I have the same one, purchased in Tokyo in 1979 or 80. I love it -- and it still works fine after all these years, including once falling off the roof of a speeding car (!) (It has a little dent.) I think the musical feature makes me more accurate -- you can "hear" if you've hit the wrong key.

My dad had this ... eventually it passed to me ... and one day I took it to school and some absolute tosspot stole it when I wasn't looking.

And now you tell me there are people selling them "new" on eBay? :-)

PS, please, please record it playing each of those melodies and put them on youtube, I'll love you long time. Or at least, a grand total of approximately 60 seconds. The manual only said two of the titles, and it's been about 18 years now, so I can't remember which one's which, other than Traumerei (which I have on a classical compilation...), so it'd be good to figure out which title corresponds to which tune.

PPS it's not a four banger - it's got square root as well! It's totally a valid mathematical tool. And it can do date calculations as well, e.g. tell you how many days are between two dates, which is well handy.

PPPS Nice musical choice :)

Tell me where I can buy a Casio ML-81.

John: Dude, I stated in the article where I got mine ... eBay. As I write this there are three for sale there.

Cheers, Julian

My husband had what I think was the Casio ML-81 (his got stolen too). We loved one of the little melodies it would play as an alarm. I've been trying to figure out what it was. Do you know the names of the songs it plays or do you know where I might find either the names of them or recordings of them online? I'd love to find a calculator to replace the one stolen but I want to be sure it's the one with that little song we liked so much.

Linda: I'll have to see if I can't record the tunes on all the musical calculators I have when I have a spare couple of hours.

(In essence, I've stored all mine without batteries -- except the ML-81 -- so it'll be a case of buying the right batteries, installing them, recording, then uninstalling and moving onto the next one.)

Cheers, Julian

I have a Casio ML-81 for sale if any of you would like to buy it. I never use it anymore and I don't want it to go to waste. It won't be an expensive price. It's in perfect working condition, but the cosmetics are by no means perfect. Figured I would post it here first instead of eBay. Thanks

I am interested. For how much are you selling this?

Hi Linda, one of the tunes is Fur Elise..I myself am trying to figure out the other one..

I am interested in buying an ml81, where can i get this online

@Noel: Well, let's see.

Me, in the original article: "I spotted one in an auction on eBay (NOS - New Old Stock, as they say) and bought it for $50."

Me, in comment #4: "I stated in the article where I got mine ... eBay. As I write this there are three for sale there."

Me, just now: There's one currently for sale on eBay. Also, by checking the completed listings I see that one appears possibly once a month. Just add a watch for one in your account on eBay.

Cheers, Julian

I’ve just bought a Casio ML-81 but no manual or instructions which I’ve not been able to find online. On the back it says it takes 2 1.5v coin batteries 0.012W, anyone know which ones should go in please? Denny

@Denny: I use Duracell 303/357 silver oxide batteries, and they last forever. If you want to use alkaline batteries, then it's LR44.

Cheers, Julian

Thank. You for your review about the casio ml81 calculator. My mother had one and I remember very well the songs on my mind but didn't know the names and author until this article. Thnx!!

Got one for 50 cents at the swap along with a Casio Personal Mini making it a total $1. Am hoping for a manual... but I've owned a CQ-81 when I was a kid until adulthood... so will likely figure it out!

Need A Manual For My Casio ML-81

I have just purchased my first ML-81 since University in the mid 80's. I found an image copy of the ML-81 Manual that can be downloaded on this website: https://photos.google.com/share/AF1QipOAkryNpqV06zLEc6aVutxhCywXZRVhT20G1hNPWtbXBlPPY9dvzQG8iywq0R7b7Q?key=enp2N2RqUGVOa1ZvTVZPYlJqYjNKR0dCUkFHQzJn

Thank you for posting how to set a date this century!

Wenn Sie Alkalibatterien verwenden möchten, dann ist es LR44.<<<

Oh, oh, oh, the correct Typ of alkali-battery's is !!! LR 54 !!! NOT LR 44.

Btw, julian, how can i make that the casio ml 81 play my own music, for example the 5th Sinfonie of Beethoven? Particualy the correct ton lengths?

Ah, the ML-81… 1. Calculator 2. Clock 3. Calendar 4. Music box 5. Time Machine. Every time I use this thing, it’s 1982 all over again.

Looking for an ML-81, to replace my unit where the letters are no longer legible.

ALSO, i'D LIKE A mANUAL FOR ML-81.....please contact me @ kuiperjim@gmail.com

or text me @ 616-293-0226 I live in Zeeland, Michigan...P.O. Box 272 49464-0272

If you have one, please contact me with condition and details.. THANK YOU!!

@Jim: as I indicated in the post the best way to get a replacement is to monitor eBay. For instance there's one there right now, including the manual, for $30 with shipping.

Cheers, Julian

I just found my old ML-81...from back in the 70's if my memory serves. Plugged in new batteries and it came back to life!

From Julian's post I was able to set the date...it even recognized 2024!

Now I need help to get the time set. Anyone have the key to doing that?

Aloha, Jim

Jim

That's the easy one! Flip the top left switch to "SET". Press AC to clear. Type in the time, and to switch from AM to PM (or back) press the decimal point. Then press the embedded SET button. Done!

Cheers, Julian