05-05-2015, 02:31 PM
(03-05-2015, 06:11 PM)boater sam Wrote: Looks to be a nice example externally at least. I collect Bush sets and this is one of the better looking ones, the bakelit ones can look a bit austere .
Its a light colour wood too which is less common.
The Magic Eye will most likely be poor, and there are loads of rotted Hunts buried in amongst the wiring that will need to be changed. Some of the wiring will be beyond safe use and the ECC88 FM valve has usually given up.
I find that restoring one of these costs around £26 to £45 depending on the magic eye's condition.
I have bought them for between £12 and £24 and have usually been lucky with the condition. The exception was one that had every fault I had ever seen on these all in one set. But with a good cabinet it had to be restored, despite the hateful oscillator coil being rotted and needing rewinding. Took a ridiculous amount of time and money to finish, much more than it will ever be worth.
I don't know where you are but if you are somewhere near or not too far from Middlewich I'll make you a good offer, they don't travel well by courier!
I think the value should always reflect the work done to it. If you've done the thorough restoration job you describe on a set such as this, then the sale value should definitely reflect all of that. I'm sure there are serious collectors who would pay quite generously for a vintage radio that's been well and truly serviced and restored.
I think my gran and granddad had one of these all their lives. He worked in a hotel before he died but they kept this radio next to the TV set and I recall it very well. Never gave them any trouble at the time.
