Classic Hifi Care

I have given up on finding a studiomatic for the RCA... I think the next best changer from the era is a garrard ... I have been looking around and the prices are OK ... but the shipping is horrendous... my friends tell me to use a BSR... most of those are plastic platters and tone arms ... I don't want it to look cheap or a after thought ...anyone got a Garrard laying around they want to get rid of ?...
Thanks
Elton

Sorry, Elton, I wish I could help you. I'm looking for a VM 1201 changer for a VM project I have. Good Luck!

Bill

Just my opinion, but I think the Garrards, other than their very most BOL models, are superior in most performance permameters to any of RCA's or VoM's changers... I've had and worked on many of both of them. Look at the platter construction, the under platter mechanicals, the arm and the balancing design. I think the 1960s Garrard 50/60 series are a particularly good inexpensive price vs performance buy. But in a slightly higher price category I'd look at Dual. That's my $.02. And imo also most BSR changers are real POS.

I have a Garrard changer in my Stromberg-Carlson 1121. I'd like to find a SC-branded version of the VM 1200 series for it. I believe the Garrard is mono, although I don't know that for sure. I would consider trading the Garrard for an SC-branded VM changer. My Stromberg-Carlson console was originally equipped with a 78-only changer, so neither will be technically correct.

Greg, the Bell receiver that was in your SC cabinet when I bought it was MONO. If I remember correctly the Garrard had a mono cartridge.

Bill

I really let my skimmer leak when I didn't buy that SC-branded VM 1200 series changer on ebay that time. I was moving and didn't want to deal with it then. I'm glad to finally have the correct cabinet for my 1121 chassis. I visited it today on the way back from the doctor.

I didn't know SC had a VM made changer... what years would they have been available?... my 1948 SC has a VM 1200 in it , but it is not labeled as a SC, I just figured someone in the past changed out the original for a VM...

My little SC mono record player has a VM labeled changer, 1200 series with a Shure cartridge.

Bill

Here's a 1958 SC console Dave1138 and I restored a few
years ago.
It had a SC branded V-M 1200.
The mono amp console had a 4 way speaker system
and sounded great.
The Sams notes it came with a 1200A changer.

My SC model 1121 originally was equipped with a 78-only changer. If memory serves it was a Webster-Chicago changer, but don't quote me on that. This particular instrument had been converted sometime before Bill found it to the Garrard changer. Certainly something I would have done. I thought if I could find a SC-branded VM 1200 series, that might make it easier to live with and it would look somewhat more correct.