SHARP VZ2000
Though this is not exactly an arcade item, it is a unique
portable linear record player with a radio and
tape player thrown in as well, dating from the 80's
This page documents the restoration of my VZ2000.
Background:
Once upon a time, working as a factory authorized technician at a service co. representing a bunch of different manufacturers including Sharp, a VZ2000 was presented for service. The customer had attempted to repair it himself and had managed to break (cracked in half) the turntable control board, possibly in an attempt to replace the turntable belt. He had "repaired" the board by using plumbing bar solder and had soldered the entire board together in one large pool of solder.
He begged to have it repaired, at the time replacement boards were not available, though it appears this may have changed later. So, after removing all of the bar solder and repairing the circuit board along with the repair of damaged traces and components, I was able to restore it.
As you can imagine I never forgot that story and it's one of those stories that tech's tell each other about the crazy things customers do to their products.
Note: I've been told there may be some NOS boards out there!
Fast forward, now 2011
I tripped over one of these on Ebay needing some serious help...
So, given my history with this model I thought I should be the one to bring it back to life
Here it is back together for the first time in maybe 20 years. (still missing the knobs though)
The reproduction knobs are here!
This is what they looked like before painting (thanks Brian G.)
I'm also waiting for a replacement original door switch to replace the customized micro switch I installed.
Here it is finished...knobs installed .I will still replace the door switch with the original if found
Click on the picture above or below for a 3gp video of it playing a 45 record (Juice Newton)
3gp videos are meant to be played on smart phones hence their small size (320x240)
This was done to save space on my server DO NOT TRY AND PLAY AT FULL SCREEN SIZE
The quality of the video will be poor if enlarged
This page documents the restoration of my VZ2000.
Background:
Once upon a time, working as a factory authorized technician at a service co. representing a bunch of different manufacturers including Sharp, a VZ2000 was presented for service. The customer had attempted to repair it himself and had managed to break (cracked in half) the turntable control board, possibly in an attempt to replace the turntable belt. He had "repaired" the board by using plumbing bar solder and had soldered the entire board together in one large pool of solder.
He begged to have it repaired, at the time replacement boards were not available, though it appears this may have changed later. So, after removing all of the bar solder and repairing the circuit board along with the repair of damaged traces and components, I was able to restore it.
As you can imagine I never forgot that story and it's one of those stories that tech's tell each other about the crazy things customers do to their products.
Note: I've been told there may be some NOS boards out there!
Fast forward, now 2011
I tripped over one of these on Ebay needing some serious help...
So, given my history with this model I thought I should be the one to bring it back to life
The seller shared that it was found in a closed down TV
shop collecting dust and some rust etc.
Problems found after evaluating it:
Missing Slider Knobs.
Fm Antenna Broken
Missing back cabinet mounting screws
Missing turntable mounting screws
Speaker Grills rusted (not bent though)
Turntable PC board BROKEN! (3 inch crack) Deja Vu
Turntable belt fused to turntable and motor pulley!
No sound from either channel ( all 4 speakers- technically 4 channels- 2 stereo amps)
Missing Turntable base mounting springs
Missing Spring cups from turntable bottom
Missing Cover for one side of turntable mechanism
Missing Battery door
Power switch broken
Cassette door missing one side mounting
Additional problems found once some repairs done.
Turntable microprocessor reset circuit inoperative (micro not starting) -caused turntable to appear dead
Turntable set down on one side not correct- not landing on record.
Turntable door switch inoperative
Turntable record size sensor emitter board inop (circuit turning on LEDs not working)
One wire on cassette deck broken
Both stereo amplifier chips (HA1392) were bad. 1 shorted , 1 open (woofer and tweeter amps)
The cosmetic parts have all been located to complete the repair as I write this , with the help of members on Boomboxery.com
Though original slider knobs seem to be elusive, I've found someone who is making reproductions...
I have pdf versions of the service manual and owners but am currently seeking originals...(original service manual found!) still looking for owners ml...so EMAIL me if you have one for sale!
Here is what the unit is suppose to look like...
Here is mine disassembled:
Here on my bench playing
a 45!
Rust removed Here restored
Missing Slider Knobs.
Fm Antenna Broken
Missing back cabinet mounting screws
Missing turntable mounting screws
Speaker Grills rusted (not bent though)
Turntable PC board BROKEN! (3 inch crack) Deja Vu
Turntable belt fused to turntable and motor pulley!
No sound from either channel ( all 4 speakers- technically 4 channels- 2 stereo amps)
Missing Turntable base mounting springs
Missing Spring cups from turntable bottom
Missing Cover for one side of turntable mechanism
Missing Battery door
Power switch broken
Cassette door missing one side mounting
Additional problems found once some repairs done.
Turntable microprocessor reset circuit inoperative (micro not starting) -caused turntable to appear dead
Turntable set down on one side not correct- not landing on record.
Turntable door switch inoperative
Turntable record size sensor emitter board inop (circuit turning on LEDs not working)
One wire on cassette deck broken
Both stereo amplifier chips (HA1392) were bad. 1 shorted , 1 open (woofer and tweeter amps)
The cosmetic parts have all been located to complete the repair as I write this , with the help of members on Boomboxery.com
Though original slider knobs seem to be elusive, I've found someone who is making reproductions...
I have pdf versions of the service manual and owners but am currently seeking originals...(original service manual found!) still looking for owners ml...so EMAIL me if you have one for sale!
Here is what the unit is suppose to look like...
Here is mine disassembled:
Here on my bench playing
a 45!
Rust removed Here restored
Here it is back together for the first time in maybe 20 years. (still missing the knobs though)
The reproduction knobs are here!
This is what they looked like before painting (thanks Brian G.)
I'm also waiting for a replacement original door switch to replace the customized micro switch I installed.
Here it is finished...knobs installed .I will still replace the door switch with the original if found
Click on the picture above or below for a 3gp video of it playing a 45 record (Juice Newton)
3gp videos are meant to be played on smart phones hence their small size (320x240)
This was done to save space on my server DO NOT TRY AND PLAY AT FULL SCREEN SIZE
The quality of the video will be poor if enlarged
Juice Newton was kind enough to sign this for me at a recent Epcot Concert , thought I'd share it here.
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