AIWA HS-G35 Mk.II

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Marshall

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Sep 20, 2014
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Concord, California
My newly acquired JVC has inspired me to dig out and revive a real jewel that's been a part of my life since 1988, this, an old AIWA HS-G35 Mk.II

My wife brought it over here back in 1988 when she arrived from Germany (I see this little cassette player mentioned on a lot of German sites); must have been a popular model in Europe. Mine is the Black one and I'm happy about that as well (usually I favor red for the bigger late '80s early '90s radios)

Anyway, the sound quality is fantastic, almost as good as the full sized AIWA AD-F810 I bought new!

She ran it into the ground and it was put away with a tape still in it, and batteries. Needless to say, that didn't turn out well. Can't remember exactly why she retired it (I do know something went south with it) and it's replacement was a TOTAL PILE OF **** branded "Westinghouse" which also had a tuner built in. Still have that one too, made in china and little good for anything other than a novelty item (ALMOST 100% plastic). If they could have gotten plastic to conduct electricity I thing it would be.

Yesterday I cleaned out the battery compartment, did a little basic DeOxit work and now have the machine working (still, with the original belts!). Suffers a severe whine when the volume is up and the HF graphic equalizer control is anywhere off "0" but I've narrowed that down too. It's either a leaky cap OR more likely, a dirty ground on the "AUTO REVERSE" button(s) assembly.
(I can make the noise go away by holding the copper shield on the board tightly in my hand and or grounding the motor with my hand (capacitance) OR giving a HARD abrupt push to either of the "AUTO REVERSE" control buttons. It's definitely motor noise bleeding through. I didn't go in deep enough yesterday to get to that switch to treat it (and it IS stiff).

Either way, it's going to be a relatively easy fix so I'm excited.

Another old machine that's got a ton of sentimental memories attached to it and the build quality is excellent.

I've seen the "service manual" on line and can't really see a need for it. Looks more like a Japanese manual from the early '60s (very primitive and minimal) and not late '80s? Anyway, not a whole lot there. This one's DEFINITELY going to get a re-cap.

I DO want to change out the belts while I'm in there and would prefer to get EXACT replacements. I do own a measuring tool, vintage PRB, but would like to find the exact numbers/sizes.

No luck here; not listed (but neither is the AD-F810):
http://russellind.com/client/download/PRB_Belt_XRef.pdf

Does anyone have a manual or know a source where I can get the exact information on the belts for this little AIWA portable? AIWA stuff always seems to be a little difficult to find much complete info on.

I'll do the "match 'em up" route if I have to, but again would really like to know the exact sizes they used when they built the thing.

And last but not least; is there much love for this model? Sure seemed to be a popular one, there's like at least (5) "versions", Mk.I, Mk.II, Mk.III etc. Only complaint? No radio section but then I don't think they could have crammed in a cassette transport that sounds so damn good, so no real complaints here!

Thanks to all,
Marshall
 

Marshall

Member (SA)
Sep 20, 2014
32
0
0
Concord, California
Hello,
Just placed the caps order for this one with Mouser; postage is more than the parts!

Any ideas on where to get acurate belt data?

I (while searching for belt sizes) learned today that SONY now owns AIWA, so good bye product support (manuals) there.

No surprise really; AIWA built most of the tape transports for SONY's better machines anyway.

Got a good enough idea on belt sizes for this little box but would feel a lot better if knew the actual speced belt sizes 'cause this one requires un-soldering all of the fly leads to get at them.

Thank you,
Marshall
 
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