DJ Used Technics 1200 Mk4

cmy330go

I've got a buddy selling one of these for $200. Not sure what cartridge it has, but don't really care, as I would likely change it anyway.

My question is... Do I really want one after they've been used like this? Just wondering if it does any lasting damage to them. Knowing him it's probably been well used, but not beaten on.

What ya think?

phuz

That's a good price, and those decks are nearly bulletproof. As long as everything is in good shape - tone arm, adjustments, pitch control, RCAs, etc - then I'd go for it.

billbillw

The main thing to look at is the tonearm bearings. If the DJ was throwing them in/out of coffin cases and traveling a lot, the weight of the table can sometimes rest on the arm bearings. Check the arm by balancing the arm with zero antiskate. Then see if it floats freely to the center when you turn up the antiskate. Of course, check the main bearing for wobble as well.

cmy330go

Thanks for the advise guys. I'll go check it out later this week and give it a thorough once-over.

unc2701

Check the pitch slider and the brake, too.

The pitch slider should move smoothly- if it was abused, it'll have a gritty feel as you move it ($25 part, not too bad to replace). I can remember if the mk4 has a bump on the on +/- 0 pitch, but when you're on that (and the 0 pitch led should light up), check the strobe to be sure it's accurate.

For the brake, with a lot of wear on the motor, it'll no longer give you that instant stop when you hit the button. Start the platter, let it get up to speed, then hit stop. It should give you an instant stop and hold- and may run a little backwards if there isn't a record on there. Now, this is easy to fix if it's out of whack- you just turn a pot that's under the platter- but failure for it to stop correctly may indicate that it's had a lot of use. Or it was never set up right.