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Is this the place to ask if I have questions about a turntable?

post #1 of 12
Thread Starter 
This is my forum of choice but didnt really know if there was a place to ask about Turntables.

My dad has a very old TT made by Technics that I saw in his basement so I grabbed it. From what I have researched on it I think it is suppose to be a great TT.

It def needs some parts to get working again I am hoping if I post some pictures maybe yall cant tell me what it needs to get it back into shape?

And or suggestions this is my first time experimenting with records.
post #2 of 12
Thread Starter 
post #3 of 12
The SL1200 is a terrific turntable, made continuously for about 30 years until production stopped recently. I hava couple of the broadcast model above it, the SP10 MkII.

To start with, you'll need a headshell and a cartridge and if you don't have a phono stage built into your preamp / integrated amp / AVR, you'll need one of those too. A lower line Grado cart is probably a good starting point, headshells are a standard mount and $25 new is about right (lots on ebay too) and a separate phono pre is less than $100. Secondhand is good for this too.

KAB have a ton of SL1200 knowledge, info, parts, spares and mods available.

The real source of info and how to set up a TT is probably Vinyl Engine.
post #4 of 12

The most obvious fault is as has been said, the cartridge shell and the cartridge are missing.

Agreed with the other poster about everything, including your need for a special RIAA preamp, whether a separate device, or something in a control-preamplifier, legacy receiver, or integrated amp.

The cartridge shell is a standard part, shared among many tone arms.

I recommend the Shure M97He cartrdige, which you should be able to get from Amazon for under $100.

Getting the cartridge mounted rigid, true, and square is exceedingly important.

This article looks like a good starting point:

http://www.soundfountain.com/amb/ttadjust.html

It includes an adjusting template that you can download and print:

292

You can google up any number of other sites with similar information, and even videos.

Any questions? Ask here!
post #5 of 12
Thread Starter 
Thanks yall looking around I have noticed a couple of things I will need I am trying to get this working as cheap as possible and then if it goes over well maybe I will put more into it.

Right now just from looking it over and looking at others I have seen -

TECHNICS HEADSHELL MK2
TECHNICS SUPER MAT
SL-1200 SPINDLE BEARING OIL
SHURE M97xE CARTRIDGE

These are probably most of what I need to get it back into shape. All that is on it right now is a piece of felt so I figure I need the rubber one to get better performance . I am relatively sure that is the correct headshell. That cartridge is the cheapest I have found so far that has still been recommended by people. On the spindle oil I do not know for sure if I need it but I can only assume that I do.

From what I have read mine was manufactured in November of 1979 which means its pretty damn old lol.

All together I am hoping to get it up and running under 150.... I hope that the power ground and rca cables are all in working condition.

My receiver has a phono out on it for TT's. Which I assumed was not powered but when I looked in the manual it is powered so I am good to go there.

Oh and I dont know if I need this - SL-1200 45 ADAPTER - On my TT there is a little black plastic circle that sticks up that I assume is this piece but I thought they were suppose to be metal and heavy...
post #6 of 12
Sounds like you're on the right track. If you need more info, here's a second recommendation to get in touch with Kevin Barrett at kabusa.com. He sold, services, and mods 1200s, and knows them like the back of his hand.
post #7 of 12
Quote:
Originally Posted by MomboX View Post

Thanks yall looking around I have noticed a couple of things I will need I am trying to get this working as cheap as possible and then if it goes over well maybe I will put more into it.
Right now just from looking it over and looking at others I have seen -
TECHNICS HEADSHELL MK2
TECHNICS SUPER MAT
SL-1200 SPINDLE BEARING OIL
SHURE M97xE CARTRIDGE
These are probably most of what I need to get it back into shape. All that is on it right now is a piece of felt so I figure I need the rubber one to get better performance . I am relatively sure that is the correct headshell. That cartridge is the cheapest I have found so far that has still been recommended by people. On the spindle oil I do not know for sure if I need it but I can only assume that I do.
From what I have read mine was manufactured in November of 1979 which means its pretty damn old lol.
All together I am hoping to get it up and running under 150.... I hope that the power ground and rca cables are all in working condition.
My receiver has a phono out on it for TT's. Which I assumed was not powered but when I looked in the manual it is powered so I am good to go there.
Oh and I dont know if I need this - SL-1200 45 ADAPTER - On my TT there is a little black plastic circle that sticks up that I assume is this piece but I thought they were suppose to be metal and heavy...

Hopefully that's a phono "in" on your receiver smile.gif There's more than one kind of phono input (for different types of cartridges, moving magnet and moving coil....the cartridges suggested are moving magnet as are most phono inputs). Looks like an odd (non-stock) 45 adapter in the 45 adapter holder (upper left). I bought my 1200mkII in the early 80s and it's still in use (one tuneup by the local Panasonic service depot about 13-14 years ago). Might want to plug it in and make sure it works. Reminds me mine could probably use a bit of lube (but I'll just use what I've got in the way of a light oil).
post #8 of 12
Thread Starter 
Ha ya Phono In lol.....I thought the 45 adapter wasn't right. Now I am wondering if there is a service shop near me in Utah that does turntables..... Think any panasonic repair place would do them? I am thinking I will try and oil it and if all goes well I might look into investing in a full tune up.
post #9 of 12
Quote:
Originally Posted by MomboX View Post

Ha ya Phono In lol.....I thought the 45 adapter wasn't right. Now I am wondering if there is a service shop near me in Utah that does turntables..... Think any panasonic repair place would do them? I am thinking I will try and oil it and if all goes well I might look into investing in a full tune up.

I think the service center near me closed or changed to other Panasonic functions a while back. Think there were only a couple in the whole USA. I work close by and didn't have to pack it up otherwise would have looked for an independent. I just tried the Panasonic servicer locator and it came up with nothing for this model so not sure they even offer service now that it's discontinued (or it's a stupid application, you can't apparently simply look up the addresses...that's too easy, gotta have a search engine I guess). My tone arm lift damping and the stylus illuminator lamp had gone out otherwise wouldn't have taken it in, they're pretty much built like tanks but a cleaning couldn't hurt...
post #10 of 12
Quote:
Originally Posted by MomboX View Post

Ha ya Phono In lol.....I thought the 45 adapter wasn't right. Now I am wondering if there is a service shop near me in Utah that does turntables...

Why do you need a service shop?

If you do need a service shop, on the worst day of your life, find someone who has been working on turntables for DJs. They may be y weak about the fine points of cartridge mounting and alignment which you need to be able to do on your own, anyways. But they should know how to get the platter to rotate at the right speed, and have the tone arm track without skipping.

Basic turntables are mechanically and electrically very simple. The ones with electronic speed control should be fixable by anybody who does a good job on general electronics repair.
post #11 of 12
Thread Starter 
Well I have ordered a head shell , cartridge , and a 45 adapter I found for cheap. Last couple things I need are some spindle oil and a new rubber mat. Main reason I wanted a service shop was so they could go through and clean it up and make sure the connections on everything worked correctly.

But I found a video on how to take it apart so I will go through it and get it cleaned up.

I am just going to wait for the head and cartridge to come in before I order anything off KAB's site so I know if there are anymore parts I need. Dont want to pay shipping twice :P
post #12 of 12
Quote:
Originally Posted by MomboX View Post

Well I have ordered a head shell , cartridge , and a 45 adapter I found for cheap. Last couple things I need are some spindle oil and a new rubber mat. Main reason I wanted a service shop was so they could go through and clean it up and make sure the connections on everything worked correctly.
But I found a video on how to take it apart so I will go through it and get it cleaned up.
I am just going to wait for the head and cartridge to come in before I order anything off KAB's site so I know if there are anymore parts I need. Dont want to pay shipping twice :P

Sounds like you are making good progress!
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