A Garrard 301, 401 and Thorens 124 are Idler Drive TT's that were exported to the Far East during the 80's and 90's.
It was only when the cat got out of the bag, did these TT's find favour with dedicated European Vinyl LP enthusiasts, and a New Trend manifested that is still strong today.
While the Far East Companies were very successfully encouraging the European Countries to abandon the Vinyl LP/Single Heritage and adopt the Silver Disc, there were quite a few in the Far East that were importing and hoarding TT's that were very successful in their performance and was cementing the users vigilance against adopting an alternative Hard Medium Method for a replay.
How lucky for the Idler Drive user, that the Lenco Models slipped through the radar, when the importing and hoarding was at its prime.
It was only when the cat got out of the bag, did these TT's find favour with dedicated European Vinyl LP enthusiasts, and a New Trend manifested that is still strong today.
While the Far East Companies were very successfully encouraging the European Countries to abandon the Vinyl LP/Single Heritage and adopt the Silver Disc, there were quite a few in the Far East that were importing and hoarding TT's that were very successful in their performance and was cementing the users vigilance against adopting an alternative Hard Medium Method for a replay.
How lucky for the Idler Drive user, that the Lenco Models slipped through the radar, when the importing and hoarding was at its prime.
By the way, some of you , not ALL of you, might actually like this 5 bucks per 0.5kg grease for excavators for lubing the platter ball bearing:
In case it's hard for some to compute, if very heavy platters are used to roll aluminium oxide or just usual chromed steel balls on tungsten carbide bearings and molybdenum disulfide is the grease of choice, some of the tungsten powder can replace the molybdenum and make tungsten disulfide which is way better than MOS2.
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Never ever gave non existance of certain idler wheels a second thought when there are specialist that will rebuild your existing idler wheel for very reasonable prices.
My Russco idler drive platters are massive, not some thin stamped sheet metal. Old broadcast turntables like my Russco Studio Pro are built like a brick **** house, they will be around long after I'm gone.
BillWojo
My Russco idler drive platters are massive, not some thin stamped sheet metal. Old broadcast turntables like my Russco Studio Pro are built like a brick **** house, they will be around long after I'm gone.
BillWojo
And my 1966 Garrard and 1970 Dual both have their original tires... and still supple and silent.
Amazing.
Amazing.
I just did a search for idler wheel rejuvenation and replacement services and was startled to find so many vendors. The market is a wonderful thing, as is the Internet. In 1980 when I was considering buying the "audiophile" turntable to replace my Technics DD (not an SL1200, unfortunately), no such service existed or was discoverable in those pre-Internet days. I had thrown away a Garrard (can't remember the model but is was not the sought-after 301) when the idler wheel became hard and the bearing began to stick slightly, and moved to the Technical in 1977.
I've used 'Terry's Rubber Rollers" with good success. Strips off the old rubber and bonds a new tire to the hub, machines the tire using grinding wheels to get the diameter and thickness as it should be. He can even make new bushings if need be. All for a very reasonable price.
BillWojo
BillWojo