I was quite the audio buff back in the day. It's not that I haven't kept up. I can fumble my way through iTunes and I have an iPod and a huge collection of MP3s. I also have CDs, 45s, LPs, cassette tapes, 8-track tapes, DVDs, VHS and Beta videotapes. There was one mystery box sitting in my office for seven years. I really wasn't sure what was in it. When I opened it, I discovered it was my old Technics turntable and my Sanyo Beta VCR. Man, were they heavy! They don't make them like that anymore!
In the back of my mind, I was remembering that both of these pieces of equipment had "issues" the last time I tried them. I first plugged in the turntable. I moved the arm and the light came on, but the platter didn't spin. I looked under the platter and there was what looked like a rubber band. It was the drive belt, totally dry-rotted. There was also the fact that it wouldn't shut off by itself. Onto the trash heap.
Next was the Beta VCR. I found some old Beta tapes and hooked it all up to the TV. I played some Rolling Stones videos and it worked just fine and then it stopped. I took out the tape and popped in another. I had a picture for a split second and then I heard a crunching sound. I hit the eject button. It didn't budge. I had to physically pry the tape out and along came a string of videotape. Onto the trash heap with that too. I also burned (struck a match to, for you youngsters) about 90 Beta tapes. They went up in smoke real fast.
Then out in the garage I found my old 8-track recorder (not just a player). If I remember right, it needed a small black rubber band and it would work again. The last one dry-rotted. I'll work on that later. Notice the 8-track tape of the B-52s. Yeah, I had it goin' on in the '80s.
Also, was my RCA Videodisc Player. These were manufactured in Indiana during the 1980s. Movies were pretty easy to come by then. The movies were about the size of an LP and you slid them in the drawer and pulled out the sleeve. You pulled up the lever and the movie would hit the needle and start to play. Much like an LP, you could get a movie that "skipped". Here I am displaying The Pink Panther movie. I have plenty of other titles like On the Waterfront and The Big Chill. I wonder if there is any market today for these machines. They had such a short-lived popularity.
I also gave a 1986 SONY Discman to a neighbor who didn't have a CD player. It all still worked but the original headphones. I even had a carrying case and accessories. I have a double cassette boom box out in my garage. I'll listen to the radio if I'm out there working. The cassette player eats tapes though.
I found a receipt for my original stereo from 1983. I paid almost $500 for a turntable, speakers, amp, and maybe a cassette player. I have most of the original boxes. I wouldn't pay that kind of money today; no way. And I had no business spending that kind of money back then. I was a stupid young kid.
It's a bit like going through the Smithsonian here.
Jerry ~ I remember that I bought a Sony Cassette Tape deck in Vietnam in 1969 that actually had the ability to play six tapes like a record changer used to. I wish I still had it (not becuase I want to use it), but so that I could show it to people who can't believe my story. ~ jb///
Posted by: Lazy Blogger | August 11, 2010 at 08:41 AM
The videodisc player is still very popular among enthusiasts, as are the discs for it.
Posted by: Roberta Ecks | August 11, 2010 at 09:53 AM
Roberta - Can you find me one of these enthusiasts? I'd like to give them an early Christmas present.
Posted by: Jerry | August 11, 2010 at 10:03 AM
I always like it when you show a turntable or an 8-track player to someone born after, say 1982, and they say "What's that?" with a blank stare on their face.
Posted by: diamond dave | August 11, 2010 at 12:01 PM
Funny...I lost my expensive (back in the day) Kenwood component system on Fathairybastard's last visit. Previously I lost one of my white rubber woofers to rot! I had that fixed and I was going to show Jeff what it was like to watch old speakers vibrate to the beat of some great 70's tune. However, after flipping the power on the amp fried and smoked up the room!
So, I'm left to consider having the amp fixed or replaced. Do I want to invest another $75 into this old beast?
Maybe I should take your lead and just give it away to some collector.
Maybe I should do a blog post on the subject first?
Posted by: Mushy | August 11, 2010 at 01:43 PM
Mushy - I looked at your Kenwood amp. Mine pre-dates yours, before they went to black fronts, and is heavy. I'd take it apart and look at it. It could just be something simple. Also, check out the website Parts-Express.com. That's where I got my replacement woofers.
Posted by: Jerry | August 11, 2010 at 01:50 PM
Doesn't the shelf life of our "stuff" seem to kep getting shorter and shorter?
Posted by: prairiecowboy | August 12, 2010 at 02:25 AM
When my mom sold the lakehouse I took the old multifunction player with an 8-track, turntable and am/fm tuner. And- BONUS - all the Neil Diamond 8-track tapes. What a haul!
Posted by: Stace | August 12, 2010 at 09:45 PM
8 track...now that takes me back to my college days. Man. I'm old.
Posted by: Cliff | August 21, 2010 at 05:59 PM