Garrard 401 service & tweaking my new project.

I got my 401 on ebay UK, and changed the voltage to 115V. It is quite easy to do, just change the connections on the connection block. If I remember correctly, the block is marked where to connect for the different voltages.

You can go to vinylengine.com, register, and download a free manual, which will help a great deal with anything you care to do with your table.

Unless your 401 was subjected to many, many, years of constant use, with little or no maintenance, your idler wheel should still be in good shape. On mine, the rubber wheel contact is still resilient, ao all I did was sand it very lightly. If it spins free, the bearings are still good.

These tables were very well engineered and built, and last and last. The same applies to the spindle bearing and shaft. Just remove and clean it inside and out, if it looks good, and the oil wasn't too funky, it's probably in good shape.

I would suggest you get it mounted up in playing condition, without doing too much at first. You might be surprised how good it is without spending what it costs for an aftermarket spindle bearing and shaft. Just because they cost a lot of money doesn't mean they will work or sound better.

If the motor is quiet, and runs a steady speed, it's still good too. You will want to lube it, too, before using your table.

Almost all the parts you will need will be available at Perfect Sound in the UK, at reasonable prices, should you need them. It may be necessary to change many of the springs, as they may have strecthed and lost tension.

The only available replacement idler wheel I've seen lately is, as you mentioned, the Artisan Fidelity.

You can pretty much spend as much, or as little (as it is with most things audio) as you like. either way, you should have a great sounding table.

If I can be of further assistance, don't hesitate to contact me.

Congratulations, enjoy,
Dan

Phduncanson,

First, I would like to thank Chris for his superb job of describing the switchover in voltage. Although I have done it (once, several years ago now), my memory these days is for the birds.

As for the speed, the idler wheel remains the same. What changes is the hub that is driven directly by the motor. The pulley sizes are different from 50hz to 60hz.

The 60hz pulleys can be purchased, as I previously mentioned, at PerfectSound, in the UK.

The strobe markings will be incorrect, as they are for 50hz. That is a small concern, though. There are some 60hz platters out there, but they are quite rare, and expensive. If you decide to go whole hog and replace your platter with a copper or stainless steel one (extremely expensive!), the strobe markings become a moot point anyway.

By the way, I am not in any way a schill, but I can recommend Woodsong Audio, as I've dealt with Chris, and found him very good to do business with.

Enjoy the process, I know you will enjoy the result.

Regards,
Dan

Hello Phduncason, I did not mean to imply you need a new platter. The 50 Hz platter works fine, the strobe function just doesn't work, due to the frequency mismatch.

Some with money to spend, and are perfectionists, will seek out a 60 Hz platter, just so everything is just so. I can't afford to be one of those people, and use an inexpensive KeyStrobe speed checking system which works well for me.

To each his own.

Regards,
Dan

Phduncanson,

I'm glad to hear you've gotten a very good example of a 401. For spindle bearing oil, I use that which is sold by Northwest Analog in the UK.

I also use sewing machine oil for the idler bearings.

How long do you anticipate it will be before you get to hear it for the first time?

Best regards,
Dan