Amazing Performance + Superadio Tuner! 1984 GE Model 3-5266B Boombox

[@sonicxtasy]

That was my first "new" boombox. I bought it at Costco in the mid 80's for $79.99. Weighed a ton but would fit inside a large thin duffel bag so I could sneak it into middle school. About 1 month after I bought it we went back to Costco and they had the larger GE 3-5268a for $99.99. I kind of wished I had waited but was happy with my 3-5266B.

[@OX71]

That was my boombox! That's the sound I remember.

[@HarleyBadger]

Like this specific one or was it one that was the same model?

[@OX71]

@@HarleyBadger lol, same model. I told Spatsbear about it in another boombox video of his and he went out and bought one!

[@HarleyBadger]

@@OX71 ah, cool!

[@OX71]

I used to collect bottles and cash them in to buy the d cells, load em up and drive my bmx with it resting on the handlebar and holding it with one hand to go out and breakdance

[@EmersonCollie]

Who would want to leave their home to see awesome and cool things, when all of the awesome and cool things are right there at home! You and Harley now have a place where you can close off ALL of the bland and boring Mc's of the world and live in peace in paradise.

[@AthenaNova1]

That radio has fantastic performance! I think that "Mix 97.3" is WKWK-FM in Wheeling WV

[@Trance88]

Great find, dude! This is definitely the best "in-house" GE branded boombox I've ever seen or heard. The way the speakers have two ways to connect to the main unit is amazing!

[@tommyz625]

I had one in high school that bit the dust. I ended up buying a replacement for it via eBay years ago. I still have it and it works perfectly, tape and all. I had heard that internally it was a Hoffmann. Thanks for a great review!

[@RealEpikCartfrenYT]

i think that cassette deck mechanism could be a very early Tanashin mechanism (or at least the mechanism Tanashin based their designs on) because the button layout is identical as on the Tanashin (REC-PLAY-REW-FF-STOP-PAUSE), and even the mounting points of this mechanism line up with the mounting points on the Tanashin mechanisms, as well as the placement of the flywheel and the clutch assembly.

[@spatsbear]

The Tanashin’s during this time frame look very similar to their 1985-86 to current decks, but actually built better and use similar parts, but still bottom of the barrel. But alas, no this isn’t a Tanashin. Also the GEC tape transports used in some units and 4 track recorders have the same button layout. Eventually I’ll find out. This tape deck works very well, just as good as the GEC made ones.

[@RealEpikCartfrenYT]

@@spatsbear yeah its what i assumed. this predates Tanashin mechanisms but they are quite similar. Its possible that the Tanashin design is a knockoff of mechanisms like this because of the similarities i mentioned

[@Foxonian]

I remember when those were brand new. Kind of pricey, but good performers. Btw, nice choice using the Airwolf theme.

[@damusicianstrikesback5337]

That is so awesome and glad you were able to grab it cheap. That looks to be a step above my GE 3-5263D from 1985.

[@80s_Boombox_Collector]

A very nice looker!

[@wheelhorseman2306]

Interesting video; you are very lucky to have this unit. I know that because it took me a lo-o-ong time to find my 5268A, which is the only "boombox" that says SUPERADIO SERIES on the tuner faceplate. You might know this already, but it's mostly silver, and from differs from the 5266B in several ways- the VU meters are lighted analog, there is a 5 band graphic equalizer (so no Bass or Treble knobs), and it has the MLS 3 music search. The two left-most knobs are Left and Right Record Level. It has Dolby NR and Metal/Normal Tape buttons, but no Loudness button. It sounds great, with excellent AM and FM reception, but the tape deck doesn't work. I've repaired several car stereo tape decks, and about a dozen, (mostly Nakamichi), cassette decks, but this unit is puzzling. After I got it in 2020, I took out those three screws to replace the belts but the "SOFT TOUCH" transport still wouldn't come apart, and many of its connectors are soldered, not plug ins, to other boards. My unit was made in Singapore, and the date code is 1441. Do you have any data on this unit, (because I've never seen a service manual)? Thank you for any information you might be able to share.

[@josephmay4937]

Love your videos keep up the great work my friend long time subscriber to your channel

[@harlyfront6807]

I love this tibe

[@AMDRADEONRUBY]

Great find Mike love that boombox good old stuff !

[@thevhsdork1559]

Loving your videos! What I do miss is your rants on random topics. Would you think about bringing something like that back? But other than that keep up with the great videos!

[@spatsbear]

Oh yes, there will be rants and such in the future :)

[@inachu]

I had a similar GE radio like this but did not have so much black and was mostly silver but the larger lower speaker grill were of same color and the right side of the tape deck had the up and down bass mid range and such. Wish I knew what model it was that I had but lost it in a long move.

[@danielknepper6884]

Reli approved

[@kyfeam]

not bad for $150 bucks! the black version is more rare isnt it?

[@spatsbear]

Apparently it is. I've only seen this model pop up once, and I happened to be in the right place at the right time.

[@sophieb7354]

Just got one of these..the radio dial cord is not attached. I opened it up and the string appears to be ok but not attached. I opened from the back and I can't see a way to remove the hard-wired wires? to remove the back to get access to the string to reattach it to the dial. I only have access from the side of the box after removing the screws. Is there a way to remove the back and front side to get access to the tuner knob? And to get access to the tape deck. Newbie here, thx

[@დიმაიზორია]

👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@Odessia-ij5ys]

Some boomboxes unboxed can them cheap very rare