Hello. I'm new here so apologies if I am posting this incorrectly or transgressing any rules.
I have a Connoisseur BD1 deck which has remained unused for over 30 years. I am having to downsize my house so am hoping to sell it to a good home.
I built this turntable in the late 1970's from a Sugden kit, into a home built timber plinth. The original tonearm was replaced with a Hadcock one (can't recall the model). I still have the original Sugden SAU2 tonearm, all the construction information and templates and alignment protractors, and miscellaneous nuts, bolts, washers and allen keys. There is an AKG P7E cartridge in amongst the items and an unknown cartridge fitted to the Hadcock arm. There is no plinth cover.
The turntable works, having been switched on after 30+ years. I'm not sure of the condition or serviceability of the cartridges, and the Hadcock arm probably needs a very careful set up. I loved this turntable at the time and used it for years until my lifestyle dictated that a less fiddly and sensitive set-up was required.
I have pictures available. I'm based in the northwest of England. Any comments or interest appreciated. Thanks.
I have a Connoisseur BD1 deck which has remained unused for over 30 years. I am having to downsize my house so am hoping to sell it to a good home.
I built this turntable in the late 1970's from a Sugden kit, into a home built timber plinth. The original tonearm was replaced with a Hadcock one (can't recall the model). I still have the original Sugden SAU2 tonearm, all the construction information and templates and alignment protractors, and miscellaneous nuts, bolts, washers and allen keys. There is an AKG P7E cartridge in amongst the items and an unknown cartridge fitted to the Hadcock arm. There is no plinth cover.
The turntable works, having been switched on after 30+ years. I'm not sure of the condition or serviceability of the cartridges, and the Hadcock arm probably needs a very careful set up. I loved this turntable at the time and used it for years until my lifestyle dictated that a less fiddly and sensitive set-up was required.
I have pictures available. I'm based in the northwest of England. Any comments or interest appreciated. Thanks.
My late uncle also built a Connoisseur BD1 kit with SAU2 tonearm, which fed his diy valve amplification and Whiteley Stentorian loudspeaker system.
The turntable/tonearm combination was an affordable introduction to high quality record reproduction.
Many BD1s were fitted with SME arms. Details are in the attached period adverts.
I would offer the BD1 for sale fitted with the Hadcock tonearm. The SAU2 tonearm and accessories could be included as part of the package.
Photographs of the above items would be welcome and may help identify the model of Hadcock tonearm.
The turntable/tonearm combination was an affordable introduction to high quality record reproduction.
Many BD1s were fitted with SME arms. Details are in the attached period adverts.
I would offer the BD1 for sale fitted with the Hadcock tonearm. The SAU2 tonearm and accessories could be included as part of the package.
Photographs of the above items would be welcome and may help identify the model of Hadcock tonearm.
Attachments
If you have to ship it, the motor must be bolted to the top plate.
Also the rubber band that positions the motor against the belt tension is likely to be bad by now.
The motor suspension may also be bad if it is the original rubber band version,
and not the improved suspension version.
Also the rubber band that positions the motor against the belt tension is likely to be bad by now.
The motor suspension may also be bad if it is the original rubber band version,
and not the improved suspension version.
I see that BD1 suspension kits are available on ebay (as are suspension conversion kits).
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Thanks for the responses and helpful advice. Re the Hadcock arm I have a vague recollection that it might be a '228'. Does that sound like a likely number or am I just making it up?!
I would hope to sell everything as a complete lot as I imagine all the bits together would be of interest to an enthusiast. I attach some photos
I would hope to sell everything as a complete lot as I imagine all the bits together would be of interest to an enthusiast. I attach some photos
Attachments
@Gab Bennett
When you get your sale items organised, you can advertise them in the "Market Place", "Swap Meet" section of the forum.
When you get your sale items organised, you can advertise them in the "Market Place", "Swap Meet" section of the forum.
Thanks rayma. It seems that the tone arm is a 1970s or early 80s Hadcock GH228. I can't remember when I upgraded to it.
I will put this equipment on the Swap Meet section as advised. I don't know what to ask for it so will be open to fair offers.
I will put this equipment on the Swap Meet section as advised. I don't know what to ask for it so will be open to fair offers.
We moved a lot of BD1s (100s). Many we did our own plinth for and put a Grace 708 on them. The Haycock is in most wasy beter but more fiddly. There was (and is) only one that i know of, the number referring to the length. The ones sipping today are more refined but pretty much the same design. I have one downstairs needs rewiring.
The rubber thing holding the motor is unlikely to have survived 30 years, i have just used rubber bands to replace them. The belt also probably needs replacing — i beleive their is a thread that figures out what a correct size O-ring/belt would be.
This was my own one:
The table is worth something, the arm is likely worth more than when new. Something like $250 CAD in the late ‘70s, last i checked on the current ones they are in excess of £1k.
dave
The rubber thing holding the motor is unlikely to have survived 30 years, i have just used rubber bands to replace them. The belt also probably needs replacing — i beleive their is a thread that figures out what a correct size O-ring/belt would be.
This was my own one:
The table is worth something, the arm is likely worth more than when new. Something like $250 CAD in the late ‘70s, last i checked on the current ones they are in excess of £1k.
dave
Thanks Dave. That's an interesting design! I had imagined that some rubber components in mine would need replacing after all this time, though the drive belt is still in one piece and turns the table. I reckon it will be a mini project for someone to clean it up and refurbish the whole set up. If I had more time and fewer other demands I would do it.
A GH228 is £1k? I really need to have a clear out. I got one in the late 70's and used it for a couple of decades on a Transcriptors Hydraulic reference. It was a nice arm, even if it was a pain to set up. To damp or not to damp that is the question. But like everything else, practice makes perfect. It's been sat in a box for abut 20 years...
The BD1 was OK I thought, something of a bargain. You had to spend a lot of money to get something significantly better if you were able to mount the platter on a decent plinth and isolate it.
The BD1 was OK I thought, something of a bargain. You had to spend a lot of money to get something significantly better if you were able to mount the platter on a decent plinth and isolate it.
While we had them, they were a step up from the Pioneers, and a step up would be Rega, then Linn, and later in time, Oracles (we sold 10% of the first 1000 tables).
dave
Hello. It is for sale. I'm just not sure how much to ask so am open to offers. I would really like someone to have this and put it back into use.