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Technics SL-MA1 - Worth repairing or selling for spares?

V

Vellis

New Member
Hi all,

Looking for some advice, I live in Japan and long story short got my hands on a Technics SL-MA1. I have no clue at all about record players or their value. We sold a load of old electronics for peanuts but this record player looked worth much more than the £3 that was offered.

I have not tried it yet but was told it does not spin (motor issue?)

Now I wondering should I
a) Trash it for £3
b) Get it repaired in Japan by a record player shop and then move it on.
c) sell it as it is.

Any help on what would be best to do appreciated!

Cheers!

P.S Pics to come, maybe worth people seeing it to tell if it has any value, it looks clean and the previous owner was a Japanese music producer who had the WORLD of classical vinyls and music and was obviously an audiophile.
 
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I would definitely repair that, but in my experience old turntables are hard to sell in Japan, and don't go for much money, especially Japanese tables.

If the motor doesn't spin, I would try the easy fixes, such as lubricating the motor, and working the oil in by moving it by hand. Then maybe opening it up and using a multimeter to check voltage of power supply and up.
 
Thanks for the info. I would take it to be fixed and smartened up professionally if it would sell for well. I don't know the usual prices or its rarity etc.

I will first try to make sure it's spinning and test it with a record. When I am home I will add photos so people can see its condition. It actually looks in pretty good nick and the wood isn't damaged or stained. I don't think it even has many marks on it.
 
You might want to check Yahoo auctions Japan for what they usually sell for. Here in the states they go for $500+ depending on condition.

I don't know how far you are from Akihabara, but I'm sure a lot of shops there would be willing to help you sell by cosignment.
 
I just missed out on one, I have a very nice MC cart for it, by all accounts it's a nice table and I would figure it's worth fixing.
 
The SL-MA1 is not one of Technics better DD tables. Yes it looks very pretty, but don't let the looks deceive you. It is mutton dressed up as lamb. But for 3 pounds, who cares- fix it for fun.

It uses a very cheap version of its DD motor, completely unlike the SL-1200mk2's high torque DD.

This same cheap motor was used right down the range to $129 Quartz Lock DDs that were sold at the time.

I have the motor right here if you are interested to see what it looks like and can post some pics here.
 
The village idiots in the USA will line up to overpay for it. Hey....it's "vintage", so it must be good!
 
I was looking to see if there was any value to restoring it to sell for a reasonable price rather than taking it to Book-off for peanuts where I doubt it will ever be appreciated.
I'll get some pics up to share if people believe it is even in a good condition to sell.
 
It seems to be fairly clean with a small mark on the front, generally it seems just a bit dirty from I guess years in storage.

Cheers all for the advice so far. I will do a little DIY on it myself but if it seems popular I will take it to a professional to restore it and then move it on.


DSC_0359.JPG DSC_0359.JPG DSC_0358.JPG DSC_0357.JPG
 
Looks like it has an adaptor headshell, normally it takes a P Mount, what does it say on the cartridge?
The one I was going to buy was 400 Canadian..I have seen then go for a bit more.
 
Sounds like you should just sell it as is as a parts and repair unit. You'll make a nice profit on it, and someone has a nice project.
 
bigx5murf said:
Sounds like you should just sell it as is as a parts and repair unit. You'll make a nice profit on it, and someone has a nice project.
Click to expand...

Yeah I don't mind doing that. Honestly we moved to a smaller flat while our new house is built so it just takes space. I will put it up as Spares/Repair and condition and see what it goes for.

Cheers!
 
restorer-john said:
The SL-MA1 is not one of Technics better DD tables. Yes it looks very pretty, but don't let the looks deceive you. It is mutton dressed up as lamb. But for 3 pounds, who cares- fix it for fun.

It uses a very cheap version of its DD motor, completely unlike the SL-1200mk2's high torque DD.

This same cheap motor was used right down the range to $129 Quartz Lock DDs that were sold at the time.

I have the motor right here if you are interested to see what it looks like and can post some pics here.
Click to expand...

Eh, this is an older thread, but I wanted to comment on this. I hear what you're saying, but ... the rumble specs for the MA1 are better than for the SL-1200mk2. 81 for the MA1, vs 78 dB for the SL-1200mk2.

??

I'm also wondering if the arm for the MA1 is better than for the 1200 too ...
 
The-Mule said:
Eh, this is an older thread, but I wanted to comment on this. I hear what you're saying, but ... the rumble specs for the MA1 are better than for the SL-1200mk2. 81 for the MA1, vs 78 dB for the SL-1200mk2.
Click to expand...

Seriously, it looks lovely to the unititated, but is really, really cheaply made. Here's some internet pics.

https://en-ide-cart.blog.so-net.ne.jp/2013-11-10

PICT0165-038ce.JPG


The motor is a low-end pancake Quartz PLL with no torque, a nylon bearing housing for the thrust plate and the arm is cheap.

Matsushita made it look expensive with glossy rosewood over chipboard, but there's no substance to it.
 
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