I have a couple of general elec circuitry books a friend gave me and have read some basic web pages on circuitry etc. I don't know much but am motivated. I have not even ever soldered anything and have chunky hands, I barely know the diff from a capacitor and a carrot! but I do have passion to learn. The vintage pieces are too amazing to be on a trash heap. I had a BG4002 and 5500 stackables in the 90's. Suggestions?? Anyone near me in Austin TX want a protege??Thanks.

Here's what I wrote last year and as you see, was flooded with feedback

I'll just add that if you don't know how to solder, don't practice with B&O - there's plenty of expendable junk (or just cheap kits that blink a couple of LEDs, or whatever) available for that purpose...

The mechanical aspect of the repairs... well, one either is handy, or not. Some people can fabricate perfect reproduction spare parts out of CD covers, ballpoint pens and bicycle inner tubes, while others manage to destroy everything they try to take apart. I guess the only way to improve there is patience!

I learnt the basics many years ago by building a radio - started of as a crystal set and then an amplifier was added - all built on a peice of wood - It was I beleive a ladybird book when I was at school. Might still be available on ebay or something. Good for learning what components are and what they do. I think there might also be electronic kits that you could probably still get.

I agree though that B&O would not be best to start with. Good luck

Andrew

I would suggest that a good Beomaster to learn on would be the 70s Beomaster 2000. Lots of space to work in, not too complicated and the service manual is on site! the only problem is that they don't seem to go wrong very often!

ajames:

 It was I beleive a ladybird book when I was at school.

Used to have a copy of that myself. You used a piece of wood, and screws with cups to make the connections.

 

Craig

After a quick Ebay search I have found the following.

A copy of the book

All the parts needed in one kit.

 

Craig

 

I always wanted to be able to repair my own B&O. I am able to solder and have replaced entire sets of capacitors on for e.g. a BM 1900. Should the problem be more than capacitors then I'm totally clueless :( Usually capacitors aren't the only problem. My brother is an electronic engineer but he lives in a different country to me unfortunately but surely I must also have some talent towards this type of thing as well!!! Just need to find a way of learning!!

Crikey - never thought I would see that again - almost tempted to bid on it out of nostalgia

 

Craig:

After a quick Ebay search I have found the following.

A copy of the book

All the parts needed in one kit.

 

Craig

 

That isa really tempting!

goes back to an earlier era  of electronics that is fast disappearing.

 

Simon

Thanks all. but I'm in the US. I love this site, but I wish there was as good a forum based in US. And it's sickening to see the prices (and freebies) and all the expert repair work more commonly available in Europe. In the US, good, reasonably priced vintage B&O is rare. example- a CDX just went for $428 USD on US ebay. And repairs are expensive, done properly or not. I'm mad B&O doesn't support their vintage stuff, but I guess it wouldn't be cost effective? I personally do not want their current stuff. over, and thanks for the thoughtful comments.

See if you can find Anthony Garza - he used to be the best vintage B&O repairman in the U.S. And he was based in Texas.

http://barditch.beocentral.com/

The problem with the US is that it has always been a tricky market for B&O. The physical size is huge but sales are far less than say the UK. Therefore the number of users and hence number of pieces of equipment are limited. There is of course the North American Forum on Beoworld and there is also the Beolist which is US based. The latter is sadly used much less these days.