Considering shell condition when looking

[frontside5]

For a number of hobbies I've used the strategy of buying top-rate gear that was a little banged up as a way of obtaining good function at a lower price, also as an intermediate step before making bigger commitments.

How does everyone feel about buying boxes with the odd dent or three in the metal (but nothing ridiculous)? I'm speaking of unrepairable dings that don't affect functionality but are noticeable upon closer viewing.

Would you buy your rarest top grail if the only one you could find was banged up?

 

[Lasonic TRC-920]

That's all I buy

 

[kingrat2010]

banged up, sounds funny

 

[Northerner]

I'd much rather have a top box with a few dings than a mint lower end box

 

[JustCruisin]

I like to get the beat up ones for cheap (cuz nobody wants em) then customizing them to my personal taste... imp:
Mint ones are pretty though..

 

[Beosystem10]

I'd much rather have a top box with a few dings than a mint lower end box

Me too. Why settle for time travel and a 21 year old Naomi Campbell when you could choose Diane Parish who still looks fit at 43?

 

[superlew]

Financially, I have no business spending top dollar on a box. Besides, there aren't many better feelings than turning a "fixer-upper" into a tip-top unit.
B)

 

[Fatdog]

I like my boomboxes in nice condition, but my definition of "nice condition" certainly includes a few scrapes and scratches. When whole pieces are missing (e.g. speaker grilles, cassette doors, buttons, etc,), the boombox would have to be mega-rare and supremely awesome for me to consider purchasing.

Besides, if a boombox is in absolute mint condition, I probably wouldn't listen to it as much. I would be afraid of ruining its minty-ness.

 

[Beosystem10]

Besides, if a boombox is in absolute mint condition, I probably wouldn't listen to it as much. I would be afraid of ruining its minty-ness.

 

[redbenjoe]

really depends on the type of cosmetic damage -
like i could live with trim dings & dents forever -

but a poorly placed diagonal crack in the tuner glass -
which reflects from 900 angles --is unbearable

 

[Lasonic TRC-920]

really depends on the type of cosmetic damage -
like i could live with trim dings & dents forever -

but a poorly placed diagonal crack in the tuner glass -
which reflects from 900 angles --is unbearable

I agree...I don't want cigarette burns or chunks missing from the case even though I have seen some amazing members repair stuff like that.

I can fix dented speaker grills, stripped screw posts, cracks, make missing battery doors and repair decks.

 

[Ken]

How it sounds is more important than how it looks, imho.

I've been known to buy grails in less than perfect condition just to hear them...'cause the sound is so important to me.

 

[baddboybill]

I like my units very clean to minty. Problems decks and other minor issues I can fix


Bad Boy Bill

 

[mellymelsr]

I prefer boomboxes with cosmetic issues...then I have a reason to paint them. Most of my collection looks minty because I found boomboxes with the chrome and metal in excellent condition but issues with the paint which I am more than happy to take care of. It also gives me a more personal connection with each boombox I have painted. A few scratches and knicks are ok. I have even repaired large cracks and chunks. Definitely better to have a boombox with some wear on it....

 

[jimmyjimmy19702010]

I'm interested in how it sounds more than anything. I can fix a deck etc but a poor sounding unit regardless of its' cosmetic condition just won't get used.

James

 

[oldskool69]

Depending on what it is, I prefer mine to have some "battle scars". At least it gives an idea of what kind of use it had. Even shelf queens won't be perfect. If it is, I get a little suspect because I don't know if, who did it, or how it was repaired or if the decks were actually used. Knowing it was well used and not cleaned up to the point it looks "new" is actually a preference for me.