Well, you were speculating, but you're very knowledgeable, hence your speculations carry a different kind of weight. I agree though, regardless.
Looking at pics in www, I tend to agree that SL-1200 bearings are not sintered (they look to shiny), though I didn't find a clear enough one (perhaps @Mr Boochie will cover that base). If not sintered bronze, what is it...solid bronze + grease? Adding oil every couple of thousands hours feels wrong then.
Look, I'm gonna follow Technics' recommendation. It seemed to have worked for many, many users. Bearing failure is not really that common in a unit that has not been abused.
The main oiled bearing (bronze color) can be seen pressed into the shaft assembly. The tapered bronze sleeve is where the platter fits.
There is another bearing pressed in, at the bottom of the shaft assembly casting. Notice the circlip. That has to be removed to remove the shaft.
There's a ball pressed into the shaft at the bottom, too.
The 2-3 drops are sufficient to penetrate down to the ball at the bottom. If you go hog wild with the oil, it leaks out. And it can gum up the electronics and other things that shouldn't see oil.
I lube the thing with 2 drops every year (which is less than 2000 hours, probably closer to 500). I have a Sony 2251, too. Sony recommends every 1000 hours (or every year, whichever comes first). I oil both turntables I own at the same time. Around Jan. 1st. It makes things easier to remember.
There are many threads on the Net since the 1200MkII came out about people having issues that may be due to over-lubricating. One little side note — the tonearm bearings are sealed.
Do not place oil on the outside of them. This will attract dust and gums up the pivots.
