I saw this thread when it first appeared. At that time due to some problem on the part of Audiogon I was unable to sign in and reply to postings. Obviously that has been resolved for a few months but I forgot about this thread.
I'm a little stunned at the misinformation on this thread.
A few years ago the website Liquid Audio, a West Australian repair and refurb technician, published an article in June 2021 about a GT 2000 that they had received titled "Yamaha GT-2000 Turntable Service". Mike(who is Liquid Audio) commented that there was play in the motor bearing of this particular GT 2000. Mike investigated further and upon removal of the thrust pad from the bottom of the bearing reported that the plastic flange on the thrust pad exhibited a crack. Mike surmised in the article that the turntable had probably been dropped with the platter in place.
Yamaha in the Japanese langauage only manual to the GT 2000 displayed a prominant warning that the platter was never to be removed without using the platter lifting tools(basically eye-bolts) for risk of damaging the bearing. Think about that. A prominant warning(yes it said "Warning" ) placed at the top of the first page of the owner's manual. Just about removing and reinstalling the platter.
Due to the optional 40 pound platter for the GT 2000, the bearing had to be rated to carry that load or else the optional platter would destroy the bearing. The Victor Corp engineers who developed the GT 2000 motor took a lot of time(and research) developing a motor bearing which did meet their noise and durability targets. It is a quality motor and bearing worthy of a flagship product.
However, all of that goes out the window if the bearing has been damaged. Hence the prominant warning given by Yamaha about proper preventative procedure pertaining precisely per platter placement. Mike at Liquid Audio was inspecting a damaged GT 2000. His comments on the deck should be seen to reflect that fact. Mentioning a 'bearing play issue" when talking about the GT 2000 without putting that in context is misleading.
Other gems in this thread include:
"Also, if you become an owner, do know there are Phosphor Bronze Platters to be found for sale and a YOP-1 standalone PS and a Phosphor Bronze Vacuum Platter Mat YDS-1. "
The vacuum platter mat was essentially the Audio Technica Vaccum Platter Mat. Which contained zero Phosphor Bronze.
" I can't add the Vintage Knob Link for the GT 2000, there is useful info on there to help you see less obscure info."
The Vintage Knob write-up about the Yamaha GT-2000 contains one very large error. It stated that the uprated bearing for the Yamaha GT 2000X(a different turntable derived from the GT 2000)was done to enable the use of the 40 pound optional platter. That is incorrect on the part of The Vintage Knob site. The GT 2000 from its introduction in 1982 offered the option of using the 40 pound gunmetal platter. All GT 2000 models(GT-2000/GT 2000L/GT 2000X) were designed to utilise the optional 40 pound platter. Not just the GT-2000X. The Vintage Knob got that wrong and as it goes on the internet, mistakes persist and get quoted forever.
"Also the GT 2000 can be found with a 6Kg Plinth or a 18Kg Plinth."
I'll put this one down to a brainfart from the poster. If one substitutes the words platter for the words plinth in that sentence, the entire thing makes sense.
So, in summation:
If you have bearing play in a Yamaha GT 2000, it has been damaged.
If you rely on The Vintage Knob write up about the GT 2000 be aware that the 40 pound platter can be used on all GT 2000 models.
No GT 2000 model has a ball in the motor bearing.
Liquid Audio site June 2021 were dealing with a damaged GT 2000
The optional vaccum mat is not phosphor bronze.
There is a standard platter of 6.5Kg and an optional platter of 18Kg. There is no 6Kg plinth nor an optional 18Kg plinth.
Audiogon seems to be the place where misinformation about the GT 2000 comes to live. It should not be so. I hope this goes some way to clarify. Brecchi decided to get a different turntable eventually. I hope that he didn't have any problems.
Thank you to all who read and consider this post.