Gadgets

Miss the Technics SL-1200 Turntable? Sign the Petition!

Alan Cross 2 Comments

I will go to my grave saying that the Technics SL-12oo series of turntables were among the best machines created by humankind.  Period.  Full stop.

They were durable, reliable and virtually indestructible.  I saw units abused year-in and year-out at radio stations and clubs and never once saw one break down.  Not.  One.

I have one in my home studio, one of the last units made before Technics decided to pull the plug on them in October 2010.  I fully expect this to be the last turntable I will ever buy.

Yes, its’ strange that Technics would stop making the SL-1200 after almost 40 years even as vinyl sales were experiencing a steady uptick.  I’m sure they had their business reasons, but I (along with many others) still feel that this decision was shortsighted and wrong.

If you feel the same way, there’s a new petition at Change.org that demands Technics resurrect the SL-1200.  I quote:

For turntable-fanatics we’ve seen technology advance expeditiously and that’s not to say there are no benefits to the digitalisation of music – there are plenty, it’s of course great for music at large. However we feel that there’s a place for vinyl and the traditional DJ’ing and turntablism is too – and this is where we feel the Technics SL 1200s are vital. After all, vinyl sales have been rising year on year for some time now having a recent resurgence, so quality equipment should surely be available to play records with.

Things started slow, but as of this writing, more than 8,000 people have signed the petition.  Read more at The Vinyl Factory.

Alan Cross

is an internationally known broadcaster, interviewer, writer, consultant, blogger and speaker. In his 40+ years in the music business, Alan has interviewed the biggest names in rock, from David Bowie and U2 to Pearl Jam and the Foo Fighters. He’s also known as a musicologist and documentarian through programs like The Ongoing History of New Music.

Alan Cross has 38035 posts and counting. See all posts by Alan Cross

You May Also Like

There’s a petition to name an Ontario highway after Gordon Lightfoot

Alan Cross 0

Let’s Make Ozzy a KNIGHT, Part…Um.

Alan Cross 0

English Lesson: What’s the Plural of “Vinyl?”

Alan Cross 0

2 thoughts on “Miss the Technics SL-1200 Turntable? Sign the Petition!”

  • Alan…

    What do you think of the Audio Technica AT-LP120? I know, I know…a pale comparison to something so iconic, but I’ve been using mine regularly for about 18 months and am very happy with it.

    Just curious…I am an audiophile, but not a vinylite and certainly haven’t spun as many records as you.

    sb

    Reply
    • Alan Cross
      Post author
      April 11, 2014 at 7:53 am
      Permalink

      I honestly have no experience with it. Anyone else want to weigh in?

      Reply

Let us know what you think!

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.