Trying to find 100 boomboxes in the next week- PLEASE HELP!

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garylachance

Member (SA)
Hey guys

I'm trying to acquire as many boomboxes as possible for an upcoming "Decentralized Dance Party" that I'm hosting at the South By Southwest tech/music fest on March 10th in Austin, Texas.

Basically, I'm looking for anything that has a functional radio and wil run on batteries and is located in the USA. I'd like to buy them in larger quantities, so shipping isn't too crazy expensive (we are definitely not rich) :)

If you have anything that's partially broken/dirty/low-end this is a great opportunity!

If you have some, or know of anyone who might, please email me with your contact info and hopefully we can work something out :)
"decentralized dance party !AT! gmail dot comm"

Here's a link to the Decentralized Dance Party explanatory video:
http://www.decentralizeddanceparty.com/faq/whatisaddp

And the Event pages- everyone's welcome to come out!
https://www.facebook.com/events/232276226865281
http://bettertogetherddp.com

This is a great, family-friendly movement that's bringing tons of people together and may just Bring Back The Boombox!
http://www.decentralizeddanceparty.com/ ... -manifesto

PLEASE SHARE!

THANKS!
Gary

379401_10150574352010676_126084825675_11007126_1398230977_n.jpg
 
Superduper

Superduper

Moderator
Staff member
Back in the '80's, every movie had fantastic car chases thrashing and trashing all the Barracudas, chevelle's transams, etc. Back then, these cars were common and nobody considered them collectible. Lord knows how many dodge chargers the dukes of hazards managed to wipe from existence. Today, these cars are so scarce that the price is rich people's commodity only and the poor hotrodders that popularized these relics are left out in the cold.

My opinion is that if you want to buy boomboxes en-masse for an event -- go to your local goodwills and thrifts and plenty of eggs are available for just a few bucks. Then after the party is over, nobody will lose any sleep over what happened to them. That's just my opinion and maybe I'm on the wrong side of the fence but I don't want to see ANY boombox, common (today) or not get lost forever when the party is over. If people pays significant money for something, they aren't likely to trash them afterwards. There is a reason for the expression, easy come, easy go.
 
G

garylachance

Member (SA)
We've got some friends scouring the local goodwills, recycling depots, garage sales, etc. but this was unfortunately a very last-minute thing and now I'm scrambling looking for them. I hate to see a nice boombox go missing as much as you do, and I'm on the hunt for non-special ones, but on the other hand, this is what they were designed for- sharing music and creating memories...

Thanks,
Gary
 
Superduper

Superduper

Moderator
Staff member
Gary, if you took the time to "really" peruse the forum, you will see that almost all of us here are COLLECTORS. Sure, we enjoy a party as much as the next guy but we are COLLECTORS. If you saw some of the fantastic work that some of our members expended to "restore" abused boomboxes, you would be shocked. Some of the restoration was quick and easy. But some took many scores of loving hours to restore. Even cheap goodwill type boomboxes are restored and customized. Take a look at some of the work by Old School Scott. Many of those boomboxes he fixed/customized, you would probably toss into the bin when a party was over and it stopped working.

What I'm saying is that I'm glad your life is dance party. But this is a COLLECTOR's forum. Peruse the threads and you will see we love our boomboxes.

Now, that doesn't mean I am accusing you of just thrashing and trashing all of the boomboxes you acquire. But here is a snippet from one of your own posts:
"..............It was a great time for sure and although a few boomboxes got damaged/lost it was well worth it! Gotta break a few eggs to make an omelette unfortunately! We got a few stern looks from the transit cops, but it was Halloween and here in Vancouver they're pretty lenien..........."

To me, I don't believe in breaking a few few eggs (sacrificing any boombox for the sake of a good time.). But again that's just me.

I've spent the time to read almost every one of your 54 posts. And every one of them is either for the purposes of promoting your party or to ask for boomboxes for your party. From what I can see, you are not a collector, rather you are just looking to "collect" as many boomboxes as possible on the cheap as tools or ornaments to fuel your parties. Clearly, boomboxes are not the focus, the party is, and preserving boomboxes aren't a priority. I might be wrong, but I'm just voicing my opinion here, as a preservationist of what remains of our hobby.

Each year, countless numbers of boomboxes get thrown out, broken on accident, broken in shipping, etc. Each year, we have less and less. For this reason, don't take this wrong but I will not be helping with your goal. Most of my posts are to try and help folks keep their boomboxes operational. Sending the sheep to the lions runs contrary to my personal mission.

:super:
 
G

garylachance

Member (SA)
I appreciate your taking the time to respectfully share this info and your opinion.

Believe it or not, I am also a collector, with about 50 of the nicest stereos I've found displayed nicely around the house for everyone to enjoy. These never come to the Parties. But we come across literally hundreds of unwanted crap Chinese ones that are poorly constructed and not collectible and are serving no purpose. most of the ones I get are salvaged from electronics recyclers. Some get broken, many are taken home as trophies by the people who attend the Parties.

My opinion is that without a movement like the DDP, most people do look upon boomboxes as trash and millions are condemned to landfills every year.
But if we can show people that they still have life and purpose (via the RCA inputs, to connect ipods for example), we can inspire a whole new generation to save, cherish and appreciate these forgotten pieces of wonder.

We've inspired thousands of people all across the world to pull their old boomboxes out of attics and recycling bins and this I believe is a very good thing.
There's a feature on the DDP that's coming out in WIRED magazine next month, which is certainly a god forum for preservationists and tinkerers.

We're doing a good thing for boomboxes, in my humble opinion.
And I stand by my assertion that you sometimes do have to break a few eggs to make an omelette.

Thanks,
Gary

:breakdance:
 
bill

bill

Member (SA)
Why not contact lasonics directly and see if they will sponsor your event? Or at least let you buy thier blasters for wholesale?
 
k2j

k2j

Member (SA)
Funny stuff....

of my 20 boomboxes only 2 work still on batteries. :-/ (although I will fix that eventually)

Also, you picked one hell of a time to hit up for free boxes. These things are at an all-time sellers high and have tripled in price just in the last 6 months according to my record keeping. :dunce: GOOD LUCK MAN

Sounds like a fun party though! :thumbsup:
 
shane higgins

shane higgins

Member (SA)
k2j said:
Funny stuff....

of my 20 boomboxes only 2 work still on batteries. :-/ (although I will fix that eventually)

Also, you picked one hell of a time to hit up for free boxes. These things are at an all-time sellers high and have tripled in price just in the last 6 months according to my record keeping. :dunce: GOOD LUCK MAN

Sounds like a fun party though! :thumbsup:
Click to expand...
Interesting
disco lite sold for around $1000 2 years ago but now someone in Australia can not sell on for $500
So boombox prices are up and down all the time
I think it's in the bin or at your party so let them live in your party
But don't break them
I believe in karma
 
A

AZA

Member (SA)
Looks like fun Gary, wish we had the same inspiration here !
If you where in Australia i coulda helped out no problem.
Good luck.

Dont trash any good boxes ;-)
 
Andy_from_Perth

Andy_from_Perth

Member (SA)
garylachance said:
I appreciate your taking the time to respectfully share this info and your opinion.

Believe it or not, I am also a collector, with about 50 of the nicest stereos I've found displayed nicely around the house for everyone to enjoy. These never come to the Parties. But we come across literally hundreds of unwanted crap Chinese ones that are poorly constructed and not collectible and are serving no purpose. most of the ones I get are salvaged from electronics recyclers. Some get broken, many are taken home as trophies by the people who attend the Parties.

My opinion is that without a movement like the DDP, most people do look upon boomboxes as trash and millions are condemned to landfills every year.
But if we can show people that they still have life and purpose (via the RCA inputs, to connect ipods for example), we can inspire a whole new generation to save, cherish and appreciate these forgotten pieces of wonder.

We've inspired thousands of people all across the world to pull their old boomboxes out of attics and recycling bins and this I believe is a very good thing.
There's a feature on the DDP that's coming out in WIRED magazine next month, which is certainly a god forum for preservationists and tinkerers.

We're doing a good thing for boomboxes, in my humble opinion.
And I stand by my assertion that you sometimes do have to break a few eggs to make an omelette.

Thanks,
Gary

:breakdance:
Click to expand...
strong post.
good luck :stereo:
 
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