Technics 1210 one channel not working

DJ Gear & Hardware Hardware: Controllers, Mods and Gear
1

Technics 1210 one channel not working

I recently bought a 1210 and a system (Ortofon QBert).

Today I tested it and sadly the output of one channel is missing completely.

I grabbed a voltmeter and tested the connectors inside the tonearm with the cinch-cable.

There are four connectors inside the tone arm. I could successfully check the upper two of them. One of each is connected to one side of the cinch-cable.

I don’t know about the lower two connectors (I got no connection to any end of the cinch-cable with them).

Sounds like the system is broken or may I have overlooked something?

2

I had a similar problem with one of my 1200s and I ended up having to open it up and patch the RCA cable. It had severed just inside. Not too difficult. IIRC took me about an hour or so.

Hope that helps.

3

the lower 2 are ground. if you get the upper two then that would indicate the tonearm and cable are good

it is possible that the connection between the cart and tonearm isnt clean. try looking at the 4 pins inside the tonearm, if any have dark spots, use a small screwdriver to scrap them off, also try removing the cart, lick your finger, and rub it on the pins of the cart, then screw back on

4

You are da man!
Scrubbing off the dirt already did the trick.

I didn’t dare to do it with a screwdriver (before you said it) and had no q-tips ready.

Now it’s time to get rid of the click :wink:

5

it’s a bad idea to use screwdriver on the long long, If you use a screwdriver, you scratch the contact “protective” layer, and then it will just “oxydate” faster than before. Not to mention that you’ll no longer have a “Flat” and uniform contact area/surface. However, depending the shell type you used before, the contact are maybe no longer flat anyways.

You want to use Q-tip (foam one = the best) with some sort of contact cleaner (without lube, isopropyl alcohol usually works, Deoxit D5 also work), then use a can of compressed air. Repeat until the contact are 100% neat. On Tonearm and Cartridge side.

6

almost brought new decks because I replace the phonos and it was still down on one side and couldn’t work out why. thanks for this tip I just cleaned the connectors in the tone arm and now I’m back in business.

Cheers for the tip saved me hundreds and the cost of new decks!

LukeDaLoop

7

Glad to help

8

I have the same Qbert Concordes connected to my Technics 1200… and in Traktor it says Right Ch. missing…

I have used 2 Shure M447s and the other Qbert concorde and all work fine w/ that turntable and the other one as well… I even sprayed the recommended Deoxit on the back contacts of the Qbert Concorde, which I didn’t think they’re were necessary since I just bought them a couple of months ago… Any help with this?

Thanks,

Ollie

9

i have the same issue but left channel missing any help

10

and you’ve tried the suggestions above?

11

A clean cigarette butt always does the trick - and exactly the right size.

12

Old school!

13

Yes tried all the above looks like a cable fault checked with a meter and theirs a problem with the one cable need to open it up to make sure .

14

if you’re handy with a soldering iron, its a straightforward process to replace the cable

15

just be aware licking the contacts will corrode them and ruin your tonearm. avoid at all costs!

16

haven’t ruined a tonearm in the 15+ years I’ve DJ’d

17

I’ve replaced three of them. I’ve had five 1200s over the last 20 years. The local 1200 repair guy said it’s the #1 thing he has to fix.

If the contacts corrode they’ll get stuck inside of the tonearm and you loose a channel, be careful!.

EDIT my current pair is 8 old only and the tonearms are still pristine without ever doing the lick!

18

relax

relax its just your RCA cords. it will cost 50 bucks to fix don’t screw around with it. if you want you can get under the tone arm by taking the turntable apart.

19

Got it fixed bad connection inside the rca plug .