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Sharp VZ-2000 Record-Playing Boombox Restoration

I’ve just repaired and serviced this absolutely incredible Sharp VZ-2000 linear-tracking, record-playing boombox. Now, THIS is a boombox!

The Sharp VZ-2000 is surely one of the biggest and baddest boomboxes from the golden era of boomboxes, the 1980s. This VZ-2000 is seriously HUGE, I can hardly lift it and it took two hands to get it to this position for the photo-shoot.

The VZ-2000

More info can be found at the Classic Boombox VZ-2000 page and this great page at the Laughing Squid. For a demo of this great unit and to see it in action, check out my VZ-2000 video on YouTube.

For the record, this monster weighs in at 16kg, WITHOUT the ridiculous 10 x D-cell batteries you’d need to take your records to the beach. Seriously, I don’t know who would put this thing on their shoulder and take a bag of records to the beach anyway, but if you want to, you can!

The Sharp VZ-2000 features a record player capable of playing both sides of your records without having to flip them. This in itself is a fantastic feature, essentially two linear tracking turntables in a box, with an amp and speakers.

In addition, the VZ-2000 features a tape deck with Dolby B noise reduction and able to work with normal, chrome and metal tapes. All controls are soft-touch, operating a motor-driven mechanism. This a pretty decent cassette deck, in a boombox!

Repair & Restoration

This unit originally belonged to my customer’s grandfather before being passed down to him, so it has great sentimental value. The turntable didn’t work and the tape deck was filthy. The owner wanted it cleaned up and restored to fully working condition, giving it the care and attention it deserved. As you’ll see, that’s exactly what I did.

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This is how the VZ-2000 looked when it came to me. Hard to see here but its pretty foul, covered in dirt and dust.
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And so the disembowelling begins! I actually found this to be a really nice piece of gear to work on. Sharp designed this with serviceability in mind. Stories of people breaking boards when opening these up stem from careless work and not taking the time to understand how the unit goes together.
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So the turntable’s rubber drive belt had perished into this horrible sticky residue that took ages to remove. I used isopropyl alcohol to remove the residue and this worked very well.
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I also replaced the perished linear tracking drive belt and carefully greased and lubed every moving part, including the loading drawer, hinges, pulleys, pivots and bearings.
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Here she is, all cleaned up and ready for reassembly, just waiting for me to install the linear tracking belt.
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Then I started on cleaning the outside of this monolith. It took a good hour, lots of foaming cleanser and plenty of cotton buds and paper towel!

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This is just a sample of the leftovers after cleaning the exterior of this VZ-2000.
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After cleaning and lubricating all the switches and controls, next step was to clean the cassette deck and tape path.
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The capstan and pinch roller, along with the tape heads, were so dirty that I went through at least these five cotton buds, both ends soaked in isoprop!
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The end result though was well worth it. Look at how this beautiful VZ-2000 has turned out. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a happier customer when he collected this. He has a lot of love for the old VZ-2000, and it shows.

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Wow, what a unit!

20 thoughts on “Sharp VZ-2000 Record-Playing Boombox Restoration”

  1. A big shout out goes to Mike from Liquid Audio,
    Thank you for taking on the restoration of my late grandfathers sharp Boombox, he purchased this the year i was born might i add!!. After thinking for sometime the record player was down and out, then changing a few hands on people giving me false hope in saying they could fix it, i had all but giving up.

    This is where Magic Mike came in, unlike the other previous experts mike promised me nothing apart from one thing i will have a look at it for you, i could see his confidence level for it wasnt high. While mike was busy doing turntables, amplifiers and his usual work “not 3 in 1 boomboxes”. A little time had passed.

    Then bang out of the blew mike calls and hes had a look at the boombox, cleaned it up and got it running. I thought an angel from above was tricking me. So i sets off over to liquid audio to check out mikes work. Yes, i couldnt believe my eyes it was clean and look like new, i can see my reflection in this thing and im not kiddin!! Astonished with this mans eye for detail.

    Stage 2 was the unveiling of the clean crisp mechanisms, opening and shutting the tape deck, the smooth movements of the radio tuner and last but not least the record door, which was jammed up you had to use force to fully undo it previously. These all opened just like new.

    By this stage,
    A) you cant wipe the smile off my face
    B) im getting anxious to hear it

    With the power from above, ‘the cord Magic Mike had made for me’ he has plugged it in, firstly firing up the radio. Then onto the tape player with this thing pumping out some ‘fully sik’ bass might i add, Last but not least we have played a record through it!! Simply amazing, for once in my life i’m speechless, i am overwhelmed with astonishment, i thought i would never hear it play again, would be 15 years ago since it last played a record. And it simply sounds amazing.

    After getting it home safely and showing it off to all my mates, i have been using it flat out. And follow up services and repairs if needed, will be no hassle knowing liquid audio is only a phone call away.

    Words cant explain how thankful i am for what Mike has been able to achieve for me, your a good man and your amazing workmanship on my sharp vz2000 boombox. I will be recommending you to all my mates, last but not least
    THANK YOU!!

    Regards Marcus

    1. Hi Marcus, a massive thanks for this incredible feedback and for giving me the opportunity to work on your VZ-2000 in the first place! Like you, I became quite enthralled with the unit and in restoring it for you. Honestly, it was worth it just to see the look on your face when you walked in and saw it again! I’m really glad she is working well for you and with the two new styluses we will fit today, she will be playing records better than she has in years. Thanks again for your feedback Marcus.
      Warm regards
      Mike

      1. Hi mike ive got one of the sharp vz2000 but the record player dont work . Tape and radio does and its in excellent condition. Just wondering where are u and how much to fix the problem . Cheers Barbara

        1. Hi Barbara, thanks for getting in touch. I’m located in Carine, Western Australia. I wouldn’t like to speculate as to repair costs when I don’t know whats wrong with her, so I’d need to have a look before I could give you a better idea. If you’d like to book her in, please let me know. I’m very busy in the lead-up to Xmas though! Regards, Mike.

          1. Hi Mike . Thanks for your replay . Unfortunately im in Brisbane Qld . But i believe that it will be the belt would u have any that i could possibly purchase of you or would you know anyone in my state that do repairs on things like that . Thanks . Barbara

            1. Hi Barbara, the belt may well need to be replaced but they usually need much more work than this to get them working really well. I can’t recommend anyone in Brisbane I’m afraid. Regards, Mike.

  2. francis 0403642522

    hello barbara do you sill have your boombox….i have one too and i live in brisbane.. francis 0403 642 522

  3. Hi Francis, I also have a VZ2000 in immaculate condition however last week i accidentally broke a slider knob! Does anyone know where you can get a replacement? I’ve looked everywhere 🙁

    Jeremy Grindle
    0408464493

  4. Hi Friends, I live in Sydney and have a VZ2000 in brilliant condition however last week i accidentally broke a slider knob while moving!
    Does anyone know where you can get a replacement? I’ve looked absolutely everywhere 🙁 any help would be appreciated.

    Jeremy Grindle
    0408464493

  5. Hi Francis , yes I still have . Need record player fixed not sure where to take it . 0413357962. … Barbara

  6. Anyone know of a place to service the Sharp VZ 2000 in Melbourne? I have one that I bought on gumtree that doesn’t power on but have spent a lot on it already and would love to get it working. Thanks for any help Patrick 0416319340

  7. I would love to buy… I grew up with a this machine. My dad loved it. My 16 year old son now collect records and I would love to find one for him.

    1. michaelpicfc7f3a861a

      Hi kirsty i have one to sell its in as new condition nothing broken new belts and sound amazing down side this iconic machine is heavyyy but a real party machine that stops you dead in your tracks

  8. Its Rod from England here, I’ve just bought one of these (VZ-2000 E) on E-bay, The clever tracking mechanisim + Disc-Carrier both needed new drive belts which are avalable….. The cassette + radio are working well….
    I do need to get a 3-D print service to copy me 3 missing/broken plastic fader knobs.. then its all done 🙂

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