Red Technics SL-6 to Q6 conversion, is it possible?

[ItsProX]

I recently bought a seemingly rare red Technics SL-6 from Japan. I don’t know much about the red variants(didn’t even know they existed until recently) other than they were perhaps only sold in Japan?? I have experience working on turntables and especially love the jacket-size Technics linear trackers, and red being my favorite color, so I just had to buy it.

I do plan on swapping the internal transformer with one from a US spec sl-6. I was wondering if it is at all possible to also swap the direct drive assembly with one from say a Q6 or similar quartz linear tracker, essentially turning into an SL-Q6. The dimensions, connectors and mounting points are all exactly the same and as far as I can tell the logic should be pretty much the same save for the quartz crystal vs potentiometers keeping the speed.

Has anyone done this and would this be at all possible? Asking here before I take the plunge and buy a spare quartz direct drive motor and then find out it doesn’t work. All of my turntables are quartz locked, and while it’s not the biggest deal not having it, I think it would be very cool to not only have a US-converted red SL-6 but also one with a quartz direct drive unit.

Thanks all,
James

 

[Montycat]

It might be possible though I don't expect it to be, but I would not bother.

 

[justjed2]

Might be possible, don't know if it would be worth it, as it would destroy any serious collector value. Unless you find someone who specifically wants one, you'd probably have difficulty moving a modded unit in the future for anywhere near its pristine value.