Grundig Radiogram identification - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

FocusOnScott · 13th May 2022, 9:54 pm

Hi there Guys!

I've rescued another lovely radiogram...the wood isn't in the best condition but everything else looks good. It can with instructions and a tin of needles, but the model number on the instructions doesn't seem to match the cabinet design?

The manual shows the record player as a Garrard but the manual for the unit shows it as being a Grundig so 131 but googling this it doesn't match the pictures?

I've not had the opportunity to plug it in yet as it's not wired to a plug but I understand it's a bad idea to attempt to simply turn it on!

Can anyone identify the unit?

Thanks in advance!

Herald1360 · 13th May 2022, 10:59 pm

It's simply a Grundig radiogram fitted with a Garrard autochange deck. The Garrard manual is just for the Garrard deck, not the complete radiogram.

A "tin of needles" is no use for that Garrard deck; maybe the Grundig manual is unrelated to the actual radiogram too.

paulsherwin · 13th May 2022, 11:26 pm

Agreed, it doesn't look like any Grundig I've ever seen. The cabinet design suggests it may be an early 60s stereogram (stereo record deck, mono FM radio.) Record decks of that era didn't have removable 'needles', just a permanent stylus, so either the 'tin' is irrelevant or there has been a misunderstanding somewhere.

All that said, it's an attractive unit, but is likely to need some attention before being returned to use. You need to consider if you have the skills and commitment to do the necessary work.

Edward Huggins · 14th May 2022, 7:48 am

That Garrard RC121/120 deck would date it to mid/late 1959. Is that an EM34 magic eye? If so, a very late application for this valve.

snowman_al · 14th May 2022, 11:32 am

It does have a Grundig 3088 'look' to the facia. Have a look at Radio Museum https://www.radiomuseum.org/r/grundi...et_3088_1.html

And there is a large 'V' on the front panel?
A couple of better pictures may help?
Alan

PS I wonder if it is a UK model as the VHF band ends at 100 Mega cycles?

paulsherwin · 14th May 2022, 12:00 pm

I agree the chassis looks similar, but most high end German radios and radiograms looked like that in the late 50s. The cabinet doesn't look very Grundig-ish.

The 100MHz restriction was also used in Germany. It was generally only export models which might end up in America that tuned to 108.

ms660 · 14th May 2022, 1:44 pm

https://picclick.co.uk/Grundig-Gains...l#&gid=1&pid=1

?

Schematic for the SO131/60 (and others) here:

https://archive.org/details/manual_S...p?view=theater

Lawrence.

paulsherwin · 14th May 2022, 2:07 pm

Looks as if you're right Lawrence. Live and learn.

13th May 2022, 9:54 pm	#1
FocusOnScott Diode Join Date: Jan 2022 Location: Rossendale, Lancashire, UK. Posts: 4	Grundig Radiogram identification Hi there Guys! I've rescued another lovely radiogram...the wood isn't in the best condition but everything else looks good. It can with instructions and a tin of needles, but the model number on the instructions doesn't seem to match the cabinet design? The manual shows the record player as a Garrard but the manual for the unit shows it as being a Grundig so 131 but googling this it doesn't match the pictures? I've not had the opportunity to plug it in yet as it's not wired to a plug but I understand it's a bad idea to attempt to simply turn it on! Can anyone identify the unit? Thanks in advance! Attached Thumbnails

13th May 2022, 10:59 pm	#2
Herald1360 Dekatron Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Leominster, Herefordshire, UK. Posts: 16,535	Re: Grundig Radiogram identification It's simply a Grundig radiogram fitted with a Garrard autochange deck. The Garrard manual is just for the Garrard deck, not the complete radiogram. A "tin of needles" is no use for that Garrard deck; maybe the Grundig manual is unrelated to the actual radiogram too. __________________ ....__________ ....\|____\|\|__\|__\_____ .=.\| _---\__\|__\|_---_\|. .........O..Chris....O

13th May 2022, 11:26 pm	#3
paulsherwin Moderator Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Oxford, UK Posts: 27,941	Re: Grundig Radiogram identification Agreed, it doesn't look like any Grundig I've ever seen. The cabinet design suggests it may be an early 60s stereogram (stereo record deck, mono FM radio.) Record decks of that era didn't have removable 'needles', just a permanent stylus, so either the 'tin' is irrelevant or there has been a misunderstanding somewhere. All that said, it's an attractive unit, but is likely to need some attention before being returned to use. You need to consider if you have the skills and commitment to do the necessary work.

14th May 2022, 7:48 am	#4
Edward Huggins Dekatron Join Date: Sep 2015 Location: Southwold, Suffolk, UK. Posts: 8,327	Re: Grundig Radiogram identification That Garrard RC121/120 deck would date it to mid/late 1959. Is that an EM34 magic eye? If so, a very late application for this valve. __________________ Edward.

14th May 2022, 11:32 am	#5
snowman_al Octode Join Date: Dec 2018 Location: Llandeilo, West Wales, UK. Posts: 1,092	Re: Grundig Radiogram identification It does have a Grundig 3088 'look' to the facia. Have a look at Radio Museum https://www.radiomuseum.org/r/grundi...et_3088_1.html And there is a large 'V' on the front panel? A couple of better pictures may help? Alan PS I wonder if it is a UK model as the VHF band ends at 100 Mega cycles? __________________ Never Leave Well Enough Alone...

14th May 2022, 12:00 pm	#6
paulsherwin Moderator Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Oxford, UK Posts: 27,941	Re: Grundig Radiogram identification I agree the chassis looks similar, but most high end German radios and radiograms looked like that in the late 50s. The cabinet doesn't look very Grundig-ish. The 100MHz restriction was also used in Germany. It was generally only export models which might end up in America that tuned to 108.

14th May 2022, 1:44 pm	#7
ms660 Dekatron Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Cornwall, UK. Posts: 13,454	Re: Grundig Radiogram identification https://picclick.co.uk/Grundig-Gains...l#&gid=1&pid=1 ? Schematic for the SO131/60 (and others) here: https://archive.org/details/manual_S...p?view=theater Lawrence. Last edited by ms660; 14th May 2022 at 1:55 pm. Reason: link added

14th May 2022, 2:07 pm	#8
paulsherwin Moderator Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Oxford, UK Posts: 27,941	Re: Grundig Radiogram identification Looks as if you're right Lawrence. Live and learn.