Please Read! - You JUST Aquired a vintage unit?

So you just aquired a neat old console stereo, a vintage radio, or an old tape recorder?
Maybe you just picked up a cool jukebox?
Great!
And you're probably anxious to enjoy this new aquisition too!

It's probably in beautiful cosmetic shape too! - but what about the insides?
I mean, the guts, the workings.
Remember, it's vintage, decades old now, and has never been serviced.
Even though ole' Granny kept it shined up, over time those guts inside still succumbed to the normal aging process that effects everything electronic.

So what's the answer to keeping this new aquisition in shape?
Get it overhauled, restored!

Don't trust that just because it works now, it'll work a few years down the road.
It just ain't gonna happen! - trust me, I've seen enough "cooked" consoles, etc due to people using these sets without a clue that internally they're subject to catastrophic failure.
People come in my shop and explain their horror story of how that set bit the dust during a party. - and smoke came out.

And it's a shame this happens - because some parts are no longer available or scarce today - so why tempt fate?

I'm an experienced restoration tech, but I'm also a great fan of keeping the Good Old American products out of landfills.
It's a "green" thing in a way, and I appreciate the style and quality these old gems have.
I even posess a collection of vintage sets because of their rich sound quality and design.

But please, do yourselves a big favor - Don't be curious and plug these things in just because they "power up".
Don't ignore the fact that at any time an aging inexpensive component could wipe out something far more expensive.

You want to enjoy these sets for a long time, and expect them to be safe to use.
Locate and contact a local (if possible) reputable restoration tech that's experienced on the unit you just aquired.
It may be a bit costly to have done, but it's only a one-time investment, and insurance that you'll have peace of mind.

Matt,
I did--but unfortunately, "people" ( especially ""newbies") won't read it, till to late !
BTW--IMHO, This is great advise for ANYTHING "electrical" or "mechanical" !!
Ron Rich