I've long admired the Thorens TD124 turntables my pals Leo, Pete, and Ron, have in their turntable stables, and I thought it was about time to join in the fun.
So, for 2017, I commissioned vintage turntable expert Chris Thornton at Artisan Fidelity to restore and build up a Thorens TD124 turntable for me.
Artisan Fidelity Thorens TD124 Statement turntable - gorgeous!
I told Chris that my main criteria was that I wanted to use a 12-inch tonearm on my Thorens TD124, and I would leave the rest up to his good taste.
Chris suggested that I go with an extended plinth (by about 3-inches), to best accommodate a 12-inch tonearm on a Thorens TD124.
Chris calls the extended plinth he builds for the Thorens TD124 a "Long Base" plinth, with the finished turntable looking nearly identical to his Artisan Fidelity Thorens TD124 Statement turntable in the photos above & below, but about 3-inches wider.
Thorens TD124 owners who want to use a 12-inch tonearm often add an optional 12-inch armboard, for which a lobe simply extends over the side of the chassis, not unlike a surfboard cresting a wave.
Chris tells me that with his Long Base TD124 plinth, both the plinth and armboard are extended, which is the best way to ensure maximum performance from a 12-inch tonearm.
While the Long Base plinth roughly occupies the same physical space as Thorens TD124 with a 12-inch lobed armboard added, the additional Long Base plinth mass offers improved isolation from vibrations, and gives a more aesthetically balanced armboard & plinth layout.
Artisan Fidelity Thorens TD124 Statement turntable.
Chris' plinth design features a mass loaded, constrained layer, damped, Cocobolo and Panzerholz core, with a grain matched Cocobolo armboard, Stillpoints Ultra SS isolation feet on the bottom of the plinth, and a Schurter IEC inlet with shielded OFC Copper power cable to connect the Thorens TD124.
Chris uses non-magnetic stainless steel chassis screws to secure the Thorens TD124 to the plinth, and non-magnetic stainless steel armboard screws.
For the TD124 itself, Chris strips the chassis down to the metal and completely refinishes, restores it, and replaces the Plexiglass strobe window.
Artisan Fidelity TD124 bearing.
Then Chris installs an Artisan Fidelity large-bore stainless-steel self-lubricating precision Sapphire main bearing assembly, featuring an advanced synthetic co-polymer thrust pad.
Artisan Fidelity TD124 idler wheel.
Chris installs an Artisan Fidelity precision replacement CNC'd idler wheel with a stainless steel hub.
Chris installs an Artisan Fidelity precision CNC'd austenitic stainless steel high-mass main platter, and a Thorens factory restored TD124 aluminum clutch platter.
Artisan Fidelity CNC'd TD124 high-mass platter.
The Thorens TD124 chassis mushrooms are replaced with with new rubber composite mushrooms exceeding original factory specifications.
The Thorens TD124 switch compressor condenser is replaced, and the E50 motor is rebuilt using new precision bushings, felt rings, and seals, with a replacement stepped pulley wheel for E50 motor installed.
Chris also uses a precision replacement belt to replace the original step pulley drive belt.
I asked Chris if he would take photos as he goes through the process of restoring & building up the Artisan Fidelity Thorens TD124 Statement 'Long Base' turntable so I could share with you everything that goes into build up one of Chris' Statement turntables.
Chris told me to go through and do the complete restoration, build the plinth, and get everything tested and all details addressed, takes 10-12 weeks.
Stay tuned, and I'll keep you informed of progress as Chris proceeds with the Artisan Fidelity Thorens TD124 Statement 'Long Base' turntable!
As always, thanks for stopping by, and may the tone be with you!
