What would you do?

[mmcodomino]

So, imagine the following situation:
You have been looking for a specific model for a very long time and all of a sudden, two of those boxes come up for sale.
Box A look amazingly mint. The outside is basically like new, almost no scratches. Everything is complete.
But it has some major problems: Both tape decks will not turn and no motor can be heard, the volume cancels out after 20%, all the switches need lots of fiddling to eventually work and the radio does not receive stereo signal. Also, one side of the speakers sounds lower than the other.
Box B is really well used and you see it has been used a lot, maybe also on the streets. Many scratches and some paint wore off. The chrome has marks on it from corrosion. But this box is full working and also complete with all parts including antennas etc.
The price for both boxes is the same.

Which one would you pick and why?

I had this problem with my two GF-777s and eventually sold the better looking one with quite a few issues on it. One VU would not go, it would not run on batteries, it did never recieve stereo FM and one speaker always cancelled out for no reason. I kept a complete one in full working order wich I actually got for cheaper after all. The better looking one was unfixable according to the repair shop, or rather it would not have been worth fixing because of the costs it would cause.

P.S.: I do not post this because i am in the situation right now. It is just a made up random situation we could all get into . Beauty vs. Beast.

 

[blu_fuz]

Buy both - swap guts - sell the one you don't want.

 

[mmcodomino]

Buy both - swap guts - sell the one you don't want.

Okay! Edit: You only have the money to buy ONE of them

 

[tmlfan]

Buy both - swap guts - sell the one you don't want.

perfect!!

it all depends on the costs, you might be better off just waiting for a mint one if you can recoupe much money on a non working banged up box

 

[redbenjoe]

interesting topic , max--
- as that exact set of scenarios happens all the time
and for every type box ........

there are lots of 'correct' answers -

i will post some - later

 

[shane higgins]

buy both keep both
if a box is that good to even think about this situation keep them both and buy another
take them bother to the repair shop and ask them to make one working good looking boombox
electronics can be fixed at a cost but try and find a c100 door

 

[lazanas]

Interesting situacion but I would buy the working one and if the cosmetics were in a very bad shape- paint it with the most matching colour

 

[baddboybill]

Buy both - swap guts - sell the one you don't want.

100%

 

[blu_fuz]

Ask to borrow some moola and add 10% interest for the person that helped you out.

 

[redbenjoe]

Ask to borrow some moola and add 10% interest for the person that helped you out.

yes --done that --very good move

 

[Fatdog]

Okay! Edit: You only have the money to buy ONE of them

Since I can only buy one of them, I would choose Box A and hope like hell I could repair all of the problems.

 

[Pointdexter1906]

This is a great post and I was literally thinking about this exact situation because there is something I am spying on eBay right as I type this that is (supposedly) working, but kind of looks like it has been through the ringer. I would go with the one that was electronically sound, and then try to clean and/or swap out cosmetic parts. I opened an older box just to practice the other day and was LOST... I HAVE to buy all mine in full working condition!

 

[jaetee]

I think the answer here is more complex, and depends on each individual's level of electronics repair skills and the makeup of their collection.

If you have very fixed $$ to spend and a fully working box is what you really want, then I'd say go for the working one and do the best you can with cleaning products and maybe even paint. This will be the least expensive way to get to enjoy that model of box. And it's always good to have not-so-pristine, but good working units in a collection for when you want to take a box outside and enjoy it the way they were intended to be enjoyed.

If having great looking examples of boxes are what you are really into, and you want a shelf queen, then I'd probably buy the cleaner, non-working one and hold out to have it repaired. This will cost you more time, effort and money down the road, and assumes you then have the money for the repair... but in the end give you an ultimately more desirable finished product. At least buying the better looker now gives you time to save up for another working beater or the repair.

In my case, I would really try the recommended option of finding a way to borrow the money temporarily to buy both. Then make one really good one out of the two and selling the leftover beater as a parts or project box for someone else. But, if that's not an option, the decision gets tough.

 

[Lasonic TRC-920]

Buy the pretty one, dunk the whole radio in deoxit, replace the motor, blast it till the cows come home!

 

[redbenjoe]

one of the many correct answers --
is that it all depends on the box and on your personal first choice goal
(user or shelf queen)

example is that i love to look at my gorgeous gf 787 -
this picture does not really show the magnificent pearl white case or the super
blue dial

but its sound is harsh and hollow and screechy and cheap and nasty :
so the next time i ever listen to it will be NEVER !!!

so -- i would not pay 30 bucks for an all working // but badly beat up version --
with a cracked dial glass or missing deck door, etc

and i would pay alot for a mint cosmetic job --even it had NO inner parts

 

[Ken]

I say buy the working box. Usually...



Sorry, though, I have to vote for Ira's method. I am totally blinded by that 787's beauty...

 

[MasterBlaster84]

Buy the pretty one, dunk the whole radio in deoxit, replace the motor, blast it till the cows come home!

Exactly my thought Chris.
My priority with Boomers is looks first function second, aren't the looks the main reason we love these so much? If it were just the sound we can get that out of newer and duller looking boxes.

 

[mmcodomino]

Buy the pretty one, dunk the whole radio in deoxit, replace the motor, blast it till the cows come home!

Exactly my thought Chris.
My priority with Boomers is looks first function second, aren't the looks the main reason we love these so much? If it were just the sound we can get that out of newer and duller looking boxes.

It is LOOKS and FUNCTION combined what makes them so awesome I think...and I actually came to like the street used look on my 777.
If i only needed looks..well, I could look at photos

 

[redbenjoe]

another righteous answer is that it all depends on the details of whats
wrong or missing with the works or the cosmetics of the box -

in the gf777 example -
well thats both a good looking and good sounding model-

however --with that kind of power --you would want to be
PLAYING it --right from day one --
and not waiting around for repairs or electronic parts-

you know --that 'down the road' you will always be able
to get switch covers, knobs, and ALL the cosmetic ditties --

so - for that piece --i would go for a working one -
hands down

 

[71spud]

Buy the mint looking one... you can always find parts, or buy a better "beater box" on the cheap.... but you will not find good cosmetics on their own.

But if it were me... and if it was a box I had to have... a personal grail etc.... I would find a way to buy both.

It also matters how rare the box is too....