Garrard SL55B (1958–1962)

A 3-speed automatic turntable made by Garrard during a transitional era in turntable design.

Overview

The Garrard SL55B is a 3-speed automatic turntable made by Garrard between 1958 and 1962. It has a synchronous motor, called the Synchro-Lab motor. The pickup arm is balanced, with an adjustable counterweight, an anti-skate control, and a cueing mechanism for handling records. Magnavox commonly installed this model in its Astro Sonic consoles, so it clearly saw use in integrated audio systems of the period. It sits between the earlier idler-wheel mechanisms and more refined consumer audio components.

Specifications

Speeds	33/45/78
Motor	Synchronous motor (Synchro-Lab)
Wow & Flutter	0.08
Rumble	-35
Idler Wheel Part	Type 1499-10
Idler Wheel O.D.	2.0 Inches / 50.8 mm
Features	cueing lever, damped cueing, adjustable tone arm, anti-skate

Design

The SL55B uses an idler-wheel drive with a synchronous motor. The balanced pickup arm has an adjustable counterweight and anti-skate. The cueing mechanism lets you lower the tonearm onto the record in a controlled way.

Context

The SL55B reflects how engineering approaches in consumer audio were changing in the late 1950s and early 1960s.

Market

Common problems are low volume output and hum. Some users report that reversing the AC plug fixes the hum. Replacement idler wheels (Type 1499-10) are available as specified parts. A combined service manual for the SL55B and SL65B is commercially available.