Limited edition bootie shaker

Technics SL-1200GAE

It’s not an overstatement to say the Technics SL-1200 turntable has shaken more bootie than any other instrument out there.

If you DJed, knew a DJ or shook your thang in a club anywhere from 1972 to 2010-ish, you are familiar with the Technics SL-1200 turntable. Or at least your ears are. The SL-1200 was the instrument of choice for many a selector. ASIDE: Anyone questioning as to whether a turntable can be considered an instrument needs to press play on Jazzy Jeff.

From the dawn of hip hop the Tech 12s were unrivalled, aside from a little competition from the Numark Pro TT-2 in the late 90s. What made the SL-1200s the perfect tool for DJs was a direct drive high-torque motor design, which gave them the ability to start and stop on a James Brown rim shot. Coupled the beefy direct drive with felt slip-mats and DJs were able to cut, rewind and scratch their way into creating a new genre of music.

With the rise of digital music, the plug was pulled on the 1200s in 2010. Six years later, vinyl is the cool old school and it just happens to be the One & Twos 50th anniversary. So Panasonic is resurrecting the SL line with two sweet decks: the SL-1200G and the Limited Anniversary Edition SL-1200GAE. The limited edition comes in a magnesium case, a step up from the standard aluminum. Featured above, Panasonic is producing 1200 of these puppies. Or in DJ terms, 600 sets.

Price wise, DJs should be prepared to up their cover charged as the SL-1200G is reported to cost $4000.00. No word on what the  limited anniversary edition SL-1200GAE will go for, but with only 12000 dropping worldwide, don’t expect them to be cheap.