Technics SL D2: Cable issue, rotting platter mat, general service

Customer complains one channel is out. I notice the platter mat rubber is rotting and gross and also give it a service

[@TheVintageNewbie]

Just got an SL-D2 yesterday and was having trouble with the Pitch Adjust. Thanks to this video I was able to take it apart and clean the pot and now it’s holding speed. Thank you so much! You rock!

[@andrewcherry3350]

Someone is taking the longest piss in history

[@d26667]

Thank you for making this video, made the repair of my broken Phono cable a breeze!

[@antac95]

I have a technics SL-Q2 and the mat was so hard I thought it was made like that on purpose so that we couldn’t remove it… luckily I found your video

[@mikek17]

Thank you so much for making these videos. Incredibly high quality and I subbed. Today the SL-D2 I bought just came in the mail, the thing works like a charm (save for the "crying" mat like in this video, which I replaced) but one of the hinges themselves (the black spring-loaded part, not the plastic on the dust cover) chipped off during shipping. Is there a way to take it out? The service manual was kind of unclear. Thanks.

[@TurntableGuy]

Stick a flat screwdriver in through the bottom of the part of the turntable that houses the hinge. You need to release a tab, then the whole hinge comes out the top.

[@ericf1018]

Very informative breakdown on the service. Unfortunately, cleaning the pot on the pitch adjustment still didn't clear up my speed issue. Is capacitor replacement the next logical step to fix the runaway/variable speed issue? I've counted about 15 radial caps that can be replaced. I have a funny feel however that that pitch pot is faulty. Any way to possibly bypass it?

[@TurntableGuy]

Bypassing the pot means you'll have to find a perfect match resistor to hold speed - it will never happen. Caps are cheap, I'd try that next.

[@ericf1018]

@@TurntableGuy I've replaced about EVERY radial capacitor on the board. Experiencing the same issue still. Very mystified at this point, and at a loss as to what is causing it.

[@Wolverines1]

Any chance you could point out the antiskate spring when the bottom cover is off. Is it under your thumb at 9:05?

[@christophergetchell6490]

Glad I found this, I was ready to pull the whole board to get at the switch and pot!

[@dean6816]

I've never saw that platter mat rot? Wonder if it's the climate in your country because I live in freezing cold England 😢

[@duncancleminshaw1744]

Thanks TG! Greeting from Nor Cal. Just watched this video and subbed. (Wish I'd watched it before setting up my new/used D2.) The pitch wanders quite a bit at both 33 & 45 and I'm wondering if you could tell me what you used to spray on the pitch pot in this video? Can I use Deoxit? Or is it a lubricant? Any suggestions much appreciated. Thanks again!

[@TurntableGuy]

Deoxit D5 is fine as is any other electronic contact cleaner.

[@duncancleminshaw1744]

@@TurntableGuy Outstanding! Thanks for the lightning fast response.

[@duncancleminshaw1744]

Put on the Dexoit today and the speed is totally stable. The first disk played? Genesis Seconds Out. Sounds fantastic. Thank YOU TG!

[@CharlyLeyenda]

This video is now 3 years old, but I have this same equipment, in my case, the platter does not rotate, everything else works, what could be the fault? thank you

[@todddonaldson2822]

Great videos. I picked up a Q2, mat was missing. I’m assuming it suffered the same fate. Where are you getting replacement mats? My search only turned up felt and cork mats. Would rather have the rubber as Technics intended.

[@TurntableGuy]

I picked up mine from Amazon.

[@aaronhowse4583]

Just bought an SL-D205 that needs some cleanup. Any recommendations on cleaners/solvents for deck, platter, etc. to remove dirt, grease etc and freshen it up?

[@TurntableGuy]

Glass cleaner

[@Karl3377]

Hello, Could you help me how can I fix a broken cueing lever? When the bottom cover is removed how can I get access of the cueing mechanism? Thank you.

[@marco20071991]

Hey. Watching from Denmark. Thanks for the video. I plugged my sl-d2 in almost 10 years ago after 20 years just sitting there at my parents’. It’s been working fine until now, but is having speed issues now. I’ll try do the service you just did. The service manual says to use original oil (SFWO 010), but can I use any other?

[@TurntableGuy]

Don't worry about the oil too much. Singer sewing machine oil is light like the Technics oil. Greetings from Canada. 😃

[@marco20071991]

@@TurntableGuy great. Thanks a lot!

[@joemartin6439]

Where is all dripping water sound coming from?

[@robm9581]

Hi Have this same turntable since 1981 been in a box for 25 years. Just opened the other day and the mat has hardened and warped and there is no needle on my stylus. On line I only find used mats and the needles RS-120 are different from the one i have. I am in Canada and was wondering if you know where I can find these things. I posted on the sl-D20 video earlier so sorry for duplication.

[@TurntableGuy]

I would replace the whole cartridge. The Audio Technica AT-VM95E is a great match. Amazon sells brand new rubber mats.

[@BJMtz1]

Would service for a SL-D1 be the same as what you did here?

[@robertculp9189]

Just acquired an SL-D2 yesterday at an Estate Sale in excellent condition for $20! It cleaned up nicely and I added a new Sumiko Ranier cartridge. Although upon playing it I find there are speed issues. I ordered some recommended oil made for Technics because I doubt this table ever had that added. Could this fix the speed problem?

[@TurntableGuy]

Doubtful. Speed issues are due to dirty potentiometers or a failing component.

[@TheDanielldm]

New Subscriber from Brazil. Thank you for the video, very instructive. However, even after cleaning the dials, the speed of my SL-D2 is still very unstable, speeding up and slowing down the rotation during play. Any recomendations on how to deal with this issue? Might a faulty eletronic component be responsible for this issue, which I could replace ?

[@TurntableGuy]

There should be two more potentiometers on the motor board. Clean them as well then set the pitch control to the center and set speed with the 2 pots. Have a visual look at all the electrolytic capacitors. Check for corrosion on the leads.

[@MyYouTube.]

You completely forgot to check the little raising/lowering arm if it works. I always use it when I lower the pickup onto the LP.

[@anthonygriffin3147]

Hi i have a sl D2 stop button feels loos and definitely not a clik think its faulty to can i diy fix it or has it got to go in the shop eney advice would be appreciated thanks Anthony Manchester England

[@TurntableGuy]

Probably just dried up grease on the mechanism.

[@pauldoherty8247]

What spray did you use for the pot? Thanks

[@TurntableGuy]

Just use an electronics contact cleaner. Brand doesn't matter.

[@bluemantom77]

This some repair works on the sl-D1 only difference on that model it's a fully manual deck on mine I replace the RCA output cable would vampire wire and the head shell cable is silver and I added a special brush for the tone arm the pick up dust from my vinyl

[@mf1932]

New subscriber. I'm really happy this channel exists. Wanted to ask you a question because you seem like an honest broker. I have a Technics SL-Q2 currently on which I did some very basic servicing a year ago; it runs beautifully (knock on wood). But I've been apprehensive that it'll crap out on me because it's 40 years old (and I don't know anything about recapping, etc.). I've long dreamt of owning an SL-1200, but the new ones seem more cheaply made while being *a lot* more expensive, and the prices for vintage ones are kinda ridiculous, too. Is it worth saving up for one? New or used? Or I should I just be happy with my SL-Q2 because it's a solid turntable? I'm pretty broke, so the idea of paying $500-$2,000 for a 1200 seems completely absurd. Thanks!

[@TurntableGuy]

Stick with the SL-Q. They are tanks and they do not require re-capping. The only issue I've ever seen with them is the speed control IC dying, but that is very rare. I'm going to be doing a SL-D2 vs SL-Q2 video soon. Thanks for watching.

[@mf1932]

@@TurntableGuy Thank you! I really appreciate the reply. I'll hold off and just stick with the Q2 then (probably a better investment to get new headphones/speakers at this point). And I think I've heard about that speed issue once before 🤔; crossing my fingers that my Q2 won't be one of those rare cases. And awesome: looking forward to seeing that episode. Thanks again!

[@Digiquarium]

​@@TurntableGuy They absolutely emphatically do require recapping. The last one I had had loads of blown caps leaking electrolyte. I have never had a Q without a leaking electrolytic, and I've fully restored a decent bunch.

[@TurntableGuy]

@@Digiquarium Wow. I've owned three of them now and have never had bulging or leaking caps. Good to know.

[@Digiquarium]

@@TurntableGuy It can be pretty tough to spot as you have to look under the capacitor. I don't know what happened to the last one I had but a good 60% of the electrolytics had obviously popped out the bottom and leaked this green crud. Others I've seen typically have just 1 or 2 caps with a little of the green crud running down the legs. I've never seen them bulge and I don't think that's possible as the Panasonic caps have vents on the bottom, therefore they'll always bust out the bottom before any visible bulge on the top. I've seen them with the sleeves shrunk but the level of heat required for that isn't present in a turntable.

[@wd3574]

Does anyone know what causes some rubber platter mats to degrade into the oily mess as shown in the video? I own a Technics turntable which I purchased new in 1985, and the original rubber platter mat is still just fine.

[@TurntableGuy]

Probably just a bad batch of manufacturing back in the day. Dual had the same issue with some of its tables.

[@andygunn]

Where did the oil on the platter/matt come from?

[@TurntableGuy]

The mat itself was deteriorating and leaking out oil

[@smallworld7865]

After looking at this for some strange reason I feel to use the wash room.

[@sirtainlee8725]

That's odd. Myself, I'm smelling fried chicken everywhere. Mmm. Love the channel!

[@MrChiMasterSir]

Your sump pump is making me want to pee. :P

[@h_abro]

my sl-d3 had the same rotting platter mat,weird,i bought myself the sl-q2 today

[@sammencia7945]

Never have the running water or aquarium running again. Ever. Beyond a bad decision

[@TurntableGuy]

Dude, it's my sump pump. Prevents basement flooding.

[@tombower2526]

i agree completely

[@brandenoconnor7299]

Is your toilet running??

[@TurntableGuy]

Sump pump...

[@null6209]

How to make vegetable oil at home, tutorial

[@frogdishon]

I love your videos but this one I just had to stop watching. The trickling water in the background just made me have to go to the bathroom.

[@SteveV2023]

Can't watch the video with all that water in the background.

[@caleb-hannahhines-spinks5553]

dripping in the background is very annoying lol

[@TurntableGuy]

Yeah, sump pump fun.

[@francescopace971]

But you have water problems at home, while you're talking everything is flooding😂