ANYONE USE THE TECHNICS 1500 DECK?

**QUINNY** · August 22nd, 2002, 07:49 AM

The Technics 1200 has become a legend. It has always been a great deck to use.
In the early 80's, we couldn't obtain any 1200s for a new Discotheque I started in, but we got hold of some Technics 1500s. These were direct drive just like the 1200s, but instead of the variable speed via a long throw potentiometer, they had little push buttons that upped or downed the speed by 0.1% with each click.
Probaly not as ergonomic as 1200s, but great to use for long mixes so long as you could get the digits pressed quickly enough.
ANYONE ELSE USE THE TECHNICS 1500?

**disco1999** · August 22nd, 2002, 02:52 PM

I have tried the SL-1500MK2 and must say I used to like it a lot, it is somewhat different from the SL-1200MK2 without the slide pitch control but it was fine if u didn't need to change pitch rapidly. For those who may like to know, the SL-1300MK2 and SL-1400MK2 was exactly same turntable design as the SL-1500MK2, what differs is one being fully manual, semi-auto and fully auto. These 3 turntables were way ahead of their time when released in mid-77 with digital pitch display +/-9.9%, they are still often available for sale on eBay for a reasonable price, but often they need to be repaired, arm rest is often broken, etc.

The SL-1200MK2 is a superior product having a better torque for braking and starting plate.

**NickNack** · August 22nd, 2002, 03:30 PM

I've used them, too. At The Anvil, either late 70's or early 80's. Of the three house dj's, I was the only one who liked them. The other two couldn't or wouldn't learn how to use those buttons. They kept trying to 'drag' or 'race' the turntable manually with their fingers. Of course, direct drive won't let you do that. It's like they thought because the pitch slide wasn't there, they didn't have to do anything.

I got into them big time. I loved watching the little lights flashing.

Also, I found hitting those buttons to the beat or every other beat made pitch changes less annoying on the floor.

I did have one problem. One night, the entire club lost power for a split second or so. (Bad storm.) My first thought was I hope the circuit breaker shuts this system down. It didn't, but nothing blew. Instead, my nice, sleazy instrumental which I had pitched to minus 6.0 was now sounding 'fast'. I remember 'Mr. Levan' sitting at the bar, looking up and grinning. Probably thinking, "OK, bitch, get out of this!" :grin:

_________________
When you're under the Love Spell, be sure to Catch The Rhythm

Nicky

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: NickNack on 2002-08-22 16:31 ]</font>

**DJ Bozo** · August 23rd, 2002, 03:33 AM

I used the 1500's as well. Didn't care for them. Also used that 1800's for a while. Had two pitch knobs, one for 33 and one for 45 if I remember correctly.

**PeanutVendor** · November 5th, 2002, 08:22 PM

I worked on 1500's for most of my post-varispeed turntable career. They are a lot more precise than the 1200. If you know the songs well enough you can get yourself 'digitally' set up for a mix with great precision. I have got used to the 1200 and am fine with it, but the 1500 is what I still use at home. This turntable has my respect. 8)

**DJ-Pir** · December 29th, 2002, 01:29 PM

Quinny,

I used this one in the early 80's a few months, loved it because you could actually see the amount of pitch you applied whereas you had to guess the amount with the 1200's, although the build quality is far less than the 1200's and they are more susceptive to low frequency feedback.
The lower torque of the motor and the implicit slower startup don't really affect the usability for "in-the-mix" work.
Still the pro version of this (the SP15) is one of my treasured home-studio items.

**Masdefi** · December 29th, 2002, 02:55 PM

Never heard of that one in Italy. :cry:
I work with SL1200 and that's the best to me. :D
Is there any web page where I can have more info on that version? :o

**DJ-Pir** · December 29th, 2002, 05:11 PM

Masdefi,

There weren't too many SP 15's sold because of the high price, here in Holland they were mostly used for disco's and radio stations, while in the USA they used the SP10 mostly.
Bernie has one also, in the complete version.
Some pics of mine are here :
http://www.dj-pir.com/gfx/SP15-speed.jpg
http://www.dj-pir.comgfx/SP15-total.jpg

This one is definetely not for disco use, just for transferring vinyls to cd :)

**DJ Bozo** · December 30th, 2002, 04:18 AM

OK, the pix brought back nightmares.

Actually, I enjoyed my 1500's since I moved to them after the 1800's. Once I got my 1200's, I never looked back. :)

BTW, the 2nd link above has is missing a /.

**Bernie** · December 30th, 2002, 09:17 AM

Pir,

Nice photos of your SP-15. It looks mint-very nice. I noticed the end of record lift you have installed on your deck. Is that one of the Technics EP arms? Was looking at your base, is that a Technics base or one from a third party? Also noticed the Mexican RCA vinyl-gotta love those. I'll try and post some pics of my setup soon.

Originally Written by DJ-Pir

Masdefi,

There weren't too many SP 15's sold because of the high price, here in Holland they were mostly used for disco's and radio stations, while in the USA they used the SP10 mostly.
Bernie has one also, in the complete version.
Some pics of mine are here :
http://www.dj-pir.com/gfx/SP15-speed.jpg
http://www.dj-pir.comgfx/SP15-total.jpg

This one is definetely not for disco use, just for transferring vinyls to cd :)

**DJ-Pir** · December 30th, 2002, 04:11 PM

Originally Written by Bernie

Nice photos of your SP-15. It looks mint-very nice. I noticed the end of record lift you have installed on your deck. Is that one of the Technics EP arms? Was looking at your base, is that a Technics base or one from a third party? Also noticed the Mexican RCA vinyl-gotta love those. I'll try and post some pics of my setup soon.

Bernie,
The arm is a SME 3009 series III mounted on a Denon DP2000 console, just can'f find the Technics thing anymore.
The arm doesn't have an end lift, just manual operation.
Thougt the yellow Jessica Williams would look nice, also have on in red here : http://www.dj-pir.com/gfx/SP10-full.jpg

Since this is bound to be the last post for this year, i wish all of you discoguys and gals out there a very healthy and prosperous 2003 !

**NickNack** · December 31st, 2002, 08:23 PM

Originally Written by DJ-Pir

Bernie,
The arm is a SME 3009 series III mounted on a Denon DP2000 console, just can'f find the Technics thing anymore.
The arm doesn't have an end lift, just manual operation.
Thougt the yellow Jessica Williams would look nice, also have on in red here : http://www.dj-pir.com/gfx/SP10-full.jpg

Since this is bound to be the last post for this year, i wish all of you discoguys and gals out there a very healthy and prosperous 2003 !

Hi DJ-Pir,

May I ask what model Pioneer CD Player is that next to your turntable? Looks a little classier than my CDJ-500II :) .

:) Happy 2003 to you as well! :)

**DJ-Pir** · January 1st, 2003, 12:39 AM

Originally Written by NickNack

Hi DJ-Pir,

May I ask what model Pioneer CD Player is that next to your turntable? Looks a little classier than my CDJ-500II :) .

Nicky,
It's a CD-J1000, the latest Pioneer toy for the dj that can now really play cd's like you play vinyl.....
For a full feature list see:
http://pioneerprodj.com/products/cdj...j1000-intro.mv

**NickNack** · January 1st, 2003, 11:51 AM

Originally Written by DJ-Pir

Nicky,
It's a CD-J1000, the latest Pioneer toy for the dj that can now really play cd's like you play vinyl.....
For a full feature list see:
http://pioneerprodj.com/products/cdj...j1000-intro.mv

Thanks, I thought it might have been. I checked it out on the Pioneer sight. Really nice features. I loved my 500's the very first day I hooked them up. I'd probably go crazy with this model. Maybe I can drop a few hints for a "What I want for our anniversary" present. :lol: :lol: