Grunow 1291

Howdy all- I'm new here. I joined because of a purchase I recently made.

I bought an old radio in an antique store last weekend. It appears to be a Grunow 1291 "Teledial". The wood's in pretty good shape (the cloth over the speaker has a rip, though) and it lights up when plugged in, but no sound. Initially, I really didn't care if it ever worked- it looks decent just sitting in the living room, but after looking at a few on the internet and seeing prices for restored ones, I think I might check it out a little closer.

I only gave $50.00 for this radio, but what could I expect to pay (worst-case scenario) if I took it all the way? Keep in mind, I wouldn't be selling it if I took the time and expense to restore it. I would be keeping it.

Thanks.

[Fisherdude]

First, welcome to Audio Karma!

You're going to find out it's a very friendly and helpful place, and if you hang around, you're going to make a lot of friends.

Second, plugging in a radio that old was a very big risk. Since you didn't mention anything about having to call the fire department, you appear to have dodged a bullet, but I really wouldn't plug it in again until you have the opportunity to do some work on it. And, I certainly would be doing some work to fix it up, because it's worth a lot more than you paid for it.

My first suggestion would be to do some relaxing and very enjoyable research. I would recommend that you check out the web sites of Radio Daze (www.radiodaze.com), and Antique Electronics Supply (www.tubesandmore.com), and check out their selection of books. You will find quite a few on restoring old radios. Pick up one or two, and when they get delivered sit down with a cup of coffee or a cold one, and do some reading.

You'll find out that you need to replace the capacitors in the radio, and check the resistors to determine if any of them need to be replaced. You'll need to gently remove the tubes, clean the sockets, clean the switches and controls, dust the chassis, etc. When you're ready to fire it back up, you'll probably need to do an alignment (adjust the adjustable bits) so that the radio receives well.

Too much to cover in a post! The books will help a lot.

Welcome aboard, and keep us posted!

Thanks FD- not only for the advice but the welcome.

I feel pretty good then about this purchase. I would have been more reluctant to plug it in, but the guy at the store mentioned that it would light up, but wasn't working (no sound).

I guess it's time to do some research.

Thanks again (from a fellow Illinoisan).

[akent36]

This is an excellent radio and worth much more than you paid for it. I also have one which was bought new by my great-aunt Ruth from the Mueller Potter drug store, Oshkosh, WI.

Originally Posted by akent36

This is an excellent radio and worth much more than you paid for it. I also have one which was bought new by my great-aunt Ruth from the Mueller Potter drug store, Oshkosh, WI.

Thanks. After doing some research, I'm thinking about having it restored by a professional so it gets done right.

I was actually on vacation staying up in Prairie du Chien Wisconsin when I bought it , but got it from an old antique store across the river in Waukon Iowa.

[Fisherdude]

If you plan on keeping it, and don't want to tackle learning some restoration techniques, then having a pro do it is certainly an option. Keep in mind, though, that the cost of having it done will probably be more than the value of the radio, unless you're only talking about simply getting the radio working.