Technics SL1200 Mk II

Fongolio

Today I picked up a Technics SL1200 Mk II turntable basket case. Motor works perfect and platter spins at correct speeds. It's dirty, really dirty like it's been sitting outside for a long time. No dust cover and broken tonearm. Paid $100 which is steep but these still go for crazy prices and the owner knew it. Here's the good part, I have another SL 5300 Technics that has a messed up motor that the tonearm will work off of. The swap is easy and the dust cover may even fit. I started cleaning earlier and then remembered I should have taken before's. Oh well.

I've always wanted a 1200 in my collection and here is a cheap way to get it. I'm pleased.

Dawgfish

I love my 1200. I like you started with one that was a project, but in decent to good condition. I think I paid $175 for mine originally. $2,000 worth of parts and mods later, my 1200 competes with just about any turntable I've heard under $4,000. If you need any parts, this is the place to get if from www.kabusa.com. Good luck with the restoration and keep us posted how it goes.

mhardy6647

I wouldn't mind having one either ;-)
Congratulations on stumbling on to one (or two).

Erik Tracy

Fongolio wrote: »

Today I picked up a Technics SL1200 Mk II turntable basket case. Motor works perfect and platter spins at correct speeds. It's dirty, really dirty like it's been sitting outside for a long time. No dust cover and broken tonearm. Paid $100 which is steep but these still go for crazy prices and the owner knew it. Here's the good part, I have another SL 5300 Technics that has a messed up motor that the tonearm will work off of. The swap is easy and the dust cover may even fit. I started cleaning earlier and then remembered I should have taken before's. Oh well.

I've always wanted a 1200 in my collection and here is a cheap way to get it. I'm pleased.

We need pics of the rehabilitation!

What cart are you going to run on it?

skrol

That sounds like a neat project and I am all for recycling. If anyone is interested, I have an Onkyo CP-1046F that has a bad motor servo control. The rest is in very good condition. Anyone is welcome to it if they can use any of it.

evhudsons

I picked one up for a bill as well. It works great and I ordered a brand new technics crystal clear cover for $40. It's not shabby but it is visibly worn as it came from a dj. How did you clean it up?

PolkMaster1

I know this thread is a bit old. I have a couple of SL-1200 arms for the Turntable which I would gladly sell. I also have an external power supply that was used for the SL-1200 MK2 which helps elevate the sound to another level.

PM me if you are interested.

Toolfan66

Nice!!!

Jhayman

I just picked up one as well for $15 looks to be in very good shape, it's just missing the headshell and cartridge and stylus..
Even the original Technics mat and 45 adapter are there..and dust cover
Not sure what I should do with it, I plugged it in it powers up runs at 33 and 45 starts anspd stops instantly and the little light that pops up is there too..
Nice find I think.
It's heavy as well, like 20-30lbs I think
Don't know where to find the things I'm missing?

Dawgfish

Jhayman wrote: »

I just picked up one as well for $15 looks to be in very good shape, it's just missing the headshell and cartridge and stylus..
Even the original Technics mat and 45 adapter are there..and dust cover
Not sure what I should do with it, I plugged it in it powers up runs at 33 and 45 starts anspd stops instantly and the little light that pops up is there too..
Nice find I think.
It's heavy as well, like 20-30lbs I think
Don't know where to find the things I'm missing?

Wow! You got an incredible deal! Here are some links to find the headshell, mounting hardware, and cartridge for your 1200;

www.kabusa.com
www.needledoctor.com
www.lpgear.com

The KAB site is the place to go for 1200 OEM parts and advice. They also have a good selection of aftermarket parts. I have spoken to Kevin the owner several times and he is a really good person to deal with, with a wealth of knowledge.

The Needle Doctor site is one of the formost retailers of turntables and accesories. They are also great to deal with and have a wealth of advice that they gladly give out when requested.

LP Gear is very similiar to The Needle Doctor.

As far as recommendations for your 1200 for the headshell and cartridges, I have a few suggestions. I highly recommend the LP Gear Zupreme Headshell http://www.lpgear.com/product/LPGZHEAD.html Initially the $54 price tag may seem like a lot, but when you factor in that you are getting a very high quality machined headshell, with high quality cartridge lead wires, and mounting hardware, it's actually a bargain. Price a stock Technics headshell and then price some high quality headshell lead wires and you'll see what kind of deal the Zupreme headshell really is.

As far as cartridges go, it really depends on your budget, but three lower priced ones that sound really good that I would recommend would be the Sure M97XE, the Denon DL110, and the Ortofon Red.

A good site for cartridge setup and alignment is www.vinylengine.com Here you can find lots of info on your 1200, setup instuctions, and you can even download an alignment protractor from there for the Technics Baerwald Cartidge alignment.

This will get you up and rolling with good sound. A few minor items that I recommend picking up in the future are the Herbies Way Excellent Mat and a turntable clamp or weight. This will give you a very good sounding setup for relatively low coin. Congrats on the great pickup.

Jhayman

Thanks Very much Dawgfish for all the links and info..
That Zupreme sounds like a good deal I don't mind the $54 tag..
I was under the impression the lead wires came with the Headshells?
The way I thought it works is like this, I find a place that sells what I'M looking for I buy the Headshell and then buy a Cartridge with stylus?

Dawgfish

Not every headshell comes with the lead wires. You do buy the headshell and then the cartridge. The cartridge will have come with the stylus. Most of the time the cartridge will come with mounting hardware. Sometimes the headshell will come with mounting hardware also. You mount the cartridge on the headshell with the factory specified overhang, and then you use the alignment protractor to set the proper cartridge alignment. You will also need to set the proper tracking force, vertical tracking angle, and anti-skate force. I know this all seems like a lot, and at first it is, but with a little practive this becomes second nature. The vinyl engine site has some wonderful info on making all of these adjustments.

If you don't mind spending a little more, there is another much easier option; http://www.kabusa.com/frameset.htm?/ Go to the cartridge section and check out the Ortofon ProS style cartridges hand assembled by KAB. With these you don't have to set the overhang and alignment as they are preset with the design. You also don't have to worry about the headshell, lead wires, and mounting hardware. Just set the proper VTA, tracking force, and anti-skate, which are all very easy to do on the 1200 and you're set. I've owned the OM-30 before and it is a great sounding cartridge.

Dawgfish

Sorry double post.

PolkMaster1

KAB USA is a good source for your 1200MK-II.
I added Herbies Record Mat as a step-up mat at first. Sold it after I got the Funk Firm Achromat. Well worth it.
Added an external power supply, new high-end bearings, isolation feet, and a new tonearm and my own tonearm cable. While I was at it, I made a seperate investment with an external phono-preamp.

You can take this TT to a whole new level. How far to high-end you want to take it is limited to your budget and research you want to invest in it.