And then there were five...

[Boom Shaka Laka]

One of my boombox collecting obsessions is owning lots of versions of the same box. And one of my favorite boxes is the Panasonic 5150... not the greatest and not the worst, but an all-around average (nice) box, and exactly what a boombox should look like.

Just when I thought I had every version of the 5150 made, a few weeks ago I found another one. So, now there are five in my collection... and I couldn't resist sharing these "family photos." It makes me wonder if there's a sixth version out there somewhere.

First, the standard RX-5150:

And the slightly more upscale Quasar GX-3642:

Then there's the Japan domestic version, the National RX-5150.
The treble, bass and loudness controls have been combined into a single tone control to make room for a mic input and a mic mixing control.

Here's the extra elegant (look at those speakers!) National Panasonic RX-5150F international version with shortwave:

Finally, my most recent find (ta da!), the National Panasonic RX-5150LS. Must be a Euro edition, with SW, and with all bands abbreviated in English and German. On this one, the National name isn't on the tape door, but in the "N" logo, which is on the sticker and under the LED VU's on the box.

 

[petergriffin]

Very nice. Is there any sound difference at all between the models?

 

[Superduper]

Whoa. That last one -- I was watching it, and glad that excellent example went to YOU. Take some good pics of that label so fatdoggy can make some labels please.

 

[MasterBlaster84]

Congrats Booma Supa Lupa they all look great.
Norm is right that last one is a great candidate for label reproduction.

 

[mellymelsr]

That last one is very nice...

 

[BMoney]

Very nice BSL!
I'm glad to see that latest one with the decal go to you.
My favorite is the Quasar. The darker tint and the woofers make it look proper. IMO.

 

[Fatdog]

I happen to own the "basic" RX-5150, but I have to admit that I like the looks of the Quasar much more.

That's a nice "quint" collection you have, Bomb Shackle Lacy.

 

[Boom Shaka Laka]

Very nice. Is there any sound difference at all between the models?

Pretty much all the same (to my tin ears)... except the Japanese version, which really suffers in the bass department from not having a loudness switch or separate bass and treble controls. Gotta make room for Karaoke, I guess!

 

[Boom Shaka Laka]

Whoa. That last one -- I was watching it, and glad that excellent example went to YOU. Take some good pics of that label so fatdoggy can make some labels please.

Ended up going for about $250, which is a LOT for a 5150. But I HAD to have it...
...to complete the collection,
...it's in awesome shape, and everything works,
...it seems to be a really rare one,
...the STICKER!!

Thanks, SD, for not being mad that I got it.

Fatdog, if you're reading this, let me know if you'd like an up-close photo of the sticker. I'll get it to you before you can say Boomshmuckalucka.

 

[redbenjoe]

nice going boomschlonger

its nOt likely --but is it possible that there were still #6 AND #7 ----
and #12 versions???

 

[Boom Shaka Laka]

nice going boomschlonger

its nOt likely --but is it possible that there were still #6 AND #7 ----
and #12 versions???

Actually, I just realized there IS a sixth version... well, maybe 5½. The Canadian release, which looks just like the USA version, says on the back nameplate that it's single voltage 120v., which (I think) was Canadian law back then. Truth is, the box itself is multi-voltage just like the one that came out in the USA.

(One of my other recent eBay buys was an RX-5030T [I'll post a photo soon.] I've got a couple other 5030's, but never heard of a "T" version before. Turns out it's got no FM! Just 3 SW bands and AM! [Seems pointless that is has stereo speakers, except for the tape, I guess.] So, yeah, there really could be more weird variations of the 5150 out there! I guess with Panasonic, anything's possible!)

 

[redbenjoe]

every one of the big resourceful makers --MUST have had some historian // archives person)S)
to provide ready lists of ALL the products they ever made for commercial sale --

and the FCC // UL might have such records --

but --none of us have this access

 

[skippy1969]

AWESOME RX-5150 collection Boomshakalakalaka!!!!!!!!

 

[Jovie]

That basic model is one of my favorite mid sized boxes for looks.The Quasar is one I've wanted for a while.Maybe someday..

 

[baddboybill]

Finally, my most recent find (ta da!), the National Panasonic RX-5150LS. Must be a Euro edition, with SW, and with all bands abbreviated in English and German. On this one, the National name isn't on the tape door, but in the "N" logo, which is on the sticker and under the LED VU's on the box.
[ Image ]

That is a very nice bbx, I have exact model but its the 5150L, but its not even in half as nice of shape as yours

 

[oldskool69]

Way to go! I love the differences in each model. I find it interesting how these were tailord specifically to the market which they sold.

 

[Boom Shaka Laka]

I have exact model but its the 5150L, but its not even in half as nice of shape as yours

Hey BBB, that's IT!! That's version #6! Very, very cool. It'd sure be interesting to know what the differences are between the L and the LS, but you'd probably need to set the two boxes side-by-side to figure out it out. Oh well.

 

[devol-toni]

nice collection of N/P versions you got there boomie
I like all of them

I'm pretty sure that you will find more # of them

 

[baddboybill]

I have exact model but its the 5150L, but its not even in half as nice of shape as yours

Hey BBB, that's IT!! That's version #6! Very, very cool. It'd sure be interesting to know what the differences are between the L and the LS, but you'd probably need to set the two boxes side-by-side to figure out it out. Oh well.

They look the same, If you are interested PM me if you would like to buy or trade possibly. Its 100% working

 

[Boom Shaka Laka]

Thanks for the offer! I was looking mine over last night and noticed that it says 5150L on the front and on the tape door sticker. The only place I see LS is on the back stuck-on nameplate. What that tells me is that mine is, in fact, an L version like yours, but maybe sold in a different part of the world to get the LS designation. As nice as it would be to have another one, it probably doesn't make sense to have two that are identical. Since I paid an arm and a leg for this one, maybe I should wait a while before adding one more to my collection. And when I do, it had better be really unique... maybe a T version without FM or a bright red one. I doubt they exist, tho.

Thanks again!