Description: This Totsuko Sony TR-63 is a Transistor Radio introduced in Japan in 1957. It is approximately 67MM wide X 113MM tall X 29MM deep. It came in four colors: Green, Red, Yellow, and Black. This one is Green. The round logo on the back of the case reads TOKYO TSUSHIN KOGYO, LTD. JAPAN, and does not include the TR-63 model number. The TR-63 uses a standard 006P ( PP3) 9 Volt battery. It covers the AM frequency range from 535KC to 1605KC . One of the black capacitors has a visible date code of 0557284 indicating its approximate time of assembly as May 28, 1957. This is a middle version of the TR-63, introduced before the corporation's name change to SONY CORP. in 1958, and is the first Sony Model to have the round indentation containing the Company Name on the back cover. The TR-63 is famous for being the world's smallest radio at the time of its introduction in March 1957. To emphasize how much more compact the new model had become, the catchphrase "pocketable" radio was coined. Sony salesmen wore custom-made business shirts with a slightly larger pocket than a standard business shirt, so that they could demonstrate that the TR-63 was indeed "pocketable". The back of the cabinet has a distinctive "pebbled" surface to help the salesman to hold the radio securely while operating it with one hand or slipping it into his shirt pocket. The radio is in good cosmetic condition. There are small cracks and chips in one corner of the plastic case. The metal grille covering the speaker is in fair condition, with several shallow dents. The Enamel “Sony” Badge is in good condition, but the lettering has discolored and faded. There are very fine scratches and scuffs on the exterior plastic surfaces caused by over 60 years of handling. These scratches are visible under close inspection with strong lighting. There is no sign of battery leakage inside the radio. The paper label showing the battery location is completely gone, but a residue of the glue remains where it was attached to the circuit board. The original oval-shaped SONY transistors are all present. The gold Model TR-63 label from TOKYO TSUSHIN KOGYO LIMITED is fully intact inside the back cover. There are some small melt marks inside the back cover, probably from a soldering iron. The antenna is loose at the end by the battery where the plastic bracket has broken off. The Earphone Jack is clean with no corrosion from battery leakage. The circuit board looks clean and undamaged; and the label with the Serial Number is intact. The red and black wires attached to the Battery Connector have been replaced with heavier gauge wires, and need to be tucked in beside the battery so the cabinet can be closed completely. The radio can sometimes tune in one or two stations in the San Francisco area that can be very faintly heard with the volume set to maximum. The volume control moves easily without producing static as it turns, except for some crackling by the on-off position. There is a faint hiss that grows louder as the volume is turned to the maximum setting. The tuning control also moves easily without producing static as it turns. The pointer covers the entire frequency range as the dial turns from stop to stop. The earphone jack was not tested because the signal level is too low. Be sure to look at the photos; they are an important part of the description of the Radio. See the following discussion of the enlarged photos for details of the blemishes and defects. Photo#1 shows one arrow pointing to the Sony Emblem with faded lettering. There are also two arrows pointing to the location of the shallow scratches in the gold under-paint on the rim of the Tuning Dial. Photo#5 shows two round wear spots on the surface of the back cover. These were probably caused by rivets in a leather TR-63 carrying case. It also shows the rare Round Embossed TOKYO TSUSHIN KOGYO, LTD. with no Model Number shown inside the circle. Photos #6 and #7 show arrows indicating a 15mm crack in the cabinet that prevents the cover from latching properly. The second arrow indicates a melted spot on the edge of the cabinet. Photo #10 has 3 arrows showing a 3-way crack on the upper corner on the left side. Two more arrows show the start and end of a hairline crack on the upper right corner. Photo #11 points to the location of the missing antenna bracket. The other arrow indicates that the paper battery diagram is gone, but some glue remains. Photo#12 shows two arrows pointing to the melted marks in the back of the case cover, probably made by a soldering iron during repairs to the circuit board. These are not visible when the cabinet is closed. A third melted location is shown on the opposite side by the lower corner of the label. The 9V Battery and the Earphone are not included in the sale. No carrying case is included. The Radio will be double-boxed in a USPS Flat Rate Medium Box to protect it during shipping. Don’t hesitate to ask any questions or request more photos if you have any concerns about the TR-63. I will respond promptly to your request. Don't miss my other listings in my Ebay Store. Please send me a message before paying if you want combined shipping for multiple purchases. I will send you an invoice with your total with your purchases combined.
Price: 325 USD
Location: Pleasant Hill, California
End Time: 2024-11-27T18:25:07.000Z
Shipping Cost: 14.35 USD
Product Images
Item Specifics
Return shipping will be paid by: Buyer
All returns accepted: Returns Accepted
Item must be returned within: 14 Days
Refund will be given as: Money Back
Brand: Totsuko Sony
Country/Region of Manufacture: Japan
