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Help with Technics SL-1700 headshell

GemmaLou

GemmaLou

New Member
Hello,
I’m new to the site, and new to record player maintenance/ repair etc. I recently picked up an Technics SL 1700 at a garage sale for almost nothing. However it is missing the headshell, cartridge and stylus. I am having a hard time figuring out what replacement headshell to even look for. Can anyone point this newb in the right direction?
 
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GemmaLou said:
Hello,
I’m new to the site, and new to record player maintenance/ repair etc. I recently picked up an Technics SL 1700 at a garage sale for almost nothing. However it is missing the headshell, cartridge and stylus. I am having a hard time figuring out what replacement headshell to even look for. Can anyone point this newb in the right direction?
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Welcome to the AK turn table forum.

Here is a link to a headshell, cartridge already mounted and properly aligned for your turn table. :thumbsup:

https://www.lpgear.com/product/LPGAT95ESET.html
 
Any generic headshell for a S-shaped arm will work but it's nice to have the original and it does help with having the stock weight of headshell when setting up.
The user manual is available on vinylengine. It will show you the headshell type.
Now 1st thing is to determine is it the original model or a Mk2 version? Sources are eBay or organdonorparts.com or kabusa.com or usaudiomart.com or some AKer (I see a PM headed your way) or become a subscriber and post a wanted ad in Bartertown.
The Technics headshells are different for each. The original has a single screw on the top that attaches to a sled underneath that has threaded 1/2 inch spaced holes for mounting the cartridge. The single screw allows you to slide the cart forward and back to align the cart properly. If you need one of these make sure the sled and screw are there!
The Mk2 uses the same headshell as the SL-1200. 2 slots for mounting as per the standard generic headshell. Beware there are a lot of fakes out there of these!
For a cartridge I'd suggest a Audio Technica AT95e. $50 or so. Good match for these arms.
 
Welcome to AK and congratulations on the nice find!

You are in luck. Pretty sure the SL1700 accepts a 1/2" universal headshell so you have many options. Just a matter of how much you want to spend. An actual SL-1700 headshell or NOS Pioneer will probably run you more than you paid for the turntable which kind of defeats the joy of "next to nothing."

If you want a high-quality shell the Audio Technica AT-HS10 runs about $35 and has a good reputation (although I have never owned one). Personally, for both of my $20 TT finds I have just used a generic $10 headshell from ebay like this one:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Pioneer-He...e=STRK:MEBIDX:IT&_trksid=p2060353.m2749.l2649

It's painted, not powder coated, and the leads aren't gold plated but they have worked just fine for me and seem like a good starting place for someone new to bringing old TTs back to life.
 
I just picked up an SL1700 for next to nothing as well. Seems like there are a ton of them on this site.
Mine was super dirty so I took it apart and washed everything with dish soap in the sink. Then I gave it a nice coat of automotive detail wax. Looks good and the lettering is still nice.
 
That's the original SL-1700.
How's the speed? Usually they will need to be opened up and the speed control pots cleaned with contact cleaner (Deoxit D5 is best) and the speed trim pots on the motor control board adjusted.
Pulling the center spindle, cleaning and re-oiling (they use a specific oil, available from kabusa.com) is another standard maintenance item for these. I say pull and clean as usually the old oil is dirty black goo by now.
 
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