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https://www.clevedon-salerooms.com/sale ... list&q=334

Here we have a Garrard 301 turntable housed in an EMG base. The auctioneer's estimate is £30/£50.

Even a superficial attempt at research reveals that the Garrard 301 introduced in 1954 is an iconic design which is highly sought after by vintage hi-fi enthusiasts, and a look at the "Sold" examples on eBay shows that they sell from £700 to over £1000.

Not for the first time, the auctioneers have failed to identify EMG items. Not so long ago they were surprised by the price achieved by a battered EMG Oversize machine, and they will no doubt be surprised again when Lot 334 comes under the hammer.

Yes indeed, I'd spotted that too. Unfortunately whoever buys it will almost certainly do so for the Garrard 301 alone, to be overhauled and made into a high-end turntable in a new plinth, and they might have no idea of the importance of the cabinet. I hope to goodness it doesn't get junked!

Wish I had the money for the lot, I’d buy it for the cabinet and sell the deck

Sold for £1200 excluding Buyer's premium. A pleasant surprise for the seller, who was expecting nearer the auctioneer's estimate of £30/£50.

epigramophone wrote:Sold for £1200 excluding Buyer's premium. A pleasant surprise for the seller, who was expecting nearer the auctioneer's estimate of £30/£50.

Apart from perhaps to the seller as you say, no surprise there - unless damaged, the Decca FFRR arm and cartridge are valuable as well as the 301. I just hope the buyer is into EMGs as well as classic hi fi!

Orchorsol wrote: I just hope the buyer is into EMGs as well as classic hi fi!

Well...yes he is. Some may remember a certain home-made, very distressed and wood-wormed EMG base unit I bought from the same auctioneers just over a year ago which had to be burned---see attached photo. It really was complete serendipity that the exactly correct original replacement happened to come up in the same room for sale this week. Clearly I had to be there to try to bring it home.

There were no bids in the room but plenty on the books and bidding started at £1,100. I was able to buy quickly. I am, of course, thrilled with the purchase and currently engaged in re-converting to full original, spring-driven, EMG Mk Xb Oversize specification as I have most parts in stock and can make the rest---a labour of huge joy.

The Garrard 301 works perfectly and Decca ffss MKI tone arm and ffss MKII pick-up head seem to be in good order but may need rebuilding. There is also the ingenious Auriol cueing and lift system which is beautifully engineered and in full working order. I am now considering various options of well-built wooden cases in which to install which would then feed into a Leak/Tannoy system.

The auctioneer knows nothing of the history of this high quality confection, which I think may have come from an Estate sale, but it was certainly carried out by a competent and keen enthusiast many decades ago.

Well bought Graham. It's future is now assured and I look forward to seeing it later this month.

Roger.

Congratulations, Graham!

Bill

Another Oversize back from the dead!

Top result all round! And ultimately, considering the value of all of the components, a very reasonable cost.