Garrard Zero 100 worth some work?

[mpmarino]

I rescued a TT from the dump today. It's an old Garrard Zero 100 looks- to be fully automatic.

Has anyone had experience with this or similar? None of the auto stuff works and I don't care. I can get the table to turn just fine though. Do you guys think this would be a nice deck with all the auto goodies stripped and a decent arm attached?

In other words, is the core of this thing worth putting a little() time into?

Thanks!

[dnsey]

TNT are champions of this TT. Quite a lot on this site about servicing & mods.

[Nanook]

as pointed out, tnt did a remake of the turntable (well adjustments, etc.

I have the belt driver version. great table. biggest hastle are sloppy headshell pivot bearings.

[mpmarino]

Thanks Gents-

I found a dead thread on diya- and with the other links you suggested I think energy can be more wisely put in other directions!

[Nanook]

The tnt articles are easy to follow and well written. My belt drive SB Zero 100 has an aluminium plinth and only needs a little chassis dampening. If the plastic/wood plinth is what you have, junk that, but spend some time with the table. It will reward you. At worst, remove the arm and creat a manual version, even using my (infamous) $2.19 tonearm. I guarantee it will not disapoint you. The motors are very well built as are the bearings.

[bulgin]

Hi mpmarino

I agree with the guys' consensus here. I don't have one but I have repaired tonearmleads for a Zero One which belongs to a local violin maker. The one I worked on, had a crappy custom plastic "tub" for a plinth. Your one at least, gives you a headstart as the plinth doesn't look too bad.

If it were mine (FWIW), I'll go the difficult route and restore/repair/beautify the lot and you will have a respectable period piece of some worth.

This will be hard work but just think of your achievement and pride of ownership when the job is done. Another thing (can't remember) isn't there a manual override in the mechanism?

bulgin

[mpmarino]

OK guys,

The trashed dustcover went into the bin but the tt is with me. I have a lot going on now - this will give me some time to think what to do with it. This is the idler model, by the way. The plinth is real wood.

Thanks a lot.....

[bulgin]

Hi again

I've had at least 3 dustcovers made for me over the years for different turntables. My usual sources for these are commercial signmaking firms who are very skilled in acrylic fabricating. If you have the hinges in good condition, the battle is halfway over.

Cheers

bulgin

[Triumph]

I have started a treat earlier on this machine. After almost 2 years upgrading I can say that it is a wonderful machine but you have to do a lot of work on it. To be honest, get rid on it before its get you. Upgrading this machine became an addiction to me.

To get a descend sound you must:
-tear out the automatic and loose 2 kg junk metal
-change the central bearing into an inverted one (I made a steal bearing/ceramic plate)
-the arm is the biggest problem you need to do a lot of work on this one. And it is not the front bearings but the central one. There is a construction failure in this.
-the idler drive version is the best but creates rumble you have to do a lot of work on the motor platter to create a silent machine.
-and there is some more

Everyone is revering to the TNT site but I am sorry he is totally wrong. It is not the plint or stabilization of mains or etc. It is more fundamental. The construction failure in the arm main bearing is the biggest problem, the central bearing the next.

Sorry don’t have the time to explain it all.

Go on Ebay with it and buy a Sony or……

[Nanook]

comes anywhere near what the old Garrard can do.

This could be a perfect donation table to a re-plinth such as the one I did on an old Sugden Connoisseur...CAD $35 if I remember correctly.

Nanooks dumb ask replinth

A "Winners" (that's TJ Maxx or similar in the US), Asian Hardwood cutting board for CAD $10. practice arrow for the shaft, 2 for CAD$3, some junk wire and a piece of scap aluminium, an old pen refill, a 1/4" pipe plug, and some junk parts off a beater turntable (junk Realistic or similar), and four marbles for feet.

this is my cheap $2.19 DIY tonearm. If the bearing is buggered, then a bearing would have to be sourced.., but that can be done on the cheap too. Have a listen to the turntable while it is spinning with a stethescope, thatt'll tell you if the bearing is shot for sure.

I still believe it is worth working on. The motor in and of itself and the platter are quite good.

Triumph, do you have a link to your earlier thread?