What the heck is Seltec?

[TobeyWan]

I found a boombox online clearly labeled "SELTEC" on the front. I was curious about the manufacturer of this sweet looking box, and I found very little info online concerning Seltec. I learned nothing about the company itself, and only found information about one other Seltec ghetto blaster, the GX-555. I found absolutely no other photos of this particular model (see attached photo).

Can anyone educate me on this Seltec company and possibly this particular model? It's a mystery that has perked my interest. Thanks!

 

[Reli]

That's an interesting looking box

Seltec is a fake brand, meaning there was never a manufacturer or business called Seltec. It's just a name made up by a huge manufacturer in Taiwan...….The same manufacturer who made up the names Helix, Lenco, Mura, Atlanta, and probably a dozen others. That GX-555 you mentioned has at least 20 other versions with different names.

 

[samovar]

I don't know Reli... I can't say anything for the other brands, but Lenco is a Swiss brand that used to produce turntables and dates back to 1946. Sure, among their classic boomboxes there is an aka of the Seltec GX-555 (or Helix etc). But so many electronic companies branded pre-existing models in order to stay in the market. Often, in their local market: it cannot be a coincidence that in Italy (an extended Swiss market) I've found no less than 4 Lencos and never ever a Helix, or a Seltec to come back to the topic of this thread

 

[Reli]

That's right, I think they simply used a different brand name for each country or each department store chain. That way, consumers shopping at Sears would think it's a different boombox from the one at Penney's, when it's really the same box with a different name and color.

As for Lenco the Swiss brand, Taiwan probably purchased the rights to use that name, or the trademark expired and they just used it without telling them. There's a few new products named Aiwa that aren't sold by the Aiwa of Chicago. It's just a name that expired 15+ years ago, and it became free game to use. Aiwa of Chicago cannot prevent businesses in other countries from using the Aiwa name.

 

[floyd]

I think all the good names were already taken by other companies so they just had to come up with s*** that didn't sound like anything else so they were violating any trademarks lol.

I get a kick out of some of these different names they come up with though , sometimes the same old names get boring.

 

[TobeyWan]

Interesting insight. I appreciate it.

So, of these lesser known names, are they typically of lesser value, or can that not be assumed?

This may be a question for a different thread, or maybe one already exists: What are the most quality/valuable manufacturers of boomboxes? And which are known to be junk?

I know that a question like this would solicit some subjective answers (which is fine), but are there particular manufacturers to look out for on either end of the value spectrum?

 

[Reli]

Can't really be assumed, because each brand had nice ones and crappy ones

Also, just because the quality might be bad doesn't mean it's not valuable. Could be valuable because of its looks.

 

[TobeyWan]

I can appreciate that. I'm new to falling down this rabbit hole of a hobby, so I am still developing my personal value system and boombox worldview.

I do appreciate this Boomboxery community, hearing people talk about their personal "holy grails" and celebrating each other's collections. It seems less competitive and more like mutual celebration.

For now, my collection will likely consist of what I find at garage sales and thrift shops on the cheap. A few decades of dust is great to drive down the price and allow me to build some sweat equity. I enjoy the hunt and working towards sweet before and after photos.

 

[Nickeccles]

Just another generic name & useful to know of course!! I love early 80's generic stuff, it was made well & a lot of it lasted too!

 

[Reli]

I can appreciate that. I'm new to falling down this rabbit hole of a hobby, so I am still developing my personal value system and boombox worldview.

I do appreciate this Boomboxery community, hearing people talk about their personal "holy grails" and celebrating each other's collections. It seems less competitive and more like mutual celebration.

For now, my collection will likely consist of what I find at garage sales and thrift shops on the cheap. A few decades of dust is great to drive down the price and allow me to build some sweat equity. I enjoy the hunt and working towards sweet before and after photos.

You have the right attitude. It took me awhile to learn what I like about radios and which ones I should buy. Everyone has different tastes. I have a few boxes that are built cheaply and sound HORRIBLE, but I'll never sell them, because they look so badass.