jjones1700
Learning, always learning
More than likely, considering there isn't a huge demand for that stuff, relatively. Makes me curious what happens to that stuff come next week.
More than likely, considering there isn't a huge demand for that stuff, relatively. Makes me curious what happens to that stuff come next week.
evm1024
New member
Corner horns....
go snag those klispchorns now!
go snag those klispchorns now!
jpmorris
Tape Wolf
Ohh, I want the C-format machine...
Talldog
Pain in the ass
Holy crap! We're all sick but this guy must have been truly demented! 
Richard King
New member
How come this never happens in my neighborhood?
That JVC VHS deck looks like the first front load VHS deck that I owned. If I recall correctly, it was also the first with VHS HiFi audio. When I was in Prince's house once at around the same time I noticed that he had the same deck in his living room.
That JVC VHS deck looks like the first front load VHS deck that I owned. If I recall correctly, it was also the first with VHS HiFi audio. When I was in Prince's house once at around the same time I noticed that he had the same deck in his living room.
jjones1700
Learning, always learning
I DID buy a lifetime supply of eight packs of Maxell type II cassettes. a buck for each sealed eight pack. Had to make two trips to the car
Damn, I thought that looked like XL-II tapes. LOTS of 'em too. Lucky bastage!
I never see any good sales of tape or equipment here in Houston. I just want a M520 and a ton of cassettes, and I'd be set. I've got 2 good 424mkII, but only a small handful of cassettes to use with it, and I'm not about to buy in bulk at $6/each.
T
The Ghost of FM
Banned
Insane.
But, the dude obviously loved collected the stuff so who am I to judge?
Then again, loading up your bath tub with VCR's does make me wonder where on earth he managed to bathe? Or was bathing a distant interest compared to compiling the gear?!
Cheers!
But, the dude obviously loved collected the stuff so who am I to judge?
Then again, loading up your bath tub with VCR's does make me wonder where on earth he managed to bathe? Or was bathing a distant interest compared to compiling the gear?!
Cheers!
jjones1700
Learning, always learning
You know, looking back at the photos again, I know he couldn't have possibly used all of those machines on even an remotely occasional basis. Wow. Just wow.
IndustrialOkie
Esoteric Order of R'lyeh
It's almost like that dude was one of those strange hoarder types- only instead of mazes of garbage in his place he just happened to hoard tons of cool stuff we wish we could have!
C
Cosmic
Active member
In the 10th photo, of the tape shelf, there is a book on germs....
Maybe "Mr Hughes" did shower with the VCRs.....
C.
Maybe "Mr Hughes" did shower with the VCRs.....
C.
T
themaddog
Rockin' & Rollin'
Poor guy, hope he lived a long, happy life.
-MD
-MD
miroslav
Cosmic Cowboy
People *collect* the strangest things.
It doesn't appear like he was running a studio setup...though it's possible.
It looks more like he just bought a lot of similar stuff...???
There are a few pieces in the pics that I wouldn't mind checking out...but as usual, these types of sales are always cross-country...never close!
It doesn't appear like he was running a studio setup...though it's possible.
It looks more like he just bought a lot of similar stuff...???
There are a few pieces in the pics that I wouldn't mind checking out...but as usual, these types of sales are always cross-country...never close!
T
technoplayer
Recovering Gear-aholic
OK, so I spent probably eight hours there across the three days the sale was open. That said, I did NOT see everything. This is about a 4000 sf house plus garage and driveway, and the place was PACKED with stuff.
A bit of backstory from the people running the place and he neighbors. The guy apparently had income from rental properties so did not have a "real" job. Looked to be estranged from his family. This house is a corner house in an upscale North Dallas neighborhood, with a pool and etc. Looks good from the outside, but inside the place was a shamble. Dirty, cluttered, evidence of water damage, strange smells, broken AC units, pool half full of black water. The sellers said off to the side that he had a business of duplicating porn videos, which may explain the hundreds of VCR's. They say they spent two MONTHS clearing out the place, and four dumptruck loads of stuff before they could open up the house for a sale!
This person seemed to be partial to Tascam, as there was almost one of everything in the place, as well as what looked linked the entire inventory contents of a Radio Shack store. Seriously.There was a large amont of parts and one bathroom floor to ceiling with component cabinets. He also collected video gear...must have had 50 different broadcast video cameras and every genertation of video recorder including Beta, C format u-MATIC, and some open reel stuff I did cannot classify. There is no evidence of a studio or any thing that looks like he actually used any of this stuff. The racks were full of gear, but very little was connected to anything. I dont see how he could have done aything in this place anyway. I was a bit leery of the condition of equipment sitting in this squalor for years
Oh yeah, did I mention that among the other stuff in the garage was a Cobra replica? Apparently liked toys all around.
Seems like several of the other people there were buying stuff and turning it immediately for cash, then coming back to forage some more.
After the shock and awe, there was a sense of sadness that someone let this stuff become their life. My hesitation made me lose out on some purchases.
That said, I lost out on the Tascam 520 I was eyeing, as well as an AQ 65 autolocator on a stand which I found 5 minutes after someone else did. (I would have bought that bad boy for my 388...oh well). I look at it as it was not meant to be, and I still have my cash in pocket.
I did buy the entire stock of Maxell Type II cassettes...the stack looks like Fort Knox... and this rather cool 2' x 4' plexiglass Tascam sign ($5!!)that was apparently in a store somewhere at one time. That will end up on the wall in my studio. Also a box of original manuals, mostly Tascam. Someone else got the M-520, but I got the original manual in the binder for 2 bucks.
Maybe someday.
What sticks in my mind is something one of the other scavengers said:
He who dies with the most toys...still dies.
I will NOT do this to my family
A bit of backstory from the people running the place and he neighbors. The guy apparently had income from rental properties so did not have a "real" job. Looked to be estranged from his family. This house is a corner house in an upscale North Dallas neighborhood, with a pool and etc. Looks good from the outside, but inside the place was a shamble. Dirty, cluttered, evidence of water damage, strange smells, broken AC units, pool half full of black water. The sellers said off to the side that he had a business of duplicating porn videos, which may explain the hundreds of VCR's. They say they spent two MONTHS clearing out the place, and four dumptruck loads of stuff before they could open up the house for a sale!
This person seemed to be partial to Tascam, as there was almost one of everything in the place, as well as what looked linked the entire inventory contents of a Radio Shack store. Seriously.There was a large amont of parts and one bathroom floor to ceiling with component cabinets. He also collected video gear...must have had 50 different broadcast video cameras and every genertation of video recorder including Beta, C format u-MATIC, and some open reel stuff I did cannot classify. There is no evidence of a studio or any thing that looks like he actually used any of this stuff. The racks were full of gear, but very little was connected to anything. I dont see how he could have done aything in this place anyway. I was a bit leery of the condition of equipment sitting in this squalor for years
Oh yeah, did I mention that among the other stuff in the garage was a Cobra replica? Apparently liked toys all around.
Seems like several of the other people there were buying stuff and turning it immediately for cash, then coming back to forage some more.
After the shock and awe, there was a sense of sadness that someone let this stuff become their life. My hesitation made me lose out on some purchases.
That said, I lost out on the Tascam 520 I was eyeing, as well as an AQ 65 autolocator on a stand which I found 5 minutes after someone else did. (I would have bought that bad boy for my 388...oh well). I look at it as it was not meant to be, and I still have my cash in pocket.
I did buy the entire stock of Maxell Type II cassettes...the stack looks like Fort Knox... and this rather cool 2' x 4' plexiglass Tascam sign ($5!!)that was apparently in a store somewhere at one time. That will end up on the wall in my studio. Also a box of original manuals, mostly Tascam. Someone else got the M-520, but I got the original manual in the binder for 2 bucks.
Maybe someday.
What sticks in my mind is something one of the other scavengers said:
He who dies with the most toys...still dies.
I will NOT do this to my family
Attachments
Blue Jinn
Rider of the ARPocalypse
It's like he had a pawn shop or something and just closed it and moved it all into his living room...
Blue Jinn
Rider of the ARPocalypse
It's like he had a pawn shop or something and just closed it and moved it all into his living room...
I second that...
I second that...
sweetbeats
Reel deep thoughts...
I am thankful for the real-world reminder of what can happen.
I'm not sure-footed enough to say I won't ever do that. I still have little enclaves of unfinished useless gear around here that are the beginnings of that cancer...slowly excising it.
By assuming I have the potential to go South that way I will stay in fear of doing so, and the fear keeps me safe.
So, I hope to always be fearful of doing that to my family and in doing so avoid it. Thankfully I know my (negative) potential, and can imagine the loneliness.
The gear wants you.
I'm not sure-footed enough to say I won't ever do that. I still have little enclaves of unfinished useless gear around here that are the beginnings of that cancer...slowly excising it.
By assuming I have the potential to go South that way I will stay in fear of doing so, and the fear keeps me safe.
So, I hope to always be fearful of doing that to my family and in doing so avoid it. Thankfully I know my (negative) potential, and can imagine the loneliness.
The gear wants you.
jjones1700
Learning, always learning
Good point. Keep in mind that you have two people (at least) outside of the house who will kick your tail if you start down the slippery slope!
I've come to grips with my gear addiction to the point that all I really want is an M520 (damn! I missed that one!) and a 1/2 track mixdown deck. Unless I move into a bigger house and make alot more money, I don't have the time, room, or money to hoard gear, as much as I would love to.Don't get me wrong, if I was GIVEN that Tascam gear in the room, I can't say that I'd be safe though.
j.harv
@#$%
It would still be really interesting to know the story of this individual,his personality and his fascination of all this gear.
T
The Ghost of FM
Banned
I really wouldn't worry about stuff like that!
You buy gear to restore it and use it or sell it. That puts you in a class miles above that Howard Hughs, reclusive wannabe gear hoarder!
Chin up!
Cheers!
D
dodgeaspen
New member
It's very sad. Lots of things, that's what we strive for. I hope it will be made to good use.