Landed a Sony Betamax Model SL-7200 - Videokarma.org TV - Video

RCAkid · #1 11-11-2009, 06:22 PM

Hey guys,

I just got back from Indianapolis where I was fortunate to pick up a G-2000 and the matching Dimensia III stereo as well as a 19" Arvin Mini Console and a Panasonic 19" Mini Console.

I know, I know....pics will be coming soon but in a different thread for the tv's.

The fellow that had the G-2000 also had a Sony SL-7200 Betamax, in the box as well as the matching timer...also in the box. He was the original owner of the tv, stereo and vcr & timer.

He asked me if I wanted them and....of course I did but I really couldn't think of what this thing was worth. I didn't just want to do the thrift store thing and totally low ball it but didn't want to go over the top either. He let me bring them home and I told him I would talk to my VK buddies and get the opinion on a value of some sort.

Yes, yes, pics will come shortly. However, the unit is in beautiful condition as well as the timer. The original owner said it still powered up but the tape mechanism wasn't working (no surprise there). The thing has been stored in its original box for years and looks like it is virtually new.

He even had the orignal receipt for it which he gave to me. In the late 70's he paid over $1000 for it. But now, beyond $10, $15, $20 bucks, etc, I don't know what might the value be. I just know I am glad to have it.

So, I promise him I would put it out here for opinion on a value for it so I can pay him a fair price for it.

Any thoughts on this machine would be greatly appreciated.

ChrisW6ATV · #2 11-11-2009, 08:54 PM

One of those was my first VCR, in 1979. I bought it used then for $320 and kept it for a couple of years.

Regarding value, I have no idea, but if I had room here, I would be willing to pay $100 for the VCR and timer. Check on Ebay for completed auctions, maybe.

RCAkid · #3 11-11-2009, 09:18 PM

Thanks for the suggestion Chris. If I remember correctly, this was one of the first consumer versions wasn't it?

I am not that up on the VCR's....I just remember my Sanyo Betacord costing about $750 in 1982 and my Sanyo Superbeta Hifi costing about $800 in 1986....sheesh, just amazes me how much I....well, my mom paid for that stuff. No idea where she came up with the $$$$

kx250rider · #4 11-12-2009, 10:40 AM

I've had a few of those, and I wish I still had a new-in-the-box SL-7200 that I sold on eBay a couple years ago.

The first one for the consumer Betamax was the SL-6200 (1975), which was only available in the TV console LV-1901. I do have that one... Quite a machine; cooling fans & all.

Charles

RCAkid · #5 11-12-2009, 03:10 PM

All I can say is......WOW

That set is a beauty!

ChrisW6ATV · #6 11-12-2009, 03:13 PM

Yep, as Charles said, the SL-6200 was part of the LV-1901 (but an entirely separate device, though I don't think it has its own power switch). The SL-7200 is basically the same machine but with the internal TV tuners. Original price in the U.S. was $2495 for the LV-1901 if I remember right, and $1260 for the SL-7200 (plus $40 for the optional timer). The timer is a simple turn-on device, I think. You set the timer, put the tape in the VCR, select the channel, press Record and Play, and when the time comes, it records until the tape runs out. Maybe it has a selectable duration?

I built my own on/off timer for my SL-7200 in 1979 from two clock modules sold by Digi-Key and a couple of relays.

RCAkid · #7 11-12-2009, 05:57 PM

So any thoughts on what the SL-7200 would be worth now?

I really want to be fair to this gentleman but at the same time, not rip myself in the process.

I know what I think it is worth but some additional feedback on its value would be great. I mean if you saw it at an estate sale for $x.xx amount. What would you be thinking it's worth? $10, $25, $50 ? More?

andy · #8 11-12-2009, 06:31 PM

000

RobtWB · #9 11-13-2009, 05:49 AM

Holy Cow Charles that set is beautiful. I have never seen one look as new. Most are really beat up, scratched, dented, faded etc. Did you get that set new?, or was it a find?

I have access to a couple of early betamax machines, both still in the original boxes with original manuals and packing styrofoam and sleeves. Even the boxes and packing materials appear new. Never have tried them. Don't own any tapes, and probably never will.

kx250rider · #10 11-13-2009, 10:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RobtWB

Holy Cow Charles that set is beautiful. I have never seen one look as new. Most are really beat up, scratched, dented, faded etc. Did you get that set new?, or was it a find?

Thank you! That set is in very nice shape, but does have the usual torn veneer around the base (bad design). I've had a few of them, and I owned this one in the 1980s after getting it as a declined repair, and sold it to another collector here in CA... He then traded it back to me earlier this year, after having used it as a daily watcher for awhile, and never had a problem with it. The only thing he did was to replace the lucite Betamax cover (had a scratch), and he put another mechanical flip-digital clock in it (original had a busted set shaft). He used donor set to get those parts, which I found outdoors on a goat farm in terrible shape. Miraculously, the lid & clock were OK

Charles

kx250rider · #11 11-13-2009, 11:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RCAkid

So any thoughts on what the SL-7200 would be worth now?

I really want to be fair to this gentleman but at the same time, not rip myself in the process.

I know what I think it is worth but some additional feedback on its value would be great. I mean if you saw it at an estate sale for $x.xx amount. What would you be thinking it's worth? $10, $25, $50 ? More?

I'd say closer to $25 if it's clean, or maybe $50-$100 if it's really mint condition, and has the original box & papers. This is assuming it's NOT working, but even working, the value will still hover in that area. They all need new belts & idlers, but that's usually all the need.

Charles

andy · #12 11-13-2009, 11:32 AM

000

ChrisW6ATV · #13 11-14-2009, 12:34 AM

I thought only a few Sony Beta VCRs could not play BI tapes, such as the SL-8600.

I had an SL-HF900, and I know it could play my BI tapes. There was also a mod to allow it to record in BI as well, but I never installed it.

andy · #14 11-14-2009, 12:44 AM

000

kx250rider · #15 11-14-2009, 10:40 AM

Most of them, except the SL8200, could play B1 (I sure would like to know the Windows keyboard shortcut for the Beta symbol!!). I even have a cheapie early 90s Betamax that does. I think they had no choice but to switch to BII, since so much material to watch is over 60 minutes. It was probably a boo-boo to introduce it in BI in the first place. It left the back door open to attack by Matsushita with the 2-hour VHS SP mode. The actual Beta pro mode is about 20 minutes on an L-750 cassette (Betacam SP).

Quote:

Originally Posted by andy

None of these modern Betas could make tapes that were playable on the original BI VCRs.

I was hoping my SLHF1000 could do that, but honestly I never tried. I think it has a BI/BI-SHB on-off switch. Now I'll have to try this!

Charles