Garrard Ap76 Record Player. Service and test.

[@stephenhill8806]

I have an Ap76 and 301. Both are set up correctly and the Ap76 sounds better every time. A very under rated machine. Great video btw.

[@stephenhill8806]

I agree, they sound superb.

[@Grimwriggler]

Great video .These decks are superb and do not rumble if set up correctly ,and are amazingly musical. i have an AP 76, an SL95 b, Zero 100s and a model 82. The 82 came with a much smaller one piece platter and a smaller main bearing so I took a platter and bearing from a scrapped 95B (burnt out motor and broken arm ) and fitted it into the 82, and it is now A really beautiful sounding (and better looking) deck, none of mine have the top bearing and use ball bearing racers at the bottom, which don't really need much maintenance except the odd oiling every 6 months or so. All of mine have suffered with Garrard Grease , but I have only done my Zero 100 so far as i don't like all the auto functions any way. I may try to get my hands on a belt drive Zero(SB) soon as well

[@marcus9064]

I have one just like this with about the same problems. What kind of grease should i use? Thank you for the video!

[@youmalty]

Hi Nick, great clear and detailed video! I've just got one of these decks - a Garrard Ap76 (badged for Bush) and it seems to run fine mechanically, none of the stickiness that you had here. The arm and stylus track fine, but it seems to run slightly slow. I've read about the motor pulley being different for uk and us models, but I'm pretty sure mine is correct size. I've also read that the induction motor sometimes needs to warm up, but mine doesn't seem to get any faster even after a while. Any ideas why it could be slow?

[@nickadams5411]

The AP76 had an induction motor, not the Synchro-Lab that runs at a "locked-in" and precise speed. There were sample variations, so a given unit could run slightly fast or slow. The tolerance was about 1%, give or take, for the hi-fi models, 2% for the lower priced record changers. There was also a selection of motor pulleys fitted on the production line to correct for errors in motor speed. In case of a unit whose speed was off after servicing, When Garrard was still in business, they had a complimentary service wherein you would tell them what percentage speed error your unit had, and would send them your motor pulley. A technician woukd measure your pulley with a micrometer and select another that would correct the speed error; then mail you the new one. Unfortunately, Garrard is gone and this service is not available.

[@youmalty]

Thanks for the info Nick! Maybe not the best design on Garrard's part, despite the good customer service in the day! I did clean and lube the spinning parts, but it didn't help. Then I wrapped a couple of tiny strips of electrical tape around the motor pulley on the 33 and 45 rpm sections. Lo and behold, it plays at the right speed now!

[@Roger.Coleman1949]

Hello Nick, very interesting video, I have one of these but the pick-up drops quickly with no slow descent.Also where do you source the ' slippery ' light grease from ?.I have only managed to get a silicon grease in very small pots from gunsmiths.

[@nickadams5411]

Hi Roger The damping of the lowering is a problem on most old decks. The friction grease is normally in a tube and is nearly always a pain to regrease with a suitable thick or sticky grease. I normally live with it. The slippery grease that I use is a special one I found by Ultimate. I am not sure what it is, but it is brown and very slippery. I have tried various others such as graphite, copper and moly formulations. I do not recommend silicon as it is quite clingy and although good for solid heavy rubbing metal parts, it is not good for gentle or light rubbing parts. The UltimateRacing grease is part UR0904, but not sure where you can get it now. It is Spanish, there is a shop there that has it. Maybe Teflon grease would work.

[@Roger.Coleman1949]

Thanks alot for your advice Nick - much appreciated- always enjoy your videos and have accumulated about 25 vintage record players.

[@breezebenitses397]

Hi there how would i earth this to a panasonic su2700 please? There doesnt appear to have an earth wire. Cheers

[@markfewtrell2198]

And thanks for video.

[@descartesdonkey4291]

Hi Nick -n thanks for the vid. I have a perfect deck apart from a really bad hum . Plays well, sits well etc but this hum is coming through all the time . What could it be ?

[@nickadams5411]

Hi The Hum is usually incorrect earthing. If you unplug the deck does the hum stop? If , yes, then the earth wires need to be sorted out. Normally if the deck chassis is earthed to the mains plug, then the pickup cartridge wires earth (or cable screen) should not be connected to the chassis. If the chassis is not earthed to the mains plug, then only one cable screen should be connected to the chassis, or sometimes a capacitor should be connected from the cable screen to the chassis. With the deck unplugged from mains, touch the stylus to hear the sound, and then unplug either left or right phono cable to see if hum is less, as sometimes even the phono cables can create a hum loop. Let me know.

[@markfewtrell2198]

@@nickadams5411 unplug deck and hum continues!

[@nickadams5411]

@@markfewtrell2198 Unplug the phono lead and the hum stops? If yes, then the wires to the cartridge, or the cartridge is open circuit (No connection)

[@markfewtrell2198]

@@nickadams5411 thanks youre a gem. i think this is a really underrated deck.

[@markfewtrell2198]

This is identical to mine. I acquired it from an audiophile who passed away. Everything is fine but hum [grounding?]. And the rpm switch wont move past the 33 12in. I wonder if the 45 has been deliberately disabled. Any help would be appreciated.

[@nickadams5411]

Hi Mark I am sure the 45rpm position is just stiff, as never been used. It is just a sliding mechanical part. You will have to take the bottom off and have a look. The Hum can only be a disconnected earth wire, or someone has connected the earth from the mains plug to the signal earth. Again, you will probably have to have a look inside.

[@markfewtrell2198]

Thanks. The video is very helpful.

[@Grimwriggler]

MY model 82 was the same and when i looked i found a piece of sharp metal point underneath which prohibited the knob from moving any further. A little filing later and then a bit of grease and it was fine.

[@playbackvintagehifihunter9669]

Hi, how much do you expect to pay for a almost mint condition in original box and manuals? Thanks

[@nickadams5411]

If it has a cartridge, about £100

[@playbackvintagehifihunter9669]

Nick Adams thank you for your help. Great video 🙂

[@playbackvintagehifihunter9669]

Nick Adams it has the original Goldring cartridge I believe

[@nickadams5411]

@@playbackvintagehifihunter9669 hi, the Goldring is a good cartridge, so should be good.

[@playbackvintagehifihunter9669]

Nick Adams I’ve got the turntable now but yet to try it. Going to wait a few days 🙂

[@juliangascoigne7643]

Hi Nick, my auto function is also faulty, but in addition the tone arm won't reach the end of the record. It gets about 1 minute before, and then just repeatedly skips back. Any thoughts on what this could be?

[@craighenderson491]

I have exactly the same issue with one I have just got. I found if i pushed the tone arm a little it engaged the auto mechanism and returned tone arm to resting position. Maybe just needs a clean and grease. I just hope I haven't damaged anything by forcing tone arm. Will try look at it today.

[@abnerjose4986]

@@craighenderson491 I did exactly the same thing u did, it worked doe a couple of ,on that but now it’s doing the same thing, it just just loops back n forth towards the end record, any solution to that problem? Thx in advance 🙏🏽

[@anthonywalker7908]

It's ok telling us all about the AP76, but as you are touching lubricated parts I see you touch the idler at least twice. Oh, and don't sound so dull.

[@markfewtrell2198]

These pics are of in order 33/7, 33/10,33/12 and then it will not move and i can see no way to release it. Inside this case all the grease is soft it has been as i say well maintained but for this niggle. Any suggestions would be gratefully received. www.dropbox.com/sc/i61jcvhs58akgsl/AADcjEzH6XmiEbKRlepnvZB4a hope this link works.

[@markfewtrell2198]

I wonder if the pin is an addition to make 45rpm impossible.

[@nickadams5411]

Watching the mechanism under the platter: The rubber idler should move up a step when at 45rpm. So it will not move up and down. But the step shaft is on the motor, correct? Can you move the rubber wheel up and down by hand, and see where the part is stopping it? I don't have a deck here to look at.

[@markfewtrell2198]

I think the step shaft must of been stuck. I took it to bits. So by accident may have fixed it. I took the pin out. Not too clever that idea! Will glue pin back in.! Everything is greased. Surprised shaft was stuck. I do wonder how the hell one is supposed to put back circlips that small and with the gauge they have. I should be able to test it without the pin.

[@nickadams5411]

Hi Mark You are getting there. That old grease sets like superglue and seizes everything. Well done.