Help Please - Ferguson Garrard Autoslim - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

Paolo_London · 19th Nov 2020, 1:51 am

Greetings !
I am looking for some advice please.
I was given a Ferguson boxed record player, a 3002. Nice condition - everything powers up and runs, albeit, not quite smoothly yet.
I wasn't able to get any sound and made a visual check to determine if any wires were amiss, they were not.
However, in an effort of elimination, I removed the turnover cartridge and tried the one I have on my Dansette Major - it was not an exact fit, but with a little tape around it to test and voila' - I had sound.

What I cannot understand is the cartridge which appears not to work looks in fine condition, although I did not try it in the reverse on the Dansette.

I determined that I need to replace the cartridge but having checked the prices, £40+, I don't want to make that type of investment if I do not have to.
There does not appear to be any rust, discolouring or 'dirt' given its age.

I have taken some photos of the cartridge which came with the Ferguson and wondered if perhaps someone could let me know if indeed, I need to replace the whole thing. The serial number that appears on it is GP 67-2C.

Appreciate any help.

Thanks !

Michael Maurice · 19th Nov 2020, 9:34 am

I would be surprised if that cartridge did work! Its a very old crystal cartridge and most of the cartridges from that era, gave up years ago.

You need to replace the whole cartridge, something like a BSR SC12 would work, but possibly with lower volume.

DMcMahon · 19th Nov 2020, 10:05 am

Also read this Thread for some information on the cartridge.

https://www.vintage-radio.net/forum/...d.php?t=173222

David

Edward Huggins · 19th Nov 2020, 10:29 am

I'm not sure you would want to replace that cartridge, even if you could!
It's a Mono only type and unless your LP records are Mono (which is highly unlikely) you will need a high-output, stereo-compatible type. The bad news is that they are no longer obtainable. If you do find a still working used one, they are likely to cost £30-40 because of their scarcity. It all depends on just how much you want to spend on your Ferguson? You come down to 2 choices, go buy a new (but Mono only) £35-00 high-output cartridge which will damage your Stereo LPs - or - build in a pre-amp to work with a lower output ceramic cartridge. You will have some costs either way.

Paolo_London · 19th Nov 2020, 1:28 pm

Many thanks for all the replies. I have learnt a lot more than I did when I posted.

Attached is the cartridge from my Dansette Major which I fitted onto the Ferguson [ with tape ] and it played. It does not look too dissimilar to the cartridge that came with the Ferguson.

I have 2 record players, which are enough. I planned to clean the Ferguson, have it working and sell it on Ebay and doubt if it will achieve more than the price of a new cartridge anyway. The trend appears to be from buyers who like the two tone Dansette's - possibly for the 'novelty'. So many are cleaned up [ refurbished ] in such a way they no longer feel, look, smell or sound like an item which is 60+ years old. But hey ho, they fetch circa £200, so everyone is happy.

I would like to be realistic in the price it will achieve. I am quite happy to add a note of advisory regarding stereo/mono and any potential purchaser can decide whether they would like to invest further, dependent upon what they plan to use it for. I would simply like to get it working as cheaply as possible.
Other than the cartridge, it is in very clean condition. I am guessing it is from 1963, but possibly a couple of years later, relatively light. A nice record player which will hopefully go to a new home .... eventually !

Edward Huggins · 20th Nov 2020, 10:36 am

As expected the cartridge from your Dansette "Major" is a BSR TC8H, a high-output, Mono only type. If you decide to sell your Ferguson (1962/1963) it may well sell. Do be aware a lot of the Buyers of these do not always quite understand quite what they are buying - especially those new who are to "Vinyl" with their expensive 180 gram Stereo re-issues!

jonnybear · 20th Nov 2020, 12:08 pm

You could always fit one of these, they seem to give good results being used in the Ferguson which usually have a decent amplifier should sound good + it is stereo.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/RECORD-PL...UAAOSwdJtdWnYV.

John

Edward Huggins · 20th Nov 2020, 1:01 pm

Yes, that's a nice little cartridge and ideal for many players, but it will not sound very loud (especially on LPs) on the OP's Ferguson 3002 record player. He needs a high-output type.

19th Nov 2020, 1:51 am	#1
Paolo_London Triode Join Date: Nov 2020 Location: London, UK. Posts: 10	Help Please - Ferguson Garrard Autoslim Greetings ! I am looking for some advice please. I was given a Ferguson boxed record player, a 3002. Nice condition - everything powers up and runs, albeit, not quite smoothly yet. I wasn't able to get any sound and made a visual check to determine if any wires were amiss, they were not. However, in an effort of elimination, I removed the turnover cartridge and tried the one I have on my Dansette Major - it was not an exact fit, but with a little tape around it to test and voila' - I had sound. What I cannot understand is the cartridge which appears not to work looks in fine condition, although I did not try it in the reverse on the Dansette. I determined that I need to replace the cartridge but having checked the prices, £40+, I don't want to make that type of investment if I do not have to. There does not appear to be any rust, discolouring or 'dirt' given its age. I have taken some photos of the cartridge which came with the Ferguson and wondered if perhaps someone could let me know if indeed, I need to replace the whole thing. The serial number that appears on it is GP 67-2C. Appreciate any help. Thanks ! Attached Thumbnails

19th Nov 2020, 9:34 am	#2
Michael Maurice Moderator Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Wembley, Middlesex Posts: 7,224	Re: Help Please - Ferguson Garrard Autoslim I would be surprised if that cartridge did work! Its a very old crystal cartridge and most of the cartridges from that era, gave up years ago. You need to replace the whole cartridge, something like a BSR SC12 would work, but possibly with lower volume. __________________ Forum Moderator http://www.michaelmauricerepairs.co.uk/

19th Nov 2020, 10:05 am	#3
DMcMahon Dekatron Join Date: Apr 2019 Location: Worthing, West Sussex, UK. Posts: 6,603	Re: Help Please - Ferguson Garrard Autoslim Also read this Thread for some information on the cartridge. https://www.vintage-radio.net/forum/...d.php?t=173222 David

19th Nov 2020, 10:29 am	#4
Edward Huggins Dekatron Join Date: Sep 2015 Location: Southwold, Suffolk, UK. Posts: 8,328	Re: Help Please - Ferguson Garrard Autoslim I'm not sure you would want to replace that cartridge, even if you could! It's a Mono only type and unless your LP records are Mono (which is highly unlikely) you will need a high-output, stereo-compatible type. The bad news is that they are no longer obtainable. If you do find a still working used one, they are likely to cost £30-40 because of their scarcity. It all depends on just how much you want to spend on your Ferguson? You come down to 2 choices, go buy a new (but Mono only) £35-00 high-output cartridge which will damage your Stereo LPs - or - build in a pre-amp to work with a lower output ceramic cartridge. You will have some costs either way. __________________ Edward.

19th Nov 2020, 1:28 pm	#5
Paolo_London Triode Join Date: Nov 2020 Location: London, UK. Posts: 10	Re: Help Please - Ferguson Garrard Autoslim Many thanks for all the replies. I have learnt a lot more than I did when I posted. Attached is the cartridge from my Dansette Major which I fitted onto the Ferguson [ with tape ] and it played. It does not look too dissimilar to the cartridge that came with the Ferguson. I have 2 record players, which are enough. I planned to clean the Ferguson, have it working and sell it on Ebay and doubt if it will achieve more than the price of a new cartridge anyway. The trend appears to be from buyers who like the two tone Dansette's - possibly for the 'novelty'. So many are cleaned up [ refurbished ] in such a way they no longer feel, look, smell or sound like an item which is 60+ years old. But hey ho, they fetch circa £200, so everyone is happy. I would like to be realistic in the price it will achieve. I am quite happy to add a note of advisory regarding stereo/mono and any potential purchaser can decide whether they would like to invest further, dependent upon what they plan to use it for. I would simply like to get it working as cheaply as possible. Other than the cartridge, it is in very clean condition. I am guessing it is from 1963, but possibly a couple of years later, relatively light. A nice record player which will hopefully go to a new home .... eventually ! Attached Thumbnails

20th Nov 2020, 10:36 am	#6
Edward Huggins Dekatron Join Date: Sep 2015 Location: Southwold, Suffolk, UK. Posts: 8,328	Re: Help Please - Ferguson Garrard Autoslim As expected the cartridge from your Dansette "Major" is a BSR TC8H, a high-output, Mono only type. If you decide to sell your Ferguson (1962/1963) it may well sell. Do be aware a lot of the Buyers of these do not always quite understand quite what they are buying - especially those new who are to "Vinyl" with their expensive 180 gram Stereo re-issues! __________________ Edward.

20th Nov 2020, 12:08 pm	#7
jonnybear Octode Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Cullompton, Devon, UK. Posts: 1,435	Re: Help Please - Ferguson Garrard Autoslim You could always fit one of these, they seem to give good results being used in the Ferguson which usually have a decent amplifier should sound good + it is stereo. https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/RECORD-PL...UAAOSwdJtdWnYV. John

20th Nov 2020, 1:01 pm	#8
Edward Huggins Dekatron Join Date: Sep 2015 Location: Southwold, Suffolk, UK. Posts: 8,328	Re: Help Please - Ferguson Garrard Autoslim Yes, that's a nice little cartridge and ideal for many players, but it will not sound very loud (especially on LPs) on the OP's Ferguson 3002 record player. He needs a high-output type. __________________ Edward.