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I saw a Garrard Type A for the first time last weekend. Because it was a changer, I have never paid much attention to this model. I assumed it would be clunky, like my fathers RC80. I was pleasantly surprised that it was very smooth and quiet. It was also built like a tank. I suspect it was considered state of the arts for the time. Changers were what people wanted. The arm looked very heavy and dated, but still looked like it could do well with a low compliance MM cartage. With the changer function, it would be just the thing for playing 78's. Of course you could also put a new arm on it and go manual. Nowadays, all of the attention goes to the 301 and 401, so the Type A's are going for cheap on ePay. This might be the sleeper of the idlers. I do like the looks!
Has anyone had any experience with this table?
Dave
Follow Ups:
The first turntable I ever purchased was a Garrard Type A.
I purchased it new about 1963 when I began the hobby.
I kept it only a short time. I remember the tonearm had
excessive lateral friction and would not track cartridges
with less then about 2 grams tracking force. This was
a real problem and the 'table would not cycle at the end
of record.
Aside from the tracking issues, I think it was OK.
I looked the table up on eBay and pricing indicates the same lack of enthusiasm that you have. However, that could also be because of the sheer numbers that were made (supply/demand). Also, it is a very solid changer, a lot are probably still working. I went back to the thrift store, and was surprised to see that is was still there. I checked the lateral friction. OK, it was no Technics EPA-100 (ruby bearings), but it did not seem excessive at all. I was a turntable technician in the 80's and have seen a lot of tonearms. I think you example had a problem. Possibly the auto mechanism was not disengaging. Bottom line, I took this unwanted ugly duckling home. To me it is a beautiful table, and that is all that counts. I am going to clean it up and see if I can get the automatic functions working properly. If I can, it will be dropping my late father's 78's that are now mine.
Dave
I figured just looking at the arm that 2g tracking force was the minimum. I did not check the arm for lateral friction, but I know that this can be a problem with older arms, particularly those with such elaborate auto mechanisms. If I have a chance to view it again, I will check for lateral friction. Of course you can always change the arm and use it as a manual table. It was the smoothness and the quietness of the idler drive that impressed me.
Dave
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