Ableton Forum

planning on a gift, which model of this turntable is the most sought after for djs
and what are the best altnernatives that a dj in the know would be equally happy with?

as well, is this something I should only buy new or is used ok?

I've only bought used ones SL-1200's and they always seems to hold up forever if taken care of.

They're all the same, the MK5 has a couple of extra features, but the MK2 will still play a record just as well.

They are very expensive these days since they got discontinued.

The main reason for sticking with 1200's (apart from the obvious durability) was not due to the features (they dont have any) but because most club setups would have them. So if you practiced at home on a different set, it would take some adjusting to in a club environment.

Nowadays most clubs do not have 1200s as the main setup so having those turntables specifically is not longer a necessity imho.

If I had to buy something now I would choose something I would make the most of, not something I felt had the biggest following - You wont need the best of the best if all you are doing is playing a record and mixing, but you might need something with more torque if you plan on scratching / juggling etc - and if you are using it for turntablism, there are decks out there with more torque than the 3.5lbs that a 1200 has

this purchase will be a gift for someone steeped in the dj life and culture, he might already have them but he would appreciate one more as if it was
his only turntable. I always here the technics name but I would not know the difference. and yes he is a scratch dj.

Since 1200s are getting more expensive, and I hear the patent on the direct-drive system has long since expired, are there other brands/models tables that DJs and turntablists have been pretty happy with?

this one.. can't buy but must be won!


but really, all 1200's are roughly the same, but the orignal 1200's with the pitch lock at 0 tends to fluctuate near that speed (pitch drift).. it's fine when the turntable is in good condition but it's one of the few issues that arise as the turntable gets old. mine showed up after about 15 years..

If Dick Cheney were a turntable he would be a 1200 ... pragmatic, does it's job with aplumb, no fuss, to the degree that you can forget about it. The downside is that I have no idea what else is out there nor do I care. What I can say is, as a dude with a vast collection of rare funk 45s, I would welcome any device that helps me celebrate my records. It could be another 1200 (I would love a spare, so I could fix little things or do some mods to the others) or a cool new portable for digging. I am currently lusting for something like a GE Wildcat portable stereo record changer, just so I could, for once, enjoy a stack o' records while I do the dishes.

not a DJ but I have a 1200 and a Numark TTX1 and the TTX is a lot of fun to play with. quick spin up (little faster than the 1200) and the reverse button kicks in fast. learn a routine in one direction, kick in reverse and you have a new sound. also has SPDIF out, pitch correction and more.

1200 if you can find them for a good price. I got 2 MK2, one for around $250 and the other for $400 recently. Funny enough, the $400 one has needed much more mainenance, in part because it did seem to get a bit of club use and had not so great repairs done on it. Still, after opening it up, fixing it up and calibrating it, it's working great.

Check out viperfrank's youtube channel. He has tons of videos on giving 1200s maintenance. Incredibly useful if you find one not in the best condition:

http://www.youtube.com/user/viperfrank

Ah yes, the venerable SL-1200. My all time favorite model is the M3D. I've had mine for years and years. Highly recommended.

had the m3ds originally until they got jacked. replaced em with the m5g's....still my fav turntable ever made.

1200's are great, but depending where you are might be hard to come by.

The best alternative, and arguably a better build (more torque and just plain heavier/solidier), more pitch range and some other nice to have's like pitch lock would be none other than the Stanton STR8.150 / ST.150. Stanton is not generally known for high-end stuff, but these definitely are:

http://www.stantondj.com/stanton-turnta ... 8-150.html

Should cost roughly what 1200's (used to?) cost, $500 or so

STRATEGY

1200s. The mk2 are great and if you're prepared to do a little drilling, you can swap out the pitch fader for the mk5 fader for serious smooth manoeuvres...

and what are the best turntables for scratch djs?