SHARP GF-9797 - 1981 - Boombox
Some particulars and specifications:
Year of Conception: 1981
Dimensions: (Approx. )
Weight: (Approx. )
Power Output (RMS, DC): RMS @ THD
Power Output (Max. on AC): MPO (Music Power Output)
Power Supply: AC (220V/Mains) or Batteries
Wavebands: FM, LW, MW, SW (4-band tuner)
Tuner Type: PLL Quartz Synthesized (known to be highly sensitive and selective)... and this one is no exception.
Aesthetics: Needle-style VU meters, distinct "night light" feature with a permanent green glow when plugged in.
Connectors: DIN, RCA, Stereo Headphone Jack
Service and Performance: This Sharp Boombox was recently serviced. It all functions normally, with the exception of the PLL Quartz Synthesized tuner, common known glitch, but it still gets all stations. Hard to test the AM stations indoors.
Shipping: I anticipate this Boombox will cost roughly $65 to ship to most states.
US customers: Please consider that this boombox... manufactured in Japan about 44 years ago, may be subjected to a 15%. tariff rate in 2025. The tariff of 15% is currently assigned to Japan. Price set at $357.97, lower by $40 to help with tariffs and/or shipping.
For some countries: This Boombox can be shipped to most places in the world. Please send me an email with your request and address. I will find the best possible shipping rate available. Western Union may be the only payment method acceptable for some parts of the world.
Note: Contrary to what the listing may show at the top of the page, if you are from Canada, sales taxes will be added according to the province where you live.
About SHARP:
The Sharp Corporation: A Legacy of Innovation
The Sharp Corporation was founded in 1912 in Tokyo by inventor Tokuji Hayakawa. The company's name is directly derived from its first hit product: the Ever-Ready Sharp Pencil, a twist-type mechanical pencil invented in 1915 that brought Hayakawa international success.
Following the Great Kantō Earthquake, Hayakawa relocated his business to Osaka and quickly transitioned into electronics. Foreseeing a new era of communication, Sharp began assembling and mass-producing Japan's first crystal radio sets in 1925, establishing the brand as a pioneer in the broadcasting age. This focus on consumer goods continued, with Sharp becoming the first Japanese company to mass-produce TV sets in 1953.
The company cemented its status as a technological leader in the computing sector. A critical innovation came in 1973 with the production of the world’s first pocket-sized calculator using a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD). This initial work with LCDs became a core competency for Sharp, later defining their success in developing massive colour display screens and becoming a dominant force in television technology.
The Golden Age of the Boombox
While Sharp explored high-end audio with its Optonica line in the 1970s, its lasting cultural impact in audio came from the invention of the boombox (or "ghetto blaster") era. Sharp was a major contributor to the golden age of portable audio, which spanned the late 1970s and early 1980s.
The brand's success was spearheaded by its famous GF-series of stereo radio cassette recorders. Models like the highly collectible GF-777 and GF-9797 were not just audio devices; they were cultural icons. Known for their sheer size, powerful sound output, and flashy aesthetics, these large units featured multiple speakers, equalizers, and auxiliary inputs. They made powerful audio portable, becoming essential status symbols and tools for sharing music in urban culture, particularly fuelling the rise of hip-hop. Sharp's dominance in this area ensured its models remain some of the most sought-after vintage electronics today.
While the boombox eventually gave way to smaller, digital players, Sharp pivoted to other areas. Today, the company, now majority-owned by Foxconn since 2016, focuses on home appliances, business solutions, and pioneering display technology, including 8K and AI-integrated devices. Sharp's long and successful journey is a testament to its enduring commitment to its founding principles of "Sincerity and Creativity."
SHARP - GF-9797 - 1981 - Made in Japan