Audio Grail has been working through a few finishes recently. Not to make the Garrard more decorative, but to see how each material changes the mood of the machine. This finish sits very well with a 301 or 401.
The oak is a triple-layer veneer, fumed to darken the grain without making it shout. There’s warmth to it, but it still feels quiet. A little more architectural, perhaps. The Tri-Mount armboard is zinc plated, pairing particularly well with Sable or hammertone motor units.
Most of it is small judgement calls: weight, proportion, the way the arm is held, what’s happening inside, and how the oak takes the light. It starts to feel less like a plinth and more like somewhere the Garrard belongs. None of this shouts, which is rather the point.
Available by enquiry for restored Garrard 301 and 401 motor units.
