Garrard Zero 100B (1970)

At 24.25 lbs, it sits heavy and still. It is a precision instrument and a moving sculpture at once.

Overview

The Garrard Zero 100B, introduced in 1970 as part of the Zero 100 series, is an odd one in turntable history. It is a fully automatic record changer with a tonearm that ignores conventional geometry. Sources refer to the "Zero 100" or "Zero 100 SB," and the "B" suffix appears to denote a regional or production variant within the same family. It was marketed as a high-end automatic turntable, but the engineering is more obsessive than mass-market. At its core is an articulated parallel-tracking arm. Garrard did not invent it. They licensed it from Burne-Jones & Co. LTD., the English firm behind the B.J. Parallel Tracking Arm of the 1950s.

Owners report a machine that feels solid and well made for its original price of $189.50 at launch. That was slightly more than contemporary Thorens models like the TD 166 and TD 145. Its popularity came as much from its striking appearance as from its performance. The tonearm has twin parallel arms and a freely rotating headshell, and it keeps tracking error near zero across the entire record surface, which is rare in automatic decks. The horizontal and vertical friction are reportedly so low that the arm feels almost weightless in motion.

The Zero 100B pays for its automation, though. The fully mechanical system of coils, shafts, and levers that handles auto-start and auto-return is complex and, over time, prone to failure. Many users today disable these functions and run the deck as a manual player to preserve the delicate mechanisms. The belt drive is quiet, but it can slip, which leads to inconsistent startup. The hydraulic arm lifter is very adjustable, but the two-piece pickup shell, while convenient, is widely regarded as flimsy and weak.

Specifications

Manufacturer	Garrard
Product type	Automatic Turntable
Production years	introduced in 1970
Drive type	belt-drive
Motor type	synchronous Syncro-Lab made by Garrard
Speed	33⅓ and 45 rpm
Voltage	100-130 volts, 60 cycles AC
Tonearm type	parallel zero tracking error arm
Antiskating type	antiskating, different for conical and elliptic styli, is magnetic
Arm lifter	The arm lifter is hydraulic and its height is easily adjustable.
Counterweight description	The counterweight is isolated from the arm tube via a rubber damper
Tracking force adjustment	tracking force is easily adjustable via a weight sliding on a graduated scale along the arm.
Chassis/suspension	metal subchassis suspended on four soft springs. These springs are damped by an internal soft foam (usually green) and two of these are adjustable from above simply using a screwdriver.
Motor isolation	The motor is isolated from the chassis via three rubber washers.
Base	A molded plastic base
Includes	dust cover
Pitch control	±3%
Wow	better than 0.10% RMS
Flutter	better than 0.05% RMS
Rumble	negligible
Power supply	110/125V or 110/120V and 220/240V
Dimensions	14.3"W x 6.3"H x 13.1"D
Weight	24.25 lbs

Key Features

Articulated Parallel-Tracking Tonearm

The defining feature of the Zero 100B is its articulated tonearm, licensed from Burne-Jones & Co. LTD. Pivoted arms introduce tracking error. This arm uses a parallelogram linkage to keep the stylus tangential to the groove at all points. The pickup shell rotates freely around the twin arms and holds alignment. The near-zero tracking error reduces distortion and wear. The two-piece shell makes cartridge swaps easy, but it lacks rigidity and can introduce micro-resonances, so owners often seek aftermarket replacements for better rigidity.

Hydraulic Arm Lifter with Adjustable Height

The arm lifter works through a hydraulic damper, giving a smooth, controlled descent and lift. You can set the lifter height from above with a screwdriver, which gives proper clearance over records without taking the deck apart. That kind of user serviceability is rare in automatic turntables.

Counterweight with Rubber Damper Isolation

The counterweight is not rigidly fixed to the arm tube. It is mounted through a rubber damper, designed to absorb micro-vibrations that could otherwise travel down the arm and affect tracking. This helps isolate the stylus from mechanical noise, which matters in a suspended subchassis design.

Metal Subchassis on Damped Coil Springs

The whole turntable mechanism rides on a metal subchassis suspended by four soft coil springs. The springs are internally damped with green foam, which reduces resonance transmission from the base. Two of the springs are adjustable from the top, so the subchassis can be leveled precisely. Together with motor isolation via rubber washers, this makes a very inert platform that helps against feedback and rumble.

Complicated Mechanical Automation System

The auto-start and auto-return functions run on a fully mechanical network of coils, shafts, and levers. It is impressive in its complexity, and it is also the turntable's weak spot. Over time, dried lubricants and worn linkages cause malfunctions. The auto-return is the usual casualty, and collectors frequently report it as inoperative. Many restorers disable the automation and convert the Zero 100B to a manual deck to preserve the tonearm and platter mechanics.

Removable Platter Hub with Precision Spindle Housing

The central hub of the platter, which houses the spindle, comes off by unscrewing three bolts. That simplifies maintenance and cleaning. The spindle is not a traditional bearing. It is a precision-polished metal housing that secures the platter to the floating subchassis. This minimalist approach reduces friction, but it needs careful inspection, since any scratch or wobble can introduce unwanted oscillation during playback.

Historical Context

The Garrard Zero 100 series emerged in 1970 as the SB model, a development of an earlier version released a few years prior. Automatic turntables of the time were expected to be utilitarian, and the Zero 100B broke from that with its engineering and striking visual design. The arm was not a Garrard original, but the Burne-Jones parallel-tracking arm gave it a technical edge over competitors. It was priced slightly above popular Thorens models like the TD 166 and TD 145, and for many buyers the build quality and performance justified the premium. Its popularity was driven as much by its futuristic look as by its functionality.

Collectibility & Value

The Zero 100B remains easy to find on the secondhand market, often in working or restorable condition. A 2003 estimate from TNT Audio suggested a mint example might fetch up to $100, with a strong recommendation not to pay more. Given its age and mechanical complexity, collectors are advised to inspect several critical components: arm bearings for free play, subchassis springs for fatigue, the spindle for damage, and the motor for smooth operation. Restoration typically involves a complete service, cleaning and lubricating drive components and verifying the automation functions. Many owners bypass the auto functions entirely and use the deck as a manual player to preserve it.

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