SPOTTED: 7″ Technics SL-700 turntable in the wild

Your eyes do not deceive you — that's a 7" Technics SL-700 right there. Biz Markie rocked them at the Crotona Park Jams. Read on for the full story.

Technics sl-700 7" turntable stokyo.

Everything you need to know about the Technics SL-700

Yes – A Technics SL-700 was released

Technics SL-700 turntable Biz Markie Crotona park jams tools of war (5)
Image courtesy of Ignacio Soltero.

The Technics SL-700 – History

There’s a bit of a back story to this that started around 2005. I was sent the above image from a reputable source purporting to be a 7″ Technics deck. It doesn’t take much CSI forensics to see that it’s a mock up, but apparently came via a Technics rep. A month or so later, I happened to find myself upon the Technics stand at Musikmesse, and figured it was the idea time to get some verification from the horse’s mouth as it were.

I found a guy who looked high up the corporate food chain, whipped out my laptop and asked him if this image was real. The look on his face was as if I’d pulled out the secret area 51 files, resulting in a very serious “where did you get this?”, which at the time made me think that there might be something in it. Seems there might have been after all.

Technics SL-700 turntable Biz Markie Crotona park jams tools of war (9)
Has the SL-700 been on the cards since 2005?

Biz Markie’s Technics SL-700

The Tools or War Crotona Park Jams are a wall to wall Hip Hop legend-fest of epic proportions. And being something of a record collector, Biz Markie is a regular at these events. But in 2013 it wasn’t so much his ridiculous collection of rarities that caught people’s eyes, but the turntables he played them on. No, it’s not Photoshop — those really are 7″ Technics decks.

Technics SL-700 turntable Biz Markie Crotona park jams tools of war (1)
Image courtesy of Jorge Fabel Pabon.

And this was Biz Markie confirming that he has them

SPOTTED: 7" Technics SL-700 turntable in the wild

I bizmarkie has the only 2 pair of sl-700 in the world period …..

— BIZ MARKIE (@BizMarkie) July 26, 2013

Biz Markie using the Technics SL-700

The SL-700 Prototype

Technics sl-700 7" turntable stokyo.
A better shot of a Technics prototype. Biz Markie’s models feature straight arms for great stability, a mod done at his request. Courtesy of Charles @ Stokyo.

The Technics SL-700 Today

We still want these decks! There is a bit of a 45 revival, and as a limited edition run these would surely sell well. The entire Northern Soul scene is powered by 45’s for example, and that’s a scene that has maintained it’s popularity throughout the last 50 years.

Fantastic 7 inch mix from Connoisseur Soul. This set would definitely suit 7 inch only Technics

I’m hopeful that this is a developing product. I don’t know if Panasonic would be officially involved, or if it would be a very strictly limited  and expensive boutique edition. One thing is for sure — DJs and hipsters alike would be all over these if they ever did see the light of day.

Incredible 7″ turntable mix – Definitely not a 700 though…


How was the SL-700 built?

It has a custom made platter and plinth but everything else looks like it is taken from a 1200. Possibly the material from the bottom rubber was reused, but as you can’t see it properly, it might not even be rubber. Biz Markie’s pair have straight tonearms, but photos of the stand alone units have curved tonearms.  Biz has a modded version.

Is the Technics SL-700 for sale?

  • Commercially no, it isn’t and has never been for sale.
  • Could you offer Biz Markie’s (RIP 2021) estate ridiculous amounts of money for his pair? – (Everyone has a price.)
  • Could you build you own hacked version – Yes. (If you attempt that, hats off and let us know!)
  • And finally Biz said he owned one of two pairs. – So the tantalising thought is that you could attempt to track down the other pair.

The Technics SL-700 timeline (Sort of)

1972 – The original SL-1200 turntable released. It’s fair to say that Technics weren’t prepared for what happened next with those decks.

1981 – The Technics SL-7 released in 1981, and still around $300 second hand these days. (It’s not just Technics 1210’s that hold their value well obviously.)

SPOTTED: 7" Technics SL-700 turntable in the wild

1986 – The Technics SU-700 released. (Anyone want the updated MK2 version from 2020? – Just £2,295 for this integrated amp)

2013 – Biz Markie announced that he owned a pair of Techincs SL-700 7 inch turntables – and the internet goes wild.

2018 – The SL-C700 released – A high end CD player – Which is discontinued but was priced at £849

2019 – Then there was the even more expensive SL-G700 CD player – Which hasn’t even got a jog wheel! How can we mix on those?

2021 – The Kenelephant miniature Technics released. (Yes we know these can only play your 1″ records)

2024 – The mystery continues over the legendary Technics 7 inch turntable

How to play 7″ on a Technics 1200/1210

The good news is that it’s easy to actually play a 7″ on a Technics 1200 or 1210. In fact they come with the adapter required as standard. If you’ve bought your deck 2nd hand though it could be missing, as they are testing play things that tend to disappear over the years. It’s this, which lives in the top left of the deck. If yours is missing, grab a Technics 7″ adapter.

SPOTTED: 7" Technics SL-700 turntable in the wild

SL-700 – Your thoughts

It’s really nice to see them turn from Photoshop to reality. But what do you think?

Do you like them?

And importantly, what’s the maximum you’d pay for them if they ever did make it to production?

Would you invest in a pro for a smaller DVS setup?

Let us know in the comments below.

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Paul Ranger
Paul Ranger

I'm Paul the Editor of DJWORX. I took over from Mark at the beginning of 2024 to use my experience in my career and as a DJ to rebuild this iconic brand.

I'm a DJ, podcaster and radio veteran, with a background in technology publishing. My speciality is early to mid 90s house and harder beats, I also play upfront house and techno. I'm a DJ tutor and also teach DJing in schools as well as running DJWORX.

I've presented shows on commercial, pirate and DAB radio since 1991 and am currently on the Uk's largest independent dance music station, and original London acid house pirate Centreforce 883.
Tune in - Weds from 5-7am GMT via centreforceradio.com, DAB, smart speaker, app, Twitch/Mixcloud.

I play at clubs and festivals across the country, I selectively choose to play at some corporate events and private parties as an open format DJ as well, as I love the challenge of having to make all ages dance.

I can normally be found beatgridding and fiddling about with metadata as well as playing with the latest DJ tech.

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148 Comments

  2. If they really were to be produced, hopefully the straight tonearm would be standard……could really help with skip-issues when rocking 7″s!
    As for what I would pay……hhm, not sure…..most of my collection are 12″s so….I just dunno!

  6. I would LOVE a pair of these but would like to see them priced as a pair of 1210’s (as they were before they had stopped being manufactured).

  9. They’d be much lighter than 12’s which would make them more portable, but good luck finding 7″ timecode. I suppose you could cut down a 12″ control record.

  13. 7 inch 33 and 45 rpm records do exist. Gary Numan has a EP with ‘are friend electric’ that is 33 rpm.
    What I think of it? It will be way to expensive for it’s use. Even I wouldn’t buy it. And I own 5 1200’s – 2 are LTD.

  16. WANT!! I’d def use these with a DVS set-up. Or just to have just cos I can. If to be used strictly with a DVS set-up an 8″ platter would be nice as that’s the size of a pioneer CDJ jog wheel I believe. But anyway, yes I want a pair!

  17. Add a USB connection and onboard audio interface so they can be used as controllers too, and I’d be up for a pair. I haven’t got enough 7″ vinyl to warrant ’em just for that, and timecode is too old hat (IMO).

    • That would be an amazing price for 2 units. You can’t even get a new set of 1200s for that cheap. If these ever go to market, they will without a doubt be more expensive than 1200s.

  21. I would love a set of these. I can’t think of a reason why as my existing Technics do the job nicely…but that’s when you know you have a good product. People want one when they don’t need it :)

  25. wow! This truly a dream come true for this DJ. I have strictly played 45’s only for about 15 years now. Soul, funk, tittyshakers, instros, garage, surf & rockabilly. With a USB & possibly a pop up 45 adapter that can’t get lost or stolen, the lowest it probably could go for at first is a grand or more, but in the scene i work in, people’s minds would be totally blown, just walking up & seeing it…mine sure would/is.

  26. Yes they will sell! A lot of 45″.vinyl collectors are asking where to buy these 700’s I want a set myself!! Please put them on the market they’ll be a good sell! Please believe this!! 1000$ would be a good price for these monsters!!!

  33. I asked DJ Shadow about 5 years ago if he could make something like this happen, and asked the Numark company also (after they released those NS7 things), as I had burned through a few belts on my stupid numark portables. Direct Drive portables, yes! There have got to be many of us who cut up 45s only, and it’s not easy on belt-drive portables, of course, and it’s not easy on my 1200s either, getting the whole mat to spin against the platter with only a lightweight 45 (yeah, 7″ slipmats would help). Point is if I ONLY collect and spin 7s, the 1200 is wasted. The 1200 honors the 12″. I want something that honors the 7″. Would sell my 1200s and buy these immediately.

  34. The thing that attracts me most about these turntables is the portability factor. The fact that there’s the traditional Technics quality and durability on a smaller scale is awesome.

  39. I always thought a 10 inch Tech would be great! A slightly smaller setup for transporting from venue to venue. 4 by 2inch smaller on a road case makes a big difference. But a 7 inch plater with a tone arm in the way can get pretty tight. I guess I would have to try rockin on 1. My vote would be for a 10 inch plater tho!!!

  40. If Serato did a 7″ time coded Vinyl I would be on this! My 1210’s are loved but take up loads of room along with my CDJ’s and laptop controller.

  44. apparently they were only made for BizMarkie in 2011 so thats the only pair in the world according to him ” I bizmarkie has the only 2 pair of sl-700 in the world period …..”

  49. This is my idea, how this can be done:Take a 1200, pull out the tonearm, the motor, electronics, motor, platter… (cables, buttons, etc.). Find an experienced CNC driller, he can drill you the smaller chassis autta aluminium and the platter (the platter with some magnets is also a part of the motor), some more modifications must be done: shorter tonearm, bottom chassis (originally made out of some hevay gum)…. I think about 5000$ for one player, maybe the second one is much cheaper, because you have done the 3d modelling for the CNC. these are some absolutly killer nerd decks FANTASTICO!!! look at biz´s ring :) I LIKE :)

  50. They never should have stopped making the 1200 with the resurgence of vinyl. I”m not sure how Technics missed the boat on this one. Poor marketing. An $800 SL-1200 would still be selling.

      • i was ordering 50 units a month for http://redcoon.es when they decided to stop the production, and it was very very difficult to find a supplier who wouldnt sell you chinese fakes. There was a HUGE demand in europe when thet decided to shut down the MK2. I dont know what really happened. I remember there were orders we couldnt fulfill due to this.

  51. other than the size i see no advantages to a 7 inch deck, all it does is limit what you can mix ? no 10″ dubplates, the only advantage is the amount of space they take up so for a special mobile serato set up they would be cool but really i dont see any “real” DJ investiong in these OVER 1200/1210’s

    • real Dj – serato ???? Some djs have spent nuff years diggin crates to have nuff 7`s vinyl to play a set. Now that’s a real dj Not just simply downloading Terrabytes of music in seconds to use on serato. 7¬s is where it`s at. haha :-)Bless up.

    • the people who would buy this would most likely already have 12″ decks to spin other stuff on. It’s like a guitar player with a wall of guitars. a matter of choice and style.

  52. Technics no longer exists as a brand, so anything new would be under panasonic brand. Panasonic should at least license the platter/motor technology to someone else, they could make a lot of money just on licensing.

  55. as a collector of rare 45 vinyl the straight arms are a complete no no. the angle of stylus on the vinyl on the above photo is completely hideous!!! will cause masssive damage…other than that …desirable

    • Biz has had the decks for a couple of years spinning his 45s. I think if the arms had done any damage to his invaluable collection of 7″ records, he would have gave up the decks a long time ago. Just saying ….

  64. I think Technic or vestax should see this as an opportunity to start a whole new setup for the djs that won’t give up their turntables and don’t want to go the midi controller route. Make this affordable for everyone and technic will be reborn.

    • TECHNICS IDEA ,thoughts for a long time Panasonic make turntable with serato/traktor technology that can play control disc and vinyl , load tracks via usb , digital screen on back of deck for track selection , fuk peeps could have own branded control disc to, there is a market for this im sure

  65. WTF!.. OMG.. WANT WANT WANT!!..Well, now after reading all of these posts, isn’t it a BIG shame that Technics dropped out of this niche market (which I will argue as perhaps one of the coolest sectors of DJ iconography there ever will be). Come on Technics, WTF!! The potential prestige and influence Technics can have (yes, I mean this still today) outweighs the detriments of any profit or market blah blah blah! I would much rather sport a Technics deck instead of a Pioneer CDJ but ultimately, Technics failed to address ANY responsibility over their loyal fans leaving their backs literally in pain!!. The SL-DZ1200 failed miserably! Perhaps I can suggest a limited run of these sweet SL-700’s. OR, perhaps a TECHNICS + SERATO Direct Drive Controller as being the new standard (of course you’d have avoid the non-sense of the SL-DZ1200 and purify the controller to turntable perfection) in which I’m sure all of us have already dreamed about or literally hacked away over the years only to come short of a viable true marketable product!. The point is, there is obvious desire, potential, and love for Technics so PLEASE COME BACK FROM THE DEAD & DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS! I’m sure the return of Technics will be the nicest welcoming the DJ market will have in a long time ; )

  66. I realize that this 7″ only turntable is not very practical, at least for me, but damn it’s so cool. Would love to have two just for the sheer uniqueness. I guess the Northern Soul DJs who spin lots of 7 inch vinyl would love something like this.

  67. I’d love a set of those. Come to think of it – i’d settle for Biz Markie’s gold ’45’ 45 adaptors! Anyone know where he got those? Custom made?

  68. You know I don’t see Technics (Panasonic) taking us seriously, but I got to say with how well the V7 is built I can see Numark pulling this off. What do you guys think?

  69. TECHNICS IDEA , OK my thoughts for a long time Panasonic please could you a make turntable with serato/traktor technology that can play control disc and vinyl , load tracks via usb , digital screen on back of deck for track selection , fuk peeps could have own branded control disc to, there is a market for this im sure

  70. What would be a price people would pay (a piece) for a turntable retrofit kit?

    It could be a tiny Raspberry-Pi (or similar) computer with an SD drive slot, and a touchscreen that mounted on a 1200 that gave track and position info. It could use the MS.Pinky software as a backend.

    I’m not sure it would really be any better than a laptop running DVS, but could be interesting…I bet 1,000 hours or so could make it a reality.

    rs

  71. A vinyl dj turntable that would not play 12″ should at least offer something special and useful. Not a born-dead product for souvenir shops and fans of singularities. Using smaller platters (9″,10″) could be a compromise in order to integrate digital controls (i.e. Novation Dicer) and 1 or 2 slots for optional connectors/DVS/chipset$, while keeping the possibility to play regular 7″, 10″, and possibly 12″ (the Vestax Handytrax way). I also think that a modified version® of the hinge brackets of the Technics could easily support any touch screen tablet :-)

  72. I did this Picture! Yeeeehah! As fun in 2005 for a little Party i did for and with Tobias Kirmayer while he was visiting me!
    And guess i remember we posted it for fun on some collector forum on april 1st as april’s fool.
    Crazy shit…
    *pinto galli

    And I found the old flyer – there it goes:

  74. if anybody is willing to start a crowdfounding project for this, I think, there will be enough nerds to build. not an original technics, but very close, maybe with some improvements (possible to play 12″ etc.) … ?

  75. I fail to see how they would operate any better than a normal pair of technics and a decent 45″ adapter. Maybe I’m being stupid, can someone explain?

    • Does it have to be work better? Have a real purpose or fulfil a need? Or can it just be really REALLY cool? Technics gets a pass on the cool factor, and this alone makes them highly desirable. Better than spinning on a regular turntable? Who cares. ;)

      • Aye. As someone who never jibbed off his Technics, and for whom CDJ’s and midi controllers completely passed him by, I can personally attest for the appeal of the SL’s. Frankly, a 20th Century icon of design and function.

        I suppose I can see how a limited run of these special edition turntables would make for a highly prized collector’s item. For the average person though (especially those already owning SL1200’s), they are pretty useless (though really undeniably cute!).

        For me the interesting thing about the debate here is how much it reveals of the love people have for Panasonic’s old DJ division and how we really mourn it’s passing. I really like some of the guys ideas in this thread, for a new Technics deck with midi capability and DVS audio cards built in.

        Matter of fact, I’d be happy to see Technics use lower grade materials (plastic body, rubberised buttons, etc), just as long as the legendary SL series direct drive unit was still in place; if it could mean it being produced to a point where Panasonic could break even/make some profit.

  81. Peace All! Here is OFFICIAL video from last week’s Crotona Park Jam courtesy of Francisco Reyes (mamboso.net) of Biz Markie on his SL-700s as well as King of Diggin’ DJ Muro from Japan, GrandWizard Rasheen (who influenced DJ Cash Money) and Hip Hop pioneer Kool DJ Red Alert: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=529533757102208

    find Tools of War True School NYC Summer Park Jams at https://www.facebook.com/groups/101115026613/
    and here is the 2013 park jam event page – which we update weekly
    https://www.facebook.com/events/528772280516687/

  84. Panasonic could hit a homerun with these if they turn them into the ultimate CDJs.
    Make them switchable bedtween analog for vinyl and midi for USB slots or timecode vinyls.
    Offer an optional FX controller mated to it.
    And then offer a 12 inch version of the same thing.

    Result. Redemption for the SLZ.

  88. Peace Mark! Thanks so much once again for all the great coverage!!!
    Just in case anyone wants to see photos from the day Biz brought the SL-700s out for the first time at the Crotona Park Jams on July 25th – here are the links to an official video clip plus photos links from all our pro photographers! Enjoy! Here’s the event link for all the 2013 Tools of War park jams: https://www.facebook.com/events/528772280516687/ and here’s our official page on FB https://www.facebook.com/groups/101115026613/

    video ciip by Francisco Reyes https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=529533757102208

    photos by Joe Conzo
    https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.625317737487302.1073741832.322045264481219&type=3

    photos by Francisco Reyes
    https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.527940343928216.1073741883.121074257948162&type=3

    photos by Ignacio Soltero
    https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.696627773686810.1073741892.534394496576806&type=3

    photos by Ming Han
    https://www.facebook.com/ming.han.79/media_set?set=a.10151485907355933.1073741864.545875932&type=3

    CHRISTIE Z-PABON
    https://www.facebook.com/ChristieZPabon/media_set?set=a.10153030291430262.1073741855.805495261&type=3

    JORGE PABON
    https://www.facebook.com/JorgeFabelPabon/media_set?set=a.10152908821645377.1073741834.824685376&type=3

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