412-4

About the 412-4

The Fairchild 412-4 turntable, introduced around 1957-1958 by Fairchild Recording Equipment Corp., is renowned for its industrial-grade build quality and advanced features for its time. It features a heavyweight steel chassis, a massive aluminum platter, and a hysteresis-synchronous motor suspended by spherical vibration mounts to minimize vibration. The drive system uses two belts and an intermediate pulley for maximum decoupling. The main bearing is rifle-drilled Babbitt for durability and smooth operation. Uniquely, the platter speed is electronically controlled by an oscillator that changes the frequency of the current supplied to the motor, allowing precise speed settings and changes without mechanical adjustments. It supports four speeds: 16 2/3, 33 1/3, 45, and 78.26 RPM, adjustable by ±5%. The turntable can operate on AC voltages from 85 to 135 volts and frequencies of 50, 60, or 400 Hz, and even from a battery supply, all without requiring adjustments. The unit is built to last and was considered top-tier professional playback equipment, often used in broadcasting and high-end audio applications. It originally came with no built-in loudspeaker but could be connected to headphones or an amplifier. The 412-4 is a chassis-only model intended for building into custom installations. It uses 5 tubes and has a metal case. The turntable is highly collectible and sought after by audiophiles and vintage audio enthusiasts today. Typical prices for a functioning unit start around though condition and included accessories vary. Some units are sold non-functional and require servicing to restore operation.