please identify this garrard

[kaps]

Dear all,

I laid my hands on an old Garrard automatic record changer at a small pawn shop. The shopkeeper was not able to sell it for long so gave me for cheap alongwith a bagful of old bangla music records. I happily took all of it home.

It is big and heavy and in perfect working order. Seems to have a tube amp (not sure). I guessed so as there is a considerable time lag between switching on and the speaker hiss.

Since I dont know bangla I would like to sell the records.
Posting pics of the garrard. Kindly identify model and year and tell me if it is worth keeping.

Thanks in advance.

 

[G401fan]

The picture is not enough of a close-up, but from what I can see it appears to be a 4HF or a 5HF, idler drives that preceded the 301. They are still well regarded, and most working condition 4HFs tend to get quickly snapped up when they come up on eBay. A lucky find, if in good shape.

 

[kaps]

Thx G401 ,

Today I further probed and found a paper ring below the rubber mat of TT. Paper has following markings - Model 210 , Schedule No. 56300/1.

Amp is working well. Needle is intact and it plays the records in a very sweet tone.

Should I open the piece carefully and service the mechanical parts, like cleaning and relubing etc.

Pl suggest.

Thanks again.

 

[reubensm]

That is a Garrard RC210 changer you have here. It is definitely not a 4HF or 5HF. The 4HF and 5HF were not changers. Honestly if it was a 4HF or 5HF, you would not have got it for a song.

Yes you are right, the time lag between turning on the record player to hearing the hiss indicates that it was a tube amp. That time lag is the time taken for the valve to warm up. Most sure that it is likely to be a ECL82 or ECL86 single-valve amplifier if its an AC model or UCL82 or UCL86 if its an AC/DC model. The rectifier is likely to be EZ80 (AC Model) or UZ80 (AC/DC Model). These little built in amps were fun and sounded good, within their limitations. Nothing special. The changer turntable is also very ordinary and is notorious for rumble (as these older Garrards do not have shielded motors).

Regarding the keep-value, yes it is a good keep if you have memories from your childhood. Sorry to say that your TT may have little or no commercial value which explains why the seller struggled to sell it

Hope this helps, if you want to identify a Garrard, always refer to this site:

Nederlands Grammofoon Genootschap

 

[kaps]

It seems to be late 1950s model.

 

[kaps]

Webpage NA.

 

[reubensm]

Thx G401 ,

Should I open the piece carefully and service the mechanical parts, like cleaning and relubing etc.

Not a bad idea but do so only if you use the right lubes and you know what you are doing. Once the alignment of an automatic Garrard changer is disturbed, it is very difficult to restore the factory settings.

You may want to re-look at the tracking weight as these changers usually used heavy tracking which can damage your vinyl. There would be a simple spring slipping into slots at the rear end of the tone arm which controls the tracking weight. This can be set for light weight tracking.

Also, it is better to operate the changer in manual mode and play one record at a time. Garrard changers were are purely mechanical and are not very kind to records stacked on them

 

[reubensm]

Webpage NA.

works for me, its a great site for identifying vintage turntables. Almost all the regular garrards produced are listed in the garrard section.

 

[reubensm]

It seems to be late 1950s model.

was manufactured between 1960 and 1962

 

[kaps]

Thanks reubensm. I am trying to download the exploded parts view of the same. I will keep it as a vintage / antique (?) find and play once a while. However I have 2 HMVs my regulars.

 

[kaps]

Found another marking near the speaker.

 

[reubensm]

Thanks reubensm. I am trying to download the exploded parts view of the same. I will keep it as a vintage / antique (?) find and play once a while. However I have 2 HMVs my regulars.

Great, that's the spirit. Overall it looks like an HMV Fiesta (old model) however it is not as HMV sold these with their own turntables in India, not sure if they ever used a Garrard deck. This could probably be a Murphy or Bush but not sure.

Its a good find and definitely a good keep.

On another note, the Type-A is considered to be one of Garrard's best changers.

 

[ukjeyaraj]

That is a Garrard RC210 changer you have here. It is definitely not a 4HF or 5HF. The 4HF and 5HF were not changers. Honestly if it was a 4HF or 5HF, you would not have got it for a song.

Yes you are right, the time lag between turning on the record player to hearing the hiss indicates that it was a tube amp. That time lag is the time taken for the valve to warm up. Most sure that it is likely to be a ECL82 or ECL86 single-valve amplifier if its an AC model or UCL82 or UCL86 if its an AC/DC model. The rectifier is likely to be EZ80 (AC Model) or UZ80 (AC/DC Model). These little built in amps were fun and sounded good, within their limitations. Nothing special. The changer turntable is also very ordinary and is notorious for rumble (as these older Garrards do not have shielded motors).

Regarding the keep-value, yes it is a good keep if you have memories from your childhood. Sorry to say that your TT may have little or no commercial value which explains why the seller struggled to sell it

Hope this helps, if you want to identify a Garrard, always refer to this site:

Nederlands Grammofoon Genootschap

Very detailed and nice info there.

 

[kaps]

I offer to sell the same TT / Changer to some collector. PM me if someone has a good offer to make. But will keep the box and tube amp.

 

[kaps]

Or maybe exchange with a tube radio set.

 

[reubensm]

If you make a juicy offer, I might get interested. I have some plans to create a rack with vintage equipment for display in my new home's listening space. But not decided on what to display (surely a NAD 3020 would be on the agenda) or the budget. Its only a thought right now. I was looking at a Type-A changer recently but the asking price is too high, so dropped it.

 

[kaps]

Dear reubensm

I am interested in selling it. You make a good offer and take it home. You decide the right price.

Regards