Hi! Found this TPS-L2 posted on a local "for-sale" page where i live. Decided to check it out and turns out it is in quite good condition, though it could use some new belts and some lube perhaps. It works fine as it is, however the sound is quite "unstable?". It sounds like the speed is somewhat unstable. However i've ordered a set of new belts and idler wheels for it so hopefully that helps a bit. I paid 50$ for the walkman itself and around 10$ with shipping for new belts/idler wheels. Considering ebay prices i think i scored a good deal Here's a pic of it! Also with the original leather case, it's seen better days though! Hope you like it!
I actually didn't know how rare they were until i started reading around and checking ebay prices! Now i'm very happy i actually picked this one up! Yeah, i was quite surprised when the guy said i could have it for 50$! Was expecting something closer to 3-400$ because of how rare they've become! There is a couple of other TPS-L2's for sale here in sweden, however one is on an auction site and the auction ends in 8-ish hours: https://www.tradera.com/item/170105...s-l2-med-vaska-sonys-forsta-walkman-samlarsak (use google translate if you want to read the info), currently sitting around 1000sek which is around 110$ or 100€. The other one i've found for sale includes the original headphones and therefor the seller is asking 450$: https://www.blocket.se/goteborg/Sony___TPS_L2___Walkman_Vintage_1979_85538195.htm?ca=2&w=3
On top of being a great deal value-wise, I'd say that these are great way to start the hobby. Good sound quality, excellent reliability, and quite easy to work on. Not so easy as to just open and thread a belt, but not too hard to scare one off from tinkering with it. An excellent starter's course on fixing walkmans, I think.
And media made them just more so desired, think of "Guardians of the Galaxy" (so, how exactly does the Starlord's tape still sound fine with daily playback after all those decades?). I've made such a positive experience myself, some sellers are apparently very generous and don't participate in these price wars, even if they're aware of it/"this scam" (as a seller described it).
Actually, the guy mentioned "Guardians of the Galaxy" in his ad, so that's why i was expecting such a high price. But he said that he wanted someone to care for it and make it work like it should again, he didn't like the idea of it sitting collecting dust on a shelf somwhere i suppose
That's even more so impressive. The "let someone have it who uses it rather than it catching dust in some collection" were precisely the words of three sellers I dealt with (who also sold for fair prices). Maybe that's what we have to look out for?
Yeah! Got my new belts today so now it works like a charm again Haha, better start searching Nice! Any tips on how to proceed with this?
I I havent cleaned too many, the problem is to get the sticker off without damaging the material... I usually start by soaking the paper a bit then rubbing gently with my finger...
