Sharp VZ-2000

I was enjoying the thread from our Toronto Member, who mentioned his huge collection was mostly bought from local classifieds, last night. I don't always go there first but I thought it would be a good time to check the local craigslist. I never get too excited to look as the good boxes only seem to show up every few years. There must have been something in the air because I saw this guy listed and described as a very big boombox, with no model or manufacturer mentioned. There was no mistaking it, the tales are endless on here about it's size and beauty. Although I've never seen one in person before I had no doubt what it was. The photo looked like there was little damage and the price was right. I emailed the seller in the early hours of night hoping for a response today. The stars really lined up and I had to be in the area of the box early this morning and the seller was available so I popped over to buy it. I think he was surprised when I told him I collected boomboxes, since this one had been sitting idle for 20+ years. But here she is.....

 

Thanks Longman! I haven't plugged it in yet, it's been a really long day but maybe tonight. The thing is huge so just getting the cord plugged in takes a little effort. I have a fairly large stash of belts so I'm not too worried about the right size yet. I don't know if it needs one but I have to believe after sitting for 20 years it probably does.

 

Risingsunproject, nice find! I spot stuff like that every once in a while but they never want to sell. We've got a million ice rinks over here that have some pretty high-end 70's equipment they still use and some old bars up North that I spot some cool gear every once in a while. I do have two major scores from the local ice rinks, two full size Leslie Speakers in mint condition (from the ice rink organ) and a full set of Frazier Speakers with horns (they used these a lot on top of the center scoreboard). The Fraziers are neat because they only need around 10 watts to light up the neighborhood.

I did crank up the radio Boodokhan but haven't tried the turntable yet, it's pretty loud and seems to be in decent condition. Boombox season was good to me this year and I'm shuffling things around, my main techbench is in my semi-heated garage and it's in the low 30's on a good day, so it's hard to get my hands to cooperate.

 

I feel like those were sold with speakers as an option. They don't go for a ton over in Japan nowadays, you could probably get the speakers for a few bucks but the shipping costs would be a killer. One sold on ebay over here for $150.00 USD with shipping (33 lbs) without speakers but they don't come up often.
https://www.jauce.com/auction/j467434823

Here's the Japanese Brochure for the V3, click on the link for the full brochure
http://my.reset.jp/inu/ProductsDataBase/Products/SHARP/VZ-V3/VZ-V3.htm

 

I don't know much about them, I remember systems like this seemed to be targeted at women since they took up much less space than the more manly component system. Linear tracking was also highly controversial and most players back then seemed to be either very high end or cheap and plasticy. Putting this in an all-in-one unit killed any hi-fi ambitions it might have. The three units all seem to be based on the vertical turntable starting with the boombox unit, your shelf unit, that is considered an "all in one" and not portable, and the smaller mini-component system, which seems to be Japan-only. It looks like one of the blogs mentioned these might have been built for the Sharp Optonica Line, stereo equipment aimed at the higher end of the market; something changed and they kept the Sharp Name on them. Some of the other members might own the 3000 but I've never seen the component system for sale.
Here's some Japanese Blogs, mostly with the Sharp V2000:
http://minkara.carview.co.jp/userid/360315/blog/38744921/
http://blog.livedoor.jp/yakusokunonatu/tag/VZ-V3
http://blog.goo.ne.jp/rxb10511jp/e/dbedf5d74ad28fa87b2860eab23f9ed7
https://ameblo.jp/sixtep/entry-10924018649.html

 

The nice thing about the Sharp VZ-2500 is you can you it to put all your trinkets on top! I think the VZ-3000 is bigger, the tweeter is in the spot where the tape deck is on the Vz-2500. Using the top of the turntable as a guide, the 3000 is about four inches taller. This is an interesting site although it hasn't been updated in 13 years....
http://www.lchr.org/a/56/cz/id28.htm

 

Here's one that was for sale close to you..
https://translate.google.com/transl...fon-gramofon-ghettoblaster-CID99-IDqoIa3.html

 

No, this is an owl radio! It went for $112.00 USD, super cool. It looks like something out of Jason and the Argonauts...



Jason and the Argonaut's Bird

 

I need some Ouzo!