There are 202 parts in a Garrard automatic turntable.
We make all but a piddling few.
Today's automatic turntable is a beastly sophisticated device.
The Garrard SL95B, below, has 202 different parts.
That is, unless we tally the "parts" that go into such final assembly parts as the motor and pickup arm. In which case the total is more like 700. A few of these parts we buy.
Mostly springs, clips and bits of trim.
But the parts that make a Garrard perform, or not perform, we make ourselves.
To buy or not to buy. At our Swindon works, in England, a sign reads "If we can't buy surpassing quality and absolute accuracy, we make it ourselves." E. W. Mortimer, Director of Engineering Staff and a Garrard employee since 1919, says "That sign has been there as long as I can remember.
"But considering the precision of today's component turntables, and the tolerances we must work to, the attitude it represents is more critical now than it was even ten years ago." Our Synchro-Lab motor is a perfect example.
To limit friction (and rumble) to the irreducible minimum, we super-finish each rotor shaft to one micro-inch.
The bearings are machined to a tolerance of plus or minus one ten thousandth of an inch. Motor pulleys must meet the same standard.
"When you make them yourself," observes Mr. Mortimer "you can be that finicky. That, actually, is what sets us apart." Mass produced, by hand. Despite its place as the world's largest producer of component automatic turntables, Garrard stubbornly eschews mass production techniques.
Every Garrard is still made by hand.
Each person who assembles a part tests that finished assembly.
And before each turntable is packed in its carton, 26 final tests are performed.
Thus, we're assured that the precision achieved in its parts is not lost in its whole.
Swindon, sweet Swindon In fairness to other makers, we confess to a special advantage.
Our home.
At last census the total population of Swindon, England was 97,234. Garrard employs a rather large share of them, and has for fifty years.
"Not everyone has been here, from the year one as I have," smiles Mortimer "but we have 256 employees with us over 25 years. Many are second and third generation.
"It's hardly your average labor force. Everyone feels a part of it." The sum of our parts Today's SL95B is the most highly perfected automatic turntable you can buy, regardless of price.
Its revolutionary two-stage synchronous motor produces unvarying speed despite extreme variations in line voltage.
Its new counterweight adjustment screw lets you balance the tone arm mass to within a hundredth of a gram.
Its patented sliding weight anti skating control is permanently accurate.
And its exclusive two-point record support provides unerringly gentle record handling.
You can enjoy the SL95B, the sum of all our parts, for $129.50. Or other Garrard component models, the sum of fewer parts, for as little as $44.50. Your dealer can help you decide.
(Audio magazine, Mar. 1970 )
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Also see:
Garrard Synchro-Lab (Feb. 1970)
Garrard Zero 100 turntables (ad, April 1978)
Garrard GT55 turntable (Dec. 1976)