How to replace the tonearm on Technics 1200-1210 Gold edition.

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In this video I am going to replace a damaged tonearm on a Technics 1200 Gold edition. I would normally just swap the S-bend and bearing part, but I didn't have the gold parts so I swapped the complete tone arm.
If you do this, please note the parts when putting it back together for correct tonearm movement. The 5 wires need to follow the correct path, the antiskate needs to be setup and the height adjustment started in the correct place on the base.
For more info on taking the base apart and the phonos check my other video.
• Replacing damaged RCA ...
Music ⓒ - Kevin MacLeod
Check out his channel for music to use in your own videos.
/ @audiolibraryen

[@DJlegionuk]

I am adding a new rule. No help or questions answered unless it's related to the video and you are subscribed to the channel. It takes up to much time to reply and I am not free tech support.

[@monkaudio6077]

Could you possibly go into more detail about the height calibration, when locking in the bottom plate, after re-adjusting the height ring and screwing on the outer ring, the alignment is out. and i cant for the life of me figure out why?

[@djpatho]

Tell you what, that advice with latching the ring on at the no.1 dial for the correct height really really helped me today ❤

[@DJlegionuk]

glad I could help.

[@MikeyAfterDark]

with the aid of this, i spend $70 on the part and did my own labor and was done in 3 hours rather than spending $300 + tax taking it in. Thank you.

[@daxifus]

Excellent video. I was able to fully disassemble my tonearm (even further than the video) and replace the noisy headshell socket and the broken tonearm centerpiece on mine, as well as clean and lube everything back up. Now I have a crystal clear sounding, smooth operating 1200. Appreciate it!

[@svennirusl]

I needed a little bit of info, but then I watched both your 1200 videos start to finish. Learned a lot and relaxed too. Thanks!

[@SinnerSince1962]

EXCELLENT video! I have a customer unit where the complaint is variation in the speed. I do believe it's the slider causing the issue. Thanks!

[@mansakonko7777]

Just bought 2nd hand 1210. £200. Anti skate shot, snapped armlock superglued, wobble in the arm, height adjust stuck. Few other lesser issues. Quite depressed til I saw this! What a boss you are. Quietly hopeful I can address some issues. Thanks dude.

[@mansakonko7777]

UPDATE-Stripped down as per video. Issues identified and quite the shopping list! New arm, arm lift, every base plate srew replaced, wires plate, on/off switch, arm holder and more. The superhero before me had superglued a match covered in insulation tape as arm lifter. In the process had bathed superglue everywhere, down into the height adjuster threads. Other blasphemies that would only depress you. Eminently fixable and once again big shout out for the tutorial. If that engineer mindset is lacking leave well alone. Great project for the darker nights!!

[@Mike-nh7by]

These videos are ace. To the point and helped me repair my turntables. Legend!

[@AguaFluorida]

This is exactly what I was looking for - thank you!

[@cobro2]

I am doing this to all 3 of my turntables over the weekend, thank you so much for this video.

[@robinwoodbury2563]

What a remarkable video this is, and your descriptions and explanatons are so enlightening. I'm delighted that you disassembled nearly the entire assembly (unlike what the know-it-all commenters would have had you do) because I learned so much about how all the mechanisms funtioned that way. I also loved the zoom-ins on the tricky bits and the 'everything else' section that covered other common issues that we might encounter. We truly benefited from your experience and expertise. Thanks so much!

[@DJlegionuk]

Thank you for watching and giving great feedback. I never thought these videos would be so popular and that they continue to be watched so much.

[@ColocasiaCorm]

For those who are confused about the reassembling at the height adjustment ring: 1. screw the tonearm assembly all the way into the height adjustment ring. then rotate back until the little arrow points to 0. 2. then screw the entire tonearm + height adjustment ring all the way into the base. Rotate back out just until the locking plate sits flat and aligned with the guides and can be screwed in.

[@sylvaingougeon397]

Great video i repair 1200's myself. Everything is explained and well done with no loss of time but a newbie will have to pause and rewind a bit i 'm guessing.

[@daft9097]

BEST Technics repair/disassemble video out there man you should make more!

[@DJlegionuk]

i have a full playlist

[@daft9097]

DJ legion thanks! Watched a lot of them today you should also do reloop and the pioneer plx1000 !

[@DJlegionuk]

@@daft9097 I just stuck to what's in the videos as I have parts and the experience. Plx are totally different parts I tried before !

[@ipuketshirts]

Great videos. Really informative and useful. Thanks for the one on the bearing mod in particular.

[@TakeThefinger]

the most complete video out there!!! good job!!!

[@MrTestrak]

super helpful, was just looking to clean under the tonearm, feel mush more comfortable now i know what to expect

[@Crazee111]

Brilliant video

[@dmitrysublime3871]

Exellent guide! Why I have found it so late? I spent a lot time for understanding by myself how to do it:( Thanks God that I was lucky and didnt brake anything

[@dirtyths]

Very well done, sir, and very helpfull. Thanks!

[@wildnwoolley3113]

Great breakdown.

[@kevinchetty8340]

Great video. Very helpful

[@janstrater3731]

YES! ABSOLUTELY BRILLIANT !!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@Mojaxx]

Thanks for your videos! Really clear and understandable.

[@DJlegionuk]

Thank you for watching :)

[@douglasjames4307]

@@DJlegionuk hi mate do you still have the damaged gold ltd tone arm assembly if so can you let me know I would be interested in the part's. Many thanks Douglas James

[@douglasjames4307]

@@DJlegionuk my email address [e-mail] many thanks Douglas James

[@DJlegionuk]

@@douglasjames4307 sorry, it went back with the turntable, i just swapped it over.

[@douglasjames4307]

@@DJlegionuk many thanks Douglas James

[@rhythmyx]

Outstanding video!!

[@tanimolaafolabi9121]

mr dj thank for this video

[@JohnDoe-uq3mx]

ah, thanks for the advice on how to properly start the threads into the base at the number 1 position.

[@Urnkle]

watched a video where it told me to do it at the zero position and my tonearms have been skipping like crazy. Going to open both decks back up and try to 1 position.

[@deniskrajnc7384]

@@Urnkle that doesn't have anything to do with skipping. It's just for height adjustment.

[@DJPANINO]

Thanks a lot mate! very helpful

[@djahriman]

Really good video man. Brings back memories of my servicing days in the early 2000s. Lmfao.

[@djimpala7]

Great job!!:)

[@Wheel333]

Thanks for this it was really helpful. I have a loft find with a stuck head shell and aluminium corrosion. I have tried some penetrating oil ,no joy. I think those screws at the end of the arm will help get a little further hopefully.

[@DJlegionuk]

I would be careful with those small screws as I find they don't always want to tighten up again. Good luck

[@Wheel333]

Ooooh really. " Don't want to tighten " as in strip out easily ? Ok I will be careful ty for the heads up.

[@matthewtaylor7355]

This reminds me of Paul Atkinson.. He used to strip electronic items down and cudnt get them back together again

[@billbeerfridge]

awesome - thanks

[@dirkvantroyen9170]

Great video! Nice of you to speed up some parts. Do you have any idea where to find spare bearings? Some aftermarket lookalike should be alright too. It's for an SL-1300 MK2.

[@grahamteeling]

Thank you so much for spending your valuable time with this project, it has been a god send in understanding the technics turntable for me. With this video, the counterweight post is connected to the crossbar or t-bar as you say. Can this be removed and replaced or must one purchase the full crossbar assembly. Kind regards G

[@restepan]

muy bueno...

[@djjammindave]

EXCELLENT...

[@phrankbillzzz663]

Great tutorials! Do you charge and repair other people’s tonearms?

[@DJlegionuk]

yes I do, I keep it local to my area as shipping can be a problem.

[@jungleape]

Very informative and detailed thanks. What type of grease did you use for the adjustment ring with the thicker thread?

[@DJlegionuk]

I use RC car gear grease.

[@jungleape]

thanks, do you know if its lithium or silicone based?

[@DJlegionuk]

it's Molybdenum Grease

[@Rayshader]

Bravo

[@undergroundmixsessions]

Thanks DJ Legion. Another great video with great film work and instruction. I'm curios if you have any experience in repairing such a bent tonearm - arm - with such a dent in it. It certainly looks to be a more fine mechanical operation, with obvious risk of snapping the arm but perhaps achievable if done with utmost care?

[@DJlegionuk]

I would say no, they kink to easy and I don't know what tool - equipment would be needed.

[@marcopoulos3493]

With high pressure water, same technic for exhaust pipes.

[@donnaynarc2556]

nice tutorial man , thanks a lot for that nice work: helps a lot to save the 1210s; please can you tell me how i can check the tonearm cables with my multimeter and and which values (ohm or mA or others) that have to reach because i have a soundissue there

[@Musical.Maze.1]

Hi, thanks for the video. Can you make another video and shows us how and where to install LED meters for BPM and pitch metering like the Reloop 8000 has? Thank you again!

[@phreakerfighter4950]

hi, I know this is an older video, but I have a 1200 with a bent tonearm tube. do you know how I should replace only the tube? to reach the screws to remove the tube, I’d have to take off the two screws that the arm itself swivels on. when I reassemble that, I hear there is some torque calibration involved in those two screws. is that something I have to worry about? thanks

[@DJlegionuk]

the screws that hold the bearings in place are the ones that need to be adjusted so you can take everything else apart while leaving the bearings screws in place if you're not happy doing that part.

[@andyjack1942]

Hi, great vids, very pro! Have you ever put a rega rb250/300 tonearm on sl1200/10?

[@andrewbuckler]

Some good lithium grease or helicoid grease might be more permanent than 3 in 1 oil on the height adjustment, other than that, great video.

[@DJlegionuk]

I do use white lithium instead of the 3 in 1 since this was made

[@Medialook]

Some say do not use lithium grease. I have lithium, moly and silicon grease. Which one you recommend?

[@nemonada3501]

Oooooh, pretty! (Comment to boost algorithm suggestion)

[@rickc661]

good stuff. those tiny wires to back of cartridge give me the weebies.... not all turntables have the technics /sme design ( ?? ) Headshells with replaceable contacts to cartridge.....elect. repair shops, heck even audio stores are pretty much history.

[@matthewtaylor7355]

Repair shops r numerous and so r audio shops.. Not as many

[@rickc661]

Not that I notice. even 15 years ago when I lived in central Jersey....@@matthewtaylor7355

[@davidlaroke7]

Hello friend, I have the broken toner arm indoor cables. What is this type of cable called and what diameter can I buy it? Thank you, greetings

[@peakingmantis5331]

my tonearm was stiff and kept tracking backwards when trying to play records so I loosened the top screw and it seemed to fix it.. Is this going to be ok having a slightly loose screw like that?

[@DJlegionuk]

not really it can skip and jump around depending how it's used. have you tried to adjust the top screw so it moves correctly without being too loose ? if it's not possible then one of the bearings is damaged.

[@jkrooks2584]

What kind of thread grease did you use ?

[@grifter1964]

Excellent video. Question. I have an SL-1800 with a broken counterweight arm. Can that be replace or do I need an entrirely new tonearm? Thanks

[@DJlegionuk]

sorry I only do 1200 and 1210

[@grifter1964]

@@DJlegionuk No problem. Just trying to bring my old Sl-1800 back to life. The SL-1200 current price will keep me out the that market for a while. Hopefully by the time I can afford one, I'll be an expert in servicing it by watching your videos. Peace!

[@nemonada3501]

What do you use to clean the thread?

[@coattodidolore9574]

I really appriciate your short video . Because I need to replace my technics 1200 outer platter ( it has a serious wobble problem ) It woud be great if someone can suggest me where to find a new one ot used in perfect condition ( without wobble problem ) .

[@UTO0O0B]

This is a great video! Exactly what I was after! One question if someone can perhaps answer it though, i’ve seen some videos saying you shouldn’t use certain types of grease (like lithium) but they don’t say what type of grease they do use. Anybody know what sort is okay to use on this mechanism?

[@DJlegionuk]

on what part the height adjust ?

[@UTO0O0B]

DJ legion yeah, the stuff you put on the threads with you finger, connected to the tone arm base. I noticed you put 3 in 1 oil on the outer threads if that makes sense. Thanks so much for replying!

[@DJlegionuk]

@@UTO0O0B have a look at a few of the comments as that is talked about a few times. Why says not to use lithium ? I now use white lithium on the thin threads

[@UTO0O0B]

DJ legion ok. Thanks for the advice. “What ever you do don’t use copper grease or lithium grease” - kzbin.info/www/bejne/lamtpGqAZreJn7c What confused me was I googled the multipurpose grease he uses in the video, and it is lithium grease! Anyway thanks again for replying. I shall have a crack at fixing my seized height adjustments. Cheers.

[@jamestarn6897]

When replacing the tonearm with new wires, there are 4 that come from the headshell (left and right twin phono). Then on the internal board there's an earth (so 5 wires of the same gauge). This is aside of the larger gauge earth that runs to the external. Is the 5th wire ran inside the tonearm and earthed there? If so where to? Thanks!

[@DJlegionuk]

hi, the black wire on the internal board connects to the silver tube on the tonearm and this is also connected to the collar that the cartridge screws into. Inside the 1210 the thicker black wire is connected to the cover plate and the pitch control, but the power supply is not earthed so nothing has a earth ground until it gets to a mixer.

[@jamestarn6897]

Thanks for the reply. Great vid also. But i''m still a little confused on the earth in the actual tonearm. On the Collar the cart screws into, it only has 4 contact points? I can't seem to see a place for a 5th wire, only the twin phono connections (white, red, blue, green) I was wondering if it came from the internal board to the back of the tonearm (where the counter weight is).

[@DJlegionuk]

yes it has 4 contact pins and then the rest of it is the 5th connection.If you look inside the end of the collar you can see 4 brass dots and then the inside of the collar is the ground.

[@nikosmak6470]

Thank you very much for all the enlightening things you show us, DJ, I have this problem on my 2 mics, the lower ring is stuck, and I don't dare to go into the process of opening the turntable.. I've set them up for sure from a long time ago, even anti-skating, but below the tonearm is bone.. Thanks for teaching us!!!

[@user-ti6nd5sl3b]

hello. I watched your video on tonearm maintenance techniques 1200-1210 gold edit. I have a Magnat mtt 990 player. a problem with the microlift/rapid lowering of the tonearm/. it seems to be of the same type with tecnics. will you teach me how to produce damping? thanks.

[@BeersAndBeatsPDX]

I'm having a problem where my time are will pull hard back to the rest with the anti skate at 0. Any idea what would cause that? They are m3d's that I've had for about 20 years with very little club use. I've also never had them serviced or anything.

[@DJlegionuk]

the bearing is damaged or possible not setup correctly.

[@BeersAndBeatsPDX]

@@DJlegionuk Turntable is level, weight is at 3 grams, and anti skate at 0 (both specs from Ortofon.)

[@DJlegionuk]

@@BeersAndBeatsPDX like i said you will need the bearings checking they could be damaged

[@dayzpapi]

Hi, Do you have a video or some advise if the tone arm doesn’t move as should with the anti skate? Regards

[@DJlegionuk]

everything is in this video, first make sure you have the correct weight for your stylus, if it does not move correctly it will need the parts checking like I show in this video.

[@dayzpapi]

@@DJlegionuk I heard I could adjust the screws in the top and side of the top of the tone arm to adjust the anti skate? Is this false? Thanks so much for your response

[@DJlegionuk]

if you need to mess with those screws you will have bad bearings. They should be set and never touched to adjust the movement. If you have someone local that repairs turntables I would have it checked.

[@Thelonius.M]

Hi do anyone know if you could change the tonearm on technics sl100c???

[@susomaelo]

anyone knows which is the torque force for the tonearm screw?

[@emmanueljoya]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[@christianfontaine6368]

iIs the base gold plated is made of plastic ?

[@scottmellors2854]

Hi Lee, first of all thanks for the great videos on technics repairs they have been most helpful, I have used this video to change the tonearm wires on my turntables, however on one of my decks now when the needle gets towards the end of the record it jumps backwards. I have had this apart now several times to try and rectify this with no success, the anti state seems right, there is nothing fouling internally ie wires, the bearings seem fine. Have you ever had this problem before? Any help you could give would be great. Thank you.

[@DJlegionuk]

it will be the bearing or the point the bearing sits on.

[@scottmellors2854]

@@DJlegionuk hi Lee thanks so much for your reply, the bearings and pin look great to be honest so at a bit of a loss. Is there anyway I can contact you privately?

[@DJlegionuk]

@@scottmellors2854 based on what you have told me it can only be the bearings have a very tiny deformation on the top or bottom or the points are not pointy.

[@scottmellors2854]

@@DJlegionuk no problem mate, thanks for all your help, I will have to see about getting a new housing piece, thanks again for your help, very much appreciated 👍

[@DJlegionuk]

@@scottmellors2854 I can fix the bearing for you

[@jorgeernesto2129]

Muy ben trabajo amigo, what is the type of conical tip screw you removed in the 13:45 minute?,I need one for my turntable, saludos..

[@DJlegionuk]

it's special to the technics tonearm, if you search for technics bearing pivot screw you will find them.

[@jorgeernesto2129]

@@DJlegionuk thank you very much my friend, I just found it on ebay..

[@QoraxAudio]

How about anti-skating calibration? You have to make sure the spring tension starts at 0 after putting that tonearm onto its base. 7:40 looks more like an approximation to me.

[@deniskrajnc7384]

Actually you have to set it to 0.5 according to manual. So that at 0.5 spring touches the metal pole.

[@mansakonko7777]

Hi - Just googled the price of replacement tonearm and nearly had a fit. £189 is cheapest new that I've seen. I need to replace due to bearings being totally screwed and a dint on the arm. Wondered if any of you good folks knew of any that were cheaper. The gloit before me had driven the pivot screws so hard that the bearings looked actually fused. Man, some people should never ever pick a screwdriver up. Any suggestions would be gratefully received. Peace.

[@pinomarino8917]

When my Anti-Skate is at 0, it still retracts. I checked the spring and it is in the correct position as depicted in the video. Is it possible my bearings are toast?

[@DJlegionuk]

it could also be your deck is not level

[@DJlegionuk]

@UCaZctdF7P63jj_ibv5nzBFQ if it gets stuck at any point I would take it apart and do a visual check.

[@pinomarino8917]

@@DJlegionuk Thank you.

[@rlwings]

Dude, I understand fast forewording the video for multiple screw segments, but please slow down for everything else! ... We really want so see and savour everything. :)

[@DJlegionuk]

so pause the vid/ rewind if you do not understand or use youtube to play it slower !

[@arthurrose6473]

What was wrong with the old tonearm?

[@aortiz1105]

I’d love to get my 1200 mk5 to you for repair. The tone arm pushes away from the center and think it needs to be replaced. Can you let me know where you’re located?

[@DJlegionuk]

Nottingham

[@aortiz1105]

@@DJlegionuk where’s that? Can you still get new tonearms or are huh rebuilding it? I can send you the tone arm. The bearings are bad I think.

[@Medialook]

Which grease should I use? I have moly grease, lithium grease and silicon grease? Some say to use lithium but in similar video on KZbin another guy say do not use lithium grease.

[@DJlegionuk]

at the moment i use moly on the thicker threads and white lithium on the thinner ones.

[@Medialook]

DJ legion thanks for quick reply. As the lithium I've got is rather black thank white I will use molly on both. The WD 40 silicon grease is very good especially for electronics but I feel like it's doesn't give enough grease (it's not thick enough)

[@Medialook]

DJ legion actually I'm on my way to screwifx to collect while lithium wd40. Will do exactly your technique

[@kevinchetty8340]

Next make a video on lights mods please.

[@billwillard9410]

What kind of c-clip pliers do you have, where did you get them? I’ve been looking around for ones that will work with tiny clips but haven’t found any yet.

[@billwillard9410]

And somehow, the c-clip that holds the gear and spring on the plastic has come off as well; that one’s a little trickier to get on without the proper tool. I’m going to put the whole arm into a clear plastic bag so if the clip flies away, it hopefully will still be in the bag.

[@DJlegionuk]

@@billwillard9410 I dont have one and still use a screw driver to pry off and then angled needle nose plyers to put back on. I brought a tool I thought would work, but it was for those clips that have the little lugs on the end and the tool spreads the clip open. I also have a box of verious sized clips just incase I loose one !

[@aarongoodwin7659]

Hi there , mine needs a good service...where are you based please?

[@DJlegionuk]

nottingham, uk. I have no slots for any repairs at the moment it will be a few weeks before I can take any more repairs on.

[@jamesp8095]

For me the other end of the tone arm is bent but no videos show how to remove this... dont really want to pull the who thing out.

[@DJlegionuk]

Do you mean the part the counter weight screws onto ?

[@jairmanjarrezmarron6788]

Hi! How you remove the tonearm Beaings?🤯

[@DJlegionuk]

do you know of a tool that can be used ? I had no luck finding a bearing puller for this size.

[@DCDi34]

According to Technics service manual, the antiskate should start at 0.5 not at zero.

[@DJlegionuk]

Thanks I will take a look, I just made sure to put it back at the same point as all the others I have seen. It will not do anything until it has turned a bit so the 0.5 makes sense.

[@DCDi34]

@@DJlegionuk i usually make sure the spring starts touching tge tonearm at 0.5 since the manual recommends it. Next time you take apart one that was never disassembled before check for this before you take it out.

[@DJlegionuk]

@@DCDi34 I will take a look.

[@clivehenry5750]

Any good tips for buffing out light scratches on the piano black ?

[@ricardobarrera9642]

Do you sell the used tonearms? Or do you throw them away? Interested in buying.

[@DJlegionuk]

At the moment they are very expensive so I do not sell them as I need them myself. Any parts I have are used again when possible apart from the bent silver tubes. I have found a way to replace bearings with RC types and my testing is working very well so far.

[@ricardobarrera9642]

@@DJlegionuk understandable. I replace the bearings also. Parts are so scarce.

[@DJlegionuk]

@@ricardobarrera9642 how do you replace them ? I use small RC bearings and made a thing to hold the pivot in the correct place so I can drill a new hole the same each time. I can still mess it up sometimes, but I can replace either the top or bottom 94% of the time with no errors and the tonearm moves just the same as an original one.

[@ricardobarrera9642]

@@DJlegionuk I use the same bearings from other broken tonearms as long as they are in good condition. To put them on I use a pin punch set. Where do you buy the bearings from?

[@DJlegionuk]

@@ricardobarrera9642 EBay. MR52 zz [2x5x2.5mm]. What pin punch set to you use, I have been looking for one for ages.

[@petergreen8400]

I would say line up with the 0!

[@TheSalatech]

You really don't need to put out the plastic base to change the tonearm. Only thing you need to do is desolder the tonearm wires, remove one of the screws on the PCB, the other just loosen and turn the pcb and there you have 2 holes for the tonearm screws. Please don't use oil... but a proper grease.

[@djlunabeat]

how can I contact to you?

[@DJlegionuk]

you just have.

[@MrNoxico]

Good video but really so accelerated for a non initiated!!

[@billwillard9410]

GENEVE Arnaud For those who are attempting this for the first, definitely watch it all of the way through a few times, and especially take note of what he says are important, unless you want to take the thing apart again. I kept all of the screws snd parts in their own separate cups, so I didn’t waste time trying to figure out which screws went where.

[@AguaFluorida]

It's also possible to watch the video at a slower speed.

[@majorswitch8117]

Great video legion i will be bringing my 1200 to you need your contact pls pls pls

[@OneBadAssDJ]

This is way too long replacing the tonearm. After you unsolder the wires from the PCB, twist all 5 tonearm wires and tie a long piece of dental floss to it. Pull it trough slowly. Once you have the dental floss through the hole, cut it, then tie the new 5 wires from the new tonearm and pull the dental floss back through. You could save tons of time doing this. Taking all the stuff apart is way to time consuming. Once that plate is off the bottom, you should only remove 2 screws and the tonearm pops right out.

[@DJlegionuk]

why don't you make a guide to this ?

[@robertlascelle9455]

gust used a Nintendo control wires better thicker and 3 wires and run threw the arm because the wires are to dam small your good at that but omg how you solder such wires

[@robertlascelle9455]

reson why because those are easy to rip use Nintendo control wires 3 of them left right one ground

[@4evaclapham]

this turntable is over hyped over priced junk, lots of plastic and rubber with a crap tonearm