Within the next couple of weeks I'm going to become the proud (?) owner of a Gates turntable. I had a choice between the 16 inch platter and the 12 inch platter version. I picked the 12 inch platter one because a shorter arm should be better with today's cartridges, and are much easier to find. The Gates has sit in a barn for many years and has corrosion, but not to the point of not being restorable. The bearing, motor, idler wheel all seem to be in excellent shape. This table has an impressive bearing and chassis. I'll have to build a plinth for it (planning on using baltic birch plywood.)I'd be interested in any comments or advice from anyone with experience with these or similar old pro tables. I've restored a lot of old Duals, cheaper Garrards, Thorens TD-160/145's and an AR (not to mention a few old Japanese tables), but never anything this old or in this rough of shape, so I can use all the help I can get.
Dave