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Tired of the same old assembly line turntables and looking for a unique one of a kind deck?? Finally one has arrived!! I call this my "Darth Vader" turntable. It's a custom Dual 1229 never seen before and it is definitely sensational!! Blacked out plinth and sound deadend dust cover holding a fabulous mirror polished chassis. I removed those cheap plastic levers that come standard on the 1229 and substituted the solid metal levers found on the 1219. Gone to is that ridiculous 1229 tonearm that only has the capacity to track up to 3 grams and changed it to the 1219 tonearm that tracks up to 5 grams for heavier tracking force. Believe me, this deck looks as good as it sounds. All automatic functions work as Dual intended them to. This has an extremely low profile dust cover and although it's set up for multi play, the dust cover can't be closed if you use the multiplay spindle so I recommend keeping it like it is. All levers, switches, and gears have been cleaned and lubricated. The motor has had both bearings oiled and the idler wheel has been rubber renewed. It comes complete with a Stanton 520v3 cartridge and an excellent original stylus. Sure, there's a lot of decks out there, but none like this. Take all the time in the world to decide but if you like it, why wait??? All my restored Dual turntables sell fast so take advantage of this one!!!Thanks for looking, Roger
Against recent used comps, US$775 lands well below the US$862 25th percentile and far under the US$925 median, so this looks like a strong bargain rather than a merely fair ask. For a Dual 1229, that’s a very attractive entry point if the deck is complete and actually working well.
The 1229 is respected for its lively idler-drive feel, solid build, and automatic convenience, and it can be a terrific listening-table piece when properly serviced. At this price, the upside is in originality, a healthy platter/motor, and whether key bits like the cartridge sled, dust cover, and changer parts are included; if those are present, it’s a very worthwhile buy.
Independent perspective — not a price guarantee. Always verify condition, accessories and provenance before purchase.
Dual emerged from the Black Forest region of Germany in 1907, when brothers Christian and Joseph Steidinger began manufacturing clockwork and gramophone components in St. Georgen. The company adopted its now-iconic name in 1927 after pioneering dual-mode power supplies that allowed gramophones to operate from either mains electricity or mechanical wind-up mechanisms. This innovation marked the beginning of Dual's transition from component supplier to full-fledged audio manufacturer, establishing a foundation of engineering precision that would define the brand for decades.
Dual built its reputation primarily as a turntable specialist, becoming Europe's largest turntable manufacturer by the post-war era with over 3,000 employees across multiple factories. Beyond vinyl playback, the company expanded into cassette players, CD players, and broader consumer electronics throughout the 1970s and 1980s, demonstrating versatility across analog and digital formats. The company's focus on mechanical excellence and stable drive systems earned it recognition as a dependable, quality-focused manufacturer throughout its European heyday.
Today, Dual occupies a fragmented market position following corporate restructuring in the 1990s and subsequent ownership changes. The original German turntable line continues production in St. Georgen under Alfred Fehrenbacher GmbH, maintaining traditional manufacturing standards and appealing to vintage enthusiasts and collectors. Separately, Namsung Electronics markets Dual-branded consumer electronics in the Americas at accessible price points. The brand's legacy rests primarily on its classic turntables, which remain highly sought after by collectors and audiophiles valuing precision engineering and heritage craftsmanship.
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