As some of you may realize, I'm restoring a JVC PC55 as I write this. While it may be a wonderful boombox on so many levels, I was wondering if anybody is as picky as I in regards to features I wish it had. My thoughts: 1). I wish the tuner display was under a clear cover with a push button for illumination as needed. 2) Analog VU meters for the tuner portion. Backlit, of course. 3) A backlight for the cassette window if not for anything else, a cool factor. While it could be done, I won't do any mods because it's a great box as-is. Only a dream... What are your thoughts and wishes?
That's a great box and the value might go down with too much modifications. There's a lot of upgrades that would be so nice on any of old boxes but I've always been a purist and keep them stock. I do have some that are kind of roached out that I wouldn't mind putting in lighting and bluetooth before doing a nice restoration on them. Enough to get them working and looking good, without feeling guilty for cutting into a nicer, working unit.
Oh, no way would I even think of cutting into this PC55. I just was thinking of things JVC should have done to make it a little more interesting. I'm pleased the way they thought it out, however. A few more detailing bits and I'll be done.
In the 20th century LEDs weren't really bright enough for backlighting, so if it was fitted manufacturers used power hungry and failure prone incandescents. Some equipment like the Sony ICF 2010 radio did use LEDs which were hardly usable. Now that brighter ones are available people often swap them.
I think a lot of these cool old lighted units were better witht the restrictions. Can you imagine what the designers would have done with the lighting we have available today?
