[JLM]

My first "rig" was a 20 year old AM radio (that must of had tubes).  In a couple of years I added a portable cassette deck.  About three years later I blasted ahead with a funky Panasonic AM/FM/cassette (long, tall unit with single driver speakers in form following masonite cabinets).   By the time I graduated from high school I'd upgraded the speakers to a pair of JBLs.  All that while working hard on the farm and living in a room that barely had heat.

In college we really went from mid-fi to legitimate hi-fi and a 12 black and white TV that we could play pong on.   

Finally got my own TV at age 40 (after a divorce).   

[satfrat]

It might be a nice thought if your boy went over to your neighbors and thanked them Bob. I would be feeling mighty obliging if I were him.    A TV in my bedroom? Yeah right  , a transister radio's more like it til I was a high school junior and bought myself a 5" portable reel to reel with money from my job at the local mom/pop store. My thing was to go around to all my friends who had "giving" parents and record their Beatles albums. I had quite a collection of tunes that I toted around with that stereo reel to reel "back in the day". 
 
Cheers,
Robin

[Bob in St. Louis]

It might be a nice thought if your boy went over to your neighbors and thanked them Bob. I would be feeling mighty obliging if I were him.

Yes. I've been thinking the same thing. Just not sure how I want to pimp him out. Maybe he should paint their house. 

When I was 12, I think my source of "fi" was one of those record players that had build-in multi colored lights behind a "crystal" light diffusion panel that would pulse with the music. 
I'd hold the microphone of my cassette player up to the speakers to make compilation tapes. 

Bob

[Wind Chaser]

That looks like a serious distraction for a 12 year old, one that could affect his GPA... 

[JLM]

Bob, that's how I made my compilation cassettes. 

A 12 year old painting my house??     How about mowing their lawn "xx" number of times?

[eclein]

Bob- Tell your son when he comes up for air the old guy in Allentown said "Bring it"!!!

[Bob in St. Louis]

Mr. Chaser, His GPA is just about as high as it can get. In fact, he's not only in an accelerated program, he's been invited (twice) to spend the summer in Australia, and once in London as a student ambassador. All based on his grades.

JLM, Yea they've got a two story with a steep yard on one side essentially making it three stories high. He's smart, but lacks common sense. Maybe ladders shouldn't be in his future. 
Glad to know I wasn't the only one "bootlegging" in that manner. 

Ed, I'll tell him you called him a punk. 

Bob

[Wind Chaser]

Mr. Chaser, His GPA is just about as high as it can get. In fact, he's not only in an accelerated program, he's been invited (twice) to spend the summer in Australia, and once in London as a student ambassador. All based on his grades.

Great!  You ought to give him the keys to your room - he's earned it and then some!

[Bob in St. Louis]

Oh yea. He's got free reign of my room, tube amps and all. 

Bob