It isn’t very often that I buy something on a whim, but a few moments ago I did just that!
Although the old vinyl record collection has dwindled over the years – at one point there were over a thousand albums – the ones still here hold some special memories.
The trouble is, after a number of clear-outs, there’s nothing left to play them on!
I have one of those vinyl – mp3 turntable thingies, and have transferred what is left of my old sixties folk albums to CD, but it’s not the same as playing the vinyl on a proper deck, is it?
Trawling a well-known auction site for inspiration, I stumbled across a few examples of vintage Pye Black Box units. One of my old school mates had one of these in his bedroom, and from when I used to stay over in the early sixties I remember it being the dog’s doodahs in reproduction quality at the time.
One problem though. I was looking at around £250 to buy one, without being sure whether or not it actually still worked. Not a great idea, then.
So what was this item I bought on a whim?
An empty Black Box. Actually, it isn’t black. Don’t ask me, I don’t know!
This is the picture from the auction site (thank you seller 78768allan0135).
Nothing in it.
No deck, no amplifier, no speaker, no knobs.
Just the box.
For £20.
It’s going to be fun hunting down the missing bits (everything, that is), and I’ll share how I get on here over the next few weeks and months.
Postscript: Just spotted that the well-known auction site has a complete one up for sale, sitting at £60 with 6 days to go. Bet it won’t be that price for long, though!
philwadner 