The model SL-BD1 is a fully manual version. If you’re looking for automatic shutoff and automatic return, the same table was available in SL-BD2 (semi-auto) and SL-BD3 (fully automatic)
Hello sir from Yorkshire, England. I got back into vinyl about 5 years ago and I dropped on a Technics sl b21 semi automatic turntable. I did pay £80 for it but it was new/ old stock. Still in its box with all the accessories sealed . The p mount cartridge sealed in its box. It looks basically the same as yours with a cueing button,auto return and cut,counter weight and tracking button. It doesn't have a strobe or markings for speed adjustment. Connections are the same with that ground wire. I Changed the cartridge to the AT 85 p after about a year and the sound with a Cambridge azur amplifier and Wharfedale diamond speakers sounds great. I agree, find a 80s Technics turntable like this and it's better than AT 60,fluance rt80, u turn orbit or any other base model turntable under £120 new. You were harsh in criticism of it,it is a cheap turntable, but it's a great starter as long as you can find a good one.
So I’m watching this video thinking this Technics looks identical to my first love SL-B92 which I purchased in 1985 junior year in high school! Mine is dark grey. Watching you operate it’s functions I realized mine is actually a step up , it’s a semi automatic. The stop button actually raises and returns the arm to the rest point. When arm reaches the end of the record it also raises and returns. Serving function is manual like yours but table starts turning if arm is moved toward the record! I’ve had it serviced lately , New audio technica cartridge, new belt, new cover (no issues with the hinges) and had to have the ground wire hot wired because the original plug in got lost at some point. Works like a charm and very quiet 37 years later! I Own 3 other vintage turntables that I have acquired through the years but I will never part with my first love! I will say Your purchase was good because these turntables will live forever ! Almost all turntables made today are manual even high end ones and honestly I don’t believe they will last this long.... Great video and very special to me, thanks!
Hey I appreciate you doing this video at all! I haven't even gotten past I think minute number three but I grateful for the information. We gave all the vinyl to my middle brother. He is The Keeper of the vinyl. But after my mother passed away all of my father and grandfather's records he didn't take with him he was going to let those go and I couldn't let all these clay records from the turn-of-the-century just go into the trash. Few years ago my next door neighbor was moving and asked me if I wanted that turntable, heck yeah! It needs a new belt and probably a needle. a small investment to at least be able to play a record for my kids. And keep it from being buried in some landfill. I'm planning on pairing it with this 1977 Pioneer SA 5500 II Amp / Tuner I rescued. Needs to be cleaned, i got to listen to it only once and the sound was beautiful just 30 w. It's the only analog system i own. coincidentally i also found a Realistic tape deck with the matching aluminum facing. haven't even tested that one yet! Just from scrapping metal I cannot tell you how many stereo systems electronics guitars amps PA systems I'm actually quite overwhelmed with at this point of different amps and and fantastic speakers of course all 90s technology but no one wants wired, and I get it, but they all sound great! Two sets of Bose speakers!! a wave radio! I could go on and on, I can't tell you about all the Transformers I never got as a kid... I got now! LOL I even got Voltron! LOL I'm going to go back to watching your video, thanks again!😊
I’ve had this for years only change belts and it’s been reliable no it’s not a pro table but with a good system it’s sounds great so for a basic table it doesn’t really deserve to get bashed it does the job fairly well and it’s better than a lot of the garbage they make today
I own a Technics SL-D1 turntable and it is fully manual. It also will not auto return the tonearm at the end of play. What I like is that it is a direct drive turntable and is super quiet. I can swap out cartridges as I choose with no problems. I reset the tracking force, match that with the anti-skate and that's it. Unless I change the speed from 33 rpm to 45 rpm it is almost unnecessary to have to use the strobe. It is rock solid once set. One thing he does not mention here is that there ARE upgrades for those T4P P-mount cartridges available on-line or through eBay. Audio Technica has some really good ones as well as the older Shure models and other brands. All of these have to use after market styluses as there are almost no OEM styluses available for the entry level cartridges. As for the sound of this cartridge, it's all in what the listener wants to hear. It's still going to outdo the Crosley Cruisers and others along that line.
I had two SLB100's. I purchased them at Service Merchandise in 1983. Used them extensively until 2004. The paint around the start/stop switch was worn off! All they needed was new belts. I replaced them with Gemini. Regretful. lol BTW, I worked at a small am radio station back then. Lightning struck the Harris 9000 automation system. We had to go live. There was no music library, so we all brought our own collections. We plugged these turntables into the board and did a patchcord frim the production room to the orban am processor. These Technics tables were used for several weeks nonstop until a new studio with high dollar broadcast Technics tables were installed.
Thanks for the video! I bought two of these in 1985 from Service Merchandise...I DJ'ed with those and a Numark mixer back in the day, lol. A fully manual turntable is preferred by DJs, and the SL-BD1 was the best value for a manual DJ table at the time. The auto features you described are included in the SL-DB2.
I like the P-mount system. I have a Sansui with a headshell tone arm that I love but I probably use my Technics more. LP Gear has some nice P-mount cartridges. They have one with a Shibata stylus and another with a MicroLine.
Great video and breakdown of this table...appreciate it cause I've often thought about picking up a used one if its a good deal...just as a 5th back up lol...it looked like that start/stop button is a little funky? But i love that it has the removeable cords. Thanks!
Thank you for watching and the nice comment! The power switch is a tad clunky, more so than other budget turntables I’ve had in the past. The removable RCA cables are nice in case they get damaged it would be easy to replace! Losing the ground cable would be a pain though lol.
The power button is there for a DJ to cue up a song with the power off and then turn it on and fade in. Many local DJ's used these turntables at events my bands also played at back in the day. They were inexpensive and pretty reliable for the guy just spinning records.
what is the difference between a beginner model to which i hear all the time to an audiophile status turntable? what is the sound difference or is the appeal factor when one has a gathering they show off the 2K plus usd turntable and say that is not a beginner disc spinning music magic playing machine?
You can tighten up the strength of the springs on the hinges with some manipulation. For all of the people spending hundreds if dollars on entry-level turntables, they'd be much better off with a turntable like this. There are lower-model Technic turntables that have the 1/2" mount that would probably satisfy most people who are interested in a TT, but don't want to spend a lot of money on one.
Hi I just came across your channel and as an audio buff since 1972 (yes I am a geezer) I love it! My question is I just found a Technics SL-20 turntable at a yard sale. It's in good shape except for broken wires. The wires are not detachable. My question is it worth fixing? It is a better table than the one in your video, but not a great one. Any advice would be welcome. New subscriber John From Canada
Hi John. Thanks for subscribing! Which wires are broken? If the RCA/ground wires are broken, that's a common issue on these old tables. If you are handy with a soldering iron and don't mind removing a few screws, it's not too hard to solder in a new pair and have a great vintage turntable for just $20!
Thanks for the advice. There is a shop nearby that repairs vintage equipment. They specialize in Technics tables. I think I will have them check it out and make any needed repairs and perhaps upgrade the cartridge. Looking forward to enjoying your channel.
I spent years looking at new turntables to replace the technics I bought back in 1983. Got the technics SL-1200GR acouple years ago. Love it. Going to be a long time before it makes it into a 2nd hand shop!!
Yep, I've owned plenty of budget Technics tables and always enjoyed them so didn't research this one when I bought it. Oh well! It's not a bad sounding table, just a little quirky in performance. Thanks for watching!
The model SL-BD1 is a fully manual version. If you’re looking for automatic shutoff and automatic return, the same table was available in SL-BD2 (semi-auto) and SL-BD3 (fully automatic)
Hello sir from Yorkshire, England. I got back into vinyl about 5 years ago and I dropped on a Technics sl b21 semi automatic turntable. I did pay £80 for it but it was new/ old stock. Still in its box with all the accessories sealed . The p mount cartridge sealed in its box. It looks basically the same as yours with a cueing button,auto return and cut,counter weight and tracking button. It doesn't have a strobe or markings for speed adjustment. Connections are the same with that ground wire. I Changed the cartridge to the AT 85 p after about a year and the sound with a Cambridge azur amplifier and Wharfedale diamond speakers sounds great. I agree, find a 80s Technics turntable like this and it's better than AT 60,fluance rt80, u turn orbit or any other base model turntable under £120 new. You were harsh in criticism of it,it is a cheap turntable, but it's a great starter as long as you can find a good one.
Thanks for watching!
So I’m watching this video thinking this Technics looks identical to my first love SL-B92 which I purchased in 1985 junior year in high school! Mine is dark grey. Watching you operate it’s functions I realized mine is actually a step up , it’s a semi automatic. The stop button actually raises and returns the arm to the rest point. When arm reaches the end of the record it also raises and returns. Serving function is manual like yours but table starts turning if arm is moved toward the record! I’ve had it serviced lately , New audio technica cartridge, new belt, new cover (no issues with the hinges) and had to have the ground wire hot wired because the original plug in got lost at some point. Works like a charm and very quiet 37 years later! I Own 3 other vintage turntables that I have acquired through the years but I will never part with my first love!
I will say Your purchase was good because these turntables will live forever ! Almost all turntables made today are manual even high end ones and honestly I don’t believe they will last this long....
Great video and very special to me, thanks!
Thank you for watching!
Hey I appreciate you doing this video at all! I haven't even gotten past I think minute number three but I grateful for the information. We gave all the vinyl to my middle brother. He is The Keeper of the vinyl. But after my mother passed away all of my father and grandfather's records he didn't take with him he was going to let those go and I couldn't let all these clay records from the turn-of-the-century just go into the trash. Few years ago my next door neighbor was moving and asked me if I wanted that turntable, heck yeah! It needs a new belt and probably a needle. a small investment to at least be able to play a record for my kids. And keep it from being buried in some landfill. I'm planning on pairing it with this 1977 Pioneer
SA 5500 II Amp / Tuner
I rescued. Needs to be cleaned, i got to listen to it only once and the sound was beautiful just 30 w. It's the only analog system i own. coincidentally i also found a Realistic tape deck with the matching aluminum facing. haven't even tested that one yet! Just from scrapping metal I cannot tell you how many stereo systems electronics guitars amps PA systems I'm actually quite overwhelmed with at this point of different amps and and fantastic speakers of course all 90s technology but no one wants wired, and I get it, but they all sound great! Two sets of Bose speakers!! a wave radio! I could go on and on, I can't tell you about all the Transformers I never got as a kid... I got now! LOL I even got Voltron! LOL I'm going to go back to watching your video, thanks again!😊
Thank you for watching and the kind words!
$50 was a steal for this turntable, and selling it for $150 is also a great deal. I’ve always loved the P Mount cartridge.
I’ve really fall in love too since this video!
I’ve had this for years only change belts and it’s been reliable no it’s not a pro table but with a good system it’s sounds great so for a basic table it doesn’t really deserve to get bashed it does the job fairly well and it’s better than a lot of the garbage they make today
I own a Technics SL-D1 turntable and it is fully manual. It also will not auto return the tonearm at the end of play. What I like is that it is a direct drive turntable and is super quiet. I can swap out cartridges as I choose with no problems. I reset the tracking force, match that with the anti-skate and that's it. Unless I change the speed from 33 rpm to 45 rpm it is almost unnecessary to have to use the strobe. It is rock solid once set. One thing he does not mention here is that there ARE upgrades for those T4P P-mount cartridges available on-line or through eBay. Audio Technica has some really good ones as well as the older Shure models and other brands. All of these have to use after market styluses as there are almost no OEM styluses available for the entry level cartridges. As for the sound of this cartridge, it's all in what the listener wants to hear. It's still going to outdo the Crosley Cruisers and others along that line.
Great info, thank you for sharing!!!
I had two SLB100's. I purchased them at Service Merchandise in 1983. Used them extensively until 2004. The paint around the start/stop switch was worn off! All they needed was new belts. I replaced them with Gemini. Regretful. lol BTW, I worked at a small am radio station back then. Lightning struck the Harris 9000 automation system. We had to go live. There was no music library, so we all brought our own collections. We plugged these turntables into the board and did a patchcord frim the production room to the orban am processor. These Technics tables were used for several weeks nonstop until a new studio with high dollar broadcast Technics tables were installed.
Service Merchandise! Wow, that brings back A LOT of memories, lol. Thanks for watching!
Thanks for the video! I bought two of these in 1985 from Service Merchandise...I DJ'ed with those and a Numark mixer back in the day, lol. A fully manual turntable is preferred by DJs, and the SL-BD1 was the best value for a manual DJ table at the time. The auto features you described are included in the SL-DB2.
Awesome! Thanks for sharing!
If you’re still looking to sell it…I’m in the market.
It's better than the new, plastic junk, and as old as it is, will outlast them.
Technic SL-BD1-XA Was Made In
The Year 1985 Or 2010 & Yes This
Turntable Was For Beginners. &
Cheap Made Too.
I bought this model 30€ last year. It works very well. I use it as my 2nd player in my work room.
It would make for a good second player for sure! Or if you were buying one for your kids or someone new to vinyl.
I like the P-mount system. I have a Sansui with a headshell tone arm that I love but I probably use my Technics more.
LP Gear has some nice P-mount cartridges. They have one with a Shibata stylus and another with a MicroLine.
Thanks for sharing!
Great video and breakdown of this table...appreciate it cause I've often thought about picking up a used one if its a good deal...just as a 5th back up lol...it looked like that start/stop button is a little funky? But i love that it has the removeable cords. Thanks!
Thank you for watching and the nice comment! The power switch is a tad clunky, more so than other budget turntables I’ve had in the past. The removable RCA cables are nice in case they get damaged it would be easy to replace! Losing the ground cable would be a pain though lol.
Just got a Technics SL QD22 for free yesterday. Just need a new cartridge. Lit and the front technics Logo. Rest is in good shape. And it's working.
That’s awesome!
The power button is there for a DJ to cue up a song with the power off and then turn it on and fade in. Many local DJ's used these turntables at events my bands also played at back in the day. They were inexpensive and pretty reliable for the guy just spinning records.
That makes sense. Thank you for sharing
what is the difference between a beginner model to which i hear all the time to an audiophile status turntable? what is the sound difference or is the appeal factor when one has a gathering they show off the 2K plus usd turntable and say that is not a beginner disc spinning music magic playing machine?
You can tighten up the strength of the springs on the hinges with some manipulation.
For all of the people spending hundreds if dollars on entry-level turntables, they'd be much better off with a turntable like this. There are lower-model Technic turntables that have the 1/2" mount that would probably satisfy most people who are interested in a TT, but don't want to spend a lot of money on one.
Yeah I thought this would sell quickly to a beginner but it didn’t.
@@ForeverAnalog A lot would rather buy a new cute Crosley suitcase player. Yuck.
I hope no one makes a buying decision based on this this review of a nice, old inexpensive (not "beginner") turntable.
Bought that in 1984. Let me know if you'd like the manual; I'll scan it to PDF.
Hi i got the same turn table, does the fonocaptor AT 3600 L works well with the SL BD1?
Grado still makes P-mount cartridges. They sound okay.
Thank you!
Hi
I just came across your channel and as an audio buff since 1972 (yes I am a geezer) I love it!
My question is I just found a Technics SL-20 turntable at a yard sale. It's in good shape except for broken wires. The wires are not detachable.
My question is it worth fixing? It is a better table than the one in your video, but not a great one.
Any advice would be welcome.
New subscriber John
From Canada
Hi John. Thanks for subscribing! Which wires are broken? If the RCA/ground wires are broken, that's a common issue on these old tables. If you are handy with a soldering iron and don't mind removing a few screws, it's not too hard to solder in a new pair and have a great vintage turntable for just $20!
Thanks for the advice. There is a shop nearby that repairs vintage equipment. They specialize in Technics tables. I think I will have them check it out and make any needed repairs and perhaps upgrade the cartridge.
Looking forward to enjoying your channel.
Thanks John. Have a great weekend!
Sir, you are right about that.
I spent years looking at new turntables to replace the technics I bought back in 1983. Got the technics SL-1200GR acouple years ago. Love it. Going to be a long time before it makes it into a 2nd hand shop!!
Awesome. Thank you for the comment!
This was my first turntable back in 1985. It was ok
Pay attention to details on a
vintage turntable in video.
Yep, I've owned plenty of budget Technics tables and always enjoyed them so didn't research this one when I bought it. Oh well! It's not a bad sounding table, just a little quirky in performance. Thanks for watching!
weight adjustment is via a screw in the back of the counter weight ...
Be careful running a valve amplifier with no load it can damage it stop putting that turntable down a lot of new stuff is not as good
You are correct, I would still recommend this one over some new models. It’s just not my favorite vintage Technics model.
Pmount..id avoid it.
I've enjoyed listening to p-mount carts this year!