As you brace for a cold winter in the next couple of months, think back to a warm sunny Saturday afternoon beachside with sand, surf, friends and your favorite tunes playing.
Casper Yardely shared some shots of one of his stereos (he has several) on the beach. He says, “The Aiko ATPR-9000 is the regular one that goes, thought one week I brought the Marantz CRS-4000… nervously. A JVC RC-656 makes its way up from time to time, and a Realistic SCR-8 once in a while goes along for the ride. The Aiko is the “beach goer”, and Its ridiculous how many people comment on it as we are walking there and even while we are there. Others have their cheesy iPod docking stations which sound horrible with exaggerated treble and crappy bass, where as the units I bring have the “throw” of mid-range and realistic treble and bass. All the same, I have yet to once see any body else… not one… have a traditional beach boom box up there…” By the way, Casper has a shop in the Chicago area and he can help restore your favorite radio if you need it. Look him up and give him a shout!
Thanks Casper!
I’m looking for a nice classic 80s boom box no particular brand , I know Sanyo was popular. Also vacuum tube 80s boom boxes or radio …thanks
Local flea market is your friend (if you are in the US). With some $10-$30 per unit you can find them Sanyos on the cheap (and in all likeliness 75% working – with the sore exception of rubber belts, switches and trimpots that wear out and rot everthing else should be working as it should).
Sonys, too – they made so many of them that the only close second will be Panasonic (or JVC, but those a tad more expensive and rare).
Other than that, ebay is your friend #2 (but it will incurr shipping/handling fees) and “ask around” is your friend #3.
Just FYI – There were no “vacuum tube boomboxes” n the 80’s. Such an item would be far too delicate to carry around and also too heavy. By the 80’s, we had already transitioned comfortably into the era of the printed circuit-board. I hope you found a box!