The Return of Cassettes

Once I got started collecting and using vintage stereo components and boomboxes, I started wondering if I could get new music on cassettes.  I was surprised and somewhat shocked that there is a whole underground music scene that distributes music on cassette.  It's a movement driven by cost and a certain amount of nostalgia for analog music media.  You can find a cassette with great music released by an indie label for about $5.  It's a good chance to support struggling artists and listen to something new and cutting edge!

By Saviour1981 (Own work) [CC-BY-SA-3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

If you'd like to learn more, check out my article -

Music Cassette Tapes are Making a Comeback!

Thrift Store Speakers

If you've been inspired to look for stereo equipment at your local thrift store, I need to add one more caveat.  The paper and foam in stereo speakers deteriorates over time.  If possible, pull the grill of any prospective speaker purchase from a thrift store.  You might find that the speaker looks like this --

-- or like this:

Unless you just want to by vintage stereo speakers as a restoration project, I wouldn't recommend buying speakers unless you can confirm that they are in good shape and working.  Otherwise, you can buy perfectly good speakers online or at your local stereo store.

Tips on Buying a Retro Stereo from the Thrift Store

I've been poking around in thrift store stereo sections quite a bit lately.  I've had a mix of good luck and bad with my "bargain" stereo finds.  There are some really good deals to be had on stereos.  However, you really have to test thrift store stereos as much as you can before making a purchase.  Here is a how to guide that will help you find some great second-hand stereo buys at your local thrift store:

How to Buy A Thrift Store Stereo

By Norbert Schnitzler (Own work) [GFDL (http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html) or CC-BY-SA-3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/)], via Wikimedia Commons