I want an SP 1200 but damn!!

Hermit_Crab wrote:

Clint wrote:Nah bro those are S900/950's.

Im talking about the two SP's, one is the OG grey and one is a black reissue. But the writing on the back doesnt agree with convention...I thought the grey one would just have "SP1200" on the back, not "E-mu Systems SP1200".

Mine is OG grey and also has "E-mu Systems SP1200" on the back. Always wondered about that. Must have been one of the later grey models in the product line.

You learn something new every day.

According to heads over at the SP forums, and confirmed by Hermit_Crab, there were subtle differences between the grey SP's.

1st batch = Grey with "SP1200" on back, red fuse holder and square power switch (the OG)


2nd batch = Grey with "E-mu Systems SP1200" on back, red fuse holder and square power switch



3rd batch? = Grey with "E-mu Systems SP1200" on back and round power switch (claimed on SP Forum, but not evidenced or seen by Google). "i have a grey 7030 with the round switch and "E-mu Systems SP 1200" on the back,"

http://sp1200.myfastforum.org/Old_SP120 ... ut198.html

And what about this, grey with round black fuse? Or is this what that guy meant?



Having seen the SP1200 book, it doesn't address any of this definatively, if at all.

Thereafter, all SP1200 reissues look like this 1994 machine. All black case with "E-mu Systems SP1200" on back, no linear power supply, no "caution, this area get's hot" warning text, no fuse holder and a round power switch. Reissues have a green screen (OG's have blue) and some have chunky faders (OG's have slim faders).



The 125 Final Edition SP1200's built in March 1998 are as above, except they have the gold engraved plaque stuck to the front and shipped with a signed letter of authenticity from E-mu. The black ink comes off very easily if cleaned carelessly.

Of all the threads I've started this has got to be the most active. good to see so much interest in the beast (sp1200). good too that some of us have come up on nice pieces since. even if not the sp 1200 afterall. now when are they gonna reprint that book?

Well the SP forum is dying a slow death, maybe a couple of posts per week if that, so you probably did the Internet a favour kicking this off. Dunno what's up with the book, still waiting to get mine.

you know anything about the rotary pots inside the SPs clint?

ive heard they control the cutoff of the output filters, but havent been able to confirm any of this...

theyre pretty close to the ssm2044 chips.

cant find my pics of them. must be on another harddrive...



also.


could never confirm exact specifics of the differences in filter implementation and cable position between the 12 and 1200 either.

the forums werent conclusive either from my memory.


unfortunately, the sp book didnt really get into these topics either... unless i overloooked something........

As far as I know the filters can be adjusted to suit user taste, I was reading the service manual just yesterday. Not sure if that applies to all the filters, get your read on.

SP12 and SP1200 filters are the same. Nothing changed between the models in that regard.

experiencing the first problems with my sp..

Its been freezing up on me lately, like once a session if just freezes and requires a reboot.

Is this caused by overheating? And why does it start to overheat now, after 1 month of very long sessions, could it be cus its summer and warmer outside?

Run the diagnostics tests.

Hold down the SETUP button while powering on the SP1200.

You will need a MIDI cable, a TR/TRS jack cable, and a floppy disc to run all of the tests.

Yes the grey machines do overheat, but you knew that before you bought it. It's a 25 year old machine so you gotta be prepared for the unexpected/maintenance issues unfortunately.

You do know I've got the black SP1200 that you won? Damn the machine is minty fresh...posted about it on the previous page if you missed it. Your loss = my gain.

Horseclick wrote:

Ocular wrote:The word "of" on "31 of 125" is all capitals, while the "of" on "59 of 125" is all lowercase. What's up with that?

thanks for pointing that out, makes me wonder and increase my suspicion of fakes out there...no way the stamp changed between 20-30 units at the emu factory.

Some pics of my Final Edition.





Letter of congratulations from E-mu.



The 'Full Clip', 1985 SP12 Turbo, 1987 Original, 1994 Reissue, 1998 Final Edition.

Clint wrote:Run the diagnostics tests.

Hold down the SETUP button while powering on the SP1200.

You will need a MIDI cable, a TR/TRS jack cable, and a floppy disc to run all of the tests.

Yes the grey machines do overheat, but you knew that before you bought it. It's a 25 year old machine so you gotta be prepared for the unexpected/maintenance issues unfortunately.

You do know I've got the black SP1200 that you won? Damn the machine is minty fresh...posted about it on the previous page if you missed it. Your loss = my gain.

Haha yes ofc know it would overheat at some time! And it only doing it 3 tmes after 2 months of use is pretty good to me.
Haha well my OG is hella minty + replaced screen and serviced at a shop, so im good. If it goes wild on the overheatin ill just replace the power supply i guess, no biggie, so no loss on my end!

And ima try to put a old PC fan over the critical area, see if that shit helps during the 2 months of summer we have here in sweden

Grats on the grab tho, what was the problem with it? i recall it not startin or somethin

I posted the story a couple of pages back when I got it. The problem was you not the machine. At least you got there in the end, and you're a happy bunny. I don't think a fan will help you somehow...

Clint wrote:I posted the story a couple of pages back when I got it. The problem was you not the machine. At least you got there in the end, and you're a happy bunny. I don't think a fan will help you somehow...

Haha ouch!! Dude told me it didnt start and therefor he didnt wanna sell!
To my defense I was on that shit, PayPal just messed up on their end.

The fan was an idea i saw from a picture on the dxa forum, seemed legit.
and to qoute him: "Its better than no fan at all." Its gonna be free so ima try it

Clint wrote:The 'Full Clip', 1985 SP12 Turbo, 1987 Original, 1994 Reissue, 1998 Final Edition.

Dude. Duuuddddeee...

oooh c'mon clint. How much more? You're crazy. Buying all SPs of the UK and hire them......

peace

Clint wrote:

Horseclick wrote:[quote="Ocular"
The 'Full Clip', 1985 SP12 Turbo, 1987 Original, 1994 Reissue, 1998 Final Edition.

That is pure, unadulterated greed

I won't be buying any more SP's for now. Cashflow is a consideration any dealer must manage. I'm willing to sell one of these, but I don't have to. Always on the look out for a great deal me. Good to get the SP1200 monkey off my back, the TR909 still eludes me...