The Boombox Gods Really Blessed Me----I think.

[BassHead]

I saw the JVC 550 on Ebay this morning, while walking to get breakfast, and couldn't hit buy know fast enough. Actually I meant to put in an offer, but my phone bugged out, and I ended up buying at retail. Regardless, I never ever see a reasonably priced 550 on Ebay. I'll admit that I'm not always checking either.

It appear everything works. There is a large crack in the tuner window. I figure at a minimum, I can sand her down to make it look a lot better. I saw Blu-Fuzz's post using the 3M method. Is there another method out there that might be better for my tuner window?

I'm a bit giddy today. That little kid Christmas feeling almost! This will be a fun project for me. Actually really looking forward to trying to clean her up. If the deck/tuner/speakers work, and it's all cosmetic...it will be right up my alley

My only mechanical work to date has been replacing belts and a pinch roller......


https://www.ebay.com/itm/JVC-Model-RC-550JW-Boombox-For-Parts-or-Repair-GHETTO-BLASTER/123163097095?hash=item1cad17b807:g:GscAAOSwN2VbDWQI

 

[Dr DER]

Congratulations it actually looks like it's in good condition.

 

[Fatdog]

I not sure what can be done to fix that tuner window other than replacement. Other than that, I say you got a pretty good deal. A good bath and some TLC and it will love you forever.

 

[Ken]

$400 ...and if everything works? Even with a few bugs...

SCORE!

 

[BassHead]

Cool! Thanks All. When first saw her I figured it must be coming out of Russia or Japan...but NOPE NOPE NOPE! I got a promotion in early May and seeing the extra cash flow made pulling the trigger that much easier. I'll be super hyped out once I get her going. I gave some good packing directions and feel comfortable that he/she will pack accordingly.

I've spent many an afternoon flipping through photos online and watching youtube video's of this blaster. Now, I'm about to have her all for myself!.......Fo Sho!

I'll be posting photo's soon enough.

 

[Fatdog]

I gave some good packing directions and feel comfortable that he/she will pack accordingly.

Oh, man. I hope the seller will actually take your advice. Sometimes we offer to pay extra upon delivery of an unbroken box. That "can be" an incentive for a seller. Not always though.

I'm just as excited as you are! I can't wait for pictures.

 

[T-STER]

Yes, I was in a similar boat as you and wanted a 550 for ages, a reasonable one came along and it made my week, no month. Great score and I think you will love this iconic beast

 

[Northerner]

Well done on scoring the best mono box ever

 

[jimmyjimmy19702010]

Very cool box and huge!!! Got to love any box with a 10 inch driver.

She looks like she’ll be a good user box when you get her fully working.

Just make sure the ‘stereo’ light comes on when you’re using the FM tuner.

 

[Lasonic TRC-920]

That's a very good price indeed, congrats!

 

[BassHead]

Much appreciated all! I can't wait to clean her up and get her presentable. I will surely be posting photos.

 

[blu_fuz]

Agree, even with the spider crack in the tuner window this is a nice buy. Polish it up and enjoy. Maybe you will find a sticker to put over the crack.

 

[floyd]

I used to make tuner windows for the M90 complete with the silver Chrome strip at the bottom I don't do it anymore because I lost the template.

If you have a table saw on a Dremel tool you can make a new tuner window but you have to have a special blade to cut the plexiglass.

I use really thick polyacrylic lexan you can buy scraps off of eBay for next to nothing.

 

[BassHead]

Thanks JVC Floyd. I will talk to me neighbor. He is a carpenter, and he will help if I can draw him up the blueprint. I'll figure out how to fix that window. When there is will there is ALWAYS a way!

 

[BassHead]

So I got the 550 today! Surprisingly fast. It was packed well, though when I unwrapped the box, the rear panel detached from the bottom. There was only one screw holding the rear panel to the front (top middle). Knowing that someone has been inside, that did not properly attached the chassis seemed like a bad sign...but I don't think so.

I first tried to play a cassette, and the tape played properly! I then looked through the opening of the case with a flashlight and noticed the lead from the antennae was not attached to anything. The antennae was also loose, which was mentioned in the posting. I disconnected the leads going to and coming from the vicinity of the batteries. I then removed the back chassis, the buttons, roller bars, and the speaker trim and have given that all a good bath.

There is no way I'm going to attempt to remove the guts from this thing! At least until I'm forced to change belts / fix deck. The PCBs look in surprisingly good shape and very clean. The antennae was loose, and I fixed that by adding a screw that was missing to the base of the antennae.

So the box is missing its handle! I didn't quite catch that from the Ebay photo's, showing you how quickly I reacted to purchasing this unit.

Two questions (now actually one!):

1. Anyone have a handle they are willing to sell? I'll pay Ebay money. Or is there another model that is compatible that anyone is aware of? I'm aware that someone who sells straps on this forum so I may have to go that route as a temp band-aid.

2. I was going to ask about where to plug the antennae lead as based on the length of the wire, I was certain it came from the top left PCB, but noted the PCB has at least 5 pins for probably connection points. But just now I noticed one says "ANT" (top right side of PCB), so I guess I just answered this question. I'm guessing the radio will work once I plug in the antennae.

Let me know if anyone wants me to take any specific photos while I have her open. She's going to stay open until likely Sunday as I'm busy tomorrow and need to get screws from home depot.

More photos to come once she is put back together. Fingers crossed!

 

[BassHead]

Also, the trim around the mid speaker has, what I'll call sun spotting on it. It's really not that bad, but noticeable, and since the chrome on this unit is lacking, I was what is there to SHINE! The trim around this speaker, unlike the bass speaker, is very thin metal. The bass trim is thick plastic.

Any recommendations on how to get that off, and give it a nice shiny finish?

 

[jimmyjimmy19702010]

Sorry to hear of the missing parts. The closest box I have from JVC from the era is my RC-727. The top panel and leds etc looks very similar.

The top centre rear screw on the RC-727 is a fine machine screw that scews into a metal panel:
However, the other rear case screws self tap into the plastic rear case posts. Here is a pic of those screws:

It’s crucial you get screws of the correct length and pitch. Get the pitch wrong and you’ll strip out the post threads - (assuming someone hasn’t already done that for you)!

Others who actually have a RC-550 can confirm if the 550 actually uses the same screws as the 727.

The handle of the 727 looks to have very similar (if not identical) bar ends. Here is a pic of the 727 handle and its’ length:

Maybe you could find a 727 or similar era JVC model cheap that could provide the parts you’re missing.

Good luck,

James.....

 

[BassHead]

Thanks Jimmy. 400mm is about 15.75 inches. I measured and the length of the centerline of the handle slots in the chassis and it is about 16.75 inches (426mm or maybe a tad longer).

The top middle screw on the 550 is a fine machine screw, similar to yours, but it is 2 or 3 times the length. See photo. I will buy two more of these machine screws as they fit the other two top mounts at rear of chassis (making 3 total connections at the top).

When I opened the battery cover, with the back chasis removed, to my suprise there was a screw still in place, and it was still attached to the post which had been snapped off the front of the chassis. Photo shows the broken post. This screw is 1 1/4" as shown. It looks like the chasis supports 3 of these along the bottom....bottom right (broken), center, and bottom left. This screw will screw into the bottom center post, so it is not stripped. Upon quick inspection, I couldn't find the bottom left post. Maybe I will get lucky here.



Also, I only did a couple turns with the screw in the bottom middle post....trying to listen to your warning. I'd assume that if it works with the broken post, it will work with the others. I mean, why complicate the design with different screw sizes along the bottom of the chassis

 

[BassHead]

The 838 might be a closer match for the 550 handle. Can anyone check for me?

 

[T-STER]

Hey mate, great score on the RC550 and glad its arrived. I have a 550 parts box here in the loft so may be able to help out. I was actually waiting for some parts to try and complete this one and get it back together but im sick of having loads of non working boxes around so we may be able to work something out.

I can't say definitively but im pretty sure i have the handle, tuner trim etc. Might be worth making a list of what you need and i will see what i can help with. Drop me a pm bud.