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GARRARD MODEL 401:A vintage and truly classic British-made turntable!Item DescriptionReleased in Britain in 1965 as a follow-up to the now-legendary Garrard 301, the Garrard 401 is an idler drive turntable that remains highly sought-after by audiophiles and collectors alike. The turntable features a large motor that drives an idler, This mechanism is known for its reliability and is still praised by turntable fans around the world. The base is die-cast aluminum, offering a highly robust feel. By its high quality of construction and design, the 401 provides excellent performance, with low wow and flutter and low rumble.This turntable is in Good condition, with some feeling of use overall (see photos), including some scratches and scuffs on the surface (Please see the pictures). The unit has been thoroughly checked and tested by our professional technician. This turntable does not have a dust cover and hinges.Additional InformationTechnical SpecificationsSerial : 6285 Country/Region of Manufacture : JAPAN Power Supply : 100V 12W 50/60 Hz Accessories -Original Box-Rubber matTransit ScrewsSince items are in used condition, they don't have the transit screws sometimes. We kindly ask for your understanding.VoltagePlease check the power requirements for this device and the specifications of your power supply. If you need to use this item in a 220-240 V environment, you'll need a transformer. We sell high quality Japanese compact transformers (Nissyo), which will allow you to use this item safely and with good performance in your country.IMPORT TAX・Import duties, taxes, and other charges which are not included in the item price or shipping charges are the buyer’s responsibility.・Please check with your country’s customs office to determine what these additional costs will be prior to bidding or buying.・Except in the case of faulty or damaged items, refunds do not include any return shipping or shipping charges. Your return shipping charge will be deducted from your refund if you receive any.
Is this a fair buy or a missed opportunity? At US$1,599, it lands a bit under the US$1,695 median and well above the US$165 25th percentile, so this reads as fair-to-good value, not a bargain-bin steal but also not ambitious pricing.
That’s still appealing for a well-regarded idler-drive deck known for big-drive stability, strong torque, and a lively, authoritative presentation that suits a lot of classic carts and arms. If the condition is genuinely clean and it’s been properly serviced, the upside is in getting a collectible, highly musical table with real enthusiast cachet. I’d just want confirmation on bearing health, speed stability, and whether any platter/arm/accessory pieces are included, since those details matter more than cosmetics on a vintage 401.
Independent perspective — not a price guarantee. Always verify condition, accessories and provenance before purchase.
Garrard Turntables trace their origins to the Garrard Engineering and Manufacturing Company, established in 1915 in Swindon, Wiltshire, England, as a division of the renowned jeweler Garrard & Co., founded in 1735. Initially tasked with producing motors and range finders for World War I, the firm pivoted post-war to consumer audio, crafting silent spring-wound motors for gramophones supplied to brands like Columbia and Decca. By 1930, it unveiled its first complete gramophone turntable, building a legacy in precision engineering amid the vinyl era's dawn.
The brand's product focus centered squarely on high-quality gramophone turntables, with iconic idler-wheel models like the 301 (launched 1954) and 401 (1965) standing out for their robust four-pole induction motors, aluminum chassis, and support for 33, 45, and 78 rpm speeds. These transcription turntables, favored by the BBC and European broadcasters, eschewed modern direct-drive or belt systems in favor of grease-bearing designs and eddy-current braking, often sold without plinths for custom integration. Garrard innovated in record changers and autochangers but never diversified into amplifiers, speakers, DACs, headphones, or cables.
Garrard occupies a revered niche as a vintage collector's cornerstone in the high-end hi-fi market, synonymous with the golden age of analog playback. Sold to Plessey in 1960 and ceasing production by the late 1970s, its decks remain prized today for their torque, build quality, and musicality among audiophiles restoring "Swindon iron" script-logo classics. No active modern entity perpetuates the original line, cementing its status as a benchmark for idler-drive excellence.
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