Sharp GF555 Evaluation. Twin Deck Radio Cassette. Boombox Needs Repair

[@SamLowryDZ-015]

Brilliant machine - we had one at school for the 5th form common area in the 80s and having a large record collection making compilation tapes took up most of my spare time.

[@retro_restos]

No way - that's awesome! I'm not surprised you wanted to make mix tapes for it. My plan is to service this on the channel soon, and make mix tapes of my own for it! Thanks for watching 👍

[@sebastiansekinger5070]

Love these machines, and this is a nice one! The playack issue on the record deck is probably down to perished rubber on the puck that sits on the lower part of the capstan shaft. This puck transfers drive to the take -up spool during record and playback. It is a common failure on Sharps. The rubber can turn to gue! Replacements are ofteb available on ebay. I would replace the one on the playback deck as well while you're at it. They all fail eventually!

[@retro_restos]

I'm sure you're right. I recently did a GF-6161 with that issue. I have a few other GFs waiting with the same issue. I'm 'looking forward' to fixing them! This one is so clean. I'll be polishing it up of course - but it literally is almost like new under the dust.

[@kevinh96]

Charity shops are allowed to sell electrical goods in the UK, British Heart Foundation stores often have electrical equipment for sale in their bigger ones. The problem is that they have to be safety tested, at the very least they must be PAT tested and that costs money so most don't bother.

[@retro_restos]

Indeed. And so in the 25 years I've lived in my town (which has many charity shops including a massive BHF), I have never seen a single Walkman or boombox. As you say, the cost of safety testing precludes it. But I'm guessing there are ways to circumvent it online, as ebay is full of charity shops selling absolute gems.

[@peterperry1583]

Nice looking box that i think your right to pay a bit more hopefully cut back on some of the work . I've just ordered a gf9191 which ive probably paid slightly more than i would have liked but hey ho . I also asked the seller not to send the power cable so fingers crossed .

[@retro_restos]

Yes, I always prefer to pay more for a decent base. It becomes very expensive very quickly trying to source donor units, spare parts, fabrication, painting.... Plus, an origiginal clean machine will always retain it's value. Don't get me wrong, sometimes there's no choice, or some even have a 'charm' when they're a bit worn - but I like mine clean and tidy. I looked at a nice clean 9191 on ebay this week, but I have enough to do as it is. 🤣 Good luck with yours, and yep - a wise move about the power lead. They are rarely original anyway, and you can't un-break a transit damaged piece of history. Well, you can to a degree, but you know what I mean!

[@peterperry1583]

Absolutely 💯 per cent keep up the great work .