Realistic CLARINETTE-115 (Unknown)

Name: Realistic CLARINETTE-115
Brand: Realistic

A forgotten all-in-one from the RadioShack vaults—AM/FM, tape, and turntable in a box that never quite found its spotlight.

Overview

You’re rummaging through a back room at a thrift store, past dusty receivers and half-dead reel-to-reels, when you spot it: a beige plastic console with a flip-up lid, cassette slots staring blankly, and a record platter under glass. No brand screams for attention. No sleek lines. But the label says Realistic Clarinette-115, and you know that name—RadioShack’s house brand, This isn’t a high-end receiver or a coveted turntable. It’s something quieter: a forgotten attempt at the ultimate bedroom console, packing an AM/FM stereo tuner, a dubbing cassette deck, and a turntable into one unassuming unit.

Sold under the Realistic name—RadioShack’s longtime badge for consumer electronics—the Clarinette-115 was built for convenience, not glory. It’s the kind of system that lived on a dorm desk, a bedroom dresser, or a college apartment shelf, quietly playing Top 40 off the radio, recording mixtapes from vinyl, or spinning 45s after class. It was trying to do everything, just well enough.

The model number, 13-1219AS, is stamped on the back like a serial tag on a library book—functional, not flashy. And while it’s easy to overlook, there’s something quietly compelling about a machine that promised it could do it all: listen, record, play. In an era when music was still physical and personal, that kind of all-in-one ambition mattered.

Specifications

Manufacturer	Realistic (house brand of Radio Shack/Tandy Corporation)
Model	CLARINETTE-115
Model No	13-1219AS
Product type	AM/FM Stereo, Dubbing Cassette, Turntable, Music System

Key Features

All-in-One Convenience

The Clarinette-115 wasn’t subtle about its purpose. It combined three major audio functions into a single chassis: an AM/FM stereo tuner, a dubbing cassette deck, and a built-in turntable. That meant you could tune into your favorite station, record it to tape, and later play back your recording—or drop the needle on a vinyl album and make a copy. No need for a stack of components. Just plug it in, flip open the lid, and go.

Dubbing Cassette Deck

The inclusion of a dubbing cassette deck—meaning it had two tape transports or a dual-capstan system capable of copying from one tape to another, or from radio/turntable to tape—was one of its standout features. This wasn’t just playback; it was a tool for creating mixtapes, archiving records, or recording late-night radio shows. In the pre-digital era, that functionality turned a simple music system into a personal media hub.

Integrated Turntable and Tuner

With a built-in turntable and AM/FM stereo tuner, the Clarinette-115 eliminated the need for external sources. You could spin your vinyl collection or catch the latest hit parade without adding a single extra box. The system was clearly designed for simplicity and self-containment, appealing to users who wanted music without complexity.

No Built-In Speakers

One critical detail from surviving listings: Speakers Not Included. Unlike many all-in-one systems of the era that had internal speakers, the Clarinette-115 required external speakers to function. That’s a quirk that trips up modern buyers—it looks like a complete system, but it’s not. Whether this was a cost-saving move or an attempt to allow users to pair it with higher-quality speakers remains unclear, but it definitely changes how you use it today.

Collectibility & Value

The Realistic Clarinette-115 hasn’t become a sought-after classic, but it’s not entirely forgotten. One recent listing recorded a sale price of $115.00, suggesting modest collector interest. The unit described was noted to be “In very good cosmetic and working condition,” with only “light scratches on the plastic cover” and confirmation that “All features work properly.” That kind of condition—clean, functional, cosmetically honest—is what drives value for these utilitarian systems.

Since original pricing and production years remain unconfirmed, and no technical specs are available, collectors are largely flying blind. There’s no service manual trail, no known failure points documented, and no cult following singing its sonic praises. But for RadioShack completists, vintage console hunters, or anyone restoring a period-correct bedroom setup, the Clarinette-115 fills a niche.