Why are old radios worth money?

The age of your radio can contribute to its value: an early radio generally has more historical interest than a 1950s radio, but the value depends on many more factors. You can identify most radios by their model number, which can be found on the casing or stamped on a component of the radio on the inside.

Can you get tubes for old radios?

More often than not, the tubes that are already installed in your radio are good and don’t need to be replaced. If they do, though, you can find most tubes at Antique Electronics Supply (www.tubesandmore.com).

When did radios stop using vacuum tubes?

1950s-60s – Most vacuum tubes were replaced by transistors in the west. 1970s-80s Tubes are still used in many specialized applications like broadcast television and radio.

Are old vacuum tubes valuable?

Any early vacuum tube with a “tip” (the little glass nub on the top) and a brass base has some value to collectors even if it’s just usable for display. Common tubes manufactured in the late 1950s or 1960s used primarily in televisions currently have little or no value.

Do old radios have any value?

Like many collectible items, radios are subject to fads that artificially inflate prices. Currently, any radio with a Catalin cabinet may be valued at hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars over the price of a comparable Bakelite set.

Are old vacuum tubes worth money?

Are vacuum tubes still available?

Three of the most widely available newly produced vacuum tubes are made by JJ Electronics, Valve Art (O&J Enterprises), and Ruby Tubes (Shuguang Electron Group). * High power amplifier and driver tubes for commercial broadcast stations are still produced, as are some cathode ray tubes.

Why are vacuum tubes not used anymore?

In the 1940s and 50s, researchers began to notice that vacuum tubes served as incredibly effective on/off switches, i.e. a 1 and 0, that helped form the basis of modern computing. But vacuum tubes are clunky and you can only fit so many into one computer before it takes up the entire floor of a university building.

Are old radios worth anything?

There are different types of antique radios. These radios have varying values and price guides. Hence, the usual confusion in making choices.

Do You stock radio and vacuum tubes?

We stock radio and vacuum tubes for every application from all major manufacturers including RCA, GE, Sylvania, Raytheon, Tungsol, and Amperex. If you are looking for a hard to find vacuum tube, we can nearly guarantee that it is in our inventory and available today!.

Are old TV vacuum tubes worth anything?

Common tubes manufactured in the late 1950s or 1960s used primarily in televisions currently have little or no value. I have trouble selling a box of 100 mixed TV tubes for even $10 at swap meets. In collecting circles “Firsts” seem to be held in high regard. I recently came across a 1923 Westinghouse “Aeriotron” WD-11 Vacuum Tube.

How much does it cost to restore a 1920s radio?

Radio restorers are always on the lookout for 01A tubes ($10-$15) used in most 1920s radios. These tubes also used the numbers 201A and 301A depending on the manufacturer.

How much is a 1923 WD-11 vacuum tube worth?

I recently came across a 1923 Westinghouse “Aeriotron” WD-11 Vacuum Tube. This was one of the first tubes available for consumer radios. A working early Aeriotron WD-11 can easily sell for up to $130 in today’s collectors market.