Sanyo M-G3
ao - 2014-08-29 02:28
I remember years ago looking through the images on the Pocketcalculatorshow website wondering to myself why it was so hard to find some of the rare units. There was one in particular which I kept looking for but just gave up after reaslising that there just weren't any left or that simply not many were ever made .
One such unit was the Sanyo M-G3, here is the pocketcalculatorshow pic....
So, turn the clock forward 10 years, imagine my surprise when I found one on eBay.at here in Vienna. Obviously I won it and here it is.
Now, this is one special unit, I figured like Aiwa and JVC they would design a recording unit around their top of the line playback units of the time but no, this is a stand alone design using a mechanism I've never seen before on a Sanyo. The M-G3 is a marvel, it's early (no Dolby etc) but it's smaller than the M5550. it's made totally from steel with those great Sanyo lines to it. This still had it's headphones and case so feeling very fortunate, deffo a keeper.
walkgirl - 2014-08-29 03:07
lovely! 
nickfish - 2014-08-29 03:11
Even if it were not a rarity it's a great find. It positively reeks of quality. Well done that man!
philmurray - 2014-08-29 03:57
very nice mate. Patience is definitely a virtue as a collector
michiel - 2014-08-29 04:21
Awesome! A real beauty! Must be great to find this desired unit!
It does share the drive line of the M5550 does it? I recognize the spring near the erase head. In the 5550 it returns the tape guider. I was wondering why they didn't cover it, because you have to take care it doesn't jump off when cleaning the inside with a tissue. . Really a lovely machine!
ao - 2014-08-29 07:13
Awesome! A real beauty! Must be great to find this desired unit!
It does share the drive line of the M5550 does it? I recognize the spring near the erase head. In the 5550 it returns the tape guider. I was wondering why they didn't cover it, because you have to take care it doesn't jump off when cleaning the inside with a tissue. . Really a lovely machine!
Nice observation but no, despite being very similar it uses all different components. I often thought the 'talk' button on the 5550 plus the vast void behind it was setting the scene for a later recording unit with a 'record' button in place of the 'talk' button and a record head but no, this is completely different. very odd.
brutus442 - 2014-08-29 12:11
lovely!
Rock solid construction to boot! What a catch AO!
michiel - 2014-08-30 07:01
Awesome! A real beauty! Must be great to find this desired unit!
It does share the drive line of the M5550 does it? I recognize the spring near the erase head. In the 5550 it returns the tape guider. I was wondering why they didn't cover it, because you have to take care it doesn't jump off when cleaning the inside with a tissue. . Really a lovely machine!
Nice observation but no, despite being very similar it uses all different components. I often thought the 'talk' button on the 5550 plus the vast void behind it was setting the scene for a later recording unit with a 'record' button in place of the 'talk' button and a record head but no, this is completely different. very odd.
It's funny because I was also looking for the recording model of the M5550. But only found some mono models that shared some bits of it. Would love to find the MG3 now. I'm using the M5550 in the field and always feel the need to have a spare unit in case it breaks down or gets lost. This MG3 would be great to replace the 5550! And an awesome Walkman to use indoors. Great thread with good info and pics. Really a great find AO!