Old Dept. Store boxes, aka Sears, Wards, etc.?

[Deadweight]

Were there any very good ones that anyone likes?

I take it some were made by name brand manufacturers for these firms, and were given the store label.
Maybe some real bargains in thus area?

 

[Reli]

These 3 sound excellent:

Sears SR-2199 | The Boombox Wiki (wikiboombox.com)
Montgomery Ward GEN-3996A | The Boombox Wiki (wikiboombox.com)
Montgomery Ward GEN-3966 | The Boombox Wiki (wikiboombox.com)

 

[Deadweight]

These 3 sound excellent:

Sears SR-2199 | The Boombox Wiki (wikiboombox.com)
Montgomery Ward GEN-3996A | The Boombox Wiki (wikiboombox.com)
Montgomery Ward GEN-3966 | The Boombox Wiki (wikiboombox.com)

Thanks, Reli!
I was looking at the Sears, but the seller said "Plays fine on mono, when switched to stereo left channel sounds weak." Did some searching, most often means failing electrolytic caps on one channel, recapping is above my paygrade right now.
Great information!

 

[Reli]

Or one of the controls simply needs some contact spray

 

[Deadweight]

Or one of the controls simply needs some contact spray

Very possible.
I was just looking at a Deoxit kit online.
Probably a good investment.
From ham radio, I have 2 Motorola communications analyzers, 2 Tektronix vintage oscilloscopes, vintage Weller soldering station, and much more.
I'm sure a lot of this can be used for box restoration.
Trouble is, I've been out of the field so long (20 years) I don't even remember how to use some of it. it's not like riding a bicycle.
Did QA for 2 aerospace firms.
Many moons have passed since then.
Boxes have rekindled my motivation.

 

[Tinman]

Those big Sears boxes are nice.
They look like they're really easy to work on.
I agree, that box might need just a simple switch & pot cleaning.

 

[Deadweight]

Those big Sears boxes are nice.
They look like they're really easy to work on.
I agree, that box might need just a simple switch & pot cleaning.

Thanks, Tinman!

 

[mudman]

If you go on Vintage Machinary you can find the manufacturer's code for Sear's Boomboxes, most are made by Sanyo and a few others. The microcassette/TV models are mostly unique and there's one or two others that are very special. Nine times out of ten they are just entry-level Hong Kong/Taiwan mass produced models.

 

[caution]

If you go on Vintage Machinary you can find the manufacturer's code for Sear's Boomboxes, most are made by Sanyo and a few others. The microcassette/TV models are mostly unique and there's one or two others that are very special. Nine times out of ten they are just entry-level Hong Kong/Taiwan mass produced models.

That's really good info mudman, the list is here

 

[floyd]

That's really good info mudman, the list is here

I know my little cheap Sears sr2100 is an aka of a Sanyo model.