I received my Sharp GF-9494X today all the way from Seattle. When I first saw the shipping box, I was a little worried - one of the edges had torn. However, after removing styrofoam sheets and load after load of large bubblewrap, I finally got to the goods. The box made it in one piece and is in fabulous condition - dirty - but fabulous. Everything works as it should! There are a couple of nicks that I can probably make disappear, but the rest is just cleaning. And this thing will definitely need a cleaning. The lady who sold it to me even left one of her old cassettes in it too!

Pics and more to follow tomorrow!

In addition to the Sharp, I received my "Brotherhood of Boomboxery" hooded sweatshirt today! It turned out really nicely. I'll see if I can get Paula to snap a couple of pics of me wearing it.

Man, my sinuses are killing me. I'm probably heading to bed early. I've got a busy day tomorrow!

Congrats on that 9494 - let us see some pics now!!

Between the runny nose and sneezing, I'd probably drop the camera and hurt the box! Patience, my child. Patience.

I'm happy for you Fatdog those Sharp 9494 are beautiful especially 9494x series with the silver caps on the speakers really makes them look well Sharp!

Cograts Bobby! A get well soon! This whacked out weather is screwing with everyone!

Well, here's the first pic of how things are going so far. You'll notice the BIG difference between the left and right sides of the picture. There is some kind of nasty, gunky film on top that's probably been there since the person got it home from the store. Anyway, soap and water didn't even budge it. Isopropyl couldn't cut it either. So, I pulled out my newest weapon, Orange Glo, and commenced to try it. Lo and behold! OG started cutting through it, but it was still so stubborn that I had to use a little bit of my fingernail (wrapped in a paper towel) as a scraper and a small, stiff toothbrush to get the rest. After about 20 minutes of working, I finally got the right side of the top looking like new. Luckily(?), I'm suffering from a sinus infection and can't smell a thing. Any normal person would be unconscious from the amount of OG fumes! Don't pay any attention to the crud on the mixing switch. I still haven't taken the box apart yet. And, I removed the fader control knob for easier cleaning.

Looking good!!

WOW!
talk about a little TLC.
Coming out great man
I know you will have her looking like a gem in no time!!!

I can't wait to see the results!!

I wasn't able to open it up until late this evening. Goddamn it these things are a pain to get open! Paula said it must be a "female" boombox. I don't think it had been opened since purchased in 1979 (I have an August '79 production). The lower right corner post snapped as I was trying to remove the screw, but I have taken efforts to prevent from happening in the future. Only needed to replace one belt. Speakers did not need bleaching, but whew! talk about the dust bunnies.

I'm gonna let my cracked post repair cure overnight and reassemble in the morning. This little box is really starting to look sweet! Working on boomboxes while suffering through a sinus infection is tedious work.