I Bit the Bullet: Unboxing My Brand New Technics SL-1200MK7

There's only one way to know what it feels like to own a brand new Technics turntable. Used is used, no matter how well it was re-tuned by your favorite repair shop. Here's what it's like to open one a brand new box of Technic's latest turntable for DJs, the SL-1200MK7.
Towards the end, I give my impression on the overall button feel of this new unit. Ok, just kidding. I'll tell you right now: I seriously think it's fine, and it's an exaggeration to say that the buttons feel cheap. They're not the same as the metal buttons on the MK2, but I still think they're ok, and it's an odd, tiny thing to complain about. Will this last as long as the MK2? We'll just have to wait and see. Who knows, maybe I'll end up breaking these buttons in a year, although I think I'm rather respectfully gentle with my DJ equipment.
One thing that's interesting to think about though is this: Rumors are that in 1990, a brand new MK2 cost about $400 retail. If we account for inflation over the years, that would be the equivalent of $800 today in 2020. At nearly $1000, the MK7 is about $200 more expensive than it should be. However, the internals have been redesigned with different components, so it's arguable to say that a MK7 isn't exactly a "new" version of the MK2 but rather it's a completely brand new design. Whatever.
#technics #sl1200mk7 #unboxing

[@llewellyn56]

cool. awesome sl1200mk7.

[@zetamale]

When I think back to my childhood, I was such a lucky duck to have my parents buy me a pair of 1210's!

[@DJFeelsGoodman]

Luckyyy duck indeed haha!

[@alangross2277]

I understand wanting to buy brand new, but the price of the new tables is too much for my wallet. I bought my Technics SL-23 new, in the box back in 1976 and it still looks new, except maybe the dust cover which needs to be polished. I picked up a SL1200-MKII last year for$150.00. I took it home, cleaned it inside and out and then bought a Reloop cover and installed it to make it look nearly new. This table was used in a discotheque in Kansas City and has some pretty minor wear, that my SL-23 does not have, but it still looks really nice. It also has a sticker under the platter that states "modifed for disco use, May 1983" - whatever that may mean. The cuing lever does not lift the tone arm but other than that it works beautifully. Interestingly, the MK7 weighs 21.2 pounds, while the MKII weighs in at 27.6 pounds. The MK7 is 6.4 pounds lighter than the MKII...will it last as long? My SL-23 weighs in at 14.3 pounds, so I don't think the weight is an indicator of build quality, but does indicate the build is different, between the MKII and the MK7. Enjoy your new turntable, I've been enjoying mine for 45 years.

[@enriquemata9657]

Great honest review !

[@DJFeelsGoodman]

Thank you! I just got my 2nd deck and ill be making another video real soon

[@michaelcoco]

I got the technics 1200 new 17 years ago and still run like new . Never had to repair or service

[@DJFeelsGoodman]

Wow never had to service? That's impressive... I thought you'd at least want to re-oil the spindle bearing

[@michaelcoco]

@@DJFeelsGoodman Good idea

[@GroundBeatDe]

I have never bought a new one!!!! Never thought about that :) ... congrats!!!

[@DJFeelsGoodman]

Thank you! feels goood

[@DJFeelsGoodman]

Guahhh I still owe you an interview

[@kmDooms]

Lovin the PJ

[@DJFeelsGoodman]

thanks more to come

[@QoraxAudio]

5:16 Exactly. Tell that to all those people using smartphones on their platter to measure speed accuracy 😉 8:00 FYI, basically all dustcovers are acrylic or polycarbonate... only rare exceptions like custom hand build turntables have glass. 9:20 Yes, I wonder why they focus on scratching instead of mixing... 12:52 No, the buttons on the SL-1200/1210 turntables have never been metal. Look up the start/top button as original spare part for the MK2 (sfkt015-062) and look at the back side; it's clearly cast plastic. Only the rod molded onto that button is made of metal. That's why the buttons almost never get so ugly as the strobe dots do (unless they're used so much that the paint is wears off)... the aluminium strobe dots oxidize over the years because of greasy fingers, the plastic buttons don't.

[@DJFeelsGoodman]

Ah good to know. I have a pair of MK2s as well and the buttons feel more solid. It must have to do with the rod you mentioned.

[@QoraxAudio]

@@DJFeelsGoodman Perhaps, but I think it has to do mostly with the springs and switches that are below that metal rod...

[@lriosramrios1357]

Congratulations on your new turntable, enjoy it a lot, I hope I can buy mine soon, did you buy it at where you have a vinyl?

[@DJFeelsGoodman]

Thanks! And yea mine came with the Technics scratch / sample record. I found out recently that some people didn't get that... I'm wondering if it's regional. Apparently a lot of people in the UK didn't get their MK7 with the record.

[@Prafull.B]

Congratulations

[@DJFeelsGoodman]

Thanks!

[@PhuckHue2]

The greatest ever

[@jmad627]

I have the MK-2, and I love it. Yes it was used. Anyways best of luck listening.

[@yorkemar]

Back in 2010,,I bought a new Technics sl1210mk2 for hifi use. Keep it pristine and still goes like new. Apparently you need to oil the bearing occasionally atlhough I might get this done professionally..Good turntables.

[@DJFeelsGoodman]

Nice. I should probably give my MK2s a cleaning / oiling one of these days. What kind of oil did you use?

[@dwirf.trollan]

@@DJFeelsGoodman slop oil is fine

[@toneyisaiah408]

Nice turntable, Sir.

[@DJFeelsGoodman]

Thank you kindly

[@space6712]

Nice! I’m Planning on getting the 50th anniversary version. Did you get 2 turntables or just 1? I’m deciding if I should get 2, I’m mainly gonna use for scratching.

[@DJFeelsGoodman]

I got one first, and then i got another one later :)

[@reginaldbanks995]

There's no stylus. You never get a stylus with a new turntable. You always buy them seperately.

[@DJMikeron]

I almost made the mistake and bought this. For a 1000 Euros it’s bad quality . But it’s made for young people like you . Enjoy :)

[@MrMichaelfalk]

How does the base feel to the touch compared to the MK2? I remember bying the original MK2 30 years ago, one of the things I really liked was the heavy-rubber-feel in the base - felt like the thing would last forever...

[@DJFeelsGoodman]

the base on the mk7 is plastic, compared to that rubberized material on the mk2. Still feels alright in my opinion, but the mk2 feels more beefy and intentional with the material choice.

[@stevenl900]

You can only get a rubber base when you get the 1200G, GR + MK7 have plastic composite bases.

[@george78779]

And..........? The unboxing therapy.......

[@MogulProductions]

Does your platter wobble too (like mine did) and don‘t you mind that the pitch between -/+ 7 and 8 is not working?

[@DJFeelsGoodman]

Hi Mogul, I just made a video to answer your first question. Pls have a look and let me know if yours is the same as mine :) kzbin.info/www/bejne/a5K9hWaBirhrntE To your second question, I don't mind at all. I practically never mix in that range anyways. Usually, if I'm going from one bpm to another, I gradually get there across the span of a few songs while resetting the bpm after every new song, rather than transitioning a big jump by 10 or more bpm. But that's just my personal style I suppose.

[@djseasick]

Those were my gripes... But I bought the 1200 mk7s because they weight 21 pounds (mobility), and I plan to use my phase with them. So wobbling isn't a huge issue. Only the -/+ 7 range was a dead space on mine...

[@DJFeelsGoodman]

@@djseasick that dead region between 7-8 is there on every mk7 unit supposedly. Interestingly, i heard it's been there on earlier technics models as well (forgot which ones). But no one complained about it or it wasn't made a big deal... Less internet back then lol

[@FeeLtheHertZ]

@@DJFeelsGoodman "No internet back then" - Dude that explains everything these days, for real. But yeah they look sick, I used to own a couple MK5's, Numark TTX's and Vestax PDX's (I had great supportive parents, and really did my thing to swap around funds with sales etc. to buy what I wanted) - and Techs always. They're just my style. These look amazing, and I hate the bad rep they're getting undeservedly. Additionally.. anyone EVER think they may be lighter or were at least engineered to be lighter in an attempt to make gigging easier, you know? Like, sometimes it's THAT kind of thing that's DELIBERATE for things people don't realize at first, lmao. Anyways, good stuff. Dig em bro!

[@DJFeelsGoodman]

Sweetttt; yea if I didn't get this MK7, I would have probably shot for a pair of refurbished MK5s like you had. Never knew much about the PDX's except for seeing a few scratch DJs using them on KZbin. About the light weight-- that could totally be it. As much as I hate to admit it, the majority of turntable users are using them in a DVS setup where having heavy turntables isn't as crucial

[@brandonacree4605]

Yo, you got an affiliate link for dem pjs?

[@DJFeelsGoodman]

No but for $20 you can buy these ones directly from my body. Extra $5 for me to send them unwashed

[@monstabeatzz]

I didn’t get visual vinyl with my MK7’s ☹️

[@DJFeelsGoodman]

unfortunately, only some earlier special batch(es) included them. Didn't think I'd ever miss mine... but... now I've got an itch to buy other sample records to compensate lol

[@space6712]

What website did you order this from?

[@DJFeelsGoodman]

Astro AVL in Glendale, California

[@djsouth4621]

I have a set of mk7's...but I didn't get those records.

[@DJFeelsGoodman]

Supposedly, they only came on the earlier production run. On my 2nd mk7, it didn't have it either

[@buddafingaz9403]

Shes beautiful.... Congrats homeslice...Respex... . 🔥💯👍🙏🎶🌎

[@DJFeelsGoodman]

Thank you! Months later, still no regrets. I've thought about getting a 3rd lol

[@buddafingaz9403]

@@DJFeelsGoodman why not, if it will up your A-Game go for the gust homie.... Lol... Love the DJ name too!... Lol... Reminds me of Sal Goodman, the lawyer from Breaking Bad. Dope my friend, I'll stay tuned.... Respex... 🔥💯👍🙏🎶🌎

[@buddafingaz9403]

@@DJFeelsGoodman How much was this for just one Technics? I need a second turntable, so that I've got 2 regular sized turntables, & so I can learn juggling, & other turntablism tricks, as well.... 🔥💯👍🙏🎶🌎

[@volkerkonsen8156]

The buttoms are made of metal, aluminium.

[@TITOANDJOHNNYEDITS]

wow I bought 2 and did not came with that record!!! :(

[@DJFeelsGoodman]

Yeaaa! Apparently, it was a special thing. I think first batch MK7s came with it.

[@adamlw7181]

Mark two's

[@robertstevenson6715]

Unfortunately it's awful Nowhere near the SL1210 !!! Just Technics has it right I'm afraid !!

[@cd78]

How do you know it's awful given you don't own them

[@djsubculture2786]

Technics did have issues with the early production runs of the 1200MK7s, but those issues have been fixed. And yes, I owned a pair.