If for some reason you've been living under a rock for the last week you wouldn't have heard the rumors that Panasonic would be halting production of the legendary Technics 1200 series turntables. Social networks were a buzz with the news all pointing back to just a few sources with not one of them getting official confirmation from Panasonic.

After an initial shock and mini obit to the beloved turntable, I was having troubles believing the news.  So I put my journalist hat on and started doing some research. I found a few places linking to a forum post but nothing substantial and nothing official. I couldn't find a single press release from Panasonic in any language so I called Panasonic Australia for comment.  Before I could get through to anyone, StoreDJ confirmed my suspicions that Technics WILL NOT be retired.

Here is a copy of the email sent to StoreDJ to clear up and confirm that technics will continue production, they posted it as a note on their facebook page. 

Source : http://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=191977045775

Dear Customers,

We would like to clarify an article we wrote in our newsletter titled "End of an era... Technics 1200". As it turns out, Panasonic have not discontinued the Technics turntable range.

We received this email from Panasonic today:

From: David Blair [mailto:XXXXX.XXXXXr@au.panasonic.com]
Sent: Monday, 30 November 2009 4:44 PM
To: Jeremy Leitch
Subject: URGENT please read regarding Technics Turntables.
Importance: High

Regarding an email I sent last week regarding the end of manufacture of Technics turntables
We have had a misunderstanding in communication with the factory and my original email is incorrect.
Panasonic will continue to manufacture and supply Technics turntables for the forseeable future.
We regret any problems this may have caused in the meantime.
Regards.
___________________________________________________________________________________________
David Blair | Sales Executive | Consumer Electronics Group| Panasonic Australia


Whether or not that was a planned viral marketing strategy or genuine miscommunication will probably never be known. But all we can say is thank you! Long live Technics! 

 

Gizmo over at Scratchworx posted an article a couple of days ago that I missed until just now outlining the craziness of this rumor and only re-enforces my thoughts on this topic. 

It's interesting to see that the speed of communications and the ease of access to information can get in the way of the validity of the claim. It only took me a few hours to question it and then to do a bit of research and funnily enough the rumor doesn't hold up. 

Remember kids, just because its on the Internet doesn't make it true.