Technics also offered an SL-1200. It was basically the same machine, on a smaller scale. It had a hinged, dark grey dustcover with a "bubble" over the rear of the tonearm. The reason for this bubble, was that the dustcover was of "low profile" design, and the SL-1200 was also offered as an SL-120 (and the SL-1100A as an SL-110). These models were sold without arms ,and you would mount the arm of your choice. As some of these arms (such as an SME) had a rear height that was higher than the cover, that bubble was necessary in order to still use the cover. The SL-1100 had a tall cover, so a bubble wasn't necessary.

Back at that point, Disco was just beginning to "heat up", and the clubs were using radio station turntables (such as the Gates, Sparta or QRK), or Thorens, which had variable speeds.

DeeJays found that variable speeds were a neccessity when "beat mixing" became popular. The SL-1200 gained popularity then because of it's features of variable speed, a lighted strobe, and the high torque of it's direct drive motor. Although the 1100 boasted the same features, it had a few drawbacks over the SL-1200. One, it was HUGE. Two, the bottom was made out of metal, and tended not to isolate feedback well. At the loud volumes that the clubs played the music, feedback was (and still is) a major factor. Lastly, at almost $100 less expensive than the 1100, the 1200 had it's place in DJ history sealed.

These machines were never meant to be a "DJ" machine, just home units.. but history proved differently.

In about 1975, Technics introduced a new series.. an SL-1500, 1400, and 1300 (Manual, semi-automatic, fully-automatic). These units had the looks of the SL-1200, but not the start-up torque, nor the running torque. Those DJ's that bought them were soon disappointed in their wandering speeds, and difficulty in doing "slip-cues". They never enjoyed the popularity of the SL-1200 for DJ and club use.

THE MK-II SERIES, AND THEIR COMMON "CUE" PROBLEM

Technics also came out with a line of "semi-pro" turntables. They were the SL-1500MKII, 1400MKII and the 1300MKII. All were digital readout, and all were quartz-locked. They had a variable pitch control, adjustable from -9.9% to + 9.9%. We found that when these were about 2 years old, as the result of a weak point due to a design defect, that the cue & auto-lift functions cease to work. Panasonic was made aware of this problem when the units were still in production, and had redesigned this faulty part about a year after production on these models ceased, but the new part broke even MORE EASILY than the part it replaced. Almost all of this series that one finds for sale will mention something about the cueing, typically "needs adjustment". That is NOT the case, however. After over 30 years dealing with this problem, we HAVE established a repair proceedure that WILL hold up for the life of the machine, but it is labor-intesive, hence, expensive to do. A replacement part is NOT available, and we DO NOT recommend even an ATTEMPT at self repair! The part is very buried in the mechanism (see below):

It can't even be seen in the above picture, and there is ONLY ONE WAY to repair it without causing additional damage. Once the part is further damaged, that spells the end of the turntable. Additionally, the damping fluid will need to be replaced, and the proper fluid is not commercially available. These units were of a "suspended" design, to isolate them from feedback. We've been finding in recent years that the suspensions on some of these machines are "sinking", thus making them prone to feedback. Again, since no parts are available, we've perfected a "cure" for the "sunken suspension syndrome". Lastly, we find the "button bank" to be giving problems, where the buttons are hard to push, or get stuck up (or down). We do address the costs of these repairs on our ".....Pricing" webpage.

We are also finding that the SL-1600MKII & SL-1700MKII suffer some similar problems. Most will need a "mechanism drive belt". It's a user-replaceable item FOR SOMEONE WITH GOOD MECHANICAL SKILLS, but not the "average layman". Also, we have found within the last few years that the gear in the tonearm automechanism develops hairline cracks, as seen below:

If left as is, and just the belt is replaced, the gear will crack through, and make the turntable useless. We've developed a "cure" for repairing the gears, but it MUST be done when the belt is replaced. It is a less-expensive job than on the older MK-II's.

we also find the same audio problems and find that the button-banks on these (as well as the SL-1800MKII) are beginning to "gum up" like the earlier units, and more often than not, will need attention. The suspension is usually not an issue on these.

Another note: SL-1900's, SL-1950's and SL-2000's suffer from stuck cue/autolift. That is a much less expensive job than the MK2 jobs,

You can e-mail us about YOUR specific model, and we can tell you of any common problems it may suffer from.

There were other Technics turntables interspersed with the ones mentioned, from the mid 70's through the early 80's, such as the "pro line" for broadcast use, and some oddities like the SL-1401 and 1301 (semi-automatic and fully automatic) turntables that were a mix between the SL-1700/SL-1600 and the SL-1700MKII/SL-1600MKII. Interesting that these were Technics' only direct-drive machines with no variable pitch control.

Technics also had a line of stacking changers, the SL-1350 (based on the SL-1300) then the SL-1650 (based on the SL-1600). The next changer was an SL-1950, but by then, the Technics line was almost all made up of plastic units. Technics continued to manufacture stacking changers up through the mid eighties. .

The older, metal series Technics, as well as the earlier plastic ones, still command a good resale price. Their service history was excellent, their looks, incredible! These machines also helped cause the downfall of Garrard, Miracord and BIC.

For more details and pictures of this line of turntables, please go to my "links" page, and click on "The 'unofficial' Technics website", presented by Mark Kouts.

I have made no major buyouts of Technics parts. I have some Technics parts, but they are few and far between, although we always keep a huge stock of new SL-1200MK2 and M3D parts on premises. I usually don't have Technics SL-1200 MK2's or M3D's in stock, and they are such a hot commodity still, that when I do get them in, they go right out.

I'm not really in the business of selling parts, (I stock them for customer repairs, mostly), but if you need something and I can help, send me an e-mail! All queries answered, from a $1 part, to a whole turntable. As my previous customers, as well as other e-mailers to me know, I answer quickly and precisely!

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