Garrard SL-72
Surviving information on the Garrard SL-72 is thin. The model appears to have been part of Garrard's Synchro-Lab series of automatic turntables from the early 1970s, positioned below the top-of-the-line SL95B. Almost no standalone documentation exists for the SL-72 itself. The near-identical SL72B variant was reviewed, though, and is better recorded.
High Fidelity (November 1971, p.62) tested the Garrard SL72B and described it as a three-speed (33⅓, 45, and 78 rpm) record changer. The review gave dimensions of 14 by 12¼ inches. It needs 4¾ inches of clearance above the mounting board for the changer spindle, 7 inches for spindle removal, and 3 inches of clearance below. The SL72B was priced at $89.50. In lab tests it performed very similarly to the SL95B, with turntable speed within ½ percent of correct at all speeds - 0.5% fast at 33⅓ rpm, 0.4% at 45, and 0.2% at 78. The SL-72 likely shared the same basic chassis and drive system.
Garrard's own promotional material for the Synchro-Lab line (seen in Audio, June 1970, and HiFi/Stereo, December 1970) emphasized a 26-point final inspection process. Whether the SL-72 carried the same Synchro-Lab badge as the SL72B is unconfirmed, but it seems probable given the model numbering.
Known specs (from SL72B review, likely shared by SL-72):
- Type: Three-speed automatic record changer (33⅓, 45, 78 rpm)
- Dimensions: 14 × 12¼ inches (approx. 35.6 × 31.1 cm)
- Clearance above mounting board: 4¾ inches (changer spindle); 7 inches (spindle removal)
- Clearance below mounting board: 3 inches
- Price (SL72B, 1971): $89.50
- Speed accuracy: within 0.5% at all speeds
If you own an SL-72 or have original documentation, the Archive would welcome additional details to fill this entry.
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