Bush PB63. - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

MALC SCOTT · 6th Jan 2023, 2:47 pm

Hi, i have just rescued a Bush PB63 radio. Looks untouched inside. Can't find much info about this model. Anyone worked on one? Malc.

Cobaltblue · 6th Jan 2023, 3:42 pm

Service data available up top

https://www.service-data.com/search....&search=Search

Nothing that special that I recall its not motor tuned or anything.

Has an interesting output stage.

Cheers

Mike T

cathoderay57 · 6th Jan 2023, 8:34 pm

I've restored a couple of these in recent years. First check the AC044 or Pea Exe Four power triode output valve. Usually it will be missing having been robbed and sold at an extortionate price. If it's still there it is likely to be low emission and replacement will be extremely expensive. I think the mains transformer HT winding is a bit marginal as I had one burn up, so make sure that the HT smoothing caps are in good order and that the biassing resistors for the AC044 are correct before powering up. Also check the resistance of the speaker field coil; again, a rewind would be costly. Best of luck with it. Jerry

MALC SCOTT · 6th Jan 2023, 8:42 pm

Hi Jerry, all valves present and correct. Speaker energizing coil ok. The cardboard block type smoothers are all u/s. I will give it a full electrical restoration. The dial cord is u/s but i am unable to find and info on refitting it on the trader sheets. I have a nos PX4 output valve if needed, Malc.

cathoderay57 · 6th Jan 2023, 8:53 pm

Then you're lucky and with a bit of effort the set should perform well - they certainly sound good with that massive speaker and big cabinet. The Trader sheet doesn't show the dial cord routing but the Manufacturer's does https://www.service-data.com/product.php/614/976/m10614 Cheers, Jerry

MALC SCOTT · 7th Jan 2023, 9:52 am

I have the full set of radio data from this forum. Sadly my new laptop does not take cd/dvd.

cathoderay57 · 7th Jan 2023, 11:47 am

Nor mine. I invested in el cheapo DVD-RW with USB connector. J

Paul_RK · 7th Jan 2023, 11:53 am

Hi Malc,

It's become just about impossible to find one that does, but there are plenty of USB-connected external drives available. Mine was £17 and has been okay so far. Good that you're not faced with finding an output valve, I've a slightly older Bush (SAC25) that also uses ACO44 and energised Rola speaker and the sound quality is a joy.

Paul

Cathovisor · 7th Jan 2023, 12:12 pm

If you need any spares Malc, I have a scrapper to hand.

Also http://www.bushradio.co.uk/pb63.html

Cathovisor · 7th Jan 2023, 12:53 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by MALC SCOTT

I have the full set of radio data from this forum. Sadly my new laptop does not take cd/dvd.

Transfer it to a USB stick with your old laptop? 16Gb will cover it.

All my electronic service data lives on a NAS but I have loads of 'real' stuff in good old paper format.

MALC SCOTT · 12th Jan 2023, 4:01 pm

Hi, what diameter dial cord should i use to re-string this set. Various options available on line. Cheers, Malc.

Cathovisor · 12th Jan 2023, 9:42 pm

Has your cord disappeared totally, or is it obviously wrong? If I get a chance next week, I'll take my micrometer up to the store and measure the cord on mine (or a contemporary).

MALC SCOTT · 12th Jan 2023, 10:04 pm

The dial cord has rotted away.

cathoderay57 · 13th Jan 2023, 6:15 am

I don't think the cord thickness is particularly critical. Around 0.5mm should work fine. Obviously non-stretch variety! Jerry

Cathovisor · 15th Jan 2023, 6:12 pm

Right, report hot from the store; obviously it's difficult to measure cord with a micrometer but having measured it, it's in the vicinity of 0.8 to 1.0mm.

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MALC SCOTT · 31st Jan 2023, 4:11 pm

I have fully restored the chassis and it now works fine. I need about a square foot of loudspeaker fret, anyone got any spare or know a source? Malc.

Cathovisor · 31st Jan 2023, 4:44 pm

You're welcome to the baffle board from my scrapper assuming the cloth is okay, but at the moment I am without a car so can't get to the store to check and /or remove.

Alternatively, I'd point you towards Michael Katz at https://www.radiogrillecloth.com/products

Shipping costs are very reasonable indeed.

MALC SCOTT · 31st Jan 2023, 5:29 pm

I remember getting some very nice fret from Sid Chaplin ?? years ago. He had a good range. I wonder if he is still trading?

Cathovisor · 31st Jan 2023, 7:13 pm

Sid retired and his son took over but that was some time ago; he then changed the name to RetroSpecialist and this is the website link:

https://www.retrospecialist.co.uk/al...eless-30-c.asp

MALC SCOTT · 31st Jan 2023, 10:08 pm

Cheers, thanks for the link. Ordered a nice piece which will look fine. Looks like his stock is very thin on the ground now.

6th Jan 2023, 2:47 pm	#1
MALC SCOTT Octode Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Willington, County Durham, UK. Posts: 1,484	Bush PB63. Hi, i have just rescued a Bush PB63 radio. Looks untouched inside. Can't find much info about this model. Anyone worked on one? Malc. __________________ Malc Scott

6th Jan 2023, 3:42 pm	#2
Cobaltblue Moderator Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Exeter, Devon and Poole, Dorset UK. Posts: 6,242	Re: Bush PB63. Service data available up top https://www.service-data.com/search....&search=Search Nothing that special that I recall its not motor tuned or anything. Has an interesting output stage. Cheers Mike T __________________ Don't care if it was a bargain why's it in my kitchen Mike T BVWS member. www.cossor.co.uk

6th Jan 2023, 8:34 pm	#3
cathoderay57 Nonode Join Date: Oct 2017 Location: Bristol, UK. Posts: 2,150	Re: Bush PB63. I've restored a couple of these in recent years. First check the AC044 or Pea Exe Four power triode output valve. Usually it will be missing having been robbed and sold at an extortionate price. If it's still there it is likely to be low emission and replacement will be extremely expensive. I think the mains transformer HT winding is a bit marginal as I had one burn up, so make sure that the HT smoothing caps are in good order and that the biassing resistors for the AC044 are correct before powering up. Also check the resistance of the speaker field coil; again, a rewind would be costly. Best of luck with it. Jerry

6th Jan 2023, 8:42 pm	#4
MALC SCOTT Octode Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Willington, County Durham, UK. Posts: 1,484	Re: Bush PB63. Hi Jerry, all valves present and correct. Speaker energizing coil ok. The cardboard block type smoothers are all u/s. I will give it a full electrical restoration. The dial cord is u/s but i am unable to find and info on refitting it on the trader sheets. I have a nos PX4 output valve if needed, Malc. __________________ Malc Scott

6th Jan 2023, 8:53 pm	#5
cathoderay57 Nonode Join Date: Oct 2017 Location: Bristol, UK. Posts: 2,150	Re: Bush PB63. Then you're lucky and with a bit of effort the set should perform well - they certainly sound good with that massive speaker and big cabinet. The Trader sheet doesn't show the dial cord routing but the Manufacturer's does https://www.service-data.com/product.php/614/976/m10614 Cheers, Jerry

7th Jan 2023, 9:52 am	#6
MALC SCOTT Octode Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Willington, County Durham, UK. Posts: 1,484	Re: Bush PB63. I have the full set of radio data from this forum. Sadly my new laptop does not take cd/dvd. __________________ Malc Scott

7th Jan 2023, 11:47 am	#7
cathoderay57 Nonode Join Date: Oct 2017 Location: Bristol, UK. Posts: 2,150	Re: Bush PB63. Nor mine. I invested in el cheapo DVD-RW with USB connector. J

7th Jan 2023, 11:53 am	#8
Paul_RK Dekatron Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Fakenham, Norfolk, UK. Posts: 3,788	Re: Bush PB63. Hi Malc, It's become just about impossible to find one that does, but there are plenty of USB-connected external drives available. Mine was £17 and has been okay so far. Good that you're not faced with finding an output valve, I've a slightly older Bush (SAC25) that also uses ACO44 and energised Rola speaker and the sound quality is a joy. Paul

7th Jan 2023, 12:12 pm	#9
Cathovisor Pentode Join Date: Dec 2022 Location: Peterborough, Cambridgeshire, UK. Posts: 227	Re: Bush PB63. If you need any spares Malc, I have a scrapper to hand. Also http://www.bushradio.co.uk/pb63.html

12th Jan 2023, 4:01 pm	#11
MALC SCOTT Octode Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Willington, County Durham, UK. Posts: 1,484	Re: Bush PB63. Hi, what diameter dial cord should i use to re-string this set. Various options available on line. Cheers, Malc. __________________ Malc Scott

12th Jan 2023, 9:42 pm	#12
Cathovisor Pentode Join Date: Dec 2022 Location: Peterborough, Cambridgeshire, UK. Posts: 227	Re: Bush PB63. Has your cord disappeared totally, or is it obviously wrong? If I get a chance next week, I'll take my micrometer up to the store and measure the cord on mine (or a contemporary).

12th Jan 2023, 10:04 pm	#13
MALC SCOTT Octode Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Willington, County Durham, UK. Posts: 1,484	Re: Bush PB63. The dial cord has rotted away. __________________ Malc Scott

13th Jan 2023, 6:15 am	#14
cathoderay57 Nonode Join Date: Oct 2017 Location: Bristol, UK. Posts: 2,150	Re: Bush PB63. I don't think the cord thickness is particularly critical. Around 0.5mm should work fine. Obviously non-stretch variety! Jerry

15th Jan 2023, 6:12 pm	#15
Cathovisor Pentode Join Date: Dec 2022 Location: Peterborough, Cambridgeshire, UK. Posts: 227	Re: Bush PB63. Right, report hot from the store; obviously it's difficult to measure cord with a micrometer but having measured it, it's in the vicinity of 0.8 to 1.0mm. Last edited by Cathovisor; 15th Jan 2023 at 6:18 pm.

31st Jan 2023, 4:11 pm	#16
MALC SCOTT Octode Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Willington, County Durham, UK. Posts: 1,484	Re: Bush PB63. I have fully restored the chassis and it now works fine. I need about a square foot of loudspeaker fret, anyone got any spare or know a source? Malc. __________________ Malc Scott

31st Jan 2023, 4:44 pm	#17
Cathovisor Pentode Join Date: Dec 2022 Location: Peterborough, Cambridgeshire, UK. Posts: 227	Re: Bush PB63. You're welcome to the baffle board from my scrapper assuming the cloth is okay, but at the moment I am without a car so can't get to the store to check and /or remove. Alternatively, I'd point you towards Michael Katz at https://www.radiogrillecloth.com/products Shipping costs are very reasonable indeed.

31st Jan 2023, 5:29 pm	#18
MALC SCOTT Octode Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Willington, County Durham, UK. Posts: 1,484	Re: Bush PB63. I remember getting some very nice fret from Sid Chaplin ?? years ago. He had a good range. I wonder if he is still trading? __________________ Malc Scott

31st Jan 2023, 7:13 pm	#19
Cathovisor Pentode Join Date: Dec 2022 Location: Peterborough, Cambridgeshire, UK. Posts: 227	Re: Bush PB63. Sid retired and his son took over but that was some time ago; he then changed the name to RetroSpecialist and this is the website link: https://www.retrospecialist.co.uk/al...eless-30-c.asp

31st Jan 2023, 10:08 pm	#20
MALC SCOTT Octode Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Willington, County Durham, UK. Posts: 1,484	Re: Bush PB63. Cheers, thanks for the link. Ordered a nice piece which will look fine. Looks like his stock is very thin on the ground now. __________________ Malc Scott