Formerly Dab Hand Radio.. Same people, new name! We DO NOT repair DAB Radios!

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ALL WORK HAS A 12 MONTH GUARANTEE!!

 The Vintage Radio Repair Shop 2022

Counter reset  03/01/23

Email / MESSAGE me to discuss your Project!                     Anything is possible and I like challenges!!!

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The Vintage Radio Repair Shop

 For all your repair, restoration and servicing needs for Vintage Valve Radios  

  Based in Stockport, Cheshire N.West England but offering Nationwide Service!

 Email: info@vintage-radio-repair-shop.co.uk   (or use the CONTACT FORM below!)   Tel 0161 285 1600

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST????

I think most people like to know from the start a rough idea of how much repairs and restorations can cost.  Its not cheap, it can be painstaking work,  but I do try to keep things as low as I can. The Vintage Radio Repair Shop is a hobby business which I do due to my love of old radio sets, family tradition, and because its fun.

I’m sure you can appreciate that some Projects take many hours so even at my current prices, I’m often working far below the minimum hourly wage! This is why I’ve developed the Options system which I think prices jobs at a reasonable rates to cover most costs, overheads, tax and hours spent.

NB  If you do not require the case/cabinet of the radio to be restored and only need the electrical issues sorted, message me as prices can be reduced!

If your Project is on the waiting list please bear in mind I can’t foresee how much the price of parts might increase over a 12 month period. Often parts can also be hard to source and expensive. When your radio is on the bench I will advise at that time if further costs might be incurred so we can agree to proceed or not. I will always keep costs to a minimum and any rises will be small and reasonable but in line with current inflation.

HOW DO YOU ACCESS MY SERVICES?

SHIPPING  from £30 (Personal delivery and collection preferred as its always risky to send via courier!) I can advise on packaging and couriers. I can arrange a courier to collect from you at no extra charge....

From £165   For this Option the work will focus on safety and minor repairs.  Old valve radios can be a fire risk. Ideally the radio should be ‘working’ in some form but in obvious need of some TLC. This Option will clean the radio, replace out worn components, mainly capacitors and resistors,  test the valves, make sure the dial lights work, fit a new fused mains lead and align and test. If new valves are required or a major repair needed, like replacing the transformer, I will advise the customer  before proceeding.   This Option is the most popular for those customers who have an old family radio in need of rejuvenation or have acquired a radio at an auction or car boot sale.   This Option gets the radio fully working and fit for safe everyday use. It does NOT include restoration of the case/cabinet.

OPTION 1….. Safety Check, Service, Repairs.

From £265  This  Option ultimately includes everything from Option 1 but will starts from a non working  position. Radios brought to me for this Option usually fit into the group which have been damaged by age, water penetration,  have rust, brittle and dangerous wiring.  They will need the case to be repaired, often stripped back to bare wood,  require veneer replacement or have broken or cracked Bakelite.  This is always sympathetic restoration which captures the originality and patina of the radio so even if the case is stripped, the finished result still holds its original patina, it doesn’t look ’brand new’ as this just wouldn’t be right!

 See The gallery for some examples of past Projects.

For some radios an ‘original’ restoration isn’t possible.

Options 3, 4 , 5 and 6 may be a way forward.....

From  £275  DAB/FM/Bluetooth Conversions. This turns your old and unrepairable valve radio ‘cabinet’ into a working, functional addition to your home yet still retains its original nostalgic patina. The cabinet, be it wood or Bakelite, is restored to its former glory but with its original patina preserved. The bonus is that it sounds fabulous and will receive digital broadcast stations .  The radio still looks 90% the same as it did on the day it was made. I utilise many of the original parts and circuitry. The dial lights up, the knobs have function… And the ‘valve’ sound is preserved with added hifi quality. The only departure from the original look is the position of the digital display which can be hidden behind the dial glass or placed on the rear panel.  Most conversions come with a remote control.

Check out The Gallery for some examples!

OPTION 2…..  Full Restoration/Repair

OPTION 3….. DAB/FM/Bluetooth Conversions…..

OPTION 4….. INTERNET Radio /Bluetooth

From £365   This is the most popular conversion I do.  It is expensive but it future proofs your radio and gives it another 50+ years of life!  You receive literally 1000’s of radio broadcasts worldwide.  In addition you can access iTunes, Apple Music,  Spotify and many other music platforms. In some areas the (as here in Stockport!)  DAB/FM broadcast signals re not as strong as they ought to be so this conversion solves any reception problem. The sound is crystal clear.   Your old vintage radio becomes a modern digital music centre but remains looking ‘vintage’! As with the DAB conversion, a small digital display is required which can be hidden behind the dial glass or placed on the radio’s back panel.  The radio will still look 90% original but the resulting sound retains its original tone and volume.

Check out The Gallery for some examples!

OPTION 5….. BLUETOOTH alone.

From £175   This is  very popular and cost effective customer choice offering excellent value for money and much cheaper than Options 3 and 4. Apart from price it has a few real advantages in that a digital display is not required as operation and pairing is by sound alone.  This means I can keep the outside of the radio totally original and not have to squeeze in and disguise the digital display. The only disadvantage is that it obviously requires a Bluetooth audio source such as your smart phone, tablet or computer but as these are now ubiquitous in our daily lives, it shouldn’t pose an issue. You can even use your phone as a remote control too! The original radio looks exactly the same, the knobs work and the dial lights up. Piping in BBC Sounds and playing Hancock’s Half Hour or The Goon Show through your old radio’s loudspeaker, plus having an additional speaker inside the cabinet for added stereo sound, is a joy to behold.  For a small additional cost  (£40) I can also offer the ‘deluxe’ version with added balance, bass and treble controls  operated from the radio’s original knobs. Ask/message  me for details.

OPTION 6....  ALEXA/Google NEST

From £175  Recently introduced as an Option, I can now offer Alexa and Google Nest conversions. This, like the Bluetooth conversion under Option 5, means that the radio does not need a digital display so the case/cabinet can stay untouched and original. I personally like this new Option as you can actually talk to your vintage radio, you can even give it a name, which is quite a novel thing to do. You can ask it the time, the weather or (like I do!) play the ‘What’s the Question Of the Day ‘ trivia quiz. Best of all you can ask it to play music and the vast array of radio stations all over the world. I utilise as many of the original components as I can, especially the loudspeaker, so the radio keeps its original tone and volume.  As with the Bluetooth Option, the radio’s knobs are functional and the dial lights up.  This Option gives a very modern 21st century twist to your vintage radio. Obviously the requirement is a wifi home environment for the Alexa/Nest to pair up with but this, again, is now almost universal.

WHERE THIS ALL BEGAN....This is our old family Radio Repair Shop in  Alum Rock in Birmingham . I learnt from my dad and granddad!    Shaw’s TV and Radio Repair Shop

Take a look at the picture below! Before and After!!!!

Examples of my work... There’s more in The Gallery!

Looking for someone to fix your old valve radio???

This is the right place!   Check out MY OPTIONS

THE OPTIONS....   REPAIR     RESTORE   CONVERT?  SEE BELOW.....

The Workshop Webcam      Watch your radio being fixed!

Then how about joining my Patreon Apprentice Scheme Be a member of our WhatsApp Group!

My Patreon Apprentice Scheme costs just £2 per month.. Less than a coffee!!..

NEED HELP?     WANT TO LEARN????

For your subscription (cancel anytime) you get access to loads of personal help and benefits, cheaper parts, active tuition, my RESCUE SERVICE (should your radio project go wrong) and access to my basic Radio Kits! Build your own valve radio from scratch and learn how to fix them.. Easy non complicated stages!  

 THE WEBCAM !!  Observe the work being carried out ”LIVE” on The Bench! If it freezes just ‘refresh’ page!  Audio not always on! If it is, apologies for any profanities heard! (Its the TV not me!)

JOIN MY APPRENTICE GROUP TODAY!! CLICK HERE!!!

TO BOOK MY SERVICES AND GET ON THE LIST

PAY YOUR DEPOSIT HERE!

CHECK THE LIST AND YOUR PLACE ON

IT HERE

A £30 DEPOSIT secures your place on my List!  Sadly there might be a 12 month minimum wait but ring/message me for details as I can often squeeze in ‘special’ jobs!

HOW DO YOU GET YOUR RADIO TO ME?

Want to do it YOURSELF?

NB ... I DO NOT repair modern transistor equipment, amplifiers, car radios, DAB radios, record players or radiograms! See below......

The Vintage Radio Repair Shop is a small hobby business which specialises in the repair and restoration of vintage valve radios.  Due to demand (there aren’t many of use left doing this type of work!) I have a long waiting list and have to be selective when taking on new work. My work is on valve radios (pre 1955 ish) and certainly not later radios with any transistors , car radios or record players etc.  If you still think I can help, please use the CONTACT FORM or email me!  I’m very happy to advise or chat about your vintage radio needs......   Visits to the Workshop are strictly BY APPOINTMENT ONLY as we are NOT a walk in Shop. NB IGNORE Google Maps!! That’s not our location!.