Collecting Antique Radios and Phonographs: Tips for Those Starting Out
by Damon Atchison
I like to use the antique phonographs and radios (and televisions) I own to experience what it was like to use them back then.
Victor phonographs have had every part reproduced from several suppliers in the U.S. You can completely rebuild the motor and sound box, or the head. They sound great rebuilt.Electronic repairs are more difficult on radios and televisions. My most common question is, "Where do you get the tubes?" Radios built during and after the late 1920s have a plentiful supply of tubes. The majority of tubes from that era run from just $1 up to $150. Furthermore, not all tubes are bad just because the radio is not working. Usually it is the capacitors that are the problem. After they are replaced and the bad tubes (if any) have been replaced, the radios usually work fine. New capacitors are sold by several suppliers in the US, but generally can not be found locally as they are high-voltage capacitors, not low-voltage capacitors like those used in all electronic devices today, which do not use vacuum tubes anymore.
I taught myself radio repair by reading old books which are plentiful at libraries across the
country. Look for radio repair books written in the 1950s and learn how to work on the stuff yourself. It is not that difficult. For those less daring, there are people who rebuild antique radios for hire.
If you want to buy a rare radio or phonograph, find out what is rare first by using the Internet. Check eBay to find out what radios or phonographs sold for high prices and make a note of their model numbers and condition. Also get books on collectible radios and phonographs. Looking for the Dog is a great book about Victor phonographs and provides information on production numbers so you can find out which phonographs are more rare than others. A similar book was made for Columbia phonographs. Both of those books cover phonographs made 1880-1935.
So many radios were made that it is hard to find a good book to sum up all of them. It is so difficult to find something rare in the first place that most antique radios and phonographs you will find are just old, but common. As a rule, stay away from anything that is in rough condition or missing parts unless you are certain you know where to buy replacement parts. Because all of these things were mass-manufactured, you are sure to find another in good condition somewhere, maybe even cheaper.
Antique malls are consistently the absolute worst place to buy antiques because of their high prices, common things and items in poor condition. Certain estate sales and garage sales can turn up something older than 1950, but the best place to look is on eBay, on Craigslist, and in the local paper. Buy from individuals selling the single item out of their house. They are often willing to take whatever they can get from it because they want to get rid of it. I find a lot of great stuff in suburban homes that are relatively new. Finally, look for outdoor flea markets and antique fairs.
Do not listen to sellers who tell you what the stuff is worth. It is worth what you want to pay for it. If they want too much, just walk away. You will find another. It is unfortunate to pay twice as much as you needed to just because you wanted it then and could not wait.
Pay about $150 tops for a working Victrola, a common floor model. Often you can get them for under $100, working even.
Old radios usually never work; just because it is working does not necessarily make it instantly worth more. A non-working radio may only need 20 minutes of labor to get it going. Also, a working radio may still need work to keep it working. A word of warning: Do not plug in an old radio just to test it. You could actually damage it. Replace all the capacitors before plugging it in.
If you have a Victor that still plays, be sure to disassemble and clean the motor, greasing what needs to be greased and oiling what needs to be oiled before playing it regularly or else you could wear down the metal gears with old, dirty grease.
>> Find Victrolas for Sale
Electronic Classics: Collecting, Restoring and Repair
(book)
Old radios usually never work; just because it is working does not necessarily make it instantly worth more. A non-working radio may only need 20 minutes of labor to get it going. Also, a working radio may still need work to keep it working. A word of warning: Do not plug in an old radio just to test it. You could actually damage it. Replace all the capacitors before plugging it in.
If you have a Victor that still plays, be sure to disassemble and clean the motor, greasing what needs to be greased and oiling what needs to be oiled before playing it regularly or else you could wear down the metal gears with old, dirty grease.
Related to this article:
>> Find Victrolas for Sale
Electronic Classics: Collecting, Restoring and Repair
(book)
