Released in 1973 and rare enough to fetch $202 on eBay, the Panasonic RF-888 arrived in mint condition today and is a spectacular radio worthy of sending shivers up the spine of any radio lover. The sound is big, bigger than my Sony ICF-5900. AM and FM reception on the two radios is equal, which is to say outstanding. I prefer the louder, in-your-face sound of the 888.
Also my 888, unlike my 5900, has an accurate tuning dial. While I love the look of both radios, I prefer the big speaker on the 888. It reminds of of a mag wheel that would go on a sports car.
If you don't need SW and want a strong performer, you will definitely enjoy the powerful Panasonic RF-888.
Update: Over a year later, the RF-888 is back in regular use, replacing my C.Crane CSW, which I put on sale because of inferior nighttime AM reception. The RF-888 plays grand AM day and night. The controls have no scratches. I saw subsequent RF-888s go for $80-100 on eBay and I feared I overspent, but the mint condition, no scratchiness in the tuner or volume, is a real plus. Its huge speaker sound continues to put all my modern radios to shame.
Nice find, and a good article!
I am new to this radio business, although I have always been fascinated by it.
I am mostly drawn by the design though, and the macho/millitary look of the GX300/RF888 is right up my alley. I was a sound engeneer for a decade, so ofcourse the sound is important too :)
Can´t wait to listen to it!
I had the winning bid on a red GX300 today on eBay Germany (Were they only called GX300 in Europe? Seen them branded as Cougars to!)
I payed 58 Euro, and I am pleased with that. It looks good, but is missing any ekstras as the strap, and mic.
Anyways - should you have additional info on this fine little thing, please contact me on testacorsa@yahoo.dk
Best regards from Denmark
Brian.
Posted by: Brian | January 31, 2010 at 01:49 PM
Jeff: Condition is everything. Like stamps or coins---you pay a premium price for a clean and fully functional example of a classic radio. In fact, you can OVERPAY at $50.00 if the radio has been abused. At $200.00, I wouldn't say you got a bargain----but with scratch-free controls and a clean/straight cabinet (and the nylon strap to boot), you got what you paid for. This is a keeper.
Posted by: Angelo | January 31, 2010 at 05:28 PM
These 888's are really great radios. I bought one new when I was a kid working nights stocking shelves in a big supermarket. Everyone had two aisles to stock and everyone had a boom box, yet this 888 could cut through the other radios. The sound gets bigger the farther away you are. I used to take it to the beach with my girlfriend, and eventually the tuning dial, which is a long strip of film, let loose on one end and coiled up and disappeared. I assume that the glue on the spool overheated and softened up, and eventually failed. Now I'm in my fifties and replacing some of the items that I've lost but used to love. I lucked out and got a mint RF-888 on eBay for around $90. This thing is as new with no control or switch noise. It must have spent its whole life in a closet or something. I am thrilled to have my old radio back. I would highly recommend this model to any radio collector. Great article.
Posted by: Deryl Johnson | October 08, 2011 at 05:24 AM
I found a nice RF 88 but it did not come with a manual. Can anyone help me please?
Posted by: Dale Hayward | June 15, 2012 at 03:10 PM
Dale, I have a PDF manual of the RF-888. Email me and I'll email it to you. My email is at the top of this blog.
Posted by: herculodge | June 15, 2012 at 03:32 PM
I love my 888. The cabinet condition is good, not mint by any means----but the sound is simply fantastic.
Posted by: Angelo | June 16, 2012 at 01:49 PM
hi there - I bought the gx 300 (rf 888) around 37 years ago (which I bought for around 120 Euro) and its still a winner. I have replaced the telescopic antenna and I love its reception on medium wave-sensitive selective and clear. Shortwave is not bad at all considering its single conversion. MW reception is close to the rf-2200 though it does not have the rotatable ferrite rod antenna. The only item that needs replacing is the volume knob as its partly broken where the pot shaft fits so if anybody is willing to sell me on pls send an e mail to taurus47yp@gmail.com
Posted by: Alex Farrugia | January 27, 2015 at 12:03 PM
I have an RF 888 radio that is in need of restoration and repair can anybody give me the name of a reputable repair company preferably on the West Coast thank you.
Posted by: Terry Davis | July 24, 2015 at 03:29 PM
my RF-888 has stopped! no more sound out of it, took it to my avionic man and still no go! Ready to give up. any body out there ready to help?
Posted by: spirits up | January 23, 2016 at 09:34 AM
Place send me pdf of the early RF888 mammal of possible. Much thanks!
John
Posted by: John Negvesky | December 19, 2016 at 07:10 AM
Great thread,
I was cleaning out my garage a few months ago and found my RF-888 that I purchased new in 1975 for $79 at the old Treasury (no defunk. I powered it up and it worked great. I live close to a hill and don't get much signal, yet this radio could pull in stations I get static from on my other radios. The one day I turned in on nothing. I am looking for schematics anyone able to find any?
Posted by: Brent | July 23, 2017 at 09:18 AM
I lucked out and bought this radio for $8 a few years ago from a second-hand store. Bought it because it plain cool looking!
I knew nothing of it. It's in great condition and everything seems to work except the dial light battery check. Great sounding radio. I haven't fully explored it's potential as far as mix rec, imp, rhythm, and mxp input/ outputs. I'm not sure what they do.
I think it's fun that I can plug in a mic and it belts out vocals clearly even with it's radio playing. I bought it thinking I might be about to amplify my harmonica. I want to play around with the set up more.
Herculodge and others, its over 10 years since you offered the pdf manual. Do you or does anyone else gave one? My email us la_dore@hotmail.com
Thanks you,
Lise-Anne BC, Canada
Posted by: Lise-Anne Dore | February 21, 2022 at 08:02 PM