I've been looking out for a decent radio for my dad and recently acquired a Universum 1600 from a second hand shop here in Berlin. These are seriously underrated blasters. They look ok, are a decent size but have a great sound. I was surprised after I heard one for the first time, and are a bargain for the money you pay for them.
Anyway. I saw it on a shelf and asked the guy how much he wanted for it. He said 60 euros, which is expensive as you can find them often for half that price on eBay. So, i asked him to plug it in and as he switched the power switch, an almighty horn sound came wailing out of the box. He quickly tried switching various switches and turning knobs, but nothing worked. BINGO! I looked at the box and then at him with a worried look on my face and said, well, it'll cost me at least 60 euros to get an electrician to even look at it. I'll give you 10 Euros for it. After having witnessed the din for himself, he could hardly argue and had to let it go.
Now this is the important part. Being able to identify certain sounds, be it crackles, pops or horn like wails and knowing if and how they can be repaired can help you to acquire some absolute bargains.
The problem in this case is incredibly common. It has to do with the record switch mechanism getting dusty/dirty/stuck and more often than not can be remedied simply by pressing down on the record button a few times. otherwise taking the box apart and giving the mech a good clean will more than likely do the job.
I bought a GF9494 with the same issue for 20 euros once after the seller had asked 120 for it. In all I have had maybe 5 or 6 boxes with the same issue.
Things like crackly knobs and switches can also usually be helped by a good cleaning.
The trick is using the "bad points" to get a better deal. Second hand sellers around here don't know the first thing about radios, which at the end of the day is great for us.
So, learn your sounds, use the "this is going to cost me --- euros to even get it looked at" line, and grab yourself a bargain!
Anyway. I saw it on a shelf and asked the guy how much he wanted for it. He said 60 euros, which is expensive as you can find them often for half that price on eBay. So, i asked him to plug it in and as he switched the power switch, an almighty horn sound came wailing out of the box. He quickly tried switching various switches and turning knobs, but nothing worked. BINGO! I looked at the box and then at him with a worried look on my face and said, well, it'll cost me at least 60 euros to get an electrician to even look at it. I'll give you 10 Euros for it. After having witnessed the din for himself, he could hardly argue and had to let it go.
Now this is the important part. Being able to identify certain sounds, be it crackles, pops or horn like wails and knowing if and how they can be repaired can help you to acquire some absolute bargains.
The problem in this case is incredibly common. It has to do with the record switch mechanism getting dusty/dirty/stuck and more often than not can be remedied simply by pressing down on the record button a few times. otherwise taking the box apart and giving the mech a good clean will more than likely do the job.
I bought a GF9494 with the same issue for 20 euros once after the seller had asked 120 for it. In all I have had maybe 5 or 6 boxes with the same issue.
Things like crackly knobs and switches can also usually be helped by a good cleaning.
The trick is using the "bad points" to get a better deal. Second hand sellers around here don't know the first thing about radios, which at the end of the day is great for us.
So, learn your sounds, use the "this is going to cost me --- euros to even get it looked at" line, and grab yourself a bargain!
