Frequently Asked Questions

I receive many emails about what it takes to have a radio repaired or restored. These seem to be the most common questions, so please read this page completely before contacting me. You may find the answer to what you're looking for here. If not, then you can email me directly from my contact page.

How much is my radio worth?

As placing a value on any antique is highly subjective, I do not offer my opinion as to the value of any particular radio. There are reference books available that provide price ranges, and these can be found in most of the larger, well stocked book stores or the public library.

Do you sell parts?

Generally, I do not sell parts. There are many resources available for NOS and used parts. The internet is a good place to start.

How can I get my radio to you for service?

If you are local to Morris County, New Jersey, I provide free pickup and delivery of your radio. I will make appointments on first-come, first-served basis, so most of the time it will take several weeks (sometimes several months) before I'd be able to meet with you. It all depends on my backlog of work to be done.

Those of you who are not within commuting distance where I can get to you will have to ship your radio to me. Due to time limitations on my part, I cannot accept drop off work. AS long as the packing is done properly, I've had no damage issues or lost shipments to date with any of the major carriers. A table radio packs pretty easily, but for a floor model you'd have to remove the chassis and most likely the speaker. I can provide instructions (email or telephone) on how to remove the electronics from the cabinet if necessary.

How long will a restoration take?

I have a constant backlog of radios and speakers to be serviced, so it is difficult to provide an accurate estimate of turnaround time. Once the initial restoration work is completed, there is always the possibility that additional repairs will be required which adds to the total time for any project. Your radio will have to wait its turn as I repair and restore those radios that arrived before yours. All work is done on a first-come, first-served basis. There is no way that I can tell when your radio would be finished, as it depends on how many sets are ahead of yours and how much trouble I have completing the service on them. If you decide that you do not want to wait, simply contact me and I will return your set to you.

Does long lead time for radio service mean long lead time for speaker service?

Speaker service is scheduled differently. Time is set aside each week to attend to those speakers received during the week and that are waiting for parts that may have arrived. Generally, if speaker parts are in stock speaker reconing can be a same day service. If parts have to be ordered, then it will take longer. Generally, lead time to have a name brand speaker reconed runs 2 to 4 weeks depending on parts inventory. Vintage and old radio speakers can run longer as these are typically custom recone jobs.

How much will it cost to restore my radio?

The cost to service your radio will be determined after I have had a chance to inspect the condition of the chassis and wiring. Although the replacement of capacitors is fairly straight forward, any additional work that may be needed such as replacing defective wiring is additional time and labor, and therefore adds to the cost. This can only be determined with a visual inspection of your radio.