Ideal sources for Boom Boxes

[MesaAZGuy]

Aside from eBay and craigslist, what are some good sources to find decent BB's? There aren't many yard sales in my neck of the woods. I haven't gone into Goodwill but somewhere online I did notice they auction off higher value stuff. One of them was a small boombox and it was already at $75. I would love to have a huge multi gadgeted thumper but prices for those on eBay are out of my marriage agreements!

 

[Fatdog]

Look for some estate sales in your area. I have never had any luck at them, but some members have.

 

[Radio raheem]

look in Fatdogs back yard, hundreds there

 

[Brutus442]

Or Rimmer's shed. It contains the stuff of legends I'm told...

Seriously, a few other things you could try is spread the word that you like collecting old boomers to your family members. You'd be surprised how quickly 4 sets of eyes and word of mouth finds some nuggets.

Lastly, check local automotive repair garages. The old crusty shop radio is sometimes that grail incognito. Just needs some TLC and she's back in form.

 

[MesaAZGuy]

Yeah, I already posted in my TR6 car forum but no leads. My family thinks I am crazy so no luck there. My fear of finding a grail of a radio is restoring it. Im not that good on exterior cosmetics but can definitely fix them to work.

 

[Van Presence]

I stop into a random second hand store in a smallish country town now and then. Its mostly furniture/household stuff, but has decent amounts of electronics, vinyl n tapes.
Usually something cool I'd consider buying.
Got this 3 weeks ago

 

[caution]

Check your area for consignment shops, we've got these around here and have scored a couple nice ones there.

 

[Foreverlo]

If you're considering Ebay and Craigslist then you may want to check out Kijiji. It's basically a Canadian Craigslist. Most people here in the states don't seem to know about it so bargains can more often be found. And for some reason there seems to be a ton of vintage boomboxes in the greater Toronto area. Not everyone will ship to the US but I talked a guy into it and got a great box to the Midwest for much cheaper then usual Ebay prices even accounting for a customs charge I had cover. It took some work and I had to trust the guy but it was worth it. Of course you'll see any number of overpriced boxes these days on Kijiji as well.

 

[MesaAZGuy]

I do know of Kijiji. Used them for some hard to find car parts a few years ago. Thanks! Theres a JVC 838 radio on ebay for $299 but it needs some work. Mostly cosmetic. Not sure if I can do cosmetic or find trim pieces for it. I am planning on going to the Venice Beach gathering but I want to find a radio for Marie. (Eventually it ends up back in my hands....Buaahhhahahahaha!

 

[Foreverlo]

Thanks! Theres a JVC 838 radio on ebay for $299 but it needs some work. Mostly cosmetic. Not sure if I can do cosmetic or find trim pieces for it.

Funny, most of my work on boomboxes to this point has been fixing up 838s. I'd consider the fact that the cosmetic work is probably the hardest. The metal faceplates on the top and front are thin, are almost always a bit scratched and dented, and aren't easy to remove without damaging further. I don't mind living with some history though. Just realize that it's not easy to fix these cosmetic issues. Sounds like you can handle the mechanical issues.

The 838 is probably my favorite boombox. It's so cool looking, it's well built with more metal and less plastic, it sounds great, it gets loud, it has a great tuner, and it has a solid aux for your phone. The only area where it's lacking is in the bass department. Boxes from the 70's just weren't ready for the bass of the eighties and nineties.

Good luck!

 

[angel6er]

I have luck on other apps like offer up.let go or even on facebook marketplace. Some craigslist apps on phones can allow you to search for something in multiple areas on Craigslist, so since you are going to SD to pick up a car, I would suggest trying something like that. Happy hunting!

 

[floyd]

I just looked on offer up and found 5 old skool boxes most are dirt cheap too except the $1800 conion.

 

[MesaAZGuy]

I need to get more technical with these searches. As I get older, my patience goes thinner. I better start using my Bipap machine again. My cranky mood is coming back...

 

[im_alan_partridge]

I put a few pics on my screen saver at work, it got people asking about them and led to two nice scores