The "basket motor" refers to the motor that moves the "basket" which holds all of the records. The "Gripper" is the arm that grips ( or grabs) the records from the basket, and places it onto the turntable (TT), then returns it to the basket after-play.
From what you have written, it appears, to me, that the Gripper Motor is having the problem (blowing the CB) ? Ron Rich