HMV 1131 radio. - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

JoshWard · 30th Oct 2025, 2:08 pm

This lovely HMV came to me from the collection of the late Lucien Nunes. A short while after acquiring the HMV, its Marconi brother also came my way and I repaired that at the beginning of this year, you can read about that one here.
Interestingly, the HMV turned out to have almost exactly the same issues as the Marconi did!

Once again, many thanks to Stuart and Steve for their tireless efforts in finding new homes for Lucien’s collection.

The first thing to do was give it a quick once over. The only things obviously different from when it left the factory were the presence of some wiring for an extension loudspeaker and inside the back of the chassis had some pencil marks labeling the various sockets on the back and a date of 10th October 1970. The output valve was a Mullard branded one rather than a Marconi one, so it’s possible this has been replaced, otherwise there were no other signs of previous repair work.

The cabinet was dusty, but clearly in good condition. The original card detailing the functions of the controls was also still present.

With nothing to lose, power was applied and I was greeted with just a low hum. Before delving too deeply I thought I’d start with the obvious and replace any wax paper capacitors. Surprisingly, there are only two in these sets. I also spotted that the HT electrolytic can was bulging so I replaced that too. There were a couple of other electrolytics so I replaced those too.

When powering up for a second time I was greeted with loads of crackling, but no sign of any stations. It was clear that something was arcing as the crackling also occurred when the wavechange switch was set to the gramophone input. With the workshop lights switched off, I could see quite a few sparks around the wavechange switch. I tried some switch cleaner and working it back and forth. This got the set operational on AM but the crackling was still there, so it was clear a more thorough clean would be required. I dug out my fibreglass pencil and worked my around both sides of each wafer cleaning all the contacts and any dark spots on the paxolin. This took quite a while but it had the desired effect and the crackling had gone.

The next thing was to sort out VHF. Again, I started with the obvious and substituted the ECC85 tuner valve. This brought VHF back to life and I was pleased the £1 valve I found in a local junk shop a few weeks ago proved to be a worthwhile investment!

I finished off the chassis by checking round for any out of tolerance resistors. Only three were found to be over 20% out.

The cabinet cleaned up very well with some T-Cut. I was careful not to get any on the speaker fabric to avoid making a mess of it! The knobs were given a quick clean and it was put back together. I opted to not refit the card around the front knobs as it’s a bit tatty unlike the rest of the set, so I have tied it to the back panel to keep it safe.

I am pleased with how this set turned out. They’re nothing particularly special but I think they’re attractive sets and not too many capacitors to change! I didn’t read my notes from the Marconi before tackling this one, so I was surprised to see that set had almost identical faults- a bulging HT can, a dirty wavechange switch and a faulty ECC85. Mind you, the same could be said for most radios of this era!

Stuart R · 30th Oct 2025, 10:07 pm

I remember that one, it's looking much better now.

Good to meet you last year and thanks for updating us on your progress. It's good to see items from Lucien's collection in enthusiastic hands.

Best Wishes,

SR

slidertogrid · 1st Nov 2025, 9:46 pm

You have made a good job of that Josh!

I had a similar model with clear plastic control knobs that were illuminated by the dial lamp. My set needed the same work as yours. The wave change switch played up something terrible! Nice looking sets though...
Rich.

JoshWard · 2nd Nov 2025, 10:10 pm

Thanks chaps. I'm certainly pleased with it. Now I just need to find somewhere to put it!

Nickthedentist · 3rd Nov 2025, 1:33 pm

Nice work as always, Josh.

I love early FM sets, very easy to get hold of and capable of being useful everyday radios.

Well done on your good ECC85 for £1!

Nick.

30th Oct 2025, 2:08 pm	#1
JoshWard Nonode Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Near Stowmarket, Suffolk, UK. Posts: 2,106	HMV 1131 radio. This lovely HMV came to me from the collection of the late Lucien Nunes. A short while after acquiring the HMV, its Marconi brother also came my way and I repaired that at the beginning of this year, you can read about that one here. Interestingly, the HMV turned out to have almost exactly the same issues as the Marconi did! Once again, many thanks to Stuart and Steve for their tireless efforts in finding new homes for Lucien’s collection. The first thing to do was give it a quick once over. The only things obviously different from when it left the factory were the presence of some wiring for an extension loudspeaker and inside the back of the chassis had some pencil marks labeling the various sockets on the back and a date of 10th October 1970. The output valve was a Mullard branded one rather than a Marconi one, so it’s possible this has been replaced, otherwise there were no other signs of previous repair work. The cabinet was dusty, but clearly in good condition. The original card detailing the functions of the controls was also still present. With nothing to lose, power was applied and I was greeted with just a low hum. Before delving too deeply I thought I’d start with the obvious and replace any wax paper capacitors. Surprisingly, there are only two in these sets. I also spotted that the HT electrolytic can was bulging so I replaced that too. There were a couple of other electrolytics so I replaced those too. When powering up for a second time I was greeted with loads of crackling, but no sign of any stations. It was clear that something was arcing as the crackling also occurred when the wavechange switch was set to the gramophone input. With the workshop lights switched off, I could see quite a few sparks around the wavechange switch. I tried some switch cleaner and working it back and forth. This got the set operational on AM but the crackling was still there, so it was clear a more thorough clean would be required. I dug out my fibreglass pencil and worked my around both sides of each wafer cleaning all the contacts and any dark spots on the paxolin. This took quite a while but it had the desired effect and the crackling had gone. The next thing was to sort out VHF. Again, I started with the obvious and substituted the ECC85 tuner valve. This brought VHF back to life and I was pleased the £1 valve I found in a local junk shop a few weeks ago proved to be a worthwhile investment! I finished off the chassis by checking round for any out of tolerance resistors. Only three were found to be over 20% out. The cabinet cleaned up very well with some T-Cut. I was careful not to get any on the speaker fabric to avoid making a mess of it! The knobs were given a quick clean and it was put back together. I opted to not refit the card around the front knobs as it’s a bit tatty unlike the rest of the set, so I have tied it to the back panel to keep it safe. I am pleased with how this set turned out. They’re nothing particularly special but I think they’re attractive sets and not too many capacitors to change! I didn’t read my notes from the Marconi before tackling this one, so I was surprised to see that set had almost identical faults- a bulging HT can, a dirty wavechange switch and a faulty ECC85. Mind you, the same could be said for most radios of this era! Attached Thumbnails

30th Oct 2025, 10:07 pm	#2
Stuart R Heptode Join Date: May 2011 Location: Letchworth Garden City, Hertfordshire, UK. Posts: 980	Re: Hmv 1131 I remember that one, it's looking much better now. Good to meet you last year and thanks for updating us on your progress. It's good to see items from Lucien's collection in enthusiastic hands. Best Wishes, SR

1st Nov 2025, 9:46 pm	#3
slidertogrid Nonode Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Peterborough, Cambridgeshire, UK. Posts: 2,244	Re: Hmv 1131 You have made a good job of that Josh! I had a similar model with clear plastic control knobs that were illuminated by the dial lamp. My set needed the same work as yours. The wave change switch played up something terrible! Nice looking sets though... Rich. __________________ I'm not crazy, my Mother had me tested...

2nd Nov 2025, 10:10 pm	#4
JoshWard Nonode Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Near Stowmarket, Suffolk, UK. Posts: 2,106	Re: Hmv 1131 Thanks chaps. I'm certainly pleased with it. Now I just need to find somewhere to put it!

3rd Nov 2025, 1:33 pm	#5
Nickthedentist Dekatron Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Oxford, UK. Posts: 19,038	Re: HMV 1131 radio. Nice work as always, Josh. I love early FM sets, very easy to get hold of and capable of being useful everyday radios. Well done on your good ECC85 for £1! Nick.