While tripping merrily through the mail, Blair Thompson was overheard
 -> I was wondering if anyone had any idea of what comprises a good
 -> hip-hop turntable set up, the kind that they use to scratch and do
 -> all those ill
I use a couple old warhorse Garrard SL-95B's (and whenever I see one at a
garage sale I grab it for parts to keep at least two up and running ), 
but I'm assuming you're looking for something new and a little more advanced.
What you want to look for is a direct drive, (belt drive will NOT work), 
and ideally ones you can turn on the motor and then engage a "clutch" to 
start it.  (Mine turn the motor on when you engage, so take about 3/4 turn 
to get up to speed.  What you want ideally is one that will get up to speed 
in about 1/4 turn.)
You'll also need to look closely at the cartridge.  Your "audiophile" type
cartridges are NOT what you want here, they are too delicate.  If you can
still find them, old Shure M3D's are virtually indestructable (but I'm not
sure they still make them), otherwise look for a good inexpensive fairly
rugged cartridge (I'm running a couple Shure M-15's right now, seem to
hold up well).  You'll also want to carry along at least one spare cartridge
mounted in a carrier in case you need to change one out on the job (or at
the minimum a spare stylus or two, but the stylus costs almost as much as
a whole cartridge, so I usually swap out the whole thing.)
Don (aka "Rick Morgan and his magic music machine") :-)
... Be sure to specify; 78rpm, 8 Track,or Edison Cylinder on your order.
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