A visit with John Wentzel Alladin Electronic Radio Repair San Francisco 2011
 

April 2011 I won an ebay auction for a Telefunken Opus 7. It arrived in great shape and was touted as having to need going over. I assumed it would need a rebuild, just wanted one that looked like it hadn't been abused, and had been stored properly.
https://static.imgzeit.com/large/753...3/P1050863.jpg

Looking around for someone who could restore it, I came across John Wentzel's shop in San Francisco. Over an hours drive, but he had been in the business a very long time. In fact he was training an understudy and preparing to retire as I recall while talking to him there. Here are some photos he allowed me to take of himself and his shop.
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Very nice! :yes:

A real step back in time. I love the pictures! Thanks for sharing!

The Good old days are never to return.
Did anyone notice the cat pictures on the wall? It must be a trait of old radio collectors.
I love the wrought iron gate on the 1611 entry. :thmbsp:

Here's another nice writeup about John. Met him a couple of times. Just a wonderful gentleman in every way.

https://hoodline.com/2013/09/nearly-...-aladdin-radio

Thank you Mr Coot

Nice looking shop. Soon there will be none left.

http://www.videokarma.org/attachment...1&d=1527283502

Is this place still Here.
What Address?
I hope So.

Here is a more recent write up from a year ago.

https://sfrichmondreview.com/2017/05...-john-wentzel/

The cat in your avatar looks like the kitten I got about 5 months ago. :thmbsp:

The exterior of that shop is off-the-charts cool! Screaming art-deco.

That is a big ass radio. lol it looked like a little tabletop. There's no perspective until I got down to the pic with John poking it.

Being strictly old school, John never got into computers or digital stuff at all, AFAIK. Never seen any online contact info for Aladdin Radio or John (other than the telephone#).

German table radios: I've seen some that make a 20" table model TV feel small...