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woquinoncoin
03 April 2005 @ 04:20 am
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Eightban Record Player
Eightban Record Player

... and in the Frivolous Purchases Department, I went and picked up an Eightban Record Player, bringing my home audiophile experience to a NEW LEVEL. I'd seen this toy record player several months before, when only a single set of its customized records was available. Since they've been churning out more singles, I finally caved in -- especially when I saw this series of late 70's/early 80's children's songs.

By the time I picked these up, they were down to 6 out of the 18 pieces needed to complete this set. I don't know who else in Taipei is hobbying this gadget, but they better join me in pestering local toystores for MORE.

So just how does this thing sound, really? ... Well, considering it's run on four AAA batteries and piped out of analog speakers, it sounds about as cozy as bedroom lullabies. But I suppose that's the point... a private piece of nostalgia, artifacts of a childhood that I didn't grow up with. I liked the dinosaurs-rampaging-through-crayonsville-DON-DONDON-DON single, and the nekkid boys in bathtub single (inspired or played by Yellow Magic Orchestra? they're mentioned in the all-Japanese liner notes, which i can't read.). I'm hoping Bandai digs further back into the realm of obscure Japanese singles. At any rate, I'll be scanning their website -- and the toystores -- for more.

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Seth[info]aum on April 2nd, 2005 08:44 pm (UTC)
That really is pretty bad ass.

Have you seen any more "adult" portal record players out there? I'm still in the market for one.
connection closed[info]woquinoncoin on April 3rd, 2005 05:40 am (UTC)
Ah! I've forgotten that that's something on both of our wishlists... but it's still not something I've seen, or maybe I'm not shopping in the right stores. Hunting for specialty items can be a bitch here... but it's like a challenge.
calienteyfria[info]calienteyfria on April 2nd, 2005 09:14 pm (UTC)
how cute. i mailed your box about a week ago, but they said it would get there 4-6 weeks. i expect you'll get it sooner. don't know if i'd told you.
connection closed[info]woquinoncoin on April 3rd, 2005 05:42 am (UTC)
Ahhh, now I know to expect mail goodies! If it was shipped surface, it really does take 4-6 weeks. I've waited this long, I can wait for a few more weeks...
kneecap hobble[info]dinosaur_parade on April 3rd, 2005 02:58 am (UTC)
WHIMSY
dinosaurs! kiddie pop songs!
where did you get this bubblegum player? i...can't resist.
connection closed[info]woquinoncoin on April 3rd, 2005 05:47 am (UTC)
Re: WHIMSY
Hot Dog Toyz in Hsimenting was the first place I saw it, but they said they won't be getting it in anymore. I picked mine up at the Shihlin night market, and their records were significantly cheaper than what Hot Dog was selling them for...

Buying the records can also be a vicious scam. They're randomly packaged, unmarked boxes, so there's no way to tell what you're getting, unless you throw down for a complete, unsealed box! This store actually pre-opened all the vinyl, so I could be assured not to get duplicates. Still... the torture! The impracticality! Yet, how utterly charming!
kneecap hobble[info]dinosaur_parade on April 3rd, 2005 07:02 am (UTC)
shihlin sardines
perhaps i will brave the crowd &trot on up for an exploration! could i also ask how much the players run?

oh, oh i am definitely a sucker for the charm, not to mention fond childhood memories!
connection closed[info]woquinoncoin on April 3rd, 2005 08:04 am (UTC)
Re: shihlin sardines
I paid 1280NT for mine. the records run anywhere from 100-180NT.
(Anonymous) on April 3rd, 2005 03:17 pm (UTC)
ah, so you finally took the plunge and got it! i'm super jealous, but next time we're over at your house - you'll know what i'll want to hear! :) i think i had a player very similiar to that one as a child(at least similiar in sound).

william
Umberto Biscotti[info]fushigi_usagi on April 4th, 2005 05:10 pm (UTC)
perhaps you can rip mp3s of all these for us?
james[info]hobo_hobonic on April 14th, 2005 06:10 pm (UTC)
oh boy...
i am very jealous.
i can't decide if its one of those things worth picking up and mailing back to the states, or... well... one of those things that isn't. i think for my own sake i am going to have to go with the later. but just in case i change my mind, may i ask where you found it?
connection closed[info]woquinoncoin on April 15th, 2005 01:35 am (UTC)
Re: oh boy...
I got this one at the Shihlin night market. They also had it for sale at Hot Dog Toyz in Hsimenting, but the guy said they didn't think they'd be getting more in (though they still had the records).

To be perfectly honest, it's not a very practical toy -- because you need a place to buy the custom records from. I figured, while I'm here for another year and a half, I'll be able to rack up enough of a collection to make it worthwhile. That, and I just think toy record players are cool.
james[info]hobo_hobonic on April 26th, 2005 07:43 am (UTC)
Re: oh boy...
hey.. i haven't heard of this hot dog toyz... i looked around a bit and couldn't find it. i did however find the record player at a dj/clothing store of sorts... for a bit more than i expected to pay for it. how much do records run? i want to make sure i don't get dupped into paying to extremely much for them. and that hot dog toyz store... do you happen to remember what its near?
james[info]hobo_hobonic on April 26th, 2005 07:44 am (UTC)
Re: oh boy...
by the way... i've rigged mine to play out a quarter inch jack and mini so i can play it through bigger stereos, it has a good sound, and its fun to pretend to scratch. if your interested, i can show you how to do that...
polaroidandroid[info]robottle on October 13th, 2005 02:16 pm (UTC)
OMG !!! i want one of these!!!