Doesn’t seem like an obvious collaboration, but these Fred Perry x Pro-Ject record decks are out now and based on classic polo shirt designs.
No, it doesn’t seem like an obvious match-up. But Fred Perry has been across so many music-based youth cults over the years. So linking its iconic Laurel Wreath logo to a record deck isn’t as far-fetched as you might think.
Not that’s it just about the logo on the slipmat, lovely as that is. There are three turntables here, with each one based on the colours of an original Fred Perry shirt. And then there’s the turntable itself.
It’s made by Pro-Ject, a company founded in 1991 by analogue music lover Heinz Lichtenegger, who reacted against the demise of vinyl and the growth of the CD by going in the opposite direction – pushing the turntable as the way music should be heard. It’s a belief that has been borne out over the last few decades, with vinyl sales on the rise once more.
The deck here is a mix of the company’s know-how with the visual appeal of Fred Perry. And it’s also an exclusive deck, a hybrid version of two of Pro-Ject’s most significant turntables – the Essential III and the Debut Carbon EVO.
The deck has a built-in adjustable phono pre-amp, the Laurel Wreath branded platter mat, an Ortofon OM 10 cartridge with elliptical diamond stylus pre-installed, speed adjustment between 33 and 45RPM and of course, the choice of the three colours you see here.
Not a cheap deck by any means at £450, but if you need a new deck and are a fan of Fred Perry (these will look amazing in any home), it’s worth considering.
Find out more at the Fred Perry website
