Buying a used Technics SL-1200 - Tonearm Issues

In this video we check out the tonearm on the Technics 1200. If it’s bad and needs replacement, you might still buy the turntable, but know that you’ll need to factor in the cost of the tonearm replacement.

[thebourgyman]

Thank you so much for the video! I have an SL-1200mk2 that had what seemed a broken tonearm, as it could barely play records without skipping (it would constantly spring back to rest position whatever I would do in terms of calibrating/anti-skating). Checking the bearings is something that never came to mind as I assumed they were broken/missing. Turns out they were intact, and that the arm was simply loose/misadjusted! After recalibrating everything, the SL-1200 works like new. You saved me a new tonearm!

[RefactoringRyan]

Going to look at my first used set soon, thanks for the valuable information.

[taiwanluthiers]

For the second turntable, I have a 1200 with similar issue, bearing is dented, and if you swing the tonearm it snaps into the middle with quite a bit of force.

The fix is rip the bearing out, use a reamer to ream that hole to exactly 5mm, taking care not to go too deep. Then press in a MR52ZZ bearing in its place. This will save the tonearm, and it will function correctly.

MR52ZZ bearing costs about 20 cents each, and the reamer is going to vary depending on where you get it. But DO NOT use a drill bit. Use a reamer.

You can make quite a bit of money doing this fix to turntables with this issue because the bearing it comes with is very nonstandard, and is made of some really soft material that is easily dented. MR52ZZ bearings, even the cheapest Chinese ones, are made of hardened steel and ground to a very tight tolerance. They will likely last far longer than the turntable.

[wreignone]

2004 new years eve. Will never forget it! So i was asked to dj at a huge party.. Hired 2x technics decks off someone i thought i could trust. The ahole gave me not 1, but 2 broken decks! With this exact issue, our new years ended up being a chillout session listening to records on a pair of stantons. I was so pissed.

[komask]

helped me a lot as always !

thank u very much


cheers

[gabrielvalenzuela]

Probably damaged it worse slamming the tonearm back and forth like that

[zzforshort]

Hey, thanks for this video. I was wondering about this as my tonearm does not seem overly stable ... and was confirmed recently to have issues w/ the bearings. While it's not quite as bad as the one in your video, the pivot/pin (whatever it's called) is definitely a bit wobbly and I don't think passes the test you performed. So... what to do? If it's not repairable, what are the best options?

[yorkemar]

Er... that damages arm. In doing that you can break things. Only way to test antiskate is to do it with stylus, cart and headshell on the end of a record or something.

[jedi-mic]

What size ball bearings are they? where's the best place to buy bearings sapphire preferably

[djc]

Hey nice video, got a big problem with my 1200's, one of my Tone arms feel heavier than the other, I have the same needles and cartridges, but 1 feels heavier. Any idea ? Thanks

[pstentertnmt]

Yeah, I'll just smack my tonearm around to see if it has issues, said no one ever.

[djblack]

All you have to do is tighten up all three sides if that don't work then you need a one

[petergreen]

upgrade to roller ball bearings I do it all the time easy fix

[rokagrooveradio]

Hi mate, my problem on my 1210 mk2 is you can twist the arm asin it must be the screw underneath the tonearm but how do i get to it, do i need to take the whole tonearm out from underneath? any help much appreciated thanks

[StephenSpivack]

If one needs to replace just the tonearm tube - and not the base / the rest of the tone arm - what would you recommend? Does the entire assembly need to be replaced?

[Davehiphop]

Hi, all please can I get some advice.

The tone arm one my left deck seems to be lower and at a slight angle when not in use. Its not the black lifter (my technical term) as it does not rest on this.

It is just sitting in the Black tone arm lock mechanism.

Any ideas?

Thanks in advance.

[kidsonicofficial]

ah crap. Another expense lol. I'm gonna have to get a grant or a loan now.

[Hi-Tech-Ray]

@1:55 As myself who works on 1200s as a passion and hobby, I have found another cause to this problem in addition to the Tonearm taking a hit! As per the instructions to the Shure's M444 cartridge there is something which misleads 1200 users (especially Scratch DJs) to do more damage to that bearing. Shure states in regards to absolute 0 anti-skate to loosen the outer ring and to make the pin tighter! Users should be aware not to follow those instructions to avoid this damage! Technics 1200s are the best out there, people should treat them that way!