ES-1, AR the Turntable, EB-101 Turntable Restorations

What does service include?

Initial evaluation of motor, platter bearing, and basic tonearm function including bearings
Remove platters and other items that are removable
Clean smaller items in ultrasonic cleaner
Clean top plate with appropriate cleaners discovered over years of working on them
Detail tonearm and area around motor
Remove residue from motor pulley
Lubricate motor, run several hours
Clean out platter bearing well
Clean drive platter surface where belt rides of oxidation and staining
Clean and polish drive platter bearing shaft
Lubricate drive platter bearing and test for quiet and true (Truing the platter, if needed, is additional $40)
Clean and polish drive platter edge to satin finish
Evaluate cables.
If nicks or cuts are found in cables, owner is notified of cable options
AC and tonearm wire solder points checked. Re-solder if needed.
Clean ground connections
Replace studs and springs with VN upgrade spring kit
Check corner blocks for splits. Glue, if needed.
Vacuum underside. If parts are corroded, they are treated with WD-40 to prevent further corrosion
Clean and treat mat, if included
Clean and treat plinth. (I can sometimes eliminate shallow scratches as part of this process)
Clean and polish dust cover, if included. (One coat polish inside, three coats outside)
If parts are highly corroded, owner is notified of replacement options. This rarely happens.
Detail all tonearm surfaces
Clean headshell terminals, in and out, with de-Oxit
Check cueing function. Clean out and replace damping fluid, if needed.
If cartridge is used, evaluate cartridge and report results to owner
Mount new cartridge, if needed
Reassemble/reinstall all cleaned parts
Align cartridge, setting VTA, tracking angle, offset, and azimuth
Replace belt with new
Adjust/tune suspension to maximize performance**
Play test
Re-adjust suspension and/or cartridge alignment as needed.
Clean/vacuum bottom plate and re-install
Install upgrade feet
Re-pack turntable for shipment.
If you originally used the box rental option, I charge $12 for boxes and bubble for return.

Note: All replaced parts are returned to the owner

**Every AR turntable is slightly different in terms of adjustment of the suspension. I have resisted making a Youtube video about suspension adjustment because there are many small factors based on the idiosyncrasies of that table (spring tension, tonearm weight, platter weight, drive platter material, mat weight, cartridge weight, and whether or not a clamp of some kind will be used. Tuning AR suspensions is something I have done literally hundreds of times over the past 15 years. I know the nuances that lead to the very best performance.