The Team
This website is not a business. (See our disclaimer...) It simply aims to be a quality support site, assisted by enthusiasts who enjoy their turntables. Here are some of our LP12 fundis who are ready to help you. If you need assistance, we advise you to contact the LP12 fundi closest to you. As we said elsewhere, sending your priceless LP12 by courier is just about the worst mistake you can make. Apart from having to pack it properly for its journey (Few of us have the original packaging material our turntables were originally delivered in.), the courier company is not going to treat the parcel properly. Rather just take it yourself. Here are some pointers before you drive off, to ensure that even if you take it yourself, mishaps and expensive repairs can be avoided.
- Remove the outer platter. Protect it properly with any soft material. Be careful that it does not slip out.
- Insert pieces of folded cardboard under the inner platter so that it is lifted up by about 1 cm. This way the central shaft's contact point does not touch the bottom of the bearing. At the same time there is little chance of spilling bearing oil.
- Remove the tonearm's counterweight. This protects the arm's bearings, even if the arm is tied down.
- Cover the cartridge. Nuff said.
Web developer and general contact
084 531-8046
LP12 Fundi, Pretoria region
072 039-5379
LP12 Fundi, Johannesburg region
072 336-5599
LP12 Fundi, Stellenbosch region
082 088-6688
Let us share some information about our team of LP12 fundis.
Andries Oberholzer, is me, just the web developer, but with a keen interest in music and vinyl. My vinyl days, like with many others, had its ups and downs. I started with decent products in 1983 when I upgraded from a Pioneer rack system to my first decent hifi. Lemmie Davis from Soundlab in Milpark patiently sat with me, a student at the time, for many hours and allowed me to listen to systems I could never afford (LP12/Ittok/Asak frontend, Naim amplification, and Linn Kan, Sara, and Isobarik speakers) but man, they sounded unbelievable. What I bought eventually was something more in line with my university bursary payout – a Rega Planar 3, NAD 3020A, Boston A40, Linn Kan stands, and Monster speaker cable. Later on I would sell these and go digital. It sounded excellent, but the same passion was never there again, until the second Planar 3 came my way in 2004, then the first LP12 in 2006. We often do stupid things. I admit that being out of the loop with vinyl for many years was one of the stupid things I did.
If you are in the Pretoria area, Dewald Visser is the man to contact. There is little he cannot do. I was fortunate enough to chat with him about the development work he has done for the LP12 sub-chassis. I saw the parts, and let me tell you, the build quality is exceptional. Dewald designed the various parts – sub-chassis, armboard, base, and top plate. Along with the smaller bits like springs, spacers, bolts, and nuts, this is a formidable kit that will let your LP12 really shine. While the bad exchange rate makes it expensive to source parts from abroad, it is great to see that locally there is immense talent. Dewald also builds his own amplifiers, and services just about any product that has to do with audio. More information is available on Dewaudio.
I have known Wayne Roux since 1989. In 2004 I bought a Rega Planar 3 (my second one), and Wayne installed a new motor for me. In 2006, he coaxed me to look at a LP12 and in no time I was the owner of a mint unit with an Alphason HR100S tonearm and Ortofon Kontrapunkt a moving coil cartridge. That was most definitely the best turntable I ever owned. Wayne is passionate about turntables, cartridges, phono stages, and vinyl, and has helped many fortunate LP12 owners to get the best out of their equipment, and many others to get a LP12. If you are in the Johannesburg / East Rand area, Wayne is your answer.
Leander Van Rooyen is a legend in the hifi industry in South Africa. He gets his passion from his father, who, along with Lemmie Davis from what was then Soundlab, was one of the first people to bring Linn products to our shores. Leander recalls that his dad knew how to perfectly set up a LP12. The apple certainly has not fallen far from the tree. We are delighted to have Leander on board. He brings a wealth of knowledge about the turntable and hifi in general. It is great to hear that there are individuals who are still passionate about spinning the black stuff. If you are in the Western Cape and your LP12 needs a bit of TLC, contact Leander without delay.
If you are experienced in working with LP12 turntables and would like to join the team, send us your details and we will list you here.