LP's, turntables and PC's

[Ian and Lins]

My ex wife was having a clear out and found a load of my old LP's and a Garrard 86 SB Mark2 deck. When I switched the deck on the motor is a bit noisy and 'sticky'. I want to transfer the LP's to CD and/or SD cards, so just want the deck to do that job, then it can go and so can the LP's.Any advice on servicing it?

[clift_d]

Not sure it would be worth repairing - a quick google suggests it wasn't one of Garrard's finest, although someone like ghost123uk will probably have more to say on the matter.

Might be better to try picking up something else secondhand.

[ghost123uk]

ghost123uk will probably have more to say on the matter.

You called

You could service it, it's pretty basic cleaning and lubing (with VERY light oil by the way, like the old "3 in 1" stuff).

You could also pick up a much better one pretty cheaply from Ebay or a car boot sale. Pioneer always made a good deck. Here though you need to be careful about the condition of the stylus. Many are sold with worn out ones which is not good.

Then you have to consider how you are going to go about connecting it to your computer. You cannot just plug it in as you need a special pre-amp, called an RIAA amplifier or a proper stereo amp that has a proper input for a magnetic record deck cartridge (it would be marked "Phono" on the back of the amp).Then, once you have got it connected to the "line input" of your computer (note = not the microphone input, and most laptops don't even have a line input socket) you then have to arrange the software to make MP3 files of the incoming audio. There are plenty of ways of doing this, but believe me, all of them are a right faff to set up (even for me).

Then you have to start the recording process just at the right moment, hope you don't get any "jumping" from scratches on the records. Then you have to play both sides of the record. Note that if you want each track to be a separate MP3 (as you would) then you have to record each track separately (though some software can "split up" a selection of tracks using the silence in between as it's cue to do so, but often surface noise on the record can screw that up (ask me how I know).

All of this, whilst it can be done (and I have) but it takes an AGE, trust me.

OK, so my advice is forget it. Just go through the records and decide which are important to you and simply download the MP3 files of it from one of the legal websites. Here is a list of some of them = http://www.theguardian.com/arts/netmusi ... 37,00.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; (Don't use iTunes, it's carp).
This is so much easier and you get a decent quality recording with no crackling noises etc.

I used to be a vinyl nut, but these days, that ^^^ is what I do. (though in honesty, I often download very high quality music files in "Flac audio" format, but that's just me).

Hope that helps.

[tobydog]

Or something like this -

http://www.nottinghamhifi.co.uk/ion-max ... GwodlikDfw" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Mr Bean]

My ex wife was having a clear out and found a load of my old LP's and a Garrard 86 SB Mark2 deck. When I switched the deck on the motor is a bit noisy and 'sticky'. I want to transfer the LP's to CD and/or SD cards, so just want the deck to do that job, then it can go and so can the LP's.Any advice on servicing it?

Here's one to get the Society of Tribology and Lubrication Engineers going:
Before you dump it try giving the sintered metal bearings at each end of the motor chassis a squirt with WD40. I couldn't guarantee there wouldn't be long term problems with WD40 but those bearings are impregnated at manufacture and often appear to dry out. If that brings it back to life make sure to lubricate it with a
"Proper" lubricant
CS
PS don't electrocute yourself

[New Kentish Campers]

My ex wife was having a clear out and found a load of my old LP's and a Garrard 86 SB Mark2 deck. When I switched the deck on the motor is a bit noisy and 'sticky'. I want to transfer the LP's to CD and/or SD cards, so just want the deck to do that job, then it can go and so can the LP's.Any advice on servicing it?

If it we're me, I'd switch the turntable on and just let it run a few hours on its own so as to allow the motor and bearing to warm up on its own. Replace the stylus or cartridge too if poss. Make sure the tone arm and cartridge are aligned correctly with bias and tracking weight set properly (if its possible to do on this deck)and it should be fine and not ruin your records.

[Oldiebut goodie]

Not usually the motor on old decks - it is usually the rubber band! They are what gets sticky and lead to problems. You can pick up a bag of assorted ones from ebay easy enough. I've got a bag full here but don't know what size you need.

[tobydog]

The stylus suspension (rubber) hardens over time, even if the stylus is ok, the output will probably sound muffled.

What cartridge is fitted?

[a1winchester]

OK, so my advice is forget it. Just go through the records and decide which are important to you and simply download the MP3 files of it from one of the legal websites.

I am inclined to agree.
Ever since the advent of the CD I have gradually replaced my vinyls with either CDs or MP3s, and now converted most of the CDs to MP3 format.
It's a nice way to 'treat' yourself every now and then, and great to re-visit your old well loved albums in the new formats.

I know there are purists who rate the sound quality of vinyl, but to be honest, with my earsight I can't tell the difference. So MP3 is my favourite format for the convenience of getting all my hundreds of tracks on a player that's smaller than a match box!

[chuckle-bus-tom]

Go a step further and join a streaming site. I use Spotify premium at £9 per month (ask a your family /friends if they're on it and you could be able to use the half price multi user offer), which gives me unlimited searching and playback. Whatever the mood, it's on there. There are the odd black spots (an artist here or record label there that don't play ball) but there's such a wealth of music on there that I don't mind! Best of all, there's no hours on end uploading, converting, downloading and you can log into your account on so many devices. I use it through my phone for on the go and via our RoKu streaming box at home through the stereo.

[Ian and Lins]

Thanks everyone, especially Ghost/John. It wasn't something that filled me with expectant joy to start doing but (being a tight bast*rd) I hoped it might be a bit easier. On the bright side I have discovered I've got one of these;
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Pink-Floyd-Da ... 0816622984" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Even got the stickers and posters.

[ghost123uk]

On the bright side I have discovered I've got one of these;
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Pink-Floyd-Da ... 0816622984" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Ohhh, Yeesssss, lucky "person"

I had a "proper" copy of Electric Lady Land when I came to sell my collection. That wasn't as valuable as that, but was a nice supprise non the less.

[lefty67]

I've got my turntable up for sale on eBay, sherwood p9700, two hours left and currently no bids at 0.99p
Treated myself to one of the attache ones for Christmas, ok when hooked up to an external speaker but its saving grace is you can download onto a memory stick.

[Ian and Lins]

Not usually the motor on old decks - it is usually the rubber band! They are what gets sticky and lead to problems. You can pick up a bag of assorted ones from ebay easy enough. I've got a bag full here but don't know what size you need.

Sorry, forgot to say thanks Oldie. I'll have a go at freeing up the motor and then may bung it on Ebay (or freecycle!) so might be in touch re. the band.