Hi all, I recently came into possession of a Technics SL-B350 “Frequency Generator Servo Automatic Turntable System.” I know nothing, 100% nothing, about turntables. I have attached a video of what happens when I plug the turntable in. There seems to be a frustrated clicking/whirring sound. I wonder if this is enough information for anyone to tell me what's going on here? I really appreciate any advice you all might have. Happy to answer more questions to provide better info, the best I can, if needed.
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Help! Complete newbie
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doctor fuse
Super Member
+1 on checking if the belt is missing or has fallen off the pulley or platter.
The platter might not come off easily, but I don't think there is a C clip or anything like that, locking it down. You just have to carefully but forcefully lift it up.
The platter might not come off easily, but I don't think there is a C clip or anything like that, locking it down. You just have to carefully but forcefully lift it up.
Take the rubber mat off. It's just sitting on the aluminun platter. The platter has a couple of holes in it. Rotate it by hand while looking through the hole near the left side of the turntable. At a certain point in the rotation you will see a round brass pulley through that hole, about the diameter of a pencil. There should be be a black rubber belt going around it and also around a much larger diameter surface on the under side of the platter.
If you don't see that belt, use the 2 holes as finger grips to lift the platter straight up and off. If it doesn't come off easily, take something hard but not too hard, like a plastic screwdriver handle, and tap fairly hard on the spindle. The spindle is the thing protruding from the center of the mat and platter. This usually jars the platter loose so you can lift it off.
If you don't see that belt, use the 2 holes as finger grips to lift the platter straight up and off. If it doesn't come off easily, take something hard but not too hard, like a plastic screwdriver handle, and tap fairly hard on the spindle. The spindle is the thing protruding from the center of the mat and platter. This usually jars the platter loose so you can lift it off.
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This describes how to replace a belt. You can use this to at least see what you are looking for. Chances are your belt has fallen off and might have become stuck in the return mechanism.
Even spinning the platter by hand a few revolutions might kind of reset things.
Even spinning the platter by hand a few revolutions might kind of reset things.
AudioFeline
Super Member
If you do find a belt under the platter, it may have stretched too much to work, so check if it is very loose. It should fit firmly.
plugto
Well-Known Member
Couldn't find the exact model, and thinking the B stands for black, not sure. But found 2 service manuals that might help. Some times models have minor changes and still have same parts. Any way can't hurt.
https://www.vintageshifi.com/repertoire-pdf/Technics-3.php
On this page I opened up the SL-300 and 303. Just pissin into the wind but never know.
AudioFeline
Super Member
If you put more info in your profile - specifically your city/state/country - you might get a recommendation of someone who could service it for you in your region, or even a generous AK member might be willing to have a look at it for you.
ETI_5000
Super Member
Actually, it stands for 'Belt Drive' when used as a prefix to the model number - the two other letters often used by Technics to signify the type of turntable platter drive were D for Direct Drive, or Q for Quartz Locked Direct Drive.
So chances are that the platter drive belt (from the motor spindle) is either stretched, broken or missing, and requires replacement. In fact, if you do a Google search online, you can find people and businesses selling the Technics SL-B350 belt online, including on Amazon in some countries.
If the platter doesn’t move when you release the tonearm clamp, press the cueing button to raise the tonearm, and manually move the tonearm sideways over a record (which you’ve already put on the platter mat, of course!), then the belt almost certainly needs replacement.
The SL-B300 is probably the closest model with similar features for which a free manual is available for download online - see https://www.vinylengine.com/library/technics/sl-b300.shtml for an English version of the user manual. You need to register with vinylengine and login to the forum before you can download manuals, but it's quite safe to do so, and they don't spam you or anything like that.