Back in 1974, Technics released the SL-1100A, then a smaller model, the SL-1200.
Other 'spin-offs' were the SL-110 and SL-120 (These models were sold without tonearms). These machines were never meant to be a "DJ" machine, just home units!

Then in 1975, Technics introduced a new series.. an SL-1500, 1400, and 1300 (Manual, semi-automatic, fully-automatic). These units had the looks of the SL-1200, but apparently did not have the start-up torque, nor the running torque.

Technics also came out with a line of "semi-pro" turntables.
They were the SL-1500MKII, 1400MKII and the 1300MKII.
All were digital readout, and all were quartz-locked.
They had a variable pitch control, adjustable from -9.9% to + 9.9%.
It was found that, when these were about 2 years old, as the result of a weak point due to a design defect, that the cue & auto-lift functions cease to work.

Panasonic was made aware of this problem when the units were still in production, and had redesigned this faulty part about a year after production on these models ceased, but the new part broke even more easily than the part it replaced.
Almost all of this series that one finds for sale will probably mention something about the cueing, typically "needs adjustment".

Although Technics started to phase out the SL-1200 in 1977, it had already taken it's place as the 'DJ's choice'.

By 1978, the only units available that would "stand up" to the uses and abuses of DJ's and clubs, were the MKII series. However, they were expensive, and not as easy to "use" as the SL-1200's were.

Due to market demand, Technics finally introduced the new quartz-locked SL-1200MKII, and a line of home units, the SL-1800, 1700 and 1600 (manual, semi-automatic, fully-automatic), and the "semi-pro" quartz-locked series, the SL-1800MKII, 1700MKII, and 1600MKII (manual, semi-automatic, and fully automatic).

By 1979, the SL-1200MKII, originally, was not well received by DJ's, at first, and any used SL-1200's were going at very high prices.
Only when DJ's got used to the quartz-lock setup of theSL-1200 MKII, and learning a different way to control the platter (slide control rather than fingers!), did the SL-1200MKII take off.

By the mid eighties, Technics did major changes to the SL-1200MKII, in order to cut production costs. Cosmetically, the machines are hard to tell apart, but there is big viewable difference is the use of a noticeably different hinge assembly.

Technics,along with many other of the Japanese and European manufacturers, made different versions of the same unit for different markets. Technics has been known to make 4 or 5 different versions of the same model!

The 1200's sold in the US were single voltage (117 volt) units, and were noted as 1200MK2 or M3D, first, only available in silver, but later made available in "black" (actually a very dark charcoal grey). If you bought these goods new, say, at an "importers", or other non "Factory Authorized Panasonic / Technics Dealer", the chances were nearly 100% that you were getting a unit destined for another market other than the US.

All "Official" Technics electronics came into the US through Panasonic Distribution.

"Grey Market Goods", which were those sold by non Technics dealers, meant that they were bought overseas, and brought in the US, to be sold direct to the public, bypassing Panasonic distribution and dealers (and extra mark-up!).

Usually a bit less expensive new than the US counterpart, there were disadvantages, the biggest being that Panasonic/Technics would NOT honor ANY warranty.

What you actually bought would have depended where you bought it, but most all were multi-voltage switchable, and that's the big giveaway!

A Technics turntable that had a "10" as it's last 2 numbers, rather than "00", meant it was destined for the non-US market, and, 99% of the time was (is) available in the dark charcoal color, only, and did not sell in the US through Panasonic Distribution, making them "Grey Market".

There are some exceptions to this rule, but most apply to other models.
An SL-1350 (an early stacking changer) is available in the US in dark charcoal,only.. .but, if you add "10" to the "50", you get a"1360", and that's the non- US version, and is silver!

Used SL-1200MK2/M3D's and their 1210 counterparts, are worth the same money, in the same condition. The only advantage to the 1210 models is that if you plan to use them overseas, all you need do is turn an easily accessable switch under the platter to change from 117 volts to 220 volts, which meant a step-up (or step-down transformer would not be necessary.

When Technics switched to the all-plastic units in around 1980 (with a few exceptions), it started their 'downhill slide'.
It got to a point in the mid 80's that the quality of their units were no better than any other on the market, and so they took a back seat.

It must be said, however, that their continuing manufacture of the SL-1200MKII is a credit to them. The quality hasn't suffered in the last 15 or so years, even if the list price has, recently down between £40 - £80, in order to better compete with the myriad of DJ turntables now flooding the marketplace!

There were other Technics turntables interspersed with the ones mentioned, from the mid 70's through the early 80's, such as the "pro line" for broadcast use, and some oddities like the SL-1401 and 1301 (semi-automatic and fully automatic) turntables that were a mix between the SL-1700/SL-1600 and the SL-1700MKII/SL-1600MKII. Interesting that these were Technics only machines with no variable pitch control.

Technics also had a line of stacking changers, the SL-1350 (based on the SL-1300) then the SL-1650 (based on the SL-1600. The next changer was an SL-1950, but by then, the Technics line was almost all made up of plastic units. Technics continued to manufacture stacking changers up through the mid eighties.

In fact, the older, metal series Technics, as well as the earlier plastic ones, still command a good resale price. Their service history was excellent, their looks, incredible.
These machines also helped cause the downfall of Garrard, Miracord and BIC, to name a few.

To this day, 25 years later, the SL-1200 MKII is as popular as ever, a used one for sale can fetch more than a new one did in 1979!
Because of the Technics reputation as "The DJ's Choice", most any older Technics turntable is in demand.



various sources

My Technics are almost 95% retired now, after almost 20 years use. I still take one deck with me to most gigs, and both if its a oldies night.

Despite being full-flight cased since purchase, they've still had to have 3 or 4 new phono leads fitted, which is a Buffer (spelling?) of a job, I can tell you, snce they are captive inside the machine, not removable plugs/sockets, like a "sensible" piece of equipment would use. (Ok, I know the signal quality, and the number of solder connections is preferencial in captive leads...but they dont do well for mobile use).

Exceptionally detailed post - thank you.

Ian Stuart

interesting post,

but a couple of points..

i read that technics designed the sl1200 ( or its predecessors ) for playing "karoke records" that were popular in japan at the time.

that was the reason for having the pitch control , and also the big stop start buttons and high torue for quick start ups.





also, i once owned a pair of technics SL 2000's

now these were black, looked a bit like sl1200's , but didnt have the same torque.

and they have 2 pitch controls, one for 33 and one for 45 !