08/06/05
Yamaha Portasound PS-3 keyboard; Sega Genesis 3 + game and cables; 3 8-tracks
Another day, another keyboard. I got up earlier than usual today (a Saturday), so I figured I'd drive around a bit and look for garage sales before hitting the thrift stores. I found three of 'em, and only scored some loot at one. Still, garage sales are one area of "bargain shopping" I've yet to really tap, so I should probably incorporate them into my Saturday thrifting regimen at some point. We'll see what happens. Here are today's finds:
01. Yamaha Portasound PS-3 (with case) I found this sweet little analogue keyboard for ten bucks at Red White & Blue. It's from about 1980, and reminds me of the piano lessons I took from a Yamaha-affiliated school back when I was a youngin'. They used all-Yamaha keyboards (one for each student in the class), and given the time frame, this could very well be one of the keyboards I learned to play "Hot Cross Buns" on when I was five. And now... MAGNIFY!!
I have to admit, despite the nice warm tones this thing produces, it's ass ugly. All brown and Italian flag-colored. Strangely enough, brown keyboards weren't that uncommon back in the day, but thankfully this dreadful practice has fallen by the wayside in recent years. Wood grain is another story, though. We need more wood grain. 2600 style.
02. Sega Genesis 3 + Sonic Classics I didn't even know this thing existed. The model 2 Genesis is a bit sleeker than the original, but this thing is tiny. As you can see above, it's not much wider than an 8-track cartridge, and only slightly longer (and about two 8-tracks tall.) Anyway, for $14.95 with a game, the AV cables and power supply (no controller, though) I couldn't pass up a system I'd never seen before, even though I already own a Genesis. I might as well buy the original design model (the one I had as a kid) next time I see it and complete the trifecta.
I also had no idea Sonic Classics existed. Released late in the Genesis' life, it contains Sonics 1 and 2 and Dr. Robotnik's Mean Bean Machine, a Tetris-like puzzle game featuring the Sonic villain now inexplicably referred to as "Dr. Eggman". When did that happen?
03. Hank Williams' Greatest Hits (MGM - 1963) Yes - The Yes Album (Atlantic - 1971)
Helen Reddy - Long Hard Climb (Capitol - 1973)
Got these for 50 cents a piece at the aforementioned garage sale. I need more Hank Williams, I love Yes, but Helen Reddy?? "I Am Woman" Helen Reddy?? Well, two things: it's sealed and it's quadraphonic. Oooh!
I know it doesn't look like it, but yeah, it's sealed in the original shrink wrap. Meant for fancy rich people with hi-tech expensive equipment (they still play in regular 8-track decks though,) quadraphonic 8-tracks were produced in low quantities and are hard to find in the wild these days - a sealed one even more so. As a pop culture archaeologist and collector of obscure artifacts, I was morally obliged to excavate this arcane relic. You understand.
© 2005 seawall
