Gates CB-77 Good, Great, Junk ?

fortytwo · 18th December 2005, 01:27 PM

Hello,
I have recently purchased 2 Gates radio company CB-77 turntables. I got them at a collage surplus for a dollar for the pair.
These are very heavy and have a good bearing in them a sfar as i can tell. Replace the plynth and it is basically what us diy guys are looking for.

Are these decks something that a person could convert to a HI-FI table. The motors are held in by rubber dampener, one deck all of these are broke the other they are ripping. The power swith has been disabled and replaced with relays for hook up to the radio station, i have not tersted them yet.

I was thinking of making a solid mdf base for then contoured around the equiptment (like a goldrin lenco upgrade) Dynomat the inside install a different power switch in the front, make a armboars support off to the right whitch would be replaceble and easily removable. and giving the unit a piano resin finish. Having the table set into the top a bit with either sorbothane between the top and base or other material not yet decided.

Let me know that you Guys think.
p.s. I still havent finished my complete diy table. It got cold and my friend with the lathe cant use it because it is in the shop snowed in.

FortyTwo

fortytwo · 22nd February 2006, 01:10 AM

Does anybody have any info or opion on these gates tables?

bornin50 · 22nd February 2006, 03:51 PM

Hi

Do you have any photos? Presumably they are heavy duty idler drives so should be candidates for the Garrard/Lenco plinth treatment. It sounds like you've got the ideas sorted more or less, motor mounts are all you need. At that price maybe folks figure you've been very lucky, dammit!!

Regards

Colin

electrode10101 · 23rd February 2006, 07:36 PM

The Gates are solid turntables. Quietness of drive depends on condition of the idler, of course. The on/off switch is a mercury switch, IIRC. Actually, I've got a couple in my garage awaiting rebuilds myself!

I have used these in a radio station setting, and setting them up properly takes a bit of adjustment. Somewhere, I have the docs for this table, but have been unable to locate them. I've always liked the styling.

There usually was a 1/2" foam rubber isolator running around the perimeter of the underside of the table. Kind of like door insulation. I'd have to check, but I think these were just placed in situ without bolting to the tabletop or plinth. I'll have to check, though.

If I locate the info at home, or somewhere on the net, I'll post it.

fortytwo · 25th February 2006, 08:49 PM

I beleive the switch was removed and replaced with a relay but i will take some pics and post them as soon as i can.
And any info would be great i think cleaned up and new plinth these would be good weird tables.

fortytwo · 26th February 2006, 06:48 PM

Here are the pics of the unit. This is the one that has in tact mounts but they are ripping. both have the switch mech removed and replaced with relay shown in the pbottom pic.

fortytwo · 26th February 2006, 06:50 PM

the bearing

fortytwo · 26th February 2006, 06:51 PM

the mech

media · 29th August 2006, 08:47 AM

Solid tables and a nice example of "broadcast art". I have access to some of the parts for the drive and speed select.

Only user for the Ashland motor used in the 12" CB77 and 16" CB500 was Gates. Treat them TLC!

I know of 2 sources here in the US that can rebuild the idler wheels/pucks.

Of all of the broadcast table, the Gates were the best. The later direct drive Technics tables were much quieter, but not an interesting to see.

Weedu · 6th September 2006, 01:22 PM

And they looked very impressive with 'Grey Research' tone arms.

18th December 2005, 01:27 PM	#1
fortytwo diyAudio Member Join Date: Oct 2004	Gates CB-77 Good, Great, Junk ? Hello, I have recently purchased 2 Gates radio company CB-77 turntables. I got them at a collage surplus for a dollar for the pair. These are very heavy and have a good bearing in them a sfar as i can tell. Replace the plynth and it is basically what us diy guys are looking for. Are these decks something that a person could convert to a HI-FI table. The motors are held in by rubber dampener, one deck all of these are broke the other they are ripping. The power swith has been disabled and replaced with relays for hook up to the radio station, i have not tersted them yet. I was thinking of making a solid mdf base for then contoured around the equiptment (like a goldrin lenco upgrade) Dynomat the inside install a different power switch in the front, make a armboars support off to the right whitch would be replaceble and easily removable. and giving the unit a piano resin finish. Having the table set into the top a bit with either sorbothane between the top and base or other material not yet decided. Let me know that you Guys think. p.s. I still havent finished my complete diy table. It got cold and my friend with the lathe cant use it because it is in the shop snowed in. FortyTwo

22nd February 2006, 03:51 PM	#3
bornin50 diyAudio Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: UK Central	pics? Hi Do you have any photos? Presumably they are heavy duty idler drives so should be candidates for the Garrard/Lenco plinth treatment. It sounds like you've got the ideas sorted more or less, motor mounts are all you need. At that price maybe folks figure you've been very lucky, dammit!! Regards Colin

23rd February 2006, 07:36 PM	#4
electrode10101 diyAudio Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Northern Virginia	The Gates are solid turntables. Quietness of drive depends on condition of the idler, of course. The on/off switch is a mercury switch, IIRC. Actually, I've got a couple in my garage awaiting rebuilds myself! I have used these in a radio station setting, and setting them up properly takes a bit of adjustment. Somewhere, I have the docs for this table, but have been unable to locate them. I've always liked the styling. There usually was a 1/2" foam rubber isolator running around the perimeter of the underside of the table. Kind of like door insulation. I'd have to check, but I think these were just placed in situ without bolting to the tabletop or plinth. I'll have to check, though. If I locate the info at home, or somewhere on the net, I'll post it. __________________ jD If it doesn't fit force it, if it breaks, buy another one.

29th August 2006, 08:47 AM	#9
media diyAudio Member Join Date: Aug 2006	Gates CB77 Solid tables and a nice example of "broadcast art". I have access to some of the parts for the drive and speed select. Only user for the Ashland motor used in the 12" CB77 and 16" CB500 was Gates. Treat them TLC! I know of 2 sources here in the US that can rebuild the idler wheels/pucks. Of all of the broadcast table, the Gates were the best. The later direct drive Technics tables were much quieter, but not an interesting to see.

6th September 2006, 01:22 PM	#10
Weedu diyAudio Member Join Date: Sep 2006	CB77 And they looked very impressive with 'Grey Research' tone arms.


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22nd February 2006, 01:10 AM	#2
fortytwo diyAudio Member Join Date: Oct 2004	Does anybody have any info or opion on these gates tables?

25th February 2006, 08:49 PM	#5
fortytwo diyAudio Member Join Date: Oct 2004	I beleive the switch was removed and replaced with a relay but i will take some pics and post them as soon as i can. And any info would be great i think cleaned up and new plinth these would be good weird tables.

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