[Darren-UK]

The deck transit screws must be screwed in, so the deck floats on its suspension, before use. These screws should be screwed outermost to secure the deck for transportation. The first image shows a Garrard transit screw in the transit position, whilst the second image shows the same screw in the operating position. Remember that there will be at least two of these screws present. Normally transit screws are captive, meaning they cannot be withdrawn completely. An odd exception is certain Pye Black Box models wherein ordinary self-tapping wood screws were used, these simply screw directly into the wooden plinth upon which the deck is mounted.

The Collaro is fitted with a turnover cartridge and the letter 'L' is visible on the turnover knob. This tells us the correct stylus for a microgroove record is selected. Sometimes the letter 'M' is used instead. If playing 78RPM records, the other stylus needs selecting. This will be marked either '78' or 'N' (for Normal, as at one time 78's were considered 'normal'). On more modern decks (loosely, 1960's onwards) a turnover stylus is fitted. These have a flag with projects from beneath, and to either side of, the tonearm headshell. The flag will be marked to indicate which stylus is positioned for use.

It can be seen that the metal clip* for securing the tonearm to its rest (for when the machine is not being used and/or in transit) is swung clear to allow the tonearm to lift. All that remains to do now is to lift the overarm up clear of the spindle and swung to the right in order to load the record.

*Collaro tended to use a metal clip. BSR tended to use plastic clips or plastic-covered metal clips. Many Garrards used a spring clip integral with the tonearm rest, meaning that before use the tonearm must be lifted free of the clip.

Reference the fourth image. We now have the record loaded onto the stacking spindle, overarm back in position and sitting upon the record. Note that at the rear and adjacent to the overarm turret is the record size-detecting finger (visible in the first image). More on this shortly. This must be projecting outwards and beneath the record. It's convenient to mention now that certain decks do not have this feature, the Collaro Conquest and Studio decks for example as well as those same decks rebranded for other people (such as Magnavox). The record on the stacker is a 16RPM (actually 16⅔RPM), hence the speed is set accordingly.

Record size detectors. It will be noticed that on the BSR and Collaro decks shown herein, the size detector operates vertically. The Garrard system** differs in that the detector operates horizontally and also swings into position when the overarm is positioned over the record(s) and vice versa The fifth image below, which is an amalgam of two images, illustrates this.

**Certain older Garrards used a detector arm which swung across and touched the edge of the record(s).

Additional information:

It may be worth mentioning that on decks with a size detector the default record size is 7". This means, as will be obvious when such a deck is used, that the size detector only operates when records larger than 7" are stacked, ie 10" up to 12". Records larger than 12" do exist but are relatively rare and cannot normally be accommodated on autochangers. Records smaller than 7" also exist, usually of 78RPM***, and also cannot be played on autochangers other than in manual mode.

***Still to be found are other ancient shellac records of pre-standardisation speeds; 60, 74, 80RPM being just three of them. This subject is beyond the scope of this guide, other than to say such odd-speed records are best played on a mechanical gramophone fitted, as many were, with a '+78-' speed regulator.