Audio Grail or Classic Hifi?

I fully restored a 301 to better than new and because of the superior bearing and oils available today it ran too fast - had to calculate the speed error and go to a smaller pulley.

Since you are in the US Woodsong Audio does a complete restoration service at what I think is a very reasonable price and the work looks excellent.

I've three AG 401 units and can only say good things about Matthew Taylor. 

Hi Dover, thanks, but I am in UK much of the time, So I can avoid transporting, at least long distance across seas. But Woodsong is in my radar also.

Hi noromance, Matthew said he does not do restorations anymore. Only accepts trade in and gives some reduction in the price of already restored he has for sale. I guess given the price differential between buying and restoring from them, the economics for a restorer hugely favour selling than restoring. But good to hear about your confidence in AG. My head is towards AG also, given proximity and my little knowledge of the reputation, but just the thought of surrendering my machine and forgetting about it forever is difficult for me to digest. Hence wondering if Classic Hifi UK is in the same league.

@cool_jeeves 

If you are in the UK - I have worked on some Audio Grail restored 401's and they are excellent.  Have had some issues with classic Turntables parts out of spec.

Personally I would go Woodsong if you can for the 301, alternately Grail - who are now part of SME and may be pricy.

In the UK there is also other Service Suppliers for Vintage Idler Drive TT’s.

The link is to Wakefield Turntables, who are quite transparent in showing their procedures and as far as I am aware very reasonably priced.

OK, will look them up. How good would they be relative to Audiograil? 

I'm not sure how to answer the question,

Any individual with a time served of refurbishing a Idler Drive will be capable of working on one in any condition. The limitation only being how much of a project they are willing to undertake. A 'Barn Find' at a few ££'s cost and in need of a total overhaul can yield a healthy uplift in value when completed, and some refurbishers relish such discoveries.

In general a Garrard Idler Drive is a very basic TT design, albeit a Vintage Design, and by some revered.

In the present day, the 301 Model has somehow been seen as a model to be  reintroduced as a Marketable Item at an exuberant cost, I can see where owners of  this offering as their purchased model, may have an approach to a repair service with an aloof attitude, as the Value of the item will be much more influential, for the service selected, over the adeptness of the service engineers understanding of the mechanics and electrics used for the design.