want and how deep your pockets are.

 

There are several US options for restoration, as well.