Hey Jens! I saw your message that you're taking a break. I just wanted to say a very hearty "thank you" for everything you've done. And, here's a personal story about you and your website. Forgive me if some of you have heard this before.

It started out in August of 1986. Tracy, who transferred to my high school from Madrid, Spain, was having a hard time adjusting to her new surroundings. We became fast friends...and then more. Over the next two years until graduation, we would be together through some fairly rough times - her parents divorce, her mother moving back to Spain, and some chronic problems that she had.

One day, when I was at her house, she brought down her boombox to play some music. It was a beautiful gray Panasonic, which I had never seen before. "It's broken," she told me. "One speaker won't come on. Do you think you can fix it?"

I took it home, gently took it apart, and did end up fixing it. I played it for days before I gave it back.

On August 20, 1988, she left Ohio to go to school in Greensboro, NC. It was a beautiful sunny Saturday. I helped her pack up her little red Toyota Tercel, and sadly watched her drive away. Early the next morning, I received a phone call from her father that she fell asleep at the wheel on the way down, crossed the median, and flipped the car several times, and was killed instantly.

I still have scars on my heart from that day. I had always thought of that boombox she had me fix. I had no idea of what model it was, and knew I'd probably never find another one....or so I thought.

February, 2004. I had bought several boomboxes from eBay, and one night, found the stereo2go site. I registered, and on a whim, asked about that Panasonic boombox: gray, with triangle play buttons on the front, music search, front tuner dial. Jens told me right away: the Panasonic RX-C52.

A quick search revealed a picture. It took a while, but I found a mint red RX-C52. While I'll never have Tracy back, I can have this to forever remind me of that time.

For that, Jens, I am eternally grateful. I never thought that I'd find it again. But that little gesture of knowledge that you passed gave me just a glimpse back into the past - one I am happy to hold on to.

Sincerely,

Mark

As I jut told him in a PM today, Jens is an INCREDIBLE resource. His time, enthusiasm and genuine love for both BBXs and this wonderful community have been a blessing. We are all very lucky to have found S2G and the guy who created it!

THANK YOU!

That was a great story and tribute to Jens Matrix! Jens is the man for sure,we are very luck to know him.

even though jens is now real busy --i got a PM from him , just 2 hours ago --
as it about was something he thought might be helpful ---

thats one of THOUSANDS of examples of jens caring.

These are really some nice things to say, very kind words.


Paul, who started the original site that became what we have today- STILL pays all the bills (along with our contributions), without his idea to start the old boombox forum, how else would we have been able to express ourselves about portable electronics like this?


Jens, the man who has dedicated thousands of hours of his own time to the BBDB, and contributions to the site. A well deserved rest my friend, even though it sounds like you won't be getting much rest getting ready for winter!

I couldn't agree more what amazes me is that I was told that Jens only owns one boombox an AIWA TPR 950. A guy that owns one box but still has interest in sharing with others this experience in the boombox world tells me alot about him.

I'm glad I found this site, truly back in the days I was crazy for boomboxes and then as time went by I thought that craze had died in the 80's and mid 90's. When I found this site it really took me back the time when I would walk in New York City and just see shop after shop on 42nd st., 14th st., Canal st. and Queens Junction Blvd. of just electronic stores.

I thank you Jens for giving us this site it is an instrument for us all. Try to enjoy your break and good luck on your project.

P.S. he also owns a Kaboom but thats another category.

Thanks for telling this nice story!
I think everybody here is glad, that this site exists.
I never thought finding so many boombox friends!

There is NO PLACE like S2GO!!! Thanks to Jens and ALL who have and continue to make this happen!!!!!!

Yeah, after I detect the s2go, I'm reborn. I'm happy because I find many people which carry boombox on heart just like me.
Jens, thank you.

There is no doubt that Jens is extraordinarily committed to the preservation of all that is "boombox" and generous to a fault with his time and knowledge and other resources. All of us with an interest in boomboxes owe him a huge debt of gratitude! Without him, there would be no database, no S2G, no such community as exists here... and all the other things that have spun off from those, around the world.

I've learned much and made some good friends through this site, from around the globe. I've benefited from it, and been inspired to try to pass some of that on to others. I hope one day to be able to shake Jen's hand and thank him personally!

quote:

I hope one day to be able to shake Jen's hand and thank him personally!

When I went back to Germany for a vacation with my wife last year, I had been in touch with Jens via PM when I saw he was in Bavaria. As luck would have it, it turns out he lives only 30 minutes from where I was born and still have Family. We exchanged phone numbers and played phone tag for a bit, but finally ended up getting together for a cup of coffee one day at an autobahn exit just south of Nurnberg. This was very shortly after I joined this site and maybe had around 20 or 30 posts.

I can tell you all that he is a very well spoken, kind and intelligent man. He is genuinely interested in boomboxes and the wide-spread diversity among those of us within the global boombox community.

I wish we could have spoken some more, but we both had other places we had to be. For the next time we get together, he insisted we come to his home for an afternoon of grilling, conversation and some brews.

I can't wait to take him up on that!

And then, after the meet in Sorrento earlier this year where I got to meet quite a few members, I look forward to future meets down the road and hope to meet many more members...

I love boomboxes, but its the people here that really make this site worth coming back to over and over again. Starting with member numero uno, Jens.

And Buzz, thanks for sharing that story. I'm sorry about your friend, but glad that this forum helped connect you with an important piece of your history. In a way, that's what this site is all about. I found my way here researching my childhood boombox... and now I'm here for good!

thanks a lot guys .enough enough.

see ya soon!

Buzz that is a wonderful if sad story, thanks for sharing. I can only agree with what's been said and truly do appreciate what Jen's has done for us all. To find out he only has one boombox is amazing considering the devotion he's given to boomboxes and the collection of information that is second to none. I may never have the opportunity to meet Jen's face to face but I consider him my friend as I do all of you who I've had the pleasure of sharing my time and love of boomboxes.

In light of this thread I think it's time for another donation push. Let's support Jen's and this site!

YES
WE LOVE THAT OLD MAN TOO.
HE IS SOMETHING SPECIAL.
EIN VERRÜCKTER HALT,SO WIE WIR AUCH.