I'm new to the scene guys, so I'm just jumping right on in there with the rest of you. But I've got some questions for you all. In this world of Walkmen, Discmen, MP3's, IPODS and whatnot, how often is it that you see someone carrying a Boom Box on their shoulders like we did back in the late 70's & early 80's?

Well check this out!!! I was walking to the store with my Realistic Model No. 14-805 AM/FM Stereo Cassette Recorder that I've found at a yard sale for $5.00!!! And believe it or not, it still plays CLEAR AS A BELL!!! Just has a little static in it when you turn up the volume. It's silver and black, and very clean!!! All of the parts are original and still in tact, but there is a small crack by the tuning knob, which could be sealed up.

The first thing that I did was give the heads, the pinch roller, and the capstan a thorough cleaning, because GOD knows how long the BOX has been sitting around. You know, when I graduated High School back in 1978, THE BOXES, as they were called back then, were just emerging, and every brand was putting their stuff out there!!!

And REALISTIC, with is part of the TANDY CORPORATION, wanted RADIO SHACK to jump on the band wagon too, so they came up with this particular model!!!

I was playing one of my old 120 minute Dance Tapes that I made back in '82 one day, when all of a sudden, some teenagers were checking me out, and suddenly said: "DAMN POPS, THAT'S OLD SCHOOL AS HELL!!! IS THAT A TAPE YOU'RE PLAYING??? MY FATHER USED TO HAVE ONE OF THOSE!!! YOU'VE GOTS TO GET A MP3 PLAYER 'CAUSE, THAT'S TOO MUCH EXERCISE!!! YOU'LL CATCH A HEART ATTACK CARRYING THAT THING"!!!

I couldn't help but crack up laughing, and then reflect on how HIP we thought we were back then while doing this!!! I guess I'm getting OLDER after all.............................................

Here's another question for you guys. Does anybody remember this radio? I've searched on-line and couldn't find any info on it. I even went to a couple of RADIO SHACKS in my neighborhood, and the Reps are either TOO YOUNG to know about it, or they can't find anything about it in their databases!!! I would like to know exactly when it came out, just in case I do decide to sell it on E'Bay or somewhere.

But to tell you the truth, I've grown quite attached to it, it takes me back to my teenage years: POLYESTER, EARTH SHOES, & DISCO!!! Life was so much simpler then..........AAAAAHHHHH..................

'NUFF SAID

welcome-KBallenger53!
nice box indeed for a small ammount!


here`s some info:

quote:

Originally posted by KBallenger53:
it takes me back to my teenage years: POLYESTER, EARTH SHOES, & DISCO!!! Life was so much simpler then..........AAAAAHHHHH..................

Welcome onboard KBallenger53.

the kids of today don't know they were born

they have nothing to show - when we were younger we went out proud with our gear - big boomboxes and cool bmx's - nowadays they have every thing tucked away in case they get robbed the only thing they have to show now is bad hair cuts and there pants on show

nice buy and enjoy

TPR, YOU ARE THE MAN!!! I'VE SEARCHED ALL OVER THE 'NET FOR THIS AND YOU'VE FOUND IT!!! YOU CAN OBVIOUSLY TELL BY THE STYLE OF IT THAT IT'S DEFINATELY A 70'S BOX!!! MAYBE AROUND, 1977 - 1979!!! GOOD LOOKING OUT WITH THAT ONE!!!

DEVOL-TONI, I'M GLAD YOU'RE DIGGIN' WHERE I'M COMING FROM!!! YOU MUST BE FROM MY ERA TOO!!! I LIKE THAT PIC OF THE PANASONIC RADIO ON YOUR POST!!!

BENDYCAT, YOU HAD ME CRACKING UP!!! BUT EVERYTHING YOU'VE SAID IS TRUE. THESE KIDS TODAY ARE TOTALLY CLUELESS!!!

'NUFF SAID

quote:

they have nothing to show - when we were younger we went out proud with our gear - big boomboxes and cool bmx's - nowadays they have every thing tucked away in case they get robbed the only thing they have to show now is bad hair cuts and there pants on show

True! We were the real heros.

I hear ya ViennaSound. I'm originally from NYC, so if you can walk the streets with your BOX there, you can walk the streets with your BOX anywhere!!!

You want to know something else that's interesting about Realistic, Tandy, and Radio Shack? The Tandy Corporation started out in Forth Worth, Texas as a, (Dig This), leather supply store in 1919!!!

They then got into electronics, and bought Radio Shack in 1963 from 2 brothers who originally started it back in 1921! Realistic was the name of the brand of stuff that Radio Shack sold such as radios, tv's, record players, tape recorders, etc., and that was started back in 1955!

Today, Radio Shack is no longer a part of the Tandy Corporation, and has been an Independent Corporation under it's own name since 2000! (I didn't even know this!!!) But dig this, in 1993 they've changed the name of their products from REALISTIC to OPTIMUS!!! (I was wondering why the kid behind the counter at my local Radio Shack, looked at me kind of weird when I kept mentioning REALISTIC!)

But now I know why!!! But TPR, I have a serious question for you man, did you get that ad out of an English Radio Shack Catalogue? I notice that the price is listed in Pounds, which at that time would make the BOX worth about $180.00 in US money!!! I could be wrong, but when I was in the US Navy, 1978-1982, a Pound was worth 2 of our dollars. Which would've made it pretty expensive back then!!!

You know what else that tripped me out about this ad, was the tape offer!!! I swear to GOD, I haven't seen an ad like this since I used to read Marvel Comics as a Kid!!! Believe or not, I used to use those tapes too. The Normal Bias were very crappy though, had a lot of hiss in them. The Chromium Bias (CRO2) ones were much better. TDK was always my favorite tape though, still is to this day!!!

'NUFF SAID

quote:

Originally posted by *TPR*:
welcome-KBallenger53!
nice box indeed for a small ammount!


here`s some info:

I just have to post this up again, and print it!!!

'NUFF SAID