Becker Mexico

[Montreal V8]

Been watching for an early Mexico. Seems people advertise these with "unable to check cassette as I don't have a tape", but still ask top money. Is there an inherent fault with these, and this is a way of avoiding saying "cassette inoperative" ? Any comments? Dale.

[Goldfinger]

That would concern me, I was looking at a car recently and didn't have a tape to try out the cassette player (who does anymore?), so I went to a local music store and bought one for $4. Anyone else can do the same, it's a small price to pay to prove functionality.

[scoot]

Been watching for an early Mexico. Seems people advertise these with "unable to check cassette as I don't have a tape", but still ask top money. Is there an inherent fault with these, and this is a way of avoiding saying "cassette inoperative" ? Any comments? Dale.

The cassette decks will crap out after time.  If the rubber bands haven't been replaced, they will need that.  I think there is a kit from Koenigs Classic in germany for Becker cassette decks.

But the question I want to ask is why anyone would care if the cassette deck works...   Realistically people don't play cassettes.  The Mexico is a common high-end radio that has three big problems:  1 is that the cassette deck is unlikely to work, 2 is that the auto-search tuning is unlikely to work and 3 is that there are no preset buttons for the stations.  Given that, why do you want a Mexico?

If you _really_ want a great radio and you are going to pay for it, get a period Grand Prix - it will have the search tuning and preset buttons.  Then buy the cable on ebay that lets you have an MP3 jack so you can listen to music.  This is an entirely livable solution.

If you don't want to pay crazy money for a grand prix, get a Europa II Stereo and an MP3 jack setup...

And if you don't want stereo, a Europa or Europa TR would be a nice radio to have, again there is a cable so you can play MP3s.

[ashley]

Is there a cable for the Mexico?

[Montreal V8]

Hi Scoot. Thanks for your comments, which I tend to agree with. I have, however, a couple of reasons for deciding on a Mexico. I like the look of it, and I'm one of those archaic dinosaurs who still occasionally listens to a cassette. I recently obtained one, knowing the player was defunct, but all radio functions, including "seek" work.The lack of presets isn't really an issue for me, so it comes down to a personal preference. Thanks for the mention of Konigs. I've contacted them, and am awaiting a reply.
 Cheers, Dale.

[scoot]

Is there a cable for the Mexico?

I don't know is my best answer.  I have heard that there is, but that it only plays mono on a stereo mexico.  That sounds like bad information to me so I don't believe it.  The cable plugs into the jack that is used for the optional remote cassette deck.  I'm not even sure if a mexico has that jack since it wouldn't have a remote cassette deck.   I need to hunt around my house and find a Mexico and check.  If the radio has a din plug on the back that has a plastic cap inserted into it with a couple of pins in the cap, then you can plug an mp3 cable into it.  But don't confuse the din plug w/ plastic cap with the diagnostic din plug, which is totally different.  It won't have a cap on it with a couple of pins...

[scoot]

I  still occasionally listens to a cassette. I recently obtained one, knowing the player was defunct, but all radio functions, including "seek" work.

That is a very good reason to get a Mexico.  I've never tried to repair the cassette stuff so I can't comment on how to do that.  But I think it is doable.  And you get to preserve the pinstripe look.

[ctm14]

Dale,

  Contact Scott at LaJolla Audio. They rebuilt my Europa stereo and have a repair department familiar with Becker.

Chris

[Montreal V8]

Scoot and Chris. Thanks for your comments, and advice. Cheers, Dale. (This website is magic)