Garrard Engineering · Garrard transcription turntables

Garrard 301

The most collectable British turntable: the 301's hammertone "grease-bearing" run and its later oil-bearing versions define the grade.

Catalogue code: 301
Years: 1954–1965
Type: idler-drive transcription turntable
Valves & speakers: Idler-drive transcription turntable; first run 1954 in hammertone, about 16,000 built, grease then oil bearing
Lifecycle: retired
Confidence: High

Specifications

Drive: idler wheel
Speeds_rpm: 33, 45, 78
Tonearm: separate (SME 3012/3009 etc.)
Motor: shaded-pole induction
Platter: cast alloy, heavy

Safety

Idler-drive turntable: the idler wheel, main bearing and motor mounting decide the price far more than cosmetics. Check the platter spins without rumble at both speeds and that the original plinth/arm are present (a missing SME arm or a non-original plinth can halve the value).

01 / Witnesses

What applies here

Marks that can be entered for this maker: Serial number, Model / catalogue number, Model / catalogue number, British capacitor code (Hunts, Mullard), Japanese capacitor code (Nichicon, Chemi-Con, ELNA), EIA component code, Chassis / platter stamp, Version & era marker.

02 / Bounds

The model year is a floor

Nothing predates 1954; components only push the date later.

03 / Value

What moves the price

Sold-listing reading: fair $1,400, good $1,506, excellent $1,613 USD · 2 sold listings (thin sample — indicative only) · as of 2022-10 – 2022-12. Only 2 sold listing found in the reachable eBay SOLD table (https://vintage-turntable.com/garrard-values) - below the 3-observation threshold, so this is an anchor, not a market average.