Garrard Model 50 (1964–)
The Model 50 was Garrard's budget automatic, a 4-speed manual/intermix turntable. It was sold on the promise of component-grade features at the price of an ordinary record changer. Garrard's own 1966 advertising put the price at $44.50 and called it the lowest-priced Garrard automatic. The pitch was simple: the same build standards as the more expensive models, in a much smaller footprint.
The feature Garrard kept repeating was the graceful cast aluminum counterbalanced tone arm. It was the first time this type of arm had appeared on a popular-priced unit. That let the Model 50 track high-quality, high-compliance cartridges at correct minimal stylus pressure, which cheap changers generally couldn't do. The arm carried a lightweight cutaway shell with an extended finger lift. It plugged in, could be removed instantly for cartridge changes, and accepted a wide choice of cartridges. Stylus pressure was set by a simple finger-touch device. A super-sensitive trip using Dupont Delrin to cut friction handled the automatic cycling. The oversized platter and mat were, per Garrard, reminiscent of models from a considerably higher price bracket.
The drive was a 4-pole shaded "Induction Surge" motor with a dynamically balanced, hum-shielded rotor. Two spindles came with it. A short one was for manual single play. An interchangeable center-drop spindle was for automatic play, which intermixed records of any size or sequence. The wiring was fully stereo-ready: a 4-pin, 5-wire arrangement with a separate ground connection to kill hum. It ended in a built-in Amplok AC plug and a female twin phono socket on the unit plate. The unit measured roughly 14⅞" wide and 12½" front to rear, with 4⅝" above and 2⅞" below the motor board.
Period coverage was mostly Garrard's own advertising, not independent lab testing. Audio (October 1964, p.30) described it as an exceptionally compact 4-speed automatic aimed at systems where space was at a premium, suitable both for component installations and as a console replacement. High Fidelity (October 1964, p.60) ran the same announcement. Later Audio insertions (March 1966, p.5) kept pressing the counterbalanced arm as the model's distinguishing feature. The claim that dealers paired the Model 50 with far more expensive amplifiers and speakers without embarrassment was Garrard's own marketing, not a review finding.
Known specifications, as documented:
- 4-speed manual/automatic (intermix) turntable
- Cast aluminum counterbalanced tone arm, removable plug-in shell
- 4-pole shaded "Induction Surge" motor, dynamically balanced rotor, hum-shielded
- Two spindles (manual short spindle + automatic center-drop)
- Fully wired for stereo, 4-pin 5-wire with separate ground
- Dimensions: ~14⅞" W × 12½" D; 4⅝" above / 2⅞" below motor board
- Price: $44.50 (1966, per Garrard advertising)
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