Technics SL dz1200 Teardown Clean and Mod

[@rashodlewis2918]

The SL-DZ1200 MKII still look modern.

[@alvinalcid5617]

Thanks for this video, it helped me address issues with the sensor sheet. FYI for those dealing with passing the connectors through the first brass fixture: the hole is slotted on two sides. If you orient the two longer harnesses through each of these slots first you'll have an easier time passing the shortest one through.

[@djductape]

Thanks Alvin!

[@djseraflow5580]

Thanks for the video, finally pulled the trigger on a pair!

[@DJBennyswift]

This was a really nice video! Buuuuut I don’t trust myself taking anything off lol. I just got my 12’s two days ago and they’re still in the box they came in. Thanks for the video, very detailed!

[@djductape]

I feel ya. I wouldn't have been able to do it without my local shot soldering the sensor. Sadly, they just closed for good to. Happy spinning! You can take it apart to lube the platters with wax. As one user pointyed out, dont remove the black tabs unless you have the spindle upgrade, and even I didnt remove them.

[@DJBennyswift]

@@djductape I would love to modify my dz1200’s but I just got them like 3 days ago and I’m enjoying them. I want to upgrade the firmware to make it run better. I’ll continue to watch the video over again multiple times and I’ll probably start feeling comfortable to do it.

[@djductape]

@@DJBennyswift Very nice! Enjoy them! I know the update can be tricky sonce its not the mid 2000s from their era. I hope it goes well.

[@DJBennyswift]

@@djductape thanks! Yes so true, I just downloaded the firmware and now to find 32mb sd cards lol.

[@djductape]

@@DJBennyswift I think the max is 1 gig cards. I have timecode on them in my working pair. I bought ones that were micro sd cards in the full size adapter. That should work as well.

[@ЕвгенийСтрельцов-ч9у]

Hi. Thanks for your video. Actually helpful. I saw you using it as controller. Where you got timecode? And you playing timecode from cd or sd card?

[@janstrater3731]

THAAAAAAANK YOU!!!!! Greetings from EUROPE / GERMANY. THANK YOU MAN!

[@djductape]

Most welcome Jan! Happy spinning!

[@cyberphox]

This helped me mod both my units a few years ago...haven't played with them for a while until the other day and now one of them is not getting an audio signal...sigh..time to take it apart and see what happened I guess!

[@djductape]

Good luck! Haven't used mine in a while too.

[@albertaguilar681]

Thanks for this video, it helped me to fix problem with one of my decks, now I have to go for 2nd one soon, it wasn’t that hard at all, only took 4 hours of labor to put back everything. Bearing was rust, used some wd40 and motor oil ( technics brand ) and all fix.

[@djductape]

Glad it helped! These took me a while at first but I just did my 4th one pretty fast. I wish I could solder :)

[@tommyoz777]

Nice video. So I see vids of this procedure but, no one mentions what they're using to clean the platter parts with. Isopropyl Alcohol? Water? Just a rag? Some other cleaner? TIA.

[@djductape]

I just use deoxit on the electric components and a damp paper towel on the rest.

[@tommyoz777]

@@djductape Thanks for responding. I was concerned with the platter parts since wax will be living there. How did the wax hold up after time?

[@djductape]

@@tommyoz777 Seems to be holding up great. They are still slippery. The records need pulled up and put down from time to time. The double-sided tape is holding up and still sticky too.

[@tommyoz777]

@@djductape That's good to know. I'm going in this weekend. I have experience with this kind of stuff so I should be okay. I'm just cleaning out mine. Not doing the mod. Spindles are hard to find.

[@djductape]

@@tommyoz777 It's not too hard. Hopefully, you did it without issues. Wax on the platter really helps the original design too.

[@FunkyRob]

I found watching this video was more helpful than the pdf instructions from Stuart

[@djductape]

Perfect. Thanks why I made it. I didn't even get a PDF lol. Stu still owes me a spindle for making it lol. Glad it helped! Happy spinning!

[@SLDZ1200MKII]

@@djductape when I pull my finger out I'll send it!

[@djductape]

@@SLDZ1200MKII Thanks Stu! Pull my finger out?

[@suave6565]

I have to say, this video helped me tremendously. I went through it several times.It took me a few months even after I purchased the kit. I wanted to clean the platter as it was in bad shape..once cleaned, I went to work..the first turntable, I had a bit of trouble while getting the harnesses out of the very narrow ring and ended up cutting one wire but luckily I was able to fix it. Once I got passed that, everything was smooth from there. I ended up taking it apart few times because of the feel and I had some resistance but it was mainly because I didn't apply enough wax. By the time I was ready for the second, I was able to take it apart much easier. Needless to say, I have more confidence in converting them. I do have another pair in which I can confidently convert these with no problems. The only thing I didn't do, was the shaving and soldering. I shipped mine to Stuart and he shipped them back with the kit. I also didnt get the pdf..but this was perfect as im visual and hands on..Thank you again for posting this, i wouldve never even considered modding my dz 1200..cheers!!

[@ronylight3603]

Hello, where can I get a turntable spindle like yours?

[@r08zy]

I always thought records have a stiff side and a slippery side due to how they’re pressed. They’re not completely flat and are instead slightly between the edges and the centre so one side makes more contact with the slipmat than the other. I may be completely wrong but that’s always been my theory on it

[@djductape]

You are correct. I always just play with them to determine. Sometimes I've experienced both sides to be slippery or stiff. It also depends on how they were stored. Like brake rotors, they should be laid flat, but that's hard to do.

[@u_lab]

Hi there. Great video . Any valid alternative for the car wax to let the disc spin better? For example will WD-40 PTFE do the job ?

[@djductape]

Great point! im not sure. im guessing something less liquid, like white lithium grease. the car wax seemed simple though. i took that idea from an older teardown video. happy spinning!

[@MrDjrazo]

Una pregunta donde consigo el vinil y la base central de metal?????

[@ulisesgv1977]

Hello, could you show me a detailed picure of the spindle so I can build mine? And why you need to flip out the óptical sensor/conector?

[@djductape]

Hey, sorry I didn't take a spindle shot. You need to flip the sensor because it sits above the record surface. I explain this in the video. Just order from Stu in the link.

[@ulisesgv1977]

@@djductape thank you very much. I have the óptical sensor solved. The only thing I miss is the center spindle I know is mounted on a bracket. But the bearing is soldered to the spindle OR only glued?

[@djductape]

@@ulisesgv1977 It looks glued.

[@paulhelsby]

great video, Thank you for posting.... But where did the centre spindal magically appear from and fit perfectly? Did you get that pre made by someone?

[@djductape]

Installing the spindle is the mod. Links are in the description. It's pre-made by someone else.

[@paulhelsby]

@@djductape Hi Aron, I don't have facebook so I cannot see the content. Are there any other ways of getting that information? I'm sure people searching this topic would find this you tube video in search engines (like I did) and not a closed platform like facebook, is the maker of the spindle only accessible via facebook? Many thanks -Paul

[@djductape]

@@paulhelsby To my knowledge Stu, the guy who makes the spindles, only operates on Facebook. You can try a google search for "Technics SL DZ 1200 MK2" and maybe find him on another platform. Might just be easier to make a FB account real quick. Hope this helps Paul!

[@mintautosales8349]

That was amazing!!!

[@TIPLDN]

Awesome video, do you know if Stu is still doing this mod?

[@djductape]

I am not sure. Last I herd, he was having parts issues. Contact him via the Facebook page

[@TIPLDN]

@@djductape he got back to me yesterday, thanks for the video, will defo help when I get he’s mod.

[@djductape]

@@TIPLDN Certainly. I made it due to the lack of instructions on the mod. Glad it helped!

[@dtweed76]

@@TIPLDN - how much was the mod n did I get it yet?

[@BenzoDJ]

Sir, will the photo-interrupter still be needed if you have timecode on sd card? thanks for tutorial btw

[@djductape]

Yeah, its definetly needed. That's how the players platter will interpret what is on the cd or sd card.

[@BenzoDJ]

@@djductape ahh gotcha. thanks for the fast reply :)

[@BenzoDJ]

@@djductape now i'm even more intimidated! ha

[@djductape]

@@BenzoDJ yeah, happy holidays brother!

[@djductape]

@@BenzoDJ its not too bad of a project.

[@paulocevallos5141]

Hello, Please can you help me where can I buy two central axles for my two techni

[@djkifkif]

i need to buy it too, thank you for helping us with this video, i do my 1st MOD with 1 side of a (collar screws for pipes) and it works perfectly with a slipmap on the platter, with no tape on it. with your axe, it will be more perfect because your central axe turn with the vinyl, mine is not turning :(

[@erickkuykendall9014]

I have a pair of them and I would like to get them mod or do you know who do that kind of work

[@djductape]

Sory, I dont. I would locate and ask an a repair specialist in your area. Someone who can work on technics turntables to start

[@suave6565]

Also...while taking apart the platter, the middle bearing came out, I accidentally pierced the inner part of the bearing with a small screw driver because it wasn't going in. I realized, if it's not centered precisely, the bearing ring will not fall into place..thinking I damaged it, I bought replacement same exact size, it slipped right in.the old ring wasn't an issue either. I needed to add more wax and required taking apart the platter again.. The other is when unplugging the harnesses, I found it wasn't necessary to also take out the board it connect to on the metal plate. Once unplugged, the metal.plate along with the board comes out.

[@leonelgonzalez459]

🔥🔥🔥💫 spectacular work!!!

[@ВладимирПазушко]

Hi man,in your technics dz , the spindle is spinning ?

[@AnisMaknojia]

When I power on My dz1200 its on blank blue screen and platter is spinning no cds or sd inside and making some electronic noise too. Can I declare this officially broken ?

[@albormix]

Hi, great video. I hope you can help me: I got warbled audio. I realized (I thought) that tiny marks in the sensor sheet was causing the problem, so I replaced it with an original part ordered online. Now it's even worse, I cannot find a spot for the sensor to make it work properly. I cleaned it with alcohol, but mounting it doesn't seem to be a straightforward taks as in the video, it needs to be calibrated or something. Is there a known problem I might be having with the sensor? Aging? signal strength or something? Ground connection? thanks!

[@djductape]

I wish I could help but I have no clue. There is a SL DZ 1200 Facebook page that I recommend you join. I bet someone there has experience with your issue. Warbled audio sounds like one of the built in effects might be on.

[@daveydex]

Where did you get your spindle from?

[@DeejayCriB]

what the name of song at 14:45 please

[@djductape]

I think its Lightning On The B-Ball Court - Smashtrax Music. I have a audioblocks account

[@stevenzurick1952]

What kind of wax do you use to lube the slip disc assembly?

[@djductape]

Hey Stephen, it is a liquid wax, meguiars I think. I'm in the Dominican right now so I can't look. One thing I noticed about the liquid wax; when i first applied it, it made the platter less slippery but after it dried it seemed better. I waited to re-assemble the unit until i was happy with the wax. Make sure you don't over do it either. You can always remove access wax but you dont want liquid wax all up in the electronics. Hope this helps.

[@stevenzurick1952]

@@djductape thanks for the reply I ended up getting Meguiars wax and applied just a small amount to the slip disc and the parts it comes in contact with, it is much smoother now. Thanks!

[@kieransmith6136]

Great video, thank you

[@djductape]

Yeah, hope it helped!

[@XRAITheTech]

were can i get a spindle the guy on Facebook says he cant get them anymore

[@djductape]

He was the source.

[@pinomarino8917]

Just out of curiosity, are you using an SD Card, or a CD for Serato? Also, did it cost extra if you wanted the external controller for tracks? I know it wouldn't matter if you were using Serato. But what about those who want to just use CDs?

[@djductape]

I am using an SD card with Serato Timecode on it. The maker of this mod calls it the DVS mod because you can't skip tracks, which would only make this viable for DVS. I do have Serato CD's in them, but I don't use them to save the laser and cd player mechanisms. He had a mod where you retained the screen externally. Contact him and inquire. Stu is a cool dude.

[@atetraxx]

@@djductape who's the maker?

[@djductape]

@@atetraxx Read the comments

[@bigpressure00]

what functions do you lose when moding?

[@djductape]

Everything on the center screen.

[@DanielleKingdjdinosaur]

technics please re do these as totally digital decks with a vinyl control surface

[@djductape]

I would love this With a tiny screen but as a CD player. Not a fan of over priced midi controllers that lock you into a specific software such as the Rane twelve.

[@DanielleKingdjdinosaur]

@@djductape that would be good too.You could have a bit of both like the Denon 3900s

[@djductape]

@@DanielleKingdjdinosaur yeahhhhh

[@Ericdjnice1]

can you give me the list of tools needed

[@XRAITheTech]

how do i go by purchasing a spindle for the dz 1200

[@djductape]

see the description

[@mackie32x4]

My problem is a cd got stuck and wont come out. Help?

[@djductape]

Idk. Best to take it to a local electronics repair shop.

[@djchuckone1]

Maaaaaaan, by any chance do you live in Cali? I'm not sure if I trust myself enough to pull this off correctly. I'd totally pay you for your time man. Dope tutorial. Just not sure if I trust myself with the work

[@djductape]

Nope. I'm in good Ole Columbus ohio :) fine a local repair shop for the soldering. That's what I did. The rest is easy.

[@djchuckone1]

@@djductape gotcha...yeah, soldering and ish like that, ehhhh, I definitely wouldn't trust myself. Ha! Thanks yo

[@djchuckone1]

@@djductape question, have you ran into any issues with your dz's causing reading issues with your S9 and DJ software? I've had some issues that I never had with my turntables. Tonight it happened a few times. For some random reason, my pioneer was having issues reading from my dz's, almost as if it was being overworked. Caused my waveforms to stutter until ultimately stopping. Had to stop and restart everything. It's not an overheating issue, but it's something funky. Again, this has never happened with my turntables, but has happened with these. Thought I'd ask, since it looks like u use an S9 as well

[@djductape]

@@djchuckone1 I have not experienced those issues. Sounds like its a software issue. The cd players and turntables are just reading timecode signals. You can check the timecode signal in Serato under settings. It's the section with the green circles. Hope that helps!

[@djchuckone1]

@@djductape fa sho. Yeah, it just happens randomly. I'm not on the latest version of serato, and my os isn't the latest that it can be updated to either. Maybe it's just that. Well'p, as long a fellow DZ user hasn't had issues with there s9 because of them, then yeah, that's definitely a relief for sure. Thanks yo

[@Bytemusic]

really dope! thanks for share this

[@djductape]

Glad you like it!

[@MrDjrazo]

One question where do I get the vinyl and the metal center base ?????

[@djductape]

Links are in my description.

[@aasti3000]

Just did a mod on one of mine and I can’t get it to read the files in Traktor when the switch in the back is in vinyl mode. When I switch it to CD it’ll play the file. Can’t figure out the issue. Any advice?

[@djductape]

I'm using SD Cards. Try to play a normal CD with Audio files. If that does not work. I recommend checking your sensor sheet (Plastic disc) and the sensor.

[@djgreeb]

The spindle does not rotate which is not convenient. I made mod the spindle turn

[@djductape]

This setup works fine for me. Show us what you got :)

[@CarlosRodriguezCirre]

AMAZING JOB!!!

[@suave6565]

What's the exact tape you use and where did you get the 10 inch records?

[@djductape]

Electrical tape. 10" records can be found at.......... Used Record stores :)

[@DjXCENTRiC]

Where did you get the spindle from??

[@djductape]

Link to the guy in the description.

[@DjXCENTRiC]

Thanks!

[@yurimpala]

It was very nice MOD!!! I have one unit that are playing only 43 frames at time I push play in turntable mode. Do you know what is happening? In CD mode is working OK.

[@djductape]

Sorry, im not sure. I would take it into a repair shop

[@javierglezmerino6308]

HI . HOW TO REMOVE A WRONG INSERTED CD IN TECHNICS DZ 1200. thank you

[@djductape]

I'm not an electronics repairman - I'm a DJ. You should pay near you that repairs electronics to check it out.

[@jamesnixon2979]

Hi . Do you offer a conversion service ? I am US based and have bought kits from a reputable guy from the uk . I’m just not up to The job myself

[@djductape]

I don't. Find a local Technics repair shop. I had to find one for the sensor soldering.

[@seanwieland9763]

14:20 kapton tape might be a better choice than electrical tape. Future you or the next guy might not appreciate how electrical tape gets gooey and brittle with age.

[@FunkyRob]

I just ordered 2 spindles. Who can tell me how to select next track or rewind if you don't have the center panel anymore?

[@djductape]

Its for dvs systems. I set a cue point at the beginning of the song to reset the time code when needed.

[@DJMYSTIQUELIVE]

Hi im trying to upgrade the firmware but the #3 cuepad just keeps blinking . are you familiar with this problem?

[@djductape]

Hey Keith. I am not familiar. I did my firmware when they were new in 2006 ish. I would ask the sl dz 1200 facebook page. Just search em!

[@DJMYSTIQUELIVE]

@@djductape Thank you i will try.

[@davidkratzer3803]

Aaron can you advise what comes in the kit to mod it plz?

[@djductape]

I just got the spindles and SD cards. Other people received records, spindles and SD cards in a "kit". I think it depends on what the guy who makes the spindles (Stu) has at the current moment. Just contact the DZ 1200 MKII FB page and be patient with him. It took a month to get my parts.

[@LilNan2k11]

a month?i just ordered 2 days ago

[@alburke881]

@@djductape what price is the full conversion kit ? Cheers

[@djductape]

@@alburke881 contact the page and he will reply.

[@alburke881]

@@djductape you gave me the info on a previous comment I made Aaron, cheers 👍

[@cesarmarquez4454]

can i send you my dz1200 to get that work done. I don't even want to try to do it my self. how much for the work?

[@djductape]

Order the spindles and have a local electronic repair shop do it.

[@joelmoreno9566]

So the firmware update was done before the mod?

[@djductape]

I think my firmware update was done in 2004 when I originally bought these.

[@hectorsalas4037]

What grase use for slider

[@djductape]

That's an electronics lubricant called DeoxIT

[@ЭнлильМаратович]

Respect

[@always_trust_all_scientists]

Crap... I was totally interested in these decks. There so cool and clean. I love em! But crap I'm concerned about buying them and having difficulties putting them together and very little support. On the fence now....

[@djductape]

Yeah, I felt the same way. The hardest part is finding a local electronics repair shop to mod/solder the sensor. I went to the best in my area and they still struggled. The spindles took about a month to get. That was a pain too, but I love these bad boys. I wish Rane would make a version, like the Rane Twelve but in a Ten :)

[@djjack2280]

Can you mod my decks and how much

[@djductape]

A local electronics repair shop can.

[@djjack2280]

@@djductape so where do I get the spindle for the decks

[@djductape]

@@djjack2280 links in the comments section. IDK if he still does it though.

[@alburke881]

What's the price for the full conversion kit ? Cheers

[@Designstickymedia]

Everyone has stated they payed a different price. Contact Stu on the sl dz 1200 MKii page and he will give you an exact price. I'm not affiliated with him aside from just being a happy customer.

[@alburke881]

@@Designstickymedia cheers 👍

[@joffey1990]

anywhere in uk that will do this for me thanks

[@djductape]

A local electronic repair shop. Google, my friend

[@gilcaballero871]

You sell these ?

[@djductape]

Nope - You have to order the parts from Stu and mod your own.

[@DjUNKI3655]

@@djductape what is Stu? haha

[@DjUNKI3655]

sometimes i have problem with reading a song on a cd,can somebody help me :)

[@djductape]

Take it to an electronic repair shop in your area.

[@djshortefromphilly]

Are you willing to sell?

[@djductape]

You can find them sometimes on eBay for about $1200 USD a pair

[@djshortefromphilly]

@@djductape ok...thanks Man. 👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾

[@djductape]

@@djshortefromphilly Yeah, your better off sourcing the cd players on eBay, buying the parts from the dz1200 mk2 page in the description and then making them yourself.

[@djshortefromphilly]

@@djductape sounds like a plan.

[@Brother_TD]

DJSHORTeFROMPhilly looking into buying a pair now

[@echelonrank3927]

the real question is what were they smoking at panasonic?. the screen includes a computer board + lots of other crap and the whole thing sticks out and gets in the way of hands. even my small hand doesnt fit on there properly. the stupid thing was designed for scratching by samurai pizza cats. if the screen was thinner with a clear vynil on top and less sideways play, you wouldnt even need a spindle, the deck would be a dream.

[@djductape]

LOL True! I agree, but I feel the tech was proper for their time. The design was awful and they were cumbersome to use in their original format. Crazy how Pioneer turned to and improved their design almost 20 years later. I bought mine in 2004. They spent a lot of time in a closet :)

[@DjKennyisglobal]

This is the Stew mod.. ( which was Good no hate) but..I will Revealing a much better spindle mod for the dz 1200 that works much much better and half the trouble to mod stay tune ( nice vid though!)

[@djductape]

I'll be ready for it Kenny!

[@webagouk]

One side is con-caved the other is con-vexed