X

Metallica Gets Its Own Metal-Themed Pro-Ject Turntable, and I Will Fight You for One

If you ever drew a Metallica logo on your school bag, you know this turntable is for you.

Ty Pendlebury Editor
Ty Pendlebury is a journalism graduate of RMIT Melbourne, and has worked at CNET since 2006. He lives in New York City where he writes about streaming and home audio.
Expertise Ty has worked for radio, print, and online publications, and has been writing about home entertainment since 2004. He majored in Cinema Studies when studying at RMIT. He is an avid record collector and streaming music enthusiast. Credentials
  • Ty was nominated for Best New Journalist at the Australian IT Journalism awards, but he has only ever won one thing. As a youth, he was awarded a free session for the photography studio at a local supermarket.
Ty Pendlebury
2 min read
Metallica turntable with a red vinyl LP

The $1,599 Metallica Limited Edition Turntable 

Pro-Ject

For the fans who stuck with Metallica's journey from '80s metal heroes through their period as the internet's punching bag, to their eventual redemption, here is a turntable seemingly worthy of a devil's horn salute. The Metallica Limited Edition Turntable is a collaboration between the band and Polish manufacturer Pro-Ject.

The turntable features an MDF plinth, which mimics the band's logo and boasts a mirror finish for extra metal cred. But it's not just flash designed for heavy rock fans, as this table appears to have audiophile-level appointments, too. 

The player features a glass platter and the new aluminum subplatter, while the tonearm is S-shaped with a detachable headshell. The Pro-Ject Pick it S2 C cartridge comes pre-installed while tracking force, antiskating and VTA are all user-adjustable. To finish the package off, the metal feet are height-adjustable while speed adjustments can be made by flipping a switch (rather than by removing the platter and adjusting the drive belt).

metallica turntable top view
Pro-Ject

For me, I had friends who liked them in the '80s but they always seemed a little too... uncool. I came to appreciate the band after reading Jason Newstead's interviews in Bass Player magazine at the peak of their "pop" period. Do I want one of these turntables? Yes -- yes, I do. I mean, just look at all... that *waves indistinctly* Do I need one? Not at all. But if you have even a passing interest in heavy metal on vinyl, this turntable looks to have the sound chops as well as the look.

The Metallica Limited Edition Turntable will be available this summer for $1,599.