Technics has announced a limited-edition direct-drive turntable to celebrate the 50th anniversary of its legendary SL-1200 series.
The new model is based on the 2019-released SL-1200MK7 record player and features a golden anodised tonearm and an engraved serial number on the top panel. Included with each turntable is a slip mat with a gold-coloured Technics logo and a 50th-anniversary sticker. Only 12,000 units of the SL-1200M7L will be released worldwide, with the decks available in seven colours: black, red, blue, white, green, yellow and beige.
The original SL-1200 has been a club staple since being adopted by DJs after the record player's initial release in 1972 and is one of those rare components that blurs the lines between hi-fi and musical instruments.
The design of the SL-1200M7L includes a high rigidity cabinet and damping insulator to minimise vibrations. It also includes a starting torque/brake speed adjustment function, pitch control, reverse play, and a stylus illuminator with a high-brightness, long-life LED.
The SL-1200M7L will be available for pre-order from selected retailers on April 7th for shipment beginning in July, priced at £899 / $1099 / AU$1999.
To help celebrate the iconic deck's birthday, Technics will also be hosting a free live-streamed dance event in conjunction with Boiler Room on April 7th, beginning at 9am (EDT).
Over seven hours, seven international DJs will perform, each using one of the different colourways of the new SL-1200M7L. The artist line-up is set to include: DJ Koco (Japan), Mala (UK), Ellen Allien (Germany), Gilles Peterson (UK), Shanti Celeste (Chile), Marcel Dettman (Germany) and DJ CRAZE (USA).
MORE:
Read our Technics SL-1500C review
Tetsuya Itani: The history of Technics by the man who helped shape it
The best record players you can buy
