The Best-Looking Garrard?

[GP49]

For sheer classic good looks, it's the Lab 80.

NOT the Lab 80 Mk II, though; even though operationally that newer machine is more versatile, Garrard "junked up" the control panel from the understated, chaste original design.

And...this is from the owner and "daily driver" of a Garrard 301. I no longer own a Lab 80 but keep looking at the thrift shops and garage sales. Maybe someday.

Meanwhile I still like the style of the Garrard A70 and the identical 70 Mk II. An A70 is my "second turntable" and my 78rpm cartridge is in a Lab80/A70 headshell.

[timspell]

NOT the Lab 80 Mk II, though

Don't know about that. Both models look great, with well-executed tonearms and platters.

[VintageFreq]

Wow! I see the Lab 80 is still holding on to 3rd place!

Mike

[timspell]

I hink this vote is on target -- the 301, 4HF and Lab 80 (Not necessarily in that order) look the best.

I'm also a fan of the 95B

[mr. softie]

The LAB 80 for me.

[satanfriendly]

Just has to be the Zero 2000B for me. It just looks so purposeful and way ahead of its time. Pity about the tractor tyre mat though. Voted Zero 100 in support of.

Otherwise I think it should be up there as one of the best lookers of all time.

[timspell]

I can see the Zero 2000B. Gillsev gave it a write-in vote, too.

[aardvarkash10]

thats like asking which of your children is the prettiest!

I like all three of my current Garrards, for different reasons.

The SP25IV is the only working one. Thats gotta be good for something! It has all the charm of a housebrick, but is also as reliable as one

The SL 95B is the most "manly" looking - in a very Burt Reynolds, hairy-chested playboy kind of way. Its in a heavy teak plinth and is badged as a Bell (!) so its a bit of a barstard child, but I still admire it.

My Zero 100 appeals to the engineer geek in me. It is clearly a product of late 60s English engineering - delicate, often broken, conceptually sound but flawed in execution. Emotionally, you just want to pull on a safari suit and trot off to Carnaby Street every time you see it. I wouldn't mind betting that, once I do get it going, it only plays the Beatles, rejecting any vinyl pressed outside the UK.

I just bought an old Akai deck. Its about as emotionally engaging as a fridge. And thats without plugging it in.

[LPfan]

I just bought an old Akai deck. Its about as emotionally engaging as a fridge. And thats without plugging it in.

But then it is probably as coldly efficient and reliable as a Japanese fridge.

Yes, most of the Garrards, Duals, Elacs, Thorens and their ilk have a unique character. They also seem to have an ego that needs some pampering (we call that TLC and tweaking) to get the best out of them.

Regards,

LPfan

[timspell]

The SL 95B is the most "manly" looking - in a very Burt Reynolds, hairy-chested playboy kind of way. Its in a heavy teak plinth and is badged as a Bell (!) so its a bit of a barstard child, but I still admire it.

My Zero 100 appeals to the engineer geek in me. It is clearly a product of late 60s English engineering - delicate, often broken, conceptually sound but flawed in execution. Emotionally, you just want to pull on a safari suit and trot off to Carnaby Street every time you see it. I wouldn't mind betting that, once I do get it going, it only plays the Beatles, rejecting any vinyl pressed outside the UK.

Love the descriptions: I now look at my 95B and Zero 100 much differently.

[gillsev]

Honestly, I still have a crush on the Z2000B

I can see why. It integrates a number of cool signature Garrard elements -- a nice platter and tonearm, and classic switches.

Found a cool ad on it ...

[teac4010]

Found a cool ad on it ...

Why don't you put this in the library? It will save a lot of bandwidth when discussing the Zero Trackers with the naysayers. Happy New Year! Regards.

[gillsev]

Why don't you put this in the library? It will save a lot of bandwidth when discussing the Zero Trackers with the naysayers. Happy New Year! Regards.

DONE! I hope I did it right. Thanks for the heads up on "Library"

[1200y3]

Show me a Garrard that is not unique (and I'll show one that's perfect!)

The 4HF is my favorite for looks.

The GT-55P is one TT that is not popular. It is very modern, with a magnesium true tangent arm (like the Zeros), belt drive with solid state speed control. It sounds spectacular, possibly due to the magnesium arm and the decoupled pivoted head which is also for the true tangent system.