gluecifer - 2009-01-06 03:46
Thought I'd best do a nice collection update so here's six of my seven new radios, I'll get a nice group shot when my C-100 comes back from the repairer this week. I do go on a bit here, so please forgive my wanton waffle.
Ok, first is this lovely red Sharp GF-7650.
I've always had a weakness for these bright red Sharps and one day hope to have quite a few of the different models. They're so vibrant and bold. The sound is pretty average, it's a one-piece trying to look like a 3 piece, but without the sound benefits of a 3 piece. She sounds a bit hollow, even with the 5 band EQ, but still, for something to listen at low or moderate volume it's not appalling and can have some nice mid range detail. Needed rebelting/deoxiting, now 100%, Picked up for AUD$15 on ebay, which I thought was a bargain.
Another colourful Sharp came my way courtesy of ebay in this delightful blue QT-70.
Virtually mint (slight ding to left hand aluminium facsia) and with her box, complete with AU$189.99 price tag from the mid 80s. It's a classic full featured mini that Sharp seemed to release endless amounts of, but I've rarely seen this colour. Unfortunately I lack C size cells and my only 9v power supply didn't work on her, so I'm yet to enjoy her sound yet, hoping to remedy this next week. Scored her for an almost criminal AU$26 on ebay.
Next up was a very classy radio found on .au ebay that I instantly had to make my own from the moment I saw her listed. A beautiful condition Crown CSC-960F.
All functions perfect, and taking her out of the box was almost like taking out a new radio from it's original packing. I'm normally not a fan of the square speaker grill design, but on this radio it just seems to give some class. I mean, the RISING 20/20 is not a dissimilar looking radio, but the extra chrome to accentuate the speakers on her really give the radio a completely different attitude compared to this Crown. As expected, the sound is very clean and detailed on her and the music search digital display is the icing on the cake of an incredibly sophisticated looking and sounding radio.
More Sharp's! Yes, my country seems to have been dominated by Sharp portables in their hey day as they seem to be the most common by a massive margin, but there are some that aren't that common and are are personally very grail-worthy. And one of this is the GF-9000.
It's been a saga to get this radio, ebay seller left ebay without any communication and it took a couple of months for me to finally receive it, but persistance and tenacity paid off! Have to thank AZA for all his help securing me this radio too, I'd have given up long ago without his support.
Even though it's recognised as a 'large size' radio I still wasn't prepared for it's size when I got her. It's a behemoth, especially for a single deck, surely this is one of the biggest single deck radios ever produced (excluding ones with turntables, of course). I wasn't prepared for great sound after the many discussions members have had over this model over the years, but I thought it sounded 'ok', nothing special but not horrendous. She arrived in filthy condition and I've restored most of her, with just the cassette deck window to try and de-yellow/cloud. But it's a massive improvement over what I faced with when I received her. I believe she needs to be rebelted, so I'll attempt that job next as I plan on taking this radio to work for the first few months of this year. Really special radio though and the VU's speak for themselves. Still working out a method to restore the red to the peak sections though, will see what I can come up with.
Next up is another grail. For me, the Lasonic TRC-931 (and other models) were the epitomy of ghettoblaster design.
The sheer arrogance of their design is the absoloute definition of ghettoblaster for me and I've wanted one since the 80s. However Lasonic have never distributed any of their products in Australia, and I'm yet to ever see one on .au ebay. Thankfully esteemed s2go member SINISTER procured me a beautiful original issue TRC-931 off u.s ebay and posted her off to me. The wonders of the internet and goodhearted souls combined to bring me my personal grail. She still needs work (bottom deck isn't cooperating, but my repairer dude will deal with that), but the slip deck, radio, line-in are all perfect. And the sound. Oh my the sound. The bottom end on this is outstanding and tweeters sound beautifully spatial. I really wasn't expecting much from the sound but I was, and still am, blown away. I love my TRC-931, and even more than my Conion C-100, I prize her as a super-rare radio, based on my locality.
Oh, also, when it arrived she was missing two tape deck keys. I've spent the last few weeks trying to fabricate some as I couldn't find anyone with spares on here. I managed to get some decent results from a hacky wax mould (yes, Lego was used for the housing) and then using and epoxy polymer to fill the moulds. It took a lot of goes to get right, and it probably would've been quicker doing it properly, but that's not my style. Close up of the results:
They aren't perfect by any means, but I can deal with that and I'm very happy they blend reasonably well. Thanks again SINISTER for making my 931 dreams come true.
And last for this update I picked up a Sharp 10P-35 nice and cheap off ebay.
Not technically a ghettoblaster as it only runs on mains power, but it's a nice little hybrid. It's a shame it's styled more on an early 80s Tv than on an early 80s portable radio, but it works and I got her for AU$10. The deck needs rebelting, but apart from a good clean, thats all that needs doing. Might have to set her up in the kitchen as we don't have a TV in there, and the reception isn't too terrible.
That's all for now, but I'm looking forward to scoring some new additions soon. Hopefully a personal grail Technics that was my original introduction to ghettoblasters in the early 80s soon, which I'm madly excited for.
Thanks for reading!
Rock On.
Nice additions!! That red Sharp is very nice indeed. Better not let BabyBoomer see that QT with box.
Super nice!! I'm with Ira on the Crown. I also love the all your Sharps too.
very nice boxes ! that trc 931 is a rare first edition not very common these days ,it's the very first trc 931 ever produced.
Excellent shots, Gluecifer!
I also like the LASONIC 931 !
It was the fist big box i got - from the dump.
A later model in bad condition...
Antenna ´s missing, waveswitch broken, tapedecks dead and playing only on the right side.
Many scratches around.
Ok, for short:
I won´t repair it, it´s not worth.
Because i own 2 pretty one (Helix + International).
So if you want the missing tapebuttons, please pm me. You can have them for free.
(I hope they fit on yours too?!)
Pic of mine:
The "rest" of the box will survive as decoration in my scooter garage.
Very nice Glue! Sweet catches!
That Crown is my favorite! You have some very nice radios there. I think you did a nice job on the tape deck keys too, on these things when you need something you have to fabricate it... not easy finding parts!
Thanks for posting the photos!
Johnny
Great boxes you've got there,
Gluecifer!
I like all the Sharps (the mini is sweet too), but like you, I've ALWAYS wanted a red (or even burgundy) box. When I was a kid, my mother had an early 80's Spiegels catalog with boxes in it... The red boxes stood out. Can't remember the manufacturer tho and wish we kept the catalog.
I've never seen that Crown before. It looks like an advanced version of the 950.
I agree with
floyd on the Lasonic.
When it came time to get a TRC-931, you got the right one!
Take good care of that one 'cause they're VERY hard to come by while the 2nd editions are a dime a dozen on eBay.
As for the tape buttons, I think the ones from the 2nd edition are slightly different than the ones on the 1st edition. Hopefully, they'll fit in and look the same. If not, I guess you can swap all six for the newer buttons.
Congratulations!
Very nice Rick !
Glad to see you can finally post a pic of your very own GF9000.
Thanks for the plug, just wish i could have helped out more at the time but it all worked out well in the end.
As far as additions go that right there is a collection in itself ! Nice work.
Great new boxes got there Gluecifer.
I like them all.
Very nice ones, especially the first edition 931. I have the same one and I agree with you that the sound is really great.
