Fake “Sony SW-33”

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Dave Zantow (N9EWO), who writes:

Here is an interesting one [I saw] on eBay this morning. A SONY marked SW33 SW portable, but of course it’s NOT the ICF-SW33 model you (or I ) are thinking of.

Click here to view on eBay.

Looks to be a Kchibo made radio (a model I tested for Passport years ago) ? Humm….but Kchibo’s are made by TOWADA Audio (in China and Vietnam plants). As you may already know TOWADA Audio also made all of Sony’s SW sets for decades going back into the 70’s (but at the Japanese Plant of course). So is this some unofficial model (but poorly marked) or just a total fake from a few years ago ??

Have more information on TOWADA and Sony on the bottom of my Sony Page : http://webpages.charter.net/n9ewo2/sony.html

But that is a weird one.

The real Sony ICF-SW33 (Image: Universal Radio)

Thank you, Dave! Yes, obviously this “SW-33” is not the real item (see authentic ICF-SW33 above).

I’m guessing the seller has no idea this is a fake radio. Dave makes a good point: if it doesn’t look like a Sony, it probably isn’t! Buyer beware.