Buying a pair of Technics

[streetspirit]

Hey Everyone!

I'm thinking of buying a pair of Technics MK2s from a local guy on Offerup for $500 or $250 each.

One table seems like it's in good shape except the tone arm doesn't raise or lower, it's stuck or something + the inside of the table is dusty and would need servicing.

The other table is the same but the tone arm is a little loose, I don't know if it is just needs to be tightened and the arm doesn't raise or lower.

I'm tempted to buy and take them to get serviced!

What do you all think? Any advice on this? Should I or just wait for a another pair to come along?

[Nicadraus]

$500 for the pair is a decent price. Based on your description, the tonearms needs proper calibration. The tonearm raiser's spring also needs cleaning if it's stuck which can be fixed. Just make sure that the person who's going to do it is experienced on servicing 1200s. Otherwise, you wouldn't want your decks to be messed up especially on the tonearm department.

Good luck!

[RRL]

I'm gonna be honest with you, $250 a piece, he's trying to move 'em and get something new because he doesn't want to put the money in to repair them. The tonearm not raising or lowered would probably mean you have to get a whole new tonearm base which will run you around $300($200 on ebay from japan). If the same problem is on the other one and the tonearm is loose on that one, then that's 2 bases you have to buy. so you'll spend $900 on both. Now if you have a servicing center in your area in CA, you can probably get it done cheaper than that. Either way, just add the bill on to the $500 you're spending and that's what you're really paying for them. The question is, are you willing to pay up to $450 a piece for used Technics for get something new for around the same price. I have 1200s and other turntables and no way would I pay $450 for a a turntable over 30 years old with so much great technology out here today.

[Hightopfade]

This list of services should give you an idea. He does really good work and fully stocked.

http://www.djhenraycustoms.com/services.html

[Nicadraus]

I'm gonna be honest with you, $250 a piece, he's trying to move 'em and get something new because he doesn't want to put the money in to repair them. The tonearm not raising or lowered would probably mean you have to get a whole new tonearm base which will run you around $300($200 on ebay from japan). If the same problem is on the other one and the tonearm is loose on that one, then that's 2 bases you have to buy. so you'll spend $900 on both. Now if you have a servicing center in your area in CA, you can probably get it done cheaper than that. Either way, just add the bill on to the $500 you're spending and that's what you're really paying for them. The question is, are you willing to pay up to $450 a piece for used Technics for get something new for around the same price. I have 1200s and other turntables and no way would I pay $450 for a a turntable over 30 years old with so much great technology out here today.

You have no idea what you're talking about. He doesn't need to replace the entire tonearm assembly. The tonearm raiser has nothing to do with the tonearm base.

A 1200 is a 1200. Doesn't matter whether it was from the 80s or from 2010. It's the most reliable turntable ever and will last longer than you think.

[Windows 95]

A good record player is a good record player. Doesn't matter whether it was from the 1880s or from the 2010s. They are all reliable and will last longer than you think.

fixed

[RRL]

You have no idea what you're talking about. He doesn't need to replace the entire tonearm assembly. The tonearm raiser has nothing to do with the tonearm base.

A 1200 is a 1200. Doesn't matter whether it was from the 80s or from 2010. It's the most reliable turntable ever and will last longer than you think.

if that tonearm is loose, he would without a doubt need to replace the tonearm. Now he doesn't need to replace the base, but I'm assuming he's not experienced in soldering, just my assumption. Any turntable is reliable if you take care of it. I have 3 sets of turntables(1200s included) with an additional gemini xl 500 that's I've had since the 90s and it's still working perfectly. I don't like dealing with 1200s cuz he's so much of a nuisance to fix something as small as the bulb(whicn does NOT go out often). Fixing the power knob is easy, it just takes a while with the screws. It's 2016, if you want to continue using 1200s, that's cool, but I don't take them things on road with me anymore.

[Mark_Spit]

/\/\/\

Sorry RRL, but I gotta side with Nica. If anybody knows Technics, he does. He's given me great 1200 advice over the years. Hell, he's taken a pair that looked like they were found on the bottom of the ocean and made them look absolutely prestine again. (Stormtroopers )

[Nicadraus]

if that tonearm is loose, he would without a doubt need to replace the tonearm.

Again, the tonearm doesn't need to be replaced. It only needs, cleaning, lubrication and adjustment/proper calibration. It's obvious that you have no knowledge about them.

It's 2016, if you want to continue using 1200s, that's cool, but I don't take them things on road with me anymore.

Even if it's 2026, the 1200 will still be here. There's nothing more you can do with a turntable but use it as a turntable. It's an analog piece of gear.

Lastly, don't even brag how many sets of turntables you have. Especially to me.

[RRL]

/\/\/\

Sorry RRL, but I gotta side with Nica. If anybody knows Technics, he does. He's given me great 1200 advice over the years. Hell, he's taken a pair that looked like they were found on the bottom of the ocean and made them look absolutely prestine again. (Stormtroopers )

I'm a 100% positive he does know more about them than I do and the op, but that's my point. Either he's gonna put the money in to get them fixed or replace the parts. did you not notice what I typed below?

Either way, just add the bill on to the $500 you're spending and that's what you're really paying for them.

Also to Nicadraus, not bragging at all. I take care of gear. Have never got rid of a beat machine. Have all of them I've ever purchased. Point I'm trying to make, and I tell this to every DJ regardless of who you are, I can dj with anything. I could rock a show with 2 of the cheapest turntables. A brand has never defined me.