JVC RC-838: Iconic Vintage Boombox

Discover the legendary and iconic RC-838 boombox of 1978-1979 by JVC with Star Wars details, which also L.L. Cool J showed-off in a famous photo. Phenomenal radio reception, cassette playback & recording!

SPECS:
Frequency rages: FM 88-108Mhz MW 540-1600Khz SW1 1.6-4.3Mhz SW2 4.3-11-0Mhz SW3 11.0-18.5Mhz LW ?
Frequency response: 40-13000Hz (Chrome tape) 45-12000Hz (normal tape)
Wow & Flutter: 0.07%
S/N ration: 50dB
Power output: Max. 10W (5W+5W)
Power supply: DC1 2V, 8 D R20 cells batteries, AC 240/220-110V 50/60Hz
Weight: 7.5Kg, with batteries 8.1Kg

CASSETTE:

#boombox #ghettoblaster #cassetteculture

[nicktheflash]

I also owned the JVC RC-838 Back in 1979 the price I paid for this boombox was $375.00 new inbox. Today a pristine used one is going for over +$1000.00 insane pricing.

[hjarfk]

Amazing sound quality output for a 45 year old player. I was just a teenager 😂❤

[Ryanse]

Very nice! Never heard one of these in person but I do have the JVC RC-M70 and M90. Also have the RX-7000 series National/Panasonic and a few Conion C100F models. They are my all time favorite icons. One day, I hope to hear and see an 838 in person. Great job!

[veedub]

A parts unit recently sold on eBay for $99, Units that are workable go for around $300. Excellent examples may go for $500 . Youngsters your favorite Bluetooth speaker will not fetch those high prices 40 years from now

[Badassvidsz]

Very interesting boombox by JVC nice design - build quality and sound :-)

[sidvicious]

I loved and remembered those ghetto blasters, the most famous was the JVC RC M-70, which I think was their top model of that era. The model that you have is extremely nice, good catch here.

[chrisnash]

This is the exact boom box I had. I also had the shoulder strap that you plugged in the top ends like a seat belt. I took that thing EVERYWHERE! I remember all the damn D cell batteries I was buying. I’d go to radio shack and get their cheap realistic batteries cause I couldn’t afford Duracell’s. Thanks for throwback!

[krish]

A lovely video of these beautiful machines that gave us endless moments of pleasure in the analogue era. There was a joy in removing the tape from its box and slipping it into the machine. And then reading the sleeve notes as the music started. There was a one-to-one connect between man and machine. In the analogue era you could hold the music in your hand - a sense of touching the melody you love. It went beyond mere listening.

[antoinep]

Thanks, now I’ve got a boom box itch that needs scratching bad! That Gerry Franke album is funky as hell too, thanks for the introduction.

[amcpacerfan]

Nice video! I have the same boombox and I love it! The sound of this thing is very very good! That was quality back in the days. In fact, JVC built the best boomboxes back in the 70s and early 80s. The stereo biphonic sounds awesome too! I really love that boombox. Kind regards 👍

[bernhardmichaelfux]

Hello my Friend! @08:30 you did not mention that the Binding posts for the external speaker allow to connect them Externals in 2 different ways! First Connection is, to ADD the external speakers to the internals, and the second way (by turning the Plug for 180°) is, that you plug in the external Speakers-and the internal Speakers are shut off! It just depends on how you plug the Cables in. The Flat Contact is always the middle Contact. and the small round Contact is the "switching" Contact, that tells the Boombox whether the internals run with, or are shut off. Just turn the plugs for 180° and so it switches or not... With the internals running, it seems to create a stronger "Center Image", And this Idea was pretty cool for the late 1970ies (lol... MY Time when I began to be an audiophile first).

Bytheway: You had big luck with your journey to Japan! If you had waited too long, you wouldn`t be allowed to travel, due to the Virus that we don`t dare to speak out its name!

[Alnatural]

Memories, my dad had one and we use to Record shows, send Recorded tapes of my Family saying hi to my other family in another Country, this thing would produce tapes like Crazy, but I could never pump it all the way, Very Loud

[MikeLeePhoto]

I bought my Sanyo M9994K same year 1979. Same size and similar features except i have separate RCA connectors for Phono, Line In & Line Out.The cassette needs new belts.But apart from that these things these units just go and go BABY!

[raymondmartin]

Nice see the JVC-838 in your video.
I had it in that time period and it was
really nice as you said and showed.
It was my first really nice boombox.
A couple of years later I had the Sony
CFS-D7, at about $400.00 back then.
I recently obtained a really nice and
refurbished Panasonic RX-5250 which
is from about 1983, has Metal Tape IV,
and Dolby B with solenoid controls.
I have that photo of LL Cool J with
the JVC-838 in the Boombox book
from about 10 years ago. Thanks.

[thunder]

I Have A Sharp GF-777z Suitcase Looking 2 Cassette 6 Speakers Boombox and Still Works Awesome Till This Day

[carlostaborda]

Thanks for this video, excellent like others. I bought this model of JVC a few years ago. Its FM radio sounds great, but the cassette mechanism is damaged by all the years of old. In Argentina is very difficult to find a good technician.
When I was sixteen I had a Crown Jumbo Sound 747 and it sounded great, but it didn t reach the quality of JVC sound. Thanks again.

[myradioberlin]

Very nice and informative video! Great job!
While JVC surely made some heavy hitters, their competitors certainly weren't far behind. I guess it comes down to personal taste which manufacturer you prefer. Sanyo made some really unique and high-quality boomboxes as well. And let's not forget about the iconic Sharp GF series with the GF-777 being the flagship.
I have been collecting vintage boomboxes for over 10 years now and have most of the bigger JVC models here including the 838 which is one of my favorites because it really paved the way for all the models that came after it. The RC-M90 is probably the indisputable king by JVC but I believe the RC-M70 is the better choice if you want something that you can actually use daily. It is one of the only models that usually still has all the original belts intact and the mechanical deck is built like a tank.
Unfortunately it is becoming harder and harder each day to find these vintage machines in working condition. They usually need a full service and there's more to it than just changing the belts and applying some contact cleaner. A problem that is occurring more and more recently is the little metal brushes inside the potentiometers that break off. Sometimes the switched ne to be desoldered and taken apart to properly clean them because contact cleaner just won't do the trick anymore.
Anyway, I hope people will keep these beautiful machines running for as long as possible! I will certainly do my best to preserve the ones I have. :)

[dany]

I have a Toshiba Bombeat 16 and a Bombeat 18, and they have a great look (looking for Bombeat 40 now...).
But today I bought a JVC RC-838JW and I was impressed when it arrived, it is very sturdy and masculine!, you could imagine yourself walking down the Bronx with it in the 70's haha.
Thanks for yours videos!
Greetings from Buenos Aires
Daniel Schiavo

PS: I would be great to have the Shoulder Strip, and original external Speakers...

[aloukatos]

I wish I had this video 40 years ago lol I didn't know how to use all the features or that you can connect a turntable or speakers 😅

[fathersergiy]

I love you baby JVC, i crazy about you.💥💖