New Garrard 301

Discussion in 'Audio Hardware' started by Airbus, May 8, 2019.

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  1. Dubmart

    Dubmart Senior Member

    Location:
    Bristol, England
    With current exchange rates even with shipping Ray may work out the cheapest reliable option depending on what needs doing, his all in one price covers a ton of stuff including parts if needed, a proper box and new mat.
     
  2. Rolltide

    Rolltide Forum Resident

    Location:
    Vallejo, CA
    As said above, do more research on more local options. Restoring a 301 is an esoteric skill set, but all of the pros are doing the just about the same work and there’s no reason to ship it to another country.
     
    googlymoogly and SandAndGlass like this.
  3. Dubmart

    Dubmart Senior Member

    Location:
    Bristol, England
    For those saying not to ship it overseas, I do get what you are saying, but I suggest you see what Ray actually charges and then get a quote from nearer home, Ray makes a lot of 301 parts which he includes if needed so if your 301 needs parts as well as the usual labour shipping to Ray in the UK could still work out cheaper. Ray charges £375 if you don't need a repaint, that's $451 including parts if needed.

    Servicing Page – Classic Turntable Company Ltd – Supplying Garrard 301 Turntables
     
    googlymoogly likes this.
  4. googlymoogly

    googlymoogly Forum Resident

    I would never recommend against CTC based on skill set, as he does very good work indeed, and the parts he makes and sells are of excellent quality (the person I bought my Garrard 401 from had had it restored by Ray, and it’s in fine fettle). @Dubmart is right to recommend him and get a quote, but the risk too is that the ‘table might come in for additional duties being shipped to Blighty, as well as exchange rates fluctuating, and conversion costs being passed on to the customer (could be somewhat advantageous, but the risk is still there).

    I would also assume the worst when it comes to restoration, and budget accordingly - i.e., the ‘table very well may need more extensive work to fully refurbish it than it looks like from a cursory examination.
     
  5. ANALOGFOREVER

    ANALOGFOREVER Member

    Location:
    Santa Rosa CA
    Got an E-Mail back from Ray. He seems cheap almost. Mine will need a new repaint, plating, switches, and the plaques also. He does beautiful work. He recommended the Layer of Beauty plinths.

    I'm tempted to forgo the veneer and go for the solid Cherry seeing that Ken Shindo used that. Or maybe veneer a sold Cherry plinth! Thoughts?
     
  6. googlymoogly

    googlymoogly Forum Resident

    Does the quote also include a full motor servicing and repairs, as needed?
     
  7. kt66brooklyn

    kt66brooklyn Senior Member

    Location:
    brooklyn, ny
    My whole investment in a Garrard 401 with a Rega arm and a 1990's era Aphelon plinth is $225. Things have gotten crazy in the 15 years or so since I made the purchase.
     
  8. ANALOGFOREVER

    ANALOGFOREVER Member

    Location:
    Santa Rosa CA
    This one is a hammertone one. I think that means it's a grease bearing. Art Dudley just wrote an article in Stereophile about putting an aftermarket bearing in his. I think I bought it at the right time.
     
  9. regore beltomes

    regore beltomes Forum Resident

    Location:
    Helenville, WI
    Suggested retail price of new Garrard 301 $23,500.00 !! I do like the 12" arm though. Not so much the rest.
     
  10. Larry I

    Larry I Senior Member

    Location:
    Washington, D.C.
    The business involves no longer providing some of the critical new parts that allow old 301's to be refurbished. Those Loricraft parts will not be available to anyone unless they own the "new" tables. In time, the company plans to manufacture anew, more of the components of the old table that are needed for their refurbishment business. This might make it harder to refurbish and maintain the old tables.

    As to the price, this probably reflects their estimation of the value/performance of the table. Is it competitive with other $20,000 tables in terms of performance? In some respects, such as sounding dynamic and lively, I would say that the big name idler tables--Thorens 124, Garrard 301, 401, Lenco--are superior to most modern tables at this price level. You don't have to be nostalgic to be willing to pay this price; the sound can justify the price.
     
  11. googlymoogly

    googlymoogly Forum Resident

    You can still buy a nicely refurbished Garrard 301 or 401, and then source a quality plinth and tonearm for a fraction of their asking price. It wouldn’t be inexpensive, but asking 24k for their package is pretty bold pricing.
     
    Dubmart likes this.
  12. Daddy Dom

    Daddy Dom Lodger

    Location:
    New Zealand
    It surely is.
    When I'm flying, I see financial-type ads featuring a type of wealthy people I will never understand or meet.
    They do not scour ebay, they do not email Thomas Schick, they do not care what our 301 cost 15 years ago. They just want a new 301.
    They are not us.
     
    jusbe and Clay B like this.
  13. Jtycho

    Jtycho Forum Resident

    Location:
    PA
    I’m sure that person exists, but by and large I’d think the person interested in a 301 is an enthusiast, even if a billionaire. All it takes is a quick search to find Artisan Fidelity and Woodsong offering better than new 301’s for a third to half the price of the SME Garrard. I was excited when I initially heard SME bought the name, but as of now I don’t think there’s much to see here.
     
  14. googlymoogly

    googlymoogly Forum Resident

    That would be my take as well (but maybe there are more than a few deep-pocketed Asian enthusiasts who will gladly join the queue for a new 301).
     
  15. Larry I

    Larry I Senior Member

    Location:
    Washington, D.C.
    The Artisan Fidelity and Woodsong plinths are really nice looking, but, the prices are also quite high going that route. The alternative to these heavy, multi-layer plinths, is a really cheap, simple lightweight plinth and box frame. A local dealer in my area who sells almost exclusively Garrard 301 and Thorens 124 to someone seeking a high-end table (he will also recommend the Audio Note table), actually prefers the sound of the light-weight plinths with these idler tables.
     
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