Technics (pronounced “Techniques”) first introduced its utterly game-changing SL-1200 turntable back in 1972. Developed and designed by a team headed up by Shuichi Obata, this new deck would quickly be embraced by New York’s early hip hop scene before going on to become the industry standard for spinning vinyl — with the vast majority of professional DJs still working behind a set of SLs even today. And with 2022 marking the SL-1200’s 50th anniversary, Technics has opted to celebrate the occasion via a limited-edition run of wheels of steel that are being offered in seven unique color options.
Christened the SL-1200M7L 50 Years Anniversary Limited Edition, this top-shelf version of the SL sees its high-rigidity cabinet cloaked in black, blue, red, white, green, yellow, and beige color options — all of which are inspired by street and DJ culture and are complemented via a gold tonearm, gold-outlined slip-mats with gold Technics logos, and special 50th anniversary badging inscribed with each unit’s serial number. Weighing 21.2lbs, this limited-edition SL variant also boasts a white LED stylus illuminator.
Capable of supporting 78rpm records along with standard 33-1/3 and 45s, the SL-1200M7L is powered by a cordless, high-torque, iron core-equipped direct-drive motor that’s armed with 0.132ft-lbs of torque and offers torque and brake speed adjustment, a pitch control function, and a reverse-play function. In addition to a high-damping insulator base, the turntable also gets a static-balance universal S-shape high-sensitivity tonearm set on precision bearings, as well.
All seven color variants of the Technics SL-1200M7L 50 Years Anniversary Limited Edition are available now, with pricing set at $1,100. Each of these premium turntable units is also sold with a limited edition control vinyl sticker.
