Garrard RC88/4

[Steerpike_jhb]

Hi Cybadelic
I do like your Selectomatic!
Some info that may b helpful: mine had NO fuses anywhere in it! As a result, a short circuited rectifier valve (EZ81) put serious stress on the transformer, which survived! A great credit to Philips who made the trafo - it could withstand minutes with a dead short across its HT windings.
Anyways, you might want to put in some fuses if none are used so far. (I added 3, one on the AC mains, one on the HT winding, and one on the valve heater supply).

Are you seriously buying out Jean?

[Cybadelic]

Hi Steerpike

Thanks for the compliments and the advice

I haven't really checked in the innards much, it's a real pain in the butt to unscrew the back and look. The client who gave me the 'gram happened to be in at the time I got your email. He said that he thinks there are fuses. I still have the bits of desk there so will have to wait for now.

Yes, I'm seriously thinking about buying out Jean, although I'm probably not in her good books at the moment as I've been seriously busy and haven't had time to call her. I also have to try raise some finance etc.
Like I said in an earlier post... looks like a good opportunity.

Enjoy

Cybadelic
_________________
"Digital preserves music the way that formaldehyde preserves frogs. You kill it, and it lasts forever." (unknown - New York Times?)

[Cybadelic]

Hi Steerpike

Things have been hectic lately!!!

Finally moved that desk and put it together (In preparation for its occupant) and was able to get some pics. I posted one here:

http://www.vinylengine.com/php.....ic_id=3084

I've taken more pics and will email them directly if you're inrerested. Could not really get a good angle on the top .

There's so much dust!! - Probably over 50 years worth! Would a vacuum cleaner cause any damage??

Regards

Cybadelic
_________________
"Digital preserves music the way that formaldehyde preserves frogs. You kill it, and it lasts forever." (unknown - New York Times?)

[Steerpike_jhb]

Ahh, that is a sexy picture!
But I'm curious - the front glass says 'stereophonic', but at the back I see only one output transformer, and one co-ax cable for pick-up. And not enough valves (tubes) for two audio channels. Are there other bits hidden out of shot?
(Oh - I do see the fuses! )
Vacuum cleaner will do no harm as long as you don't knock parts with the nozzle. I usually hold the nozzle about 5 to 10cm away and then use a fairly stiff artists brush to clean. The vacuum takes away all the dust disloged but doesn't need to get dangerously close to do so.
Turpentine will work well on cleaning especially grubby bits - but don't get it in the tuning coils - it will dissolve out the wax they used to seal them with.

[Cybadelic]

Hi Steerpike

There is more hidden out of shot. I think there's another big transformer which is hidden behind the one on the left of the pic but there are definately more valves to the right behind the small transformer. Theres 2 cables with red and black banana plugs connected to the TT output in the middle of the pic I assume these are for L & R, at least that's where I think they go as I have followed them as far as the partition between amp and tt. Also plugs for external speaker connection on the sides of the cabinet.

This was made in the 1950's so maybe it's an "experimental" design or something, but can't really speculate as I'm no expert. Perhaps one of the formum boffins can figure it out...

I have more pics but don't really want to clutter the forum with them, maybe I'll post them on Yahoo or something and link from here, else I could email them to anyone interested.

Thanks for the advice regardng cleaning out the dust.

Regards

Cybadelic
_________________
"Digital preserves music the way that formaldehyde preserves frogs. You kill it, and it lasts forever." (unknown - New York Times?)

[esroberto]

That is one of the most beautiful turntables I've ever seen. I was recently given a (typically brown/black) RC-88/4 with a GE VRII and have fallen in love completely. She took a lot of cleaning and I still have to get the changer mech running correctly, but what beautiful music she makes. I think you'll enjoy that 'table quite a bit once everything's up to spec. Please keep us posted!

[2blue]

I am hunting down one of these old Gerrards too, or perhaps some other fairly good turntable from the 50s. I know to little of how the were or what can be restored and fitted with new cartridges. This thread is really interesting.

How does the RC deck sound ?

[1200y3]

The bearings on most Garrards were very high quality, both arm and platter. The RC 80 uses a long spindle bearing and the 88 must use the short one with about 5 ball bearings and a taper fit.

If it has the two piece platter like the Type A, replace the (dried up) foam with burlap. The Astatic Floating pickup was an idea used on some Garrards, It is a cartridge on a pivot for vertical motion and had a magnet that pressed it to the record. That idea could be applied to a modern cartridge, like Dynavector does with their arm. Or build it into a plinth with a Graham Robbin tonearm (or whatever you find used) for stereo records, and use the original arm with a GE RPX or VR2 for special mono listening. You can straight out by just placing a high tracking force cartridge from Shure or Stanton into the arm. The arm may need to be lined with damping material like burlap, but with its weight it may not help.

Acoustic audible noise is silenced with air damping techniques such as foam with air pockets, or sponge. The air needs to be trapped to attack acoustics. Paper pillows made from paper bags with fiberglass and sealed airtight will control sound, or paper mache balloons. Pillows have to be stiff and light. Seal the bottom of the base to turn the underside into an air chamber. It also helps for heat conduction, but you may need ventilation.

Find a stethoscope and locate vibration transfer, and damp the panels with acrylic latex caulking or silicone and possibly burlap. Hemp is an excellent strengthener and damping material for turntables. Macrame (square knot chain) is an excellent resonance killer for old turntables and cartridges (damping) for gaskets and lining noisy areas. If it has a poor idler wheel (intermediate wheel), a rubber O-ring may work to rebuild it. The outside platter edge (outside surface may need a lining to silence ringing (felt, burlap, silicone, or acrylic calking). Check its balance as well.

I have turned down enough RC 88's from flea markets, but not because I didn't want one. I would have to actually upgrade one to be able to give a complete upgrade formula. I know it is worth it.

[2blue]

That sounds really interesting 1200y3, and that is something anyone with a bit of persistence could do? I am searching for this type of old turntable mostly because of the vintage look, but as good as possible sound is a priority. I am prepared to use time and money on this project.

[1200y3]

SAMS Photofacts have great cutaway drawings and make it easy to fix. Just beware that a Garrard could fool you and ball bearings from the arm pivot (both lateral and vertical) could fall all over the place.

Be careful how much money and labour you put in it. A good lubrication job as per the manual and a polish with a toothbrush and a cotton swab is better than ruining the original fit of the parts if you can get away with it. I've purchsed many turntables to find out they were dissasembled, and then it becomes confusing. Can't blame anyone, things get seized with age.

Our local supplier before they sold out had a huge amout of NOS parts for Garrards in their warehouse, and I would think there are alot of spares around online.