ARCHIVED FORUM -- March 2012 to February 2022READ ONLY FORUM
This is the second Archived Forum which was active between 1st March 2012 and 23rd February 2022
Hey guys,
First post here. I was wondering if anyone had any experience or expertise with gutting a Grand Prix set? The TV and radio are no longer working, but Id like to keep the great piece of furniture and install some more contemporary kit.
Attached is a photo of the set in question.
Thanks,
Luke
What a waste! That is like having a 1960s Rolls Royce and taking the engine out because it will not start ,and replacing it with bus engine. I hope you decide to get it repaired and use and enjoy it.
Just my thoughts, John.
My first choice - as I already have a fully functioning and complete one of these, would be as John suggests. However, the record deck is already missing, the TV and amp are defunct and if the OP has no intention of using them, I don't see the point in keeping them. Having said that, please do not just throw the amp out - someone will be prepared to restore it and it is a desirable, collectable piece of vintage B&O.
The cost of repair and restoration of the TV, amp and furniture has to be factored into what the OP wants to achieve. If he has no wish to use the piece as it is, then his suggestion is valid and a striking piece of furniture with a modern Hi-Fi system could work well.
The gutting of any piece, be it this, or a vinatge car is always an emotive one. Sometimes, more good can come from doing just that in that someone may end up with a Grand Prix amp to restore that they otherwise wouldn't. Spares at worst.
At least we now have the opportunity to save some of this piece and the OP gets to have what he wants.
Dave.
What a nice old Gran prix 609RG!
As already sugested by others, please do not trow away anything!
I would restore the radio with amp (It is a good old Grand Prix receiver, it should not be very expensive) and if the speakers stil work, you will be stunned with a pleasant sound produced by this nice piece of furniture.
Maybe than you would try to restore other components of the commode too.
The turntable could be found with no extra effort. I think it is a Beogram 41/42 V/VF or the older version 608 V/VF with the smaller plate. Only the TV could be an issue at the end of the project, but you can eventually than decide not to keep TV section and make the shelf in the commode instead, on which few other B&O devices could find their place.
Just my opinion...
Regards,
Theomaster
Vintage Bang & Olufsen
Look what it could look like if you invest "few hours" of your life:
the_o_master:Look what it could look like if you invest "few hours" of your life:
That's how mine looks and as has been said, it does actually sound very good through the inbuilt speakers - very warm, mellow, rounded sound. Very good quality sound.
Could only add to what Dave and Theomaster have already said. These are not a common set nowadays and it would be an awful shame to gut it out and replace the original parts.
See if you can repair it, or if not find someone who can. It would be absolutely worth it I am sure!
Ben
octopus_luke: Hey guys, First post here. I was wondering if anyone had any experience or expertise with gutting a Grand Prix set? The TV and radio are no longer working, but Id like to keep the great piece of furniture and install some more contemporary kit. Attached is a photo of the set in question. Thanks, Luke
May I ask you why you ask this question in a B&O enthusiasts forum?
Martin
Hi all,
Thanks for all the speedy responses. I really didn't mean to cause offence with all you Olufsen afficionados, just asking for a little bit of help in regards to the ins and outs of this bit of kit.
I would have considered fixing this up and trying to get it to great original standard, but nothing seems to be functioning in the set up whatsoever. Admittedly, I bought the set at a very modest price from a kind old woman who really had no idea if it would be salvageable. My budget is limited and, rather than trying to find old separates to complete the set (especially the TV, for which I'd really have no use), I'd rather repurpose the bones with my other bits of hifi equipment.
I came to this forum as I value and appreciate the expertise of its users. I'm not all that DIY friendly, so if anyone could point me in the direction of how to remove the innards of the set I'd be extremely grateful.
Dillen: May I ask you why you ask this question in a B&O enthusiasts forum? Martin
Hi Martin,
in his defence (though I'm also not a fan of breaking this up), at least by posting here, he may be able to retrieve the amp without terminally damaging it. Otherwise it may be lost forever. The OP says that he isn't DIY minded and has a limited budget so repairing the amp himself is out of the question, as is him paying for it to be restored - which as we all know could be a very costly business if a recognised person does the repair.
I actually commend him for at least bringing this to our attention so we can either try to change his mind and restore it, or at least be able to save some of it prior to it ending up at the local rubbish dump.
In answer to his question, I doubt anyone here has fully dismantled one of these? The back should just unscrew and it should then be fairly obvious how the amp is installed. Anything that can be built by Man can be dismantled by Man.
If you want to dispose of the amp and TV, please let us know.