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The Official *Technics SL-1200* Owners Club

gmku said:
I see. Isn't the felt mat a thinner mat, too? Probably why.

And I got the KAB record clamp. My first.
Click to expand...

The felt mat is even thinner than the thin rubber mat. But, the only way the chart makes sense, from what I can tell, is when using whatever version of the rubber mat that was originally included. I use the thick Technics mat on my MK5 (which I believe is the same as the KAB mat) and interestingly enough, this additional thickness alters my chart so that it matches perfectly with the MKII chart. So, for my MLa, which is 17.5 mm, the MK5 chart says I should start at 0, (i think, doing this from memory). But, because I use the thicker mat that came with the MKII, that adds about 2 mm of height to the platter. This puts me in line with the MKII height chart, not the MK5 chart.

Hope that makes some sense.
 
gmku said:
Cool. But I'm not convinced mods to mine are needed....
Click to expand...

No problemo. If you are happy with it in stock form, that's great.:thmbsp:

I will say among the Technics SL1200MK2 fans however, there are a few elements of the table that, although I'd not call weak spots, are spots that still can be improved upon.

There was a magazine test of the arm which found resonance in the arm tube and around the end stub structure. If I can locate the article, I'll post it.

Also the tone arm cables (RCAs) and internal wire is not the highest quality- Technics is aware of this and improved upon both of these items with higher quality parts in the M5G.

The circuit board has also been a source for sound-robbing. Easy to swap KAB's $5 turret board plate to rectify this.


Total cost for these mods run low.

Isokinetik or Cardas from KAB will run you around $5-$10.

KAB's turret plate- $5.

Foam plugs for the hollow end stub tube- $2-$3.

Cotton batting and a length of quality heat shrink tubing- $2-$3 with plenty left over.

M5G cables- $28.

So for under $50, it's not wallet-unfriendly.

I've done dozens of arms so far for AKers and friends as a labor of love, and every one felt it was an audible improvement.

Again, not that the original is not very good. It's just possible to make it better, for not a lot of cash outlay.
 
I replaced the slip mat with the rubber mat from my old Yamaha YP-D4 table. Is this much different from the Technics mat I ordered?
 
1/4 inch. But the diameter falls a little short of the Technics platter. So I guess that could be a shortcoming.

On the other hand, I wonder if the slip mat is all that bad? Did the original 1200s in the early 1970s come with a slip mat or a thicker rubber mat?

I guess that would be my thing. To make this truly more of a vintage table, I'd go with whatever the original was, felt or rubber. To me, sonically, I don't notice much wrong with the slip mat, and I imagine that with the record clamp I'm getting, this won't matter much.

I'm more and more convinced that this rig sounds great right out of the box.
 
gmku said:
..Did the original 1200s in the early 1970s come with a slip mat or a thicker rubber mat?...
Click to expand...

Rubber mat. Slip-mats were adopted by DJs, when folk used the tables for DJ-ing.


gmku said:
...I'm more and more convinced that this rig sounds great right out of the box.
Click to expand...

It does sound great out of the box.

However, if you decide to modify it, think of it as this:

If you bought a 1970 Chevelle 396 new off the lot in 1970, the car would be a thrill- no shortcomings, really, in that time period.

However, minor (or major) mods could be made to them- Weiand intakes, Mickey Thompson street slicks, Isky camshafts, Hooker headers, Lakewood traction bars- this already fast, great performer could essentially be faster, greater.

Put a stock SS396 against a mildly modified one, the modified one should typically out-perform it.


This is not to say the stock version is bad. It's not. It's very good stock. And may be perfect for your needs. And there's nothing wrong with that.

But to say something cannot be improved upon is only limiting potential.


The SL1200MK2 is a great table in stock form, but folk spending $50, to $2500 modifying them, their logic isn't wrong, just because it's different.
 
Bought this "DJ" app for 99 cents for my phone which features, apparently, a pair of SL-1200's. :) I probably won't use the mix/scratch features any time soon but it is cool to see the vinyl spinning when I listen to .mp3. You can even move the tonearms. :)

qzrm94e3aq.jpg
 
thedelihaus said:
Rubber mat. Slip-mats were adopted by DJs, when folk used the tables for DJ-ing.




It does sound great out of the box.

However, if you decide to modify it, think of it as this:

If you bought a 1970 Chevelle 396 new off the lot in 1970, the car would be a thrill- no shortcomings, really, in that time period.

However, minor (or major) mods could be made to them- Weiand intakes, Mickey Thompson street slicks, Isky camshafts, Hooker headers, Lakewood traction bars- this already fast, great performer could essentially be faster, greater.

Put a stock SS396 against a mildly modified one, the modified one should typically out-perform it.


This is not to say the stock version is bad. It's not. It's very good stock. And may be perfect for your needs. And there's nothing wrong with that.

But to say something cannot be improved upon is only limiting potential.


The SL1200MK2 is a great table in stock form, but folk spending $50, to $2500 modifying them, their logic isn't wrong, just because it's different.
Click to expand...

Very good point!
 
I'm sick at home, so let me show you what boredom does here;

Since the OP does not keep tabs on this thread any more;
List of SL1200/1210 owners in this thread 25 April 2011;

2DualsNotEnough
AarheadC
AdamAnt316
Afury8
agypsy
alabamawoody
americankiwi
Andy H
Argyle
asmd
Autobot
bakes
baldnolocks
bassnutt
beatcomber
beej
BenWaB3
Beobloke
bholz
Big Mac
BigManAndy
Bikkerider
BHamm
BobbyCash
boo07
boonie
BroonsBane
brucered
cactuscowboy
cali9dub
Cantabury Guy
catrafter
caravelle
cason
Casualkiller
Charlie White
Chip - HP
Chuck M
Classicrock
costerdock
cpmusic
cragus
Cyrix 2k
DC
DLariv308
docpuro
dogpile
doom
drfibes13
drknife
dshoaf
efhjr
ehegwer
ericjustin
Erik Tracy
Fast Eddie
frankmarsi
Frank Sol
gahpg
GALLOFORM
GasMan
gelmhirst
gmku
Grog
grundigger
gumbercules
gx502
hags
haloeighteen
hellomika
hendertuckie
hookhead
HypnoToad
IB21
iceman79
iLUVanalog
Jack Gilvey
jclyle
jdwk
Jeff K
jhinkel
jhoak
JHoman
jlc76
Joewp
joeybuckets
John in MA
jopav
Jorge Freire
Jovinyl
jrhymeammo
Junknewbian
Just Looking
KentTeffeteller
Kickingbird2
KidColero
Kierkegaard
kitjunkie
kowalski
leepal
legalalien
leoshueh
lizblue
loopy
m4rz
macman007
majick47
mancubus
manpikin
Marantz 500
marantzfan
Mark0
markfig
markshan
Mc Man
MeTaL HeaD
mgalvez
Mike New
Millstone
MouseMaster
mrharrison
MWalt
mwv121
nthngfuture
nucleus76
Old Tech
OneMixDJ
panotaker
parafyn
pbinpb57
peterFCassidy
pilotprose
pioneervato
pipcell
Punkrudeboy
Qilin
Qoognish
quietcity
rexrider
RickeyM
Riveiraranch
rkcran
rmsretire
sailbum 2000
SaSi
ScottP
Scout1
Smokin Amps
Socioloco
soma89
Sophia
soundman2
Sovereign
Stark
steely
Steezo
swissvalemac
sxty8goats
synclavier82
Tapehead47
tech10m5
texasmcfan
thedelihaus
the nines
Theron D
Tiamat
timofred
tolstoi
TomG
tomrich22
tooch
treserious
ukfan4sure!
UnrealIce
Urchinn
vincei
Vinyl Addict
virak
voltcontrol
Waluch
wdug
whell
Wolf Br
xmas111
xphada
zeplin43

If you guys are ok with it I'll keep the list up or feel free to edit it yourself if you 'join' the SL1200/1210 club.
Or I could start a new thread so the list is the 1st post.
Let's see where this goes.

:)

Srry for typos and srry if I forgot someone.
 
Last edited:
Boredom is a sickness in itself. And you have typos! That is three sicknesses!

Nooo..not good....

Get well soon!:tears::twak:
 
Scored an S1200 MK II for $15 at a garage sale this weekend. Ordered a new dust cover w/hinges already and have cleaned it up. Also ordered new power switch w/shaft. Installed a Shure M97 cartridge and have had a blast playing my vinyl on this great table.
 
Since the OP does not keep tabs on this thread any more;
List of SL1200/1210 owners in this thread 25 April 2011;

2DualsNotEnough
AarheadC
AdamAnt316
Afury8
agypsy
alabamawoody
americankiwi
Andy H
Argyle
asmd
Autobot
bakes
baldnolocks
bassnutt
beatcomber
beej
BenWaB3
Beobloke
bholz
Big Mac
BigManAndy
Bikkerider
BHamm
BobbyCash
boo07
boonie
BroonsBane
brucered
cactuscowboy
cali9dub
Cantabury Guy
catrafter
caravelle
cason
Casualkiller
Charlie White
Chip - HP
Chuck M
Classicrock
costerdock
cpmusic
cragus
Cyrix 2k
DC
DLariv308
docpuro
dogpile
doom
drfibes13
drknife
dshoaf
efhjr
ehegwer
ericjustin
Erik Tracy
Fast Eddie
frankmarsi
Frank Sol
gahpg
GALLOFORM
GasMan
gelmhirst
gmku
Grog
grundigger
gumbercules
gx502
hags
haloeighteen
hellomika
hendertuckie
hookhead
HypnoToad
IB21
iceman79
iLUVanalog
Jack Gilvey
jclyle
jdwk
Jeff K
jhinkel
jhoak
JHoman
jlc76
Joewp
joeybuckets
John in MA
jopav
Jorge Freire
Jovinyl
jrhymeammo
Junknewbian
Just Looking
KentTeffeteller
Kickingbird2
KidColero
Kierkegaard
kitjunkie
kowalski
leepal
legalalien
leoshueh
lizblue
loopy
m4rz
macman007
majick47
mancubus
manpikin
Marantz 500
marantzfan
Mark0
markfig
markshan
Mc Man
MeTaL HeaD
mforys
mgalvez
Mike New
Millstone
MouseMaster
mrharrison
MWalt
mwv121
nthngfuture
nucleus76
Old Tech
OneMixDJ
panotaker
parafyn
pbinpb57
peterFCassidy
pilotprose
pioneervato
pipcell
Punkrudeboy
Qilin
Qoognish
quietcity
rexrider
RickeyM
Riveiraranch
rkcran
rmsretire
sailbum 2000
SaSi
ScottP
Scout1
Smokin Amps
Socioloco
soma89
Sophia
soundman2
Sovereign
Stark
steely
Steezo
swissvalemac
sxty8goats
synclavier82
Tapehead47
tech10m5
texasmcfan
thedelihaus
the nines
Theron D
Tiamat
timofred
tolstoi
TomG
tomrich22
tooch
treserious
ukfan4sure!
UnrealIce
Urchinn
vincei
Vinyl Addict
virak
voltcontrol
Waluch
wdug
whell
Wolf Br
xmas111
xphada
zeplin43

Added myself to the list.
 
Kickingbird2 said:
Scored an S1200 MK II for $15 at a garage sale this weekend. Ordered a new dust cover w/hinges already and have cleaned it up. Also ordered new power switch w/shaft. Installed a Shure M97 cartridge and have had a blast playing my vinyl on this great table.
Click to expand...

That is grant theft audio!! Very nicely done and welcome to the club.
 
voltcontrol said:
I'm sick at home, so let me show you what boredom does here;

Since the OP does not keep tabs on this thread any more;
List of SL1200/1210 owners in this thread 25 April 2011;

2DualsNotEnough
AarheadC
AdamAnt316
Afury8
agypsy
alabamawoody
americankiwi
Andy H
Argyle
asmd
Autobot
bakes
baldnolocks
bassnutt
beatcomber
beej
BenWaB3
Beobloke
bholz
Big Mac
BigManAndy
Bikkerider
BHamm
BobbyCash
boo07
boonie
BroonsBane
brucered
cactuscowboy
cali9dub
Cantabury Guy
catrafter
caravelle
cason
Casualkiller
Charlie White
Chip - HP
Chuck M
Classicrock
costerdock
cpmusic
cragus
Cyrix 2k
DC
DLariv308
docpuro
dogpile
doom
drfibes13
drknife
dshoaf
efhjr
ehegwer
ericjustin
Erik Tracy
Fast Eddie
frankmarsi
Frank Sol
gahpg
GALLOFORM
GasMan
gelmhirst
gmku
Grog
grundigger
gumbercules
gx502
hags
haloeighteen
hellomika
hendertuckie
hookhead
HypnoToad
IB21
iceman79
iLUVanalog
Jack Gilvey
jclyle
jdwk
Jeff K
jhinkel
jhoak
JHoman
jlc76
Joewp
joeybuckets
John in MA
jopav
Jorge Freire
Jovinyl
jrhymeammo
Junknewbian
Just Looking
KentTeffeteller
Kickingbird2
KidColero
Kierkegaard
kitjunkie
kowalski
leepal
legalalien
leoshueh
lizblue
loopy
m4rz
macman007
majick47
mancubus
manpikin
Marantz 500
marantzfan
Mark0
markfig
markshan
Mc Man
MeTaL HeaD
mgalvez
Mike New
Millstone
MouseMaster
mrharrison
MWalt
mwv121
nthngfuture
nucleus76
Old Tech
OneMixDJ
panotaker
parafyn
pbinpb57
peterFCassidy
pilotprose
pioneervato
pipcell
Punkrudeboy
Qilin
Qoognish
quietcity
rexrider
RickeyM
Riveiraranch
rkcran
rmsretire
sailbum 2000
SaSi
ScottP
Scout1
Smokin Amps
Socioloco
soma89
Sophia
soundman2
Sovereign
Stark
steely
Steezo
swissvalemac
sxty8goats
synclavier82
Tapehead47
tech10m5
texasmcfan
thedelihaus
the nines
Theron D
Tiamat
timofred
tolstoi
TomG
tomrich22
tooch
treserious
ukfan4sure!
UnrealIce
Urchinn
vincei
Vinyl Addict
virak
voltcontrol
Waluch
wdug
whell
Wolf Br
xmas111
xphada
zeplin43

If you guys are ok with it I'll keep the list up or feel free to edit it yourself if you 'join' the SL1200/1210 club.
Or I could start a new thread so the list is the 1st post.
Let's see where this goes.

:)

Srry for typos and srry if I forgot someone.
Click to expand...

Thanks for your efforts and get well soon.
 
Kickingbird2 said:
Scored an S1200 MK II for $15 at a garage sale this weekend. Ordered a new dust cover w/hinges already and have cleaned it up. Also ordered new power switch w/shaft. Installed a Shure M97 cartridge and have had a blast playing my vinyl on this great table.
Click to expand...

Serious Scroe :) I felt pretty darn lucky getting mine for $150

mforys said:
Since the OP does not keep tabs on this thread any more;
List of SL1200/1210 owners in this thread 25 April 2011;
Click to expand...
Nicely done :) Admins and Mods can often edit individual posts. I wonder if we could get one of them to update the first post of this thread with your list?
 
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