Sony 1960 transistor radio vintage UNBOXING double TR-620 - collectornet.net
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- Опубликовано: 5 сен 2024
- In 1960, what Japanese company was using smart, high-style graphics like none before it to penetrate western markets?
Oh, you guessed it. Yes, Sony. And these graphics not only built Sony's image and brand, they are a delight to look at today.
This little brother of Sony's highly-successful TR-610 is from 1960 and it is the TR-620 "pocketable radio." Check out this box it came in. And we'll also look at ANOTHER box this radio came in, when it was supplied with the rare clamshell case.
Contains Accessory. Oh yes it does. Sony was very efficient at packaging and opening this radio reminds me of opening a new iPhone.
It's wrapped in a little plastic bag. That's a nice touch. There's Japanese writing on it, and in big letters, "Transistorized Radio." Collectors look for that word. I've heard collectors tell sources, "I'll take anything with the word 'transistorized' on it."
So, where is this 'accessory' we've been promised? The top lid is loose but it doesn't seem like it wants to come out. Probably not there. Let's try the bottom. And there's the accessory, the case, foil-stamped Sony. Kind of heavy. Something in it. So I'm guessing by 'accessory' they meant accessories. And here's an original Sony 9-volt battery for the radio, and the little braided fabric wrist strap that attaches to a loop on the side of the radio.
And the warranty registration card. To be mailed to Sony's new US address on Broadway in New York City. I say new because this is one of the first Sony products to be distributed in America by Sony itself, not an importer or agent, but the newly formed Sony Corporation of America, established in February of 1960 in a small office space at 514 Broadway. I say small because the space they had in that office building was 355 square feet--less space than a two-car garage.
Let's get this little treasure out of the bag...and have another look at that bag. I just noticed it has the old Sony logo, officially retired in 1958, but here it is on the packaging of this 1960 radio. And come to think of it, 1960 is pretty late for the use of the word "transistorized" so perhaps this bag was originally made for an earlier model and Sony just kept using them until they were gone.
How this new radio acquired a shallow dent on the speaker grille, I'm sure I don't know. These little grilles do bend so easily.
The TR-620 is a six-transistor like the TR-610 but it's a little smaller, the handle/stand is eliminated, and it has a couple of advances, addressing issues some people had with that earlier model. First, this one comes with a wrist strap, helping people hold onto it. Second, a new battery door on the back lets owners change the battery without exposing the entire chassis to clumsy hands and curious fingers. Plus, this avoided the problem on so many of these radios where one of more of the four little delicate tabs that held the back on would break off when opening it up to change the battery.
You might think this is the outer box to the inner box shown earlier. But no, it is not. And you know it is rare enough to find ANY Sony boxes out there when looking for radios. I was sooo lucky to find this one is such great shape. So if this is not the outer box to that earlier box, what is it? This box contains the rare TR-620 offered in a clamshell case. This is the first appearance I can think of, of the hinged metal clamshell box we would see in the years following, usually packaging the little micro radios by Sony, Standard, and others. And this is typical: the box is upholstered, as I like to call it, with some sort of vinyl, and inside it is lined with satin.
And there's a white radio in here. I'll take it! The TR-620 came in this ivory, a blue-gray, a salmon-pink, and black. There's a rare, CLEAR cabinet example shown in the Sony book. A video on that special clear radio is coming. In fact, it may already be here! Subscribe to this channel and see all our videos.
The TR-620 is a classy little radio. A good looker in any color, as you can see. And even though virtually new, this radio somehow found a way to get dirty, just sitting in the box.
In the owner's manual, which Sony likes to call the "InstrucTION for Use," Sony lists five features of the radio. Feature number three says "the cover of the battery compartment serves as a stand." It shows a picture of it too, leaning back on the open cover as a stand. When I tried it, the battery fell out. Of course.
The starburst grille, the textured aluminum and gold, the little magnifier dial window, that just-right size that fits perfectly in your hand--what's not to like about the Sony TR-620?
Such a great radio, I have the same model. The grill design alone makes this radio so cool looking
I like when they mentioned how many transistors it had.
A big deal at the time.
I read that SONY , while making products of all quality levels, had chosen to export only their best, which was a good move. These radios in this video are impressively packaged like fine jewelry, which furthers the impression of quality.
Well thanks for these great videos. I found the exact same Golden grill on a dark blue plastic cabinet.. somebody just laid it out on the radiator by the mailbox in my tenement in Manhattan. A good 30 years ago so I grabbed it..being curious I remember I'm screwing the chassis and taking a look at everything I don't know if I was able to put it back together been so long ago.. great little radio heavy little bugger. And battery lasted pretty long.. thanks again for posting this and what your other videos appreciate it
I have a Kendy, my late Father's, now I see the Sony, the Kendy looks like a copy!.
Best not to touch that gold anodised grille if you want to keep it looking pristine.
Just normal skin sweat will damage it unless you clean it off.
Beautiful radio, I'd like to know if that used Sony's own 'flat' transistors which were unique and quite rare.
The Sony TR-620 radio cost 6800 Japanese yen, at 360 exchange rate at the time, equivalent to about $19 USD in 1960, is that so?
Pricing it in yen, you are talking about its price in 1960 in Japan?
The Tr-620 is a nice looking radio. Very compact compared to the 610 and 86. But from my personal experience, this radio is very fragile. Even the plastic case is super thin. And never, ever try to use the battery door as a radio stand, not only would the battery fall out, but it would damage the thin aluminum hinge..
Why don't you play the radios?
Among other reasons, ANY amount of ANYTHING that comes out of any radio I would play in a RUclips video can be claimed as copyrighted material by its creator (music, ball game, etc.). That can cause the video to be taken down, or demonetized, or monetized by someone else (the copyright claimant) who can run any number of ads he wants over my video. No, I'm not going to subject myself or my viewers to that.
@UC8zEDoC-y8mnqSz34FOnklg fuck O f