Modding vs PURE Restoration ** Your thoughts on modding vs pure restoration.

[Cpl-Chronic]

Hey box freaks & MOD kings!!

Question: Are you strictly a purist restorer/collector or do you have a secret fetish for the modded RODs on the bby site. I remember the latin crowd really tricked out their rides beyond just, engine, drive train & body. I remember seeing the upholstery, etched glass artistry, of course, hydraulics, shag carpets, etc.. They always got picked on for their crazy culture by the other rodders but I loved it because you can tell they were looking at the whole car when they want to customize it....not just the engine & drive train,etc....Now, their flavor is in with rods & custom cars.....Pimp my ride & that culture was born from the latin culture & I love it...

That is part of what inspires me when I get my crazy ideas that just make purists' heads explode.......

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YI3NoBeNwfk

So where do you fit in with the mod culture, when it comes to boom-box customs?

Obviously, I go all out on some of mine but the harder to find gems like my Fisher 490 or RX-A2 will never be anything but original. They are gorgeous but an M90, sure, I wouldn't hesitate to make that iconic powerhouse uniquely mine. There's plenty of M90's around compared to the fisher. Lots of these guys who are horrified by my 'Ghidorah' project are some of the same members who have more than 1 fully working, semi-presentable M90's, but for me, taking a scuffed up fully working M90 & making it my own unique custom, that sounds & looks amazing, is really satisfying, & so far, in extremely high demand.....

It's like suping up & rodding a 75 Firebird, complete with custom upholstery, etched glass, bored out big block, etc.vs having an original, excellent condition, Maserati...They are worlds apart from each other but do they have to be mutually exclusive?

I want some honest opinions.....

Cpl



**WARNING** Having a negative or contrary viewpoint is a natural part of any discussion. Making caustic comments on other people's efforts, as if you are entitled to be a D-bag, is not part of a healthy discussion. You can be passionate, un-wavering in your assertions, even un-educated in your opinions, theories, etc. That is allowed within the general rules of etiquette, but making bullying, taunting & down-right mean comments of a personal or rude nature will not be tolerated without due response for being a thread-crapper...

 

[blu_fuz]

I can dig both styles. It's hard to beat an OG box with all it's battle scars or lack-there-of if it's a shelf queen. But a modded box shouldn't be looked down on. Most have great style and fun flare.

 

[hemiguy2006]

Personally I consider myself to be a bit of a purist.
I don't mind a mod here and there if it doesn't take away from the original appearance too much. I personally have upgraded dial lights and speakers on some of my boxes in the past (including a speaker upgrade on my M-90) but I won't drill holes or alter the body of a complete / restorable box for the sake of customizing.
I am not opposed to those who do so on boxes that are beyond restoring to original specs or that are beyond repair. With that said, to each is own and I do enjoy seeing what the imagination brings when other collectors mod their boxes. It's a lot of fun and that's what makes any hobby enjoyable.

 

[ford93]

Personally I consider myself to be a bit of a purist.
I don't mind a mod here and there if it doesn't take away from the original appearance too much. I personally have upgraded dial lights and speakers on some of my boxes in the past (including a speaker upgrade on my M-90) but I won't drill holes or alter the body of a complete / restorable box for the sake of customizing.
I am not opposed to those who do so on boxes that are beyond restoring to original specs or that are beyond repair. With that said, to each is own and I do enjoy seeing what the imagination brings when other collectors mod their boxes. It's a lot of fun and that's what makes any hobby enjoyable.

I agree with Frank 100%.

If the box can be brought back to it's wonderful glory good!

If the box is really trashed then go for it and get crazy creating a super funk monster.

 

[im_alan_partridge]

Ive modded a few boxes but they were pretty rough before hand.
I don't think I would mod any classic box that is in really nice condition regardless of its value, but that's just me.

I like both standard and custom boxes and if your going to mod you cant beat a good paint job

 

[riker1068]

love the video

 

[Northerner]

I love a good mod, the blingier the better! That said, I couldn't mod a minty grail, but one that can't be brought back to its purist form is fair game in my book

I think the comparison with cars is fair...same sort of rules apply. It would be sacrilege to mess with a mint, rare classic, but the non-rare and the rough are ripe for a bit of fun

 

[k2j]

Modding is really for the eye of the beholder. One persons dream mod is another persons frankenbox. If you create something and enjoy doing so and are proud of the end results good for you. Really, who cares what other people think. If your modding just to resell, obviously its going to be in your best interest to do so so that someone else will appreciate it and spend the money to make up for the time and investment you have in the box.

Personally I like stock boomboxes like I like my VW's, stock but with modest upgrades, maybe cap replacing, better speakers, led's instead of lamps...For VW's euro profile is perfect, mild performance improvements exhaust/intake/chip/coilovers etc...but I don't want a park bench grafted on the back of the trunk etc, nor do I want ground kit LED's gag me...although an air ride kit would be cool!

There's millions of these old boxes, do what you will.

I want to add 1 last statement:
*** The times I cringe when I see a box modded to the point of no return are usually times when I don't have that particular model box as its been either too expensive for my tight budget, or rare to the point where I haven't been able to find one. I get this weird feeling like that was the last box or 1 less box that I will be able to get when given the opportunity or financial flexibility.

 

[Reli]

The dudes with classic cars who insist on using only OEM parts really amuse me. Like anyone gives a damn that your hoses and belts and wipers are OEM. It's silly, but that's what some car shows care about.

 

[Terry]

I don't care either way, but if you are going to mod a box, please don't mod the really rare ones like a fully working BB40 or something.

 

[Alberto]

Some mods I like and some I don't.
I love the mods in this video.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JC-Jy7o98p4

 

[JustCruisin]

^^^ Been over a year since I've watched that video, thanks for posting!

 

[Alberto]

^^^ Been over a year since I've watched that video, thanks for posting!

You're welcome bro.

 

[blacksnake]

When it comes to boomboxes, cars, pretty much anything, I say mod it if you have the ability and think you can improve upon the original. Of course, different people like different types of mods, but all that really matters is if you like it.

For me, the best mods are the ones that look factory, that someone who wasn't familiar with the product would not be able to tell that it did not come that way originally. But again, if its well done enough, or if you just like it enough, then go crazy it that's your thing.

 

[-GZ-]

I want to add 1 last statement:
*** The times I cringe when I see a box modded to the point of no return are usually times when I don't have that particular model box as its been either too expensive for my tight budget, or rare to the point where I haven't been able to find one. I get this weird feeling like that was the last box or 1 less box that I will be able to get when given the opportunity or financial flexibility.

You hit it right on the head. Plus I think about others that dont have, but really want, a certain box that gets modded like a mofo.
When it comes down to it...do whatever the f you want...just dont get mad when people arent as receptive as you want them to be when you mod the hell out of something others have been searching their whole life for. Know your audience.

 

[Cpl-Chronic]

You hit it right on the head. Plus I think about others that dont have, but really want, a certain box that gets modded like a mofo.
When it comes down to it...do whatever the f you want...just dont get mad when people arent as receptive as you want them to be when you mod the hell out of something others have been searching their whole life for. Know your audience.

That I can understand & do take real criticism as input as long as it is in good spirit. We all know the difference between real dialogue & baiting. 'nuff said. been over & over that one....ad nausium....& as you can probably tell, I could give a FARK what anyone thinks & will boldly charge ahead, wherever I may go, pushing the edge of the boombox mods....I've got other out there ideas that I will love but we'll see what comes....

Cpl

 

[monchito]

yes if they are in bad shape I would mod them but if they are in great shape id rather keep them in original form unless I cant find a replacement part than I would

 

[Prime]

To me, original condition conveys "just like it was back then" which I guess helps me reminisce better so I never cut or drill into a box. Whatever I do can be removed without a trace. I sort of regard them as museum pieces which compels me to preserve their integrity(unless I really wanna try something)

 

[jimmyjimmy19702010]

If a box is museum quality, I'd leave it alone. If it's your average user box and a subtle mod (speakers etc) can improve it's' performance, I say do it. Many of these old boxes sound decidedly low Fi so any improvement is worthy of consideration. There is a limit though of what can be done to improve the sound without serious upgrades i.e amps etc.

James....

 

[Beosystem10]

Some boxes are so crappy in stock form that it's compulsory to mod them. This box of sh*te was an example of that: