I have the same model, given to me as a Christmas gift in 2002. It's not fancy by a long shot, but has always served my needs well. I used the built-in preamp for years until I puchased a receiver a few months ago that has a phono input; the built-in preamp is fine. I replaced the stylus in early 2008, and I feel it may be getting time to do so again. It's funny you mention that yours plays slightly slow; mine plays just a hair too fast--though most people wouldn't notice anyway.
Ren and Stimpy were originally a MTV offering. They were a MUST SEE late evening show. And yes it is definitely NOT a kids show. Kind of like Bugs Bunny and the rest of the Looney Toons were actually adult shows diguised as a kids show. The Haggis McHaggis episodes were the most, ahem, adult ones. You can see quite a few of them on this very site.
Thanks for the post and sharing some history on this turntable. I just inherited this turntable but the stylus was a goner. They are easy and cheap to find on eBay. On order now. Looking forward to playing some old albums that I had in storage.
whoah I was put in a dizzying trance watching that thing spin..now my room is spinning like a rollercoaster..someone please let me off this rollercoaster I think I am gonna fall on the ceiling :) lol j/k
How do you adjust the speed? I found a few holes on the bottom labeled 33 and 45 but the inside of the holes are covered by a thin foam material. I was able to push through with a small screwdriver but can't even see what kind of screws are in there. EDIT: I made it work with a flathead screwdriver. You just have to go by feel. My first adjustment while the turntable was spinning it sounded like I was shorting the motor so then I stopped the motor before making each successive adjustment. It's almost impossible to get it precise but pretty close. The speed on this grade of turntable wavers a bit due to DC motor and belt drive. The better ones use AC motor direct drive and the best ones use quartz-locked speed control.
Have had mine since I bought it radio shack long time ago have not connected in a long time but when david bowie died wanted to listen to 10 of his records I have. Problem is cable does not work with my stereo, only have input in female place on stereo with two male plugs on turntable. Would appreciate any cable info, looked around no posting about this.
+John Charles I don't understand the problem; male plugs should be right for a female jack if they are both RCA-style connectors. But whatever it is, they have male-to-male and female-to-female adapters in must electronics stores or musical-instrument stores. If it's some proprietary connector from an '80s "rack system", you might have to cut it off and replace it with RCA plugs.
@uxwbill It's a bit strange that several years ago, the GE Superadio III was mysteriously rebranded as the RCA Superadio III. And GE certainly puts their name on a wide range of products, including digital cameras and computer accessories. Of course, the same is true of many of the former U.S. manufacturing giants of consumer products, such as that terribad Sylvania Windows CE netbook computer, and my Westinghouse 17-inch LCD monitor.
I have a question. I have the Optimus Lab 1100, very similar to this turntable. It plays just a hair faster than it should. I tracked it at 33.50 rpm, so the pitch of everything sounds slightly higher than it should. How do I fix this exactly? Thanks.
There are motor speed adjustments accessible through holes in the bottom of the turntable case. Use only a nonmetallic tool to adjust them. You may not be able to get it any closer, though. The adjustments are pretty coarse.
@@uxwbill The holes in my motor are covered by a thin foam material on the inside. I'm able to push through with a small screwdriver but can't even see what type of screw it is. What kind of non-metallic tool would you suggest? (At least the handle of my screwdriver is plastic.) EDIT: I made it work with a flathead screwdriver. You just have to go by feel. My first adjustment while the turntable was spinning it sounded like I was shorting the motor so then I stopped the motor before making each successive adjustment. It's almost impossible to get it precise but pretty close. The speed on this grade of turntable wavers a bit due to DC motor and belt drive. The better ones use AC motor direct drive and the best ones use quartz-locked speed control.
Its always a good thing to shop at the goodwill stores it helps other folks out . I buy my clothes and a few other things at my salvation army store around 30 miles from me . I make special trips to shop there I wish there was a close goodwill but alas none closer than the salvation army . Our shop also does not have very muck electronics . Your seems to have a lot of electronics I guess its because its a goodwill store .
One minor gripe, though: when I connect the ground wire to the designated ground terminal on the back of my receiver, there is a very soft hum, which is not intrusive but can be heard at higher volumes, especially with headphones. When I do not connect the ground wire to anything, the hum goes away. Weird.
@uxwbill Thank you for your reply. I'll be very thankful if you could tell me where to screw/add ground wire on this turntable. I've searched with Google about this and even wrote to SONY, but they told me that it does not have ground (at least not out of the box).
Do a simple Google-video or youtube search and can find episodes of Ren and Stimpy. You would like them, they parody toys and lifestyles of the 1950s and 1960s.
so if i don't have a preamp, an amplifier, or speakers, just this model of a turntable, is it worth any money to hang on to? or just get rid of it and wait until I have the finances to buy everything?
You don't need a preamplifier with this model. Get a cable adapter (2xRCA male to 1/8" TRS female) and you could play it into a cheap set of computer speakers.
Weird. There are a lot of turntables that have that same design template. I have an Aiwa that looks exactly the same but silver. I'll make a video of it somewhen.
+Watcher3223 It would be nice if someone sold weighted mats for all the turntables that have been made over the years with crappy plastic platters. A little extra inertia would probably do wonders for them.
Does the size selector switch really say 12" and 6"? Wow. You'd think if they were going to Americanize it (most of these turntables have the sizes listed in centimeters), they'd at least know that a 45 RPM single is 7 inches in diameter, not 6! And is that a plastic platter? Most of the other variations of this turntable use a stamped aluminum platter.
Bill. I have changed out Carts before. But,,,,,I have a LAB 1200, and I have tried to "pull down", "pull outward" the cart, and its not budging. I don't want to break anything. What do you recommend?
You can't actually change the cartridge on these turntables.... however, you CAN replace the existing stylus for the permanently installed Audio-Technica AT3600 cartridge, if you want to do so.
+Pretentious Taste Replacement stylus cartridges for this turntable should not be that difficult to locate. www.amazon.com/TECHNICA-ATN3600L-Replacement-Stylus-AT3600L/dp/B00066XTBA
Sounds like the drive belt is a bit tired, the strobe disk will do the job but ive found due to the odd speed of 33 and 1/3rd used in the uk the strobe wont get that spot on at 60hz. Same probem here in the uk but reversed, 45rpm wont be exact at 50hz mains. Thank god the deck isnt usb as those analog to digital converters can be crap :-) Nice vid bill :-)
@uxwbill Lookup Stinky Wizzleteats Happy Happy Joy Joy song look for the ren and stimpy video lol the song is actually played on a record. I remember watching this show as a kid.
Hi. Mine is a SONY :) It really isn't bad, I'm happy about how it sounds for its money. Do you get static electricity on the vinyl while playing? I don't know how to get rid of that because it does not have a ground connection.
Heh! A Ren and Stimpy slipmat! You got me thinking about The Goddamn George Liquor Program now... LOL!! I happen to own the same turntable, except it's badged as Nexxtech for Canadian The Source stores. I found it at the thrift store in early 2011 - a date sticker on the back reveals that it actually isn't that old (2008) compared to your RCA LAB-1200. The original stylus is still good, thankfully. Great sound! Actually, you are incorrect about the speed. It runs a touch fast, not slow.
i happen to have the sony version of this turntable and while i think the mechanics of it are cheap and disgusting, the really good audio-technica cartridge really makes up for it with great sound.
I bought the same RCA turntable19 years ago for my birthday and my records sounds great with my my JVC receiver and Bose speakers.
I really like how the label for the size selector says 6 inches instead of 7 inches
i bought one of these brand new at radio shack.2001 or so.still have it
Very informative!
I have the same model, given to me as a Christmas gift in 2002. It's not fancy by a long shot, but has always served my needs well. I used the built-in preamp for years until I puchased a receiver a few months ago that has a phono input; the built-in preamp is fine. I replaced the stylus in early 2008, and I feel it may be getting time to do so again. It's funny you mention that yours plays slightly slow; mine plays just a hair too fast--though most people wouldn't notice anyway.
Ren and Stimpy were originally a MTV offering. They were a MUST SEE late evening show. And yes it is definitely NOT a kids show. Kind of like Bugs Bunny and the rest of the Looney Toons were actually adult shows diguised as a kids show. The Haggis McHaggis episodes were the most, ahem, adult ones. You can see quite a few of them on this very site.
That's for uploading this.
Was scratching my head trying to find the pre amp on/off switch on mine.
Your a champion. Thanks.
Thanks for the post and sharing some history on this turntable. I just inherited this turntable but the stylus was a goner. They are easy and cheap to find on eBay. On order now. Looking forward to playing some old albums that I had in storage.
beats crosley!
@itscool1968 It is a metal tonearm, and these are rated as having a tracking force of 3.5 grams.
The manual says 3.5 ± 1.0.
I bought a Toshiba fully automatic turntable exactly like this at a yard sale for 5$ and it works perfectly 👌
whoah I was put in a dizzying trance watching that thing spin..now my room is spinning like a rollercoaster..someone please let me off this rollercoaster I think I am gonna fall on the ceiling :) lol j/k
do you have any tutorials on speed adjustment for this model?
Thank you for this! You saved me from buying a preamp, I didn't know it had a line out feature.
@itscool1968 I believe the original design spec for the "microgroove" LP/45 format was a tracking force of between 3 and 5 grams.
aww man this video takes me way way back lol
Cool turntable.
Got mine for $2.25. I like it!
You can get the -same- almost identical Audio-Technica AT-LP60 for $100 if you like the look and features.
My new Dual turntable looks the same as this one. This is great basic turntable.
I adjusted the speed on mine, now i just have to play around with the control that adjusts where the tonearm sets down.
How do you adjust the speed? I found a few holes on the bottom labeled 33 and 45 but the inside of the holes are covered by a thin foam material. I was able to push through with a small screwdriver but can't even see what kind of screws are in there.
EDIT: I made it work with a flathead screwdriver. You just have to go by feel. My first adjustment while the turntable was spinning it sounded like I was shorting the motor so then I stopped the motor before making each successive adjustment. It's almost impossible to get it precise but pretty close. The speed on this grade of turntable wavers a bit due to DC motor and belt drive. The better ones use AC motor direct drive and the best ones use quartz-locked speed control.
Ren And Stimpy. The first cartoon on Nickelodeon to only be aired at night,due to the humor.
Have had mine since I bought it radio shack long time ago have not connected in a long time but when david bowie died wanted to listen to 10 of his records I have. Problem is cable does not work with my stereo, only have input in female place on stereo with two male plugs on turntable. Would appreciate any cable info, looked around no posting about this.
+John Charles I don't understand the problem; male plugs should be right for a female jack if they are both RCA-style connectors. But whatever it is, they have male-to-male and female-to-female adapters in must electronics stores or musical-instrument stores. If it's some proprietary connector from an '80s "rack system", you might have to cut it off and replace it with RCA plugs.
@uxwbill It's a bit strange that several years ago, the GE Superadio III was mysteriously rebranded as the RCA Superadio III. And GE certainly puts their name on a wide range of products, including digital cameras and computer accessories. Of course, the same is true of many of the former U.S. manufacturing giants of consumer products, such as that terribad Sylvania Windows CE netbook computer, and my Westinghouse 17-inch LCD monitor.
speed sounds pretty good actually
I miss Ren and Stimpy. I'd like to find one of those mats for my turn table.
I have a question. I have the Optimus Lab 1100, very similar to this turntable. It plays just a hair faster than it should. I tracked it at 33.50 rpm, so the pitch of everything sounds slightly higher than it should. How do I fix this exactly? Thanks.
There are motor speed adjustments accessible through holes in the bottom of the turntable case. Use only a nonmetallic tool to adjust them.
You may not be able to get it any closer, though. The adjustments are pretty coarse.
@@uxwbill The holes in my motor are covered by a thin foam material on the inside. I'm able to push through with a small screwdriver but can't even see what type of screw it is. What kind of non-metallic tool would you suggest? (At least the handle of my screwdriver is plastic.)
EDIT: I made it work with a flathead screwdriver. You just have to go by feel. My first adjustment while the turntable was spinning it sounded like I was shorting the motor so then I stopped the motor before making each successive adjustment. It's almost impossible to get it precise but pretty close. The speed on this grade of turntable wavers a bit due to DC motor and belt drive. The better ones use AC motor direct drive and the best ones use quartz-locked speed control.
Its always a good thing to shop at the goodwill stores it helps other folks out . I buy my clothes and a few other things at my salvation army store around 30 miles from me . I make special trips to shop there I wish there was a close goodwill but alas none closer than the salvation army . Our shop also does not have very muck electronics . Your seems to have a lot of electronics I guess its because its a goodwill store .
I’m trying to check the belt on mine and I can not for the life of me get the platter off
Rotate the platter until one of the holes is over the position where the belt runs on the motor spindle.
One minor gripe, though: when I connect the ground wire to the designated ground terminal on the back of my receiver, there is a very soft hum, which is not intrusive but can be heard at higher volumes, especially with headphones. When I do not connect the ground wire to anything, the hum goes away. Weird.
wow!!! i just got this turntable frommy uncle today! along with that motown record lol
@uxwbill
Thank you for your reply. I'll be very thankful if you could tell me where to screw/add ground wire on this turntable. I've searched with Google about this and even wrote to SONY, but they told me that it does not have ground (at least not out of the box).
@tigerglebe Looks like I was told wrong, I can't remember where I heard that... Though I do know that GE sells insurance.
i have this exact model, no needle, what do I search for on ebay to replace it?
call the needle doctor at 1 800 229 0644 or www. needle doctor .com
According to the manual the replacement stylus is AT3600LAX, originally available through RadioShack.
RCA had really good prducts when they were being made in japan. lasted forever.
now.....i dont know what they are anymore lol
@uxwbill i'd say that's a good idea
Do a simple Google-video or youtube search and can find episodes of Ren and Stimpy. You would like them, they parody toys and lifestyles of the 1950s and 1960s.
so if i don't have a preamp, an amplifier, or speakers, just this model of a turntable, is it worth any money to hang on to? or just get rid of it and wait until I have the finances to buy everything?
You don't need a preamplifier with this model. Get a cable adapter (2xRCA male to 1/8" TRS female) and you could play it into a cheap set of computer speakers.
@@uxwbill Since the cables coming out of the turntable have RCA male plugs, shouldn't the adapter be 2xRCA female to 1/8" TRS female?
Weird. There are a lot of turntables that have that same design template. I have an Aiwa that looks exactly the same but silver. I'll make a video of it somewhen.
Huh, so just like the Aiwa version of this AudioTechnica-built turntable, the RCA version uses a plastic platter instead of an aluminum one.
+Watcher3223 It would be nice if someone sold weighted mats for all the turntables that have been made over the years with crappy plastic platters. A little extra inertia would probably do wonders for them.
Some Sony and Pioneer turntables are of similar quality, which is decent quality. Not high end and definitely not a crosley or other cheap turntable.
It did sound a touch slow, but it was nice nonetheless. The Ren and Stimpy slipmat was a unique touch. MOTOWN ROCKS!!!
Does the size selector switch really say 12" and 6"? Wow. You'd think if they were going to Americanize it (most of these turntables have the sizes listed in centimeters), they'd at least know that a 45 RPM single is 7 inches in diameter, not 6!
And is that a plastic platter? Most of the other variations of this turntable use a stamped aluminum platter.
you can download a strobe disc from vinylengine dot c o m
The Weight by The Band
Bill. I have changed out Carts before. But,,,,,I have a LAB 1200, and I have tried to "pull down", "pull outward" the cart, and its not budging. I don't want to break anything. What do you recommend?
Sorry, I don't have any suggestions.
You can't actually change the cartridge on these turntables.... however, you CAN replace the existing stylus for the permanently installed Audio-Technica AT3600 cartridge, if you want to do so.
What stylus did you use for this thing? Looking for a replacement part and it's v hard
+Pretentious Taste
Replacement stylus cartridges for this turntable should not be that difficult to locate.
www.amazon.com/TECHNICA-ATN3600L-Replacement-Stylus-AT3600L/dp/B00066XTBA
mmmm.. Sansui sound.. you never told me you fixed that bugger!.. :D
Just got one in perfect condition at Goodwill for $8.
@uxwbill ...and if memory serves, the original GE corporation; we now know as "GEICO"
Sounds like the drive belt is a bit tired, the strobe disk will do the job but ive found due to the odd speed of 33 and 1/3rd used in the uk the strobe wont get that spot on at 60hz.
Same probem here in the uk but reversed, 45rpm wont be exact at 50hz mains.
Thank god the deck isnt usb as those analog to digital converters can be crap :-)
Nice vid bill :-)
@uxwbill Lookup Stinky Wizzleteats Happy Happy Joy Joy song look for the ren and stimpy video lol the song is actually played on a record. I remember watching this show as a kid.
Hi. Mine is a SONY :) It really isn't bad, I'm happy about how it sounds for its money. Do you get static electricity on the vinyl while playing? I don't know how to get rid of that because it does not have a ground connection.
Ok Bill,I give up.what was the Artist/Song name of the first record you played?.I have a feeling I MIGHT know but wanna be sure.
Heh! A Ren and Stimpy slipmat! You got me thinking about The Goddamn George Liquor Program now... LOL!!
I happen to own the same turntable, except it's badged as Nexxtech for Canadian The Source stores. I found it at the thrift store in early 2011 - a date sticker on the back reveals that it actually isn't that old (2008) compared to your RCA LAB-1200. The original stylus is still good, thankfully. Great sound!
Actually, you are incorrect about the speed. It runs a touch fast, not slow.
good song from easy rider
i happen to have the sony version of this turntable and while i think the mechanics of it are cheap and disgusting, the really good audio-technica cartridge really makes up for it with great sound.
That slip mat rules. Too bad it is fabric
you should watch it. youtube videos are even good enough.
Turdtable lol
NOPE!
FIRST!