Realm of the unknown (Turntables)

SDA1C

I find myself in a situation.

I was offered 2 Technics turntables and a mid 80's integrated. At this point thats all I know aside from "They are heavy as hell!" and "I do know the fuses are blown in the amp". Im wondering if someone might be kind enough to offer a phone number so when I get mine eyes on some model numbers I have a place to go for reputable knowledge. I dont yet want to divulge the asking price but it ain't much... I simply do not know what to look for as far as -more trouble than they are worth- types of possible damage. The fellow is a friend of a friend and I do feel good about it but the fact remains...I don't know what I'm looking at when it comes to tables. The equipment will come to my house for testing and pics will be available (I think lol if I can get my cam to cooperate).



Thanks 1C

chumlie

Sounds like a pair of 1200's. They are heavy and built like tanks. If you get a good price. Keep one, sell the other. they fetch a good price on ebay. Never heard a bad word about them. They have been the standard for dj's the last 30 years.

SDA1C

I believe the guy said they are different but equally "tankish" if that makes sense. One of them has a yellowed cover. ? light damage? but the tables themselves are said to be immaculate. Thats the word of my friend that has seen them.

SDA1C

Let's say they are fully functional but 6-10 on agon. Any idea on value?

chumlie

Sounds like he used them to dj. I would bet they have been beat on. Not knowing till you see them. New they can be had for 1000-1200. Used about 400-600. but those are really old. Couple to three for the pair. Thats me figureing he used them in clubs.

SDA1C

oh no! I do know he didn't use them other than his home. Hes using a couple tube amps and such from what I am told. Something about an old Marantz tuber and some other stuff he will never get rid of. He's near 60 I figure and his wife wants more space for her sewing room. These were under the bed and I hear he "lost" them for about 15 years lol. I was just putting the 6-10 thing out there to get a better idea. The friend of mine that knows him is a minister and you can see his eyes light up when he speaks of them. In fact I do note a hint of "aw crap why did I mention these to you when I really want them myself" lol. My friend told me if I pass he will take them.

BeefJerky

chumlie wrote: »

Sounds like he used them to dj. I would bet they have been beat on. Not knowing till you see them. New they can be had for 1000-1200. Used about 400-600. but those are really old. Couple to three for the pair. Thats me figureing he used them in clubs.

Not so much anymore; even the old beat-up fixer-uppers are more valuable nowadays. Since Panasonic announced they were discontinuing their turntables, the prices no longer go that low. While the 1200's are still around $400-600 each if they are in good condition, even a beat-up old one would fetch ~$250-300 each.

At any rate, SDA1C, if it is an SL-1200MK2, then I recommend getting them. They are great tables, and quite underrated in my opinion. Here's a link to Wikipedia with some more details on the specific model numbers of the series:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Technics_SL-1200

I'm glad I got mine for free years ago. It needed a new RCA cord and pitch control, but those were easy fixes. And I put together a custom box with RCA jacks on the bottom of the unit to avoid using the captive cord at all. It has seen better days cosmetically, but it operates perfectly, and that is what is important to me.

SDA1C

Really.... that's good news friend hehehe Even the beat up ones eh? Are there any super sought after or scarce models I might like to keep in mind when searching model #s?

BeefJerky

SDA1C wrote: »

Really.... that's good news friend hehehe Even the beat up ones eh? Are there any super sought after or scarce models I might like to keep in mind when searching model #s?

Scarce/rare? Probably any of the Japanese-only models, the SL-1210M5G 30th anniversary model, the MK6 models, or any that are setup to play 78rpm from the factory. In fact, if one of his has the 78rpm capability, I might be interested in one.

SDA1C

Yep. Better pick them up I'd say.I'll know more in the next couple days. I'm trying to do it this weekend but not for sure yet. I will certainly keep an update and whence I figure what I have I'll be offering the other (most likely) at a polkie price.:biggrin:

chumlie

I'm a cheap **** when it comes to used but if they were'nt beat on you probably got a good deal going. When i heard 80's with an intagrated amp i assumed they were they were at the clubs.

Toolfan66

I have seen mint 1210's reach the 1k mark used..

SDA1C

TOOLFORLIFEFAN wrote: »

I have seen mint 1210's reach the 1k mark used..

Whoa! Is the 1200 series the only table Technics/Pany/Matsushita made?

BeefJerky

SDA1C wrote: »

Whoa! Is the 1200 series the only table Technics/Pany/Matsushita made?

Not at all. It's just one of the most well known models, because it is (and has been since the 80's) *THE* turntable of choice for DJ's.

SDA1C

I am taking a stab in the dark here but I don't think it's a good idea to let a table freeze. Because of this and other timing issues I will pick up both tables and the integrated Monday after work (12 am).

Up side...They will go from house to warm car to house again and not change more than 15 degrees.

Down side...gotta wait till Monday.

I'll report then, 1C

chumlie

That sucks. Did ya find out what your getting.

SDA1C

Nope not yet. Other than ,80's, Technics, quantity (2), heavy as hell, shure cartriges? Quantity unknown., Blown fuses in the integrated (2 channel) amp/receiver.

All for the unbelievable low price of....not telling till I have them in my hand.

SDA1C

Heres the nicest of the two before clean up. Also the heaviest. Neither have the 78 option.

SL-1360

Heres the second of the two....

sl-23

chumlie

Nice score. sl-23 looks a liitle rough.

BeefJerky

Agreed, nice score. If I were to recommend keeping one over the other, I would suggest keeping the SL-1360. From what I gather, it is a better model with a better tonearm. In addition, it is direct drive, whereas the SL-23 is belt drive. In the case of Technics, their direct drive design is fantastic, and was really their specialty.

SDA1C

I agree the 23 is a bit rough but its actually just dirty. and needs a cartridge. I also got a Lafayette la-44 thats like 35 lbs and 1/2 the size of a receiver and a sansui qs-1.

Both are fairly dirty and I havent tried them yet but understand they work fine less blown fuses.