Hello from Colorado!

Hi All....

Found this wonderful website while researching a Sanyo MX920F I recently picked up.

I was at an elderly friend’s home a couple of weeks ago giving her a hand with a few chores.
Down in the basement on a table was a big beastie of a boombox, a Sanyo MX920F.
Her late husband got it from a neighbor many years ago, and apparently, it sat unused in the basement for a long time.

This Sanyo was very much worse for wear and tear, but in complete condition.
She wanted it gone, so I brought it home with me to see about restoring it.

After two weeks of bench time scrubbing old cigarette smoke from the outside and inside (absolutely filthy!), gluing broken screw supports back together, rebuilding the electronic/mechanical cassette tape deck, cleaning all the switches and contacts, replacing a dial light, etc., etc., etc., the end result is extremely nice, extremely clean MX920F that looks and sounds fantastic!

I admit that I've not paid attention to these vintage boomboxes prior to this.
I restore all sorts of stuff... cars, clocks, tube radios and amps, etc., but I think I've got a 'crush' on this boombox...
Oh No... something else to collect!

Anyway, after the restoration, I believe everything works as new on this box, but I am not familiar with the AMSS and how it is supposed to operate.
Any Sanyo owners out there that can give me a heads up?

Also, I downloaded and printed the service manual for a MX920LU, which is the shortwave version of this box (would love to find one of those!), but would also like to find an original or reprint owner's manual.
Any one got one for sale?

Will post a few photos during restoration and after...



Hmmmm....

Not getting an attachment link when replying to this topic.
Will have to figure out how to upload some photos from my computer....

Welcome mate. What you have there is one of the most beautiful boxes ever in my opinion. The Amss works to skip tracks on a cassette, simply press the Amss button to on then press "program" once to skip one track, twice for two etc then hit fast fwd and it will fwd the selected number of tracks then continue playing.

Here is the link to the manual, its owned by a member here and extremly trustworthy:

https://www.analogalley.com/osccart/product_info.php?products_id=386&osCsid=c58a48871ecc1c983a024b6d57872022

Hit "More reply Option" to see the upload button and show us some lovely pics!

Hello and Welcome to the forum.

I love interesting back stories regarding BB's & audio equipment and your tale does not disappoint, from the BB's perspective it's almost a Rags To Riches story! I'm pleased you've given this box a whole new lease of life and I look forward to seeing the pics you post.

to forum.

Welcome from London

Okay... got the pics figured out.
Thank you all for the warm welcome, and thanks to T-ster for the manual link and explanation of the AMSS feature on this box.

This is an amazing complicated boombox, and built like a tank.
I was surprised when disassembling the box at how much was 'stuffed' (tech term ) in there.
All the knobs and even 2 antennas are original and in very good shape.
A previous owner must have been a heavy smoker. Not only was the box coated with thick brown residue on the outside, but it had somehow worked its way inside, as well.
I spent more time scrubbing inside and out (Mean Green and a toothbrush), and repairing the non-functioning tape player, than all the rest of the restoration.

Wow it looks great and clean to. Such a looker the 920

Thanks, T-STER...

Wish I had taken more photos when I got the box, so you could see what condition it was in.

BTW... the link you provided was for another service manual.
Any chance anyone has an owner's manual or a downloadable copy?

I should get a photo of the Sanyo next to a vintage boombox... the Zenith Transoceanic Radio!

Thanks!

Welcome....Very nice and such an amazing sound the 920 is!!!

The link is definitely for The 920 I just clicked it!

Great resto and congrats on owning such a beautiful unit. Welcome aboard.

Thanks, Docs!

Hey T-STER...
Yes, the link is for a 920, but I am looking for a copy (or the original) owner's manual, not the service manual.
I've got a service manual already.
I assume these Sanyo boxes came with an owner's manual of some kind?

Also, I don't think the AMSS is working on my 920.
Might have to pull this apart (again), and check contacts associated with this function... bummer...

In your opinion, how big a deal is it to have this AMSS working? I won't use it, but will it devalue the box?

​Here is a photo of an 'early' boombox... an early 1950's Zenith Trans-Oceanic multi-band radio.
Of course, no cassette or 8-track, for that matter, but quite the radio back in the day!

Hi Paul, nice pickup, she's a beauty! Where in CO are ya? Probably Denver, CSprings here!

Hi Hajidub...

I'm north of you in Arvada, in the foothills of the beautiful Rockies.

I do feel fortunate having run across this boombox and having had the opportunity to restore it.
It might have ended up in the landfill otherwise, which would have been terrible!

I've saved quite a few vintage items on their way to the dump, restored them and found homes for them.
Thank goodness, there are those of us who appreciate quality made, built to last stuff.
This forum, and others like it, are inhabited by such people...