******* CALLING ALL MEMBERS ADD YOUR KNOWLEDGE *******

SONY ONLY MODELS

I am sure that Sony used the AM/FM Tuner Pack CTP-1A ( Believe its the ONLY tuner module Sony made if another model made please add) in more than just these 3 models that I have.   Two other models WM-W800 and WM-R55 also take the tuner pack.  I would like this topic to be the DEFINITIVE SONY WALKMAN WITH THE ADD IN AM/FM TUNER MODULE.   PLEASE ADD YOUR KNOWLEDGE AND PHOTOS TO THIS TOPIC.  

The AM/FM tuner module was a innovative idea in the early 80's to keep the player smaller in size by not adding the electronics of the radio inside the actual player but putting them into a cassette tape styled module.   The antenna signal was drawn from the headphone wire which worked but players with actual pull out steel antenna provided MUCH better reception.    These are some of the rarest Walkman to own.    To my knowledge only JAPANESE RELEASED models had the added CTP-1A Tuner Pack with unique to Japanese model metal pick up tabs inside of Walkman.   If other models released into other regions were made please add them here with photos.  It is interesting to note that at least on the WM-40 there is a plastic tab filling the space where the Japanese version has metal pickups.   I am unsure if this is true of the WM-R15 and WM-55 as I only have the Radio versions.  I do have a Black WM-55 but I could not find it and sadly have no photos of it currently.   I am certain that the Black WM-55 is cassette only player.  The Japanese marking on door showing AM/FM is not on the Black one. 

PLEASE MEMBERS KEEP THIS TOPIC ON SONY ONLY MODELS WITH AM/FM TUNER PACK.  

I will start a Topic shortly titled WALKMAN WITH AM/FM TUNER PACKS ALL MANUFACTURES.  My collection this is area I have focused on over past many years.  I have 35 models with the AM/FM Tuner Cassette modules.

SONY

WM-R15  Japanese release only version (1984)

WM-40    Japanese release only version (1984)

WM-55    Japanese release only version (1985)

WM-R55  Japanese release only version (1985)

WM-800  Japanese release only version (1985 Believe not all WM-800 made for Japan had CTP-1A power strip inside)

SONY WM-R15 Japanese Release Version

A great little early player with theBinaural recording microphones in Headphones ( which I sadly do not have) and excellent mechanism within this player.   Strong amplifier output of 20 mW per channel.  Even has a small tape counter on the left side of player.  This player was serviced excellently by our member David including new belt.  It is interesting to note that no where in the Original Service Manual I have does it mention or show in diagrams anything about the AM/FM Tuner or that model can be a radio.   Further proving the rarity of this one model.   I have seen several WM-R15 even boxed with all accessories and none had the CTP-1 AM/FM Tuner pack included.   I have taken photos of each player's inside showing the distinctive 6 pin gold colored contacts to mate with 6 pins on back of CTP-1A tuner pack.  Same model numbered players have a fill plate covering this place on the main tape floor plastic piece.

SONY  WM-55  Japanese Released Version

SONY  WM-40  Japanese Released Version

Such a truly Grand top achievement from Sony.   Totally insanely over engineered with the collapsing famous WM-10,20,30 ultra small design re-engineered completely with with door opening opposite the heads and controls like the prior models.   Solid like a army tank and for its age very good sounding.  I am lucky to have had member Retropcdos do a complete overhaul including new belts on my player 2 years ago.  She is good for another 2 decades of faithful service and joy.  My thanks to Maurice.   Many topics have been started on this player that came in other colors which are insanely hard to find.  I know a few members with the Black versions totally stunning to look at but NEVER seen another AM/FM Japanese version other than mine and in Champagne light gold color.  Believe a Red was release also?

HERE IS THE STANDARD RELEASE TAPE ONLY WM-40 NEXT TO THE JAPANESE VERSION.

NOTE THE DISTINCTIVE PRINTING AT LOWER PORTION OF DOOR IN JAPANESE CHARACTERS. Also note that the Original Service Manual does not make mention anywhere or show in diagrams the AM/FM feature/function.

Does anyone know of any other SONY Walkman that use the CTP-1A radio tuner module?   Seems hard to believe only 3 models used the AM/FM tuner cassette pack from Sony.

The WM-800 does. I have one up for auction right now. It's hilarious, I never even knew the CTP-1A AM/FM Tuner Pack existed until someone asked did my auction include one. My wife just asked me yesterday, "Why is there an opening on the side of the "A" playback cover?". The funny thing is, the entire time I've had this unit (about 28 years), I never knew until now that's why their is an opening. Sure enough, I just checked and there is a little metal strip on that side that would line up with the 6 metal dots on the CTP-1A Tuner Pack. Would have been cool to snag one back in the 80's, although it would have been hard to come by if it was a Japanese market only release.

You are totally correct.  I completely forgot about the WM-800 in very rare Japanese version ( don't even think all WM-800's from Japan came with CTP-1A) having ability to use the CTP-1A Sony FM tuner pack.   I now remember one on eBay some time ago it showed the Tuner pack inside the WM-800.  I thought I had photo of it but don't.   Please post photo of the metal strip on yours here would be great.

Oh, that hole was for the radio module? I saw in in japanese models; now I know what's for...

You can see the metal strip on the one side with the indention's for the 6 metal dots for the CTP-1A just above the upside down "Sony" in the above picture. The lower picture shows the opening for the tuner dial and AM/FM switch on the side of the CTP-1A pack. My grandmother got this for me from a store in the Galleria Mall in Dallas, Texas. Probably 1984-1985 time frame. The store was wall to wall electronics with Japanese imported stuff I had never seen anywhere else.

I have an extensive photo file over many years saved photos of Walkman.  Finally found ( cant find by internet image search) the WM-800 JDM release version with Tuner Pack AND special INDENTED A side door on right side to allow tuning the CTP-1A tuner pack.

Second photo clearly see the full sized door without indent released outside of Japan.

WM-800  Japanese release version

STANDARD WM-800 WORLD MARKET outside JAPAN

Thanks to Renalto for pointing out the existence of the WM-R55 JDM version taking the CTP-1A tuner pack.

These photos are from a Japanese blog.  Sadly it is not a part of my collection.  Note the WM-R55 although very similar to the WM-R15 the R55 did NOT come with the Binaural microphone headphones.  Of interest the rear facing small single speaker on the WM-R55 where the WM-R15 has no speaker.

SONY WM-R55  Japanese Domestic Market release

 Sony WM-800 w ISS

Ran across this photo while doing a search on a totally different model.  My eyes had to look twice in disbelief here is a SONY WM-W800 Japanese Domestic Market release with the notched A side door for the FM tuner pack but the door is TOTALLY RED ... WOW.  Awesome looking Machine.

Back at this forum after >2.5 years...

Can hardly believe how time flies...

Will have to (finally) find some time to mend my units:

SONY  WM-40  Japanese Released Version

I have a champagne colored WM-40 (Japanese) with AM/FM option:

index.php?board_oid=193392314111653483&content_oid=193392314111823127

Sadly no CTP-1A radio unit though...

@JohnEdward: There's at least two of us here with champagne WM-40 - you did post in my thread back in 2009 and I thank you again for the service manual scans you provided.

The Japanese markings, however, are not printed on the Walkman - they are printed on a transparent sticker (at least on mine).

Also the Black AM/FM WM-40 being sold right now (Item 221146766880 at your favorite auction site) has the same sticker - only with white letters instead of black.

PS: my WM-40 is also missing the battery cover locking pin.

Ah yes, another thing: the pressed "Walkman" logo on the bottom - my WM-40 does not have it, but the black one in the auction does.

Strange... perhaps only later models had this feature (my serial is 22k, this one is 39k)?

As pictures show, JohnEdward's WM-40 & WM-10RV both have the embossed Walkman logo on the bottom...

index.php?board_oid=193392314111653483&content_oid=193392314111802178

Well, mine does not:

A BIG welcome back home Fortexg.  Your most welcome for the scans on the WM-40.  Looking forward to your posts/topics again.  That is MOST odd that your player does not have the embossed WALKMAN logo on back as both my WM-40 and 10RV do as did the black on from EU that recently sold to member on this forum.  Had bid on it but too expensive for my budget at over $200 it sold for.  The sliding door lock button often is missing on these models.. not a very good design, I always hold it to OPEN while closing then slide it to closed position.

  My WM-40 serial number is #9111#  so definitely a higher serial numbered unit so with the Black on #39000 I would tend to agree you have the more rare early model that maybe they did not come embossed.... we should watch future WM-40 appearances to see if this theory is correct. 

    I recently won a WM-W800 JDM version with the notched door AND the Japanese AM /FM sticker on A door that is notched with Japanese characters on it.  It is the much more rare Silver A Door version.  Will be posting photos once I get the gem.

   And yes you are correct the AM/FM Japanese character lettering at bottom of door on WM-40 is a sticker not printed on player.  I worded that incorrectly earlier in topic.  Seems safe to say that ALL tuner pack 5 Sony models used a sticker to designate the AM/FM option but as usually seen the stickers are missing from most models you can find so the metal 6 contact strip inside player is only real way to know.

No!  It's not safe to say ( Seems safe to say that ALL tuner pack 5 Sony models used a sticker to designate the AM/FM option )

What I was trying to show is that IF Your Sony "HAS" the 'Option' for the 'Tuner Pack', then it will have the ISS and switch position in the Walkman, as I Showed in the picture's above.

If you go back up this thread and see the pictures posted ( Sony WM-800 w ISS )

QUESTION?   What do you Need "ISS" for in a Cassette Walkman??  Here let me, help to explain with text and a link. =============================================================================== ISS - Interference Suppression Switch

Sony ISS Interference Suppression Switch

http://www.audiokarma.org/foru...owthread.php?t=96153

The diagram for the back of the switch labels it as ISS - Interference Suppression Switch. The explanation is a surprising one. It is used when recording AM radio onto a cassette. Here's the text:

"To reduce noise during AM recording

If a whistling noise is heard, which is inaudible before the REC button is pressed, set the ISS switch on the back to 1,2 or 3 depending on which one best reduces the noise." ====================================================================================

If in the future that you come accross a walkman that HAS a ISS Switch Position but no Tuner-pack with it, then I would be Certain that this ( Sony Walkman ) take's the radio insert - & - ask them where it is.

QUESTION?  What do you need 'ISS' for in a "only cassette walkman" have you ever seen this? without a radio?

I have another WM800 that has the 'holes' in the plastic for the Gold pins but does NOT have the ISS Silkscreened on the walkman cause it doesn't have the circuitry - just the holes.

See the Extra switch position? both script embossed into the plastic say the same thing.

( added ) - The Black on Black embossing on the bottom says the very same thing-next to the door hinge.  There is no paper sticker denoting radio on either of these 2 in the above picture ( just One has 'ISS' while the other One does not 

Went ahead and reposted my WM-800 Walkman on ebay. See the link below for a description. It takes the CTP-1A AM/FM Tuner.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Sony-W...;hash=item2ec3612b59

WELL CLEAN CLEAN those Walkman and use them  

Some new pics:

Well now there is that elusive Red A door W800, and the Flamingo colored WM-55 rare color to be sure plus the Black WM-40 so professional looking.  Not to mention you have another W800 JDM CTP-1A player in standard dark titanium.  Fantastic tuner pack collection.    Glad you added it here dbxS.

A new prized possession arrived last week.  FINALLY I have the JDM W800 with the SILVER A door color and the very VERY hard to find JDM sticker on A door showing 

FM/AM capability.  It came with a really clean original case AND the original mic and correct for this model headphones MDR-E242.  With 8 mw per channel she plays very loud.   To my amazement this player is truly flawless not a mark on it, even bottom looks like it was never sat down.  This player definitely is one of my top rarest pieces.

SONY WM-W800

HOW EXTREMELY unusual that you have a W800 withOUT the notched A door but have the ISS and metal strip inside for pickup to CTP-1A tuner pack.   Am pretty sure the notched door will be on all units as you CAN NOT adjust the tuner to different stations with a standard sized full door unless open door.  Highly doubt Sony would make unit with wrong door on it. Yours is the JDM release model but my guess is since the plastic windows on these cracks so easily and often you find them with this problem someone in past replaced the correct A notched door with a standard world issue full door.

Here is the R-55 However. it is not a jdm model. I will have to make certain modifications to make it accept the CTP-1A tuner module.

this player is missing the door catch! It is important because the pins on the tuner pack tend to push out on the door!

sky what a great collection 

The Sony WM-40 I'm looking for so long scon

i have the JDM w800 red 

Oh we all want to see lots of clear photos.  Do you have the Tuner pack for it also.

Well... smartphone quality :

Excellent a true beauty and you have it complete with Tuner pack and the grey velvet case.   Headphones and Microphone original too ?  Thanks for adding your photos.  indeed a fantastic collectible prize.

Yes, a great find!  John, perhaps he paid that large sum just recently! Still worth every penny!

I spotted your unit once on ebay, it has the japanese sticker on it and earphones.

Only the belts needed to be replaced.

Yes thats the one works great with tuner pack and just needs belts.  Lucky its mint no marks and came with orig. microphone and correct model headphones and case. Was just missing the tuner pack but I have two.  I was especially interested in owning it due to the Japanese sticker on A side door.

Yes, it's very nice. The earphones are very rare. Great buy.

This is probably not a unit with a replaced door. I have one exactly equal (same colours, unnothed door and ISS print next to the Dolby switch). I purchased it new in The Netherlands in 1987, and never replaced the door.

I have always wondered what the contacts and the ISS print were for, because it is not mentioned in the manual, and even not in the service manual.

By the way, does anyone know where I could purchase new belts for the WM-W800? Mine are worn after 26 years...

I won one of these on Ebay last year. It came from the USA. I've kept an eye on this forum but only just decided to check out this ISS thing. And what do you know? Mine also has the ISS contacts and a door WITHOUT the notch for the tuner operation. I wonder if it has anything to do with the serial number range? I've enclosed a pic.

It is pretty much immaculate but does need the belts replacing. A word of warning; when I took mine apart to investigate, the belts had turned into a gooey tar like substance that is very difficult to remove from the internal components.

If you find out where to get replacement belts, please tell me. I want to know if this old girl still dubs tape 2 tape.

Search for this member DocP & this thread: wm & wm F 10/10II/20/30 w800 troubleshooting

LINK ERROR.4324/reply/lastReply

It happens more than you think! I have seen a few on e bay while looking for a wm-w800.  I dont know about the iss swich,but did notice contacts and the full door.  

Originally Posted by Walkman Boy:

I won one of these on Ebay last year. It came from the USA. I've kept an eye on this forum but only just decided to check out this ISS thing. And what do you know? Mine also has the ISS contacts and a door WITHOUT the notch for the tuner operation. I wonder if it has anything to do with the serial number range? I've enclosed a pic.
It is pretty much immaculate but does need the belts replacing. A word of warning; when I took mine apart to investigate, the belts had turned into a gooey tar like substance that is very difficult to remove from the internal components.
If you find out where to get replacement belts, please tell me. I want to know if this old girl still dubs tape 2 tape.

Here is mine.... See the serial number.... Its not far from yours!

It also has the ISS contacts and switch and a door WITHOUT the notch..

Send a "Dialogue" to 'DocP' in this thread below:

Belts -almost all sizes Square Cut & Flat

http://REPLACEMENT ERROR/topic...uare-cut-andamp-flat