r/boomboxes

Found at a flee market. Sounds amazing but Needs maintenance. Will need an rf encoder for gaming 😀

Everything works except sound comes out low at full volume . Im hoping it’s an easy fix . Are these worth restoration ?

I just found out about the Bumpboxx 777. I need that asap!!!

Last week I picked up this Sharp GF-800Z (D) boombox from 1983. Originally, it had a couple of minor age-related issues; one of which was the tape decks wouldn't play, fast forward or rewind.

After opening it up over the ANZAC Day weekend, I discovered the idler gears for the take-up in both decks were seized. A thorough clean and lubrication fixed everything. Belts are good. The other issue was a horrible groaning noise accompanied by a mechanical vibration in TAPE 1. I replaced the capstan flywheel (with one from an identical junked mechanism), and both pinch rollers, which fixed the problem. This is the second boombox tape deck I've replaced a capstan in.

Seller I bought it from claimed the clock didn't work (all it needed was a AA battery). Time showing on it (albeit fuzzy) was correct when I took these pics. I quickly tested the decks with a Maxell UR 60. FM and all electronics work perfectly. The speaker grill foam is still intact as well. No other repairs needed.

Finally I re-adjusted the tape speed (both decks ran below correct position) using a professionally recorded 1 kHz calibration tape.

I now own 7 of these in my collection - fully working.

Most of the information is in the video but what's happening is that the FM is quite unreliable and both speakers like to pop quite dramatically when I'm changing the volume. Also, the rewind button is stuck down but I don't plan on using any cassettes in here. I just don't know if that affects anything. I'll gladly give more information if you need it, I just don't know what information to give since I've never used a boombox before