Restoration - always worthwhile?

I was watching an American TV programme where a 1960's Fender guitar amplifier was being valued. The expert/valuer opened up the amplifier, and finding that no components had been replaced, declared the value to be much higher than it would have been if repaired/restored.

This made me start thinking whether it is a mistake to restore older B&O equipment other than for the purpose of enjoying extended use of the equipment. Maybe it is often better to have unrestored older equipment just for display purposes (and potentially increasing value)?

Or was the valuer talking a load of rubbish?

Graham

It's a common discussion.

A collector would always prefer to include untouched items in his collection,
but a person buying a vintage item for daily use would prefer a restored item.

An item is only original once. Any work done to it takes away originality.
In my own B&O collection I have some (generally older) B&O units. I have no idea if they work or not, it really doesn't matter much to me and I
would never dream of restoring them.

Typically, a heavily modified, "improved" or "upgraded" B&O item may have value to the owner, who had it done, but will be worth very little at a sale.

F.e. Beovox M100 speakers that has "all new modern drivers" will be worth very little.
The same speakers in original untouched condition would be far more attractive, even if they have minor faults.
Same speakers completely restored using original drivers would see the best prices.

Martin

I dont know if this is the right place to ask, Martin, but what would it cost to repair a BM8000 that is running hot and needs new lights. And a Beogram 8002 that just makes a whirring electrical sound when connected to mains.

?

I cannot answer that exactly before diagnosing a bit and this is in any case not the right place to ask.

Martin

vikinger:

I was watching an American TV programme where a 1960's Fender guitar amplifier was being valued. The expert/valuer opened up the amplifier, and finding that no components had been replaced, declared the value to be much higher than it would have been if repaired/restored.

This made me start thinking whether it is a mistake to restore older B&O equipment other than for the purpose of enjoying extended use of the equipment. Maybe it is often better to have unrestored older equipment just for display purposes (and potentially increasing value)?

Or was the valuer talking a load of rubbish?

Graham

It is a little strange putting value on audio equipment as one would do with antique furniture. I don't see myself ever having an audio component on display if it wasn't able to function but maybe some people do. In that case I guess they might want a physically pristine unit that was all original. At some point the electronic component will be degraded and eventually none functioning.

For me...I want a vintage audio component that is restored to work as it did brand new. In some cases it means using a modern replacement part. I try not to make or use any modifications that are not reversible back to the original part.

A good example of using a modern replacement part is with Nick's aluminum pulleys for the various Beogram 400x restorations. The original plastic pulleys are often cracked and sometimes warped. The new pulley can be looked at as an improvement but it functions the same and attaches the same way. Martin also supplies several replacement parts that are necessary to get certain B&O components back to working condition. Same with Beolover. 

Cases where people have taken a B&O component and converted the tape player section to be an mp3 player would be a change that would devalue the component in my opinion. The component would no longer be able to function as it was designed to.

...just my 2 cents.

-sonavor

 

This thread reminds me of a vintage Rolex thread that I read recently (just after putting my 'non-vintage' Explorer II in for service): https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=353899

It's so difficult to know what you can't/shouldn't/mustn't do to influence the value of something that one day may become a 'collectors' item'.

So glad that I am not a 'collector'!

Same goes with classic cars. Some collect “barn finds” in original condition, mice and dirt and all. Some look for “restomods” of classic cars with an efficient modern Ford engine and ABS and lumbar support seats with a MP3 player. I roughly fall into the same category as Sonavor where I’d rather own and drive a classic car as it was originally meant to be. Enjoy all the character and personality of the car or piece of B&O gear. It’s a relationship.

Even if I have to be extra careful not to get in a head-on collision and arrive smelling of perspiration and burnt fossil fuels or need to get up to flip the LP ever 20minutes.

We often hear of speculators who buy works of art,then lock them away in air conditioned storage,depriving the world of the artist's intentions,ie the enjoyment of the art!!!

Happily,it seems that the majority of B&O enthusiasts,enjoy the product as was intended,but it's still one of the few examples of electronics that is nice to own even if it doesn't function fully!!

I have to break it to people who approach me with a view to restoring equipment,that they will probably get more for it if sold "as is",as an enthusiast will buy it for the fun of doing the restoration work,then using the gear afterwards.

Experience has taught me how to spot the "speculators",and avoid them .

Nick