I've been offered one of these for £45

The seller says the tape deck is non-functioning but won't go into specifics apart from it chews tapes.

Does this box have a line in?

Is it worth replacing the belts?  Easy to do?

How is the sound quality compared to my JVC RC-656?

9191 has no line in, but easy to modify PHONO input into LINE IN.

If it chews the tape, you have to replace capstan tyre - pulley, pretty easy to do.

classic looking and great sounding box the 9191, id'e snatch it for 45 quid if condition is good. you can use the mic mix feature for line in with the right lead

Ok I've contacted the guy.  It's local to me, so I can tst before buying. Hopefully it's not a dog!

How would you mod the phono?  I'm interested!

I've asked the guy about the capstan, easy to spot without dismantling the box?

To modify phono input, you need just to bypass the phono amp -  to unsolder 4 capacitors, and to add 2 wires as jumper (bridge) - that's all.

It will be the proper LINE IN.

You need to unsolder C 101, C 102, C 111, C 112 capacitors.

I can draw a schematic for you, but a bit later.

There is no need to ask seller to spot faulty capstan tyre - if it chews the tape it caused by worn/glazed pinch roller or/and melted pulley.
In any case, to get 30 y.o. radio back to 100% working condition - you have to replace all of the rubber parts, i.e. - belts, idler tyre, capstan pulley.

Great info Metad !

I guess the same goes for a 9292 eh?

Not that i would mod it though

as i m using phono out when i want to listen to music from my mobile,

doesnt sound so good tbh but i can live with it

don't use the phono input Deech, use the mic mix feature it works way better. just keep the vol down on your device and mic mix level set on half and bobs your uncle

Yep buy it...I have one and I love it. I'd buy a 2nd one if I found one for that price

Chewing tapes is not a problem but it does involve taking the deck out. If the idea freaks you out then I'll talk you thro it...I'd do it for you but I'm in North Yorkshire. I've done loads and its not difficult if you're ok taking things apart.

You can use the phono connection if you buy a little box called a phono attenuator...costs a tenner off eBay. Or as Lav says you can use the mic input on this box, you just adjust the volume level on your mp3 and you're sorted...either way works well

But buy it!!!...unless its a wreck lol

It looked cosmetically good in the pictures.  Seller is located in Salford, so not far to go if it's a doggy dog. Whereabouts are you located in North Yorkshire?  My parents liv in Bradford, so I'm over that way a bit.  If it's not too far away I might be able to take you up on the offer.

Cool   Sounds like a mod well worth doing!  I'm interested, sounds like Northerner is too.

Ok well here's a good offer for you...my sister works not far from you in Knutsford. If you can get it to her she's coming to visit at the weekend. She can bring it to me, I'll fix it and she'll take it back. Then you just pick it up from Knutsford again next week. Stick a few cans of Bud in as my fee and we're laughing

Oh gosh, that's a great offer!  If it's not too cheeky, could you clean the switches on my JVC as well?  I opened it up, but wussed out of taking the amplifier board off.  I removed the screws, but it didn't budge.  I don't want to beak a sweet box.

I'll get back to you after I've looked at the GF-9191. I'm going to look and hopefully buy tomorrow.  You'll definitely get some cans from me it's the least I can do

Ha ha cheeky?...yep! But if you don't ask you don't get as me mother used to say

Thanks Northerner (?Si?)  I'll PM you tomorrow with how I get on and if all good I'll get your sister's details.

Yep Northerner = Si

Thinking about it I probably don't want to push my sisters kindness as she's already taking one box back with her making a detour and delivering it to another member...she'd be taking 3 boxes back if you sent me two!  Every time she does me a favour it costs me and I end up having to fit a tv aerial or build some decking so by doing you a favour I then have to do her a favour so I lose both times lol

So if we stick to just the 9191 as if you're starting buying boxes you'll need to work out how to switch clean controls as you generally have to do it on every box.  I've got a service manual for the 656 that shows you how to dismantle so when you pm me include your email address and I'll email it to you. The 9191 deck is a bit more scary to do if you've not done this sort of thing before, and you need some silicon tubing to replace the tyre so I'll happily do that one

I should be able to get it done over the weekend and let her take it straight back but I'm a bit stretched at the moment as my wife fell down the stairs a week ago (no I didn't push her!...everyone asks!) and broke some ribs so I'm on full household duties at the moment.  If in the unlikely circumstances that I don't get it done then I'm visiting her on 20th July so would bring it then...but I know how keen you'll be to get the box back so I'll do my best to get it done, once you've done a few it doesn't take too long.

When you go and see it can you check whether it plays, fast forwards and rewinds, then try a tape in it for a couple of secs and if it unravels then its very likely the hidden capstan tyre...just so I know whether it needs belts too as obviously these cost money.

Oh and if you're picking it up from Salford make sure you lock your car doors

Okay, diagram shows how to make the jumpers, arrows show capacitors that have to be removed.

Deech, yes, it works for 9292, 9494

Thats excellent Metad!...I must just give this a go...I'm assuming you've done this on one of yours?

This will be awesome as I use a phono attenuator all the time and it'd be nice not to have to bother.

Thanks Metad!

You're welcome Northerner, 

no, I didn't modify my box, because I prefer to keep 'em original, as much as it possible.

But I know a guy, who has done it before, and happy with the result. So, don't be afraid

Forgot to mention, the phono IC is located behind the tape mechanism, and you have to unscrew the whole PCB, to get to the back of the board - to solder. 

Don't throw away capacitors, maybe you'll want to get radio back to the original state.

I like originality too on top examples but my 9191 is no minter...despite that its one of my most used boxes, it'll never leave me so I don't have an issue with an unseen mod, especially one thats reversable.  As the rca input is on the front on the 9191 you can't tuck the phono attenuator box out of view so its an ideal boomer to do it to.

Not sure I'd do my 9494 tho as thats in really good condition.

Don't have a problem with stripping down a Sharp so I'm sure I'll find it, thanks for the tip and the schematic of course

I m using the mic now and sounds a lot better !!

That's a good reason to modify,

and I agree on the phono inputs on the front.

your parents live in bradford?im about 30 miles away in pontefract!!!!if your at your folks and fancy a detour to mine your most welcome!you can check out my boxes while your here

Hello Si

Just picked it up.  OMG it's clean!  Just a few minor wear marks, that's it. The guy I bought it off is in his 60s.  He bought the unit brand new in 1979.  He said it's been sat on top of his wardrobe for quite a few years.  Both aerials intact and I have the owners manual (very faded).

On the tape deck.  Yes it chews tapes.  Rewind and fast forward work OK, the reel doesn't spin to play tapes.  Also the L VU meter doesn't go quite as high as the R, but to my untrained ear, balance seems OK.  It's a bit dusty too!

http://youtu.be/0GrLvQyIPk4

Yes I was thinking about how much stuff your sister could bring in her car. I've got some Budweiser here for you as well. Plus it sounds like you're going to be busy this weekend.

So how's about I just drop the Sharp and beers off with your sister and I pick it up around the 20th.  Means you don't have to rush.  I might even get to say hi in person?

Cool, thats the sort of seller you want...nice when its from an original owner and not been messed with   Good to have intact aerials as they very rarely are.

Seen the vid, it does look in good nick...very nice.  I love the 9191, the chrome rings, twin vus...lovely.  The mismatched vus may be sorted by a bit of switch cleaner, if not then its likely best not to mess with them. Sounds like it needs a new belt too so I'll sort that.

I'll text my sis just to double check it'll be ok and then I'll pm the details...a pdf scan of the user manual would be nice too 

I'll definitely be down on the 20th as I've got tickets for the Human League (yes I'm 80's thro and thro) so if I don't get it done this weekend then I'll hand over in person...always nice to meet another boombox nut

The Box seems to be getting better as I play it, especially the VUs.  So yeah, hopefully it's just switch cleaner.  I think it's the hifi equivalent of a barn find.  The seller said he'd only used it a few years before it sat on the wardrobe. 

I'll get the manual scanned next week when I'm at work.  It even contains details of an optional car adapter (power supply).

Anyway I'll wait for your PM.  I'm off to Bradford tonight, so there's a chance I could drop it off on the way tonight, or on the way back tomorrow evening.

Yeah sure, why not . Ok I'll let you know when I'm next with the parents at the weekend.

Well this box (and some beer!) is now in my sisters sticky mitts so it'll be brought up to me for repair at the weekend...or at least thats what I told Neil (schneil)...I've actually just scammed a newbie out of a nice box and some beer!!! LOL!

Joking!...course I haven't...happy to fix it for him and have a beer at the same time

Hi, sorry if I sound stupid, according to "she who must be obeyed" I am, so here goes. If connected through the mix mic feature is the sound only reproduced in mono?

May invest...

OMG, what has happened to me, in no time at all I am getting right back into my youth, even spent the whole day listening to radio and actually talking with the wife...

May spend next Saturday in the secondhand record shops in Norwich, getting some tapes and VINYL... 

Have to confess, it's been a very relaxing time with the radio...

what happened to "sing something simple"? Lol

52 going on 90 lol actually a young 52...

i grew up in a house with radio and reel to reel, every Sunday, from a small child, sing something simple was put on, mum, dad, brothers and grandparents would sit listening whilst warming toes round an open fire.

+1 on using the phono input, it works really well on the 9191.  You can get an attenuator quite cheap from cpc in Preston.  Or you can "bridge" out the phono preamp and use it as a regular line in.

Being a 90's teenager, my radio memories are of getting aerials in the best position to get the local pirates.  "Big shout flying out to the one bell rewind crew"

Just a thought, on the back of the 9191 is a 5 pin din socket, is it not possible to get a din to phono adaptor lead and use this to save internal mod to phono input, or is this wrong? If so what is it that stops the rear input from working?

thanks

Hi Shane

You can use the 5 pin Din socket as a line in but you have to put the machine into record mode to activate it.

Thanks