Hi members.

This time I want to show a very few group of walkmans that have been plated with that  precious metal in the body. Two of them (both AIWA) you all probably know, but there are a few more as you will see (please add any that I don't know)...

The first one I that it has to be the probably world's first: the AIWA JX-2000, the gold version of the JX505, the most advanced AIWA walkman at the time  (from my collection).

it came with a nice, big case:

All the accessories are also gold-plated and also the box it comes in (thanks to Minty; my box is not in so good condition):

There are special versions of this unit. One is the EX50, which is the one released on japanese market, the gold version of the JX50:

And the JX2000 TW. Thanks to Plop to provide info about this: "The JX2000TW was a special commerative release of the boxed JX2000D to commerate the 80th anniversary of the Chinese nationalist KMT political party in Taiwan and as such was only ever released in Taiwa":

After this famous player, AIWA released the JX3000 (from my collection):

with a big box too (from Minty collection):

this player is a special version of the JX707, one of the most featured walkman ever released (from my collection):

which had an updated version: the JX909, a post-SONY era unit, with the new logo:

Aside from those, AIWA released the P108 gold, same as P107 (from Eingang collection):

They also released other golden models, but I don't find them so interesting, as they seem to have many plastic or because they are from the post-SONY era, so they are really sony models. Those are the SR92, same as RX703 (from Minty collection):

The RX2005, same as RX618:

and the SJ92 (the same as HS-J202):

Apart from that, Panasonic released the SX91 Gold (from my collection):

And this SX75 seems to be golden too:

SONY released two models that seem to not to be true gold-plated but they seem to be close to that. One is a rare version of the original DD model  (from my collection):

Here is my DD line:

And the other one is an asian market WM-10 'Mizuno' version:

To close this long post, I'd like to show you my three authentic golden-plated walkmans:

And all my golden + 'like-golden' walkmans:

Just a few notes to an otherwise interesting collection of photos.

The JX2000 was originally released as a special 10th Anniversary box set, but other versions of this box set as you have shown were also created.

The EX50 was released only to the Japanese market and was their gold special boxed version of the Japan only JX50.

The JX2000TW was a special commerative release of the boxed JX2000D to commerate the 80th anniversary of the Chinese nationalist KMT political party in Taiwan and as such was only ever released in Taiwan. (I don't think the Koreans or Japanese would have been too bothered about the KMT )

The JX909 pictured is the gold version of the JX707. It does not feature a TV tuner, and hence as wrongly stated it is therefore not the gold version of the JX707D.

Tip : To tell if a JX70 type walkman has a TV tuner look for a black border around the LCD display. No black border -> ordinary tuner. With a black border -> TV tuner.

Hugo

Your photography skills were put to the test with this collection!  Fantastic lighting and framing with backgrounds that compliment the model. Well done!!

1 Question..that Mizuno Sony Walkman, was this a commercially available model in Asia or was a one off batch made for Mizuno? I'm a huge Mizuno fan (I use primarily their sporting goods only...top notch stuff) and would love to know if these models were made in larger quantities.

"Dear Santa, scratch the previous list and insert Mizuno Walkman..."

Thanks in advance

Brutus442

(...)The EX50 was released only to the Japanese market and was their gold special boxed version of the Japan only JX50.

The JX2000TW was a special commerative release of the boxed JX2000D to commerate the 80th anniversary of the Chinese nationalist KMT political party in Taiwan and as such was only ever released in Taiwan. (I don't think the Koreans or Japanese would have been too bothered about the KMT )

The JX909 pictured is the gold version of the JX707. It does not feature a TV tuner, and hence as wrongly stated it is therefore not the gold version of the JX707D.

thanks Plop for the info!

I'll edit my post to update it.

Thanks brutus! I always try to make those nice pieces look as good as I can. Did you see my last update about photographing rugged metal walkmans?

I know absolutely nothing about that Mizuno version. I tried to search on google and yahoo but found nothing. surprisingly, the first understandable result in google is... this post! :-O

But I'll sell mine, the one you can see in the last photo; maybe you're interested...

Truly superior quality images hurodal.

oh yes, the Golden Walkmans are magic.

Here are my Sony gold pieces.

My Sony WM-3EX with gift box

and my Gold DD in good company

Wow, Rengzi, fantastic units. I didn't know that golden WM-3 exists. And the box is gorgeus!

Hurodal, thanks for the offer!! I will take you up on that offer in the new year IF everythings OK at work. (a lockout is expected and could be lengthy). If you get an offer before that, jump at it. But if all goes well I think I could find a lovely home for it

I did see your tutorial on metal case photography and it's "favourited" !! I'm in the process of getting Canon to replace my 15-55mm lens replaced (under warranty) as the autofocus feature died. Hopefully I'll have some new pics to upload and we can compare notes.

Thanks again for the offer Hurodal, much appreciated!

@renzgi..beautiful shots. On the 3EX shot did you "bounce" light off of a reflector (on the headphone jack side) to eliminate shadow or was it a natural source?

I've just published an article like this in my website, adding more models and comments, thanks to all you that helped me.

Rengzi, I used your image, and put a link to your profile here; hope theresn't a problem with that.

sweet, tres sweet

Ah the Royal GOLD Walkman.   Have a few to add here dug out of my collection.

First is from a name we all know KOSS the headphone mfg. but many probably do not know they made Walkman for short while.  Here is the Gold Koss A-2/8268 model and it IS made in JAPAN.  Us olde timers can tell it is a Fisher/Sanyo cloan with some exterior changes. 

Next up we have a rare promotional Walkman the JORDACHE ( jean company 70's and 80's) Series 120 model in GOLD. It has a single rear facing speaker and a external extension antenna.  Here is link to my topic on just this player it is based upon a Windsor mfg. model.

index.php?board_oid=193392314111653483&content_oid=193392314111863997

JORDACHE SERIES 120

Ah here is a player few ever on forum may have seen the AIWA HS-G35MkII Special Edition ( note I have a black one but only the Special Edition was in Gold)  Aiwa I think more than any other mfg. used GOLD exteriors.  

AIWA HS-G35MkII    SPECIAL EDITION

Here is a not to often seen AKAI PM-R1 ( FM tuner module model but radio insert not in these photos do have it ).

AKAI PM-R1

For last I have saved my rarest Gold Walkman.  It is a very light colored Gold metallic finish the Sony WM-40.  Take notice members this is a most ultra rare JAPANESE version using the CTP-1 AM/FM Tuner module.  Note the Japanese characters on the front door.  The WM-10RV a region different model number ( to my knowledge never offered with the CTP-1 radio) but identical to the WM-40 is also this light gold although to me the WM-40 is a slight shade darker.

SONY WM-40  JAPANESE VERSION with CTP-1 FM TUNER MODULE INSERT

Interesting aditions, John. thanks for adding!

For my taste, the most interesting is the last one, tieh SONY WM-40, but I was surprised the most with the AIWA G35MkII Gold...

Very nice that gold AKAI PM-R1 never seen.

Here's another gold AIWA walkman.

Yours to own for a reasonable price here http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/ws/e...me=ADME:B:SS:GB:1123

I've just updated the article about golden walkmans in my website with some new photos: two JX2000 boxes, WM-20 mizuno golden and a AIWA HS-P108 gold...

www.walkman-archive.com > gallery > aiwa

John: would you send me photos of your golden walkmans for adding to my article?

WOW... so much bling.

Time to put up Spandau ballet