Hello,
I'm in the process of replacing the optical pickup in a Technics SL-P1200 with one from an SL-P111. They are both SOALP-1200 pickups, however, there's a difference between them in the bushings for the shaft on one side.
As a result, the brass bushing is going to prevent the pickup from traveling all the way to the center of a disc unless a modification is made. It appears that the only option would be to shorten the nylon portion so that the correct distance is achieved. I can't think of any other solution. 
