Jim Hutton, Owen Sound, ON Read My Abbreviated Biography

Welcome to Old Fidelity Radio Restorations

Located in the historic city of Owen Sound, Old Fidelity Radio Restorations is dedicated to preserving far more than vintage radios — we preserve the stories, craftsmanship, and engineering legacy of an era when radio stood at the center of family life.

Every radio we restore is treated as an important historical artifact. While many restoration shops focus only on appearance or basic operation, Old Fidelity approaches each project as a complete historical preservation. When you purchase one of our restored radios, you are not simply buying a beautifully refinished antique — you are receiving a carefully researched and documented piece of broadcasting history complete with the knowledge needed to preserve and enjoy it for generations to come.

Each restored radio includes:

• A professionally prepared 30–40 page historical booklet documenting the radio’s manufacturer, production history, circuitry, design features, and collector significance
• A full-size 24" × 18" schematic for servicing and long-term maintenance
• Detailed operating and care information
• Complete electronic restoration and alignment documentation
• Long-term serviceability using modern reliable components

Our goal is simple: to ensure these remarkable machines are not merely displayed, but understood, appreciated, and preserved.

Restoration Without Compromise

Founded and operated by master restorer Jim Hutton, Old Fidelity has earned a reputation among collectors and audiophiles throughout North America for exceptionally detailed and historically accurate restorations.

Every radio undergoes a complete top-to-bottom restoration process that typically includes:

• Replacement of 90–100% of aged internal electronic components
• Inspection and testing of all vacuum tubes
• Full electronic alignment and calibration
• Careful cabinet restoration using historically appropriate materials and finishes
• Safety upgrades where appropriate
• Extensive operational testing before shipment

The result is a radio that performs as closely as possible to the way it did when it first left the showroom floor — whether in 1931, 1935, or 1949.

Our restorations include many of the most respected names in North American radio history, including RCA, Rogers Majestic, DeForest, and Canadian General Electric, ranging from elegant tabletop sets to large cathedral, console, and grandfather clock radios.

Preserving History While Making Radios Enjoyable Again

Vintage AM broadcasting has largely disappeared from modern daily life. To allow these radios to once again become part of the home, many of our restorations include carefully integrated FM and Bluetooth capability.

These upgrades are designed to preserve the authentic appearance and operation of the original radio, while also allowing it to function as a practical entertainment system for modern listening to FM Broadcasts and music from a smartphone using the "Radio-Module" Switch on the back of the radio.

Built-In FM & Bluetooth Integration

Our built-in module style preserves the original experience as closely as possible. The radio powers on using its original controls, resumes the last FM station selected, and uses the original tone and volume controls exactly as designed.

In everyday use, the radio behaves like an authentic period receiver playing AM and Shortwave broadcasts. Or if the switch is in the "Module" mode the radio receives FM broadcasts or streams music wirelessly from a phone or tablet.

External Module Integration

For collectors who wish to preserve the full authentic appearance of the radio, we also offer an external module configuration supporting:

• Original AM broadcast reception
• FM radio
• Bluetooth streaming
• USB playlist playback

Documentation That Comes With Every Radio

What truly distinguishes Old Fidelity is that every restoration is accompanied by extensive historical and technical documentation.

Many vintage radios survive today with little known about their origins, circuitry, or historical significance. We believe that preserving this information is just as important as restoring the radio itself.

Each restoration package is intended to become a permanent archival record accompanying the radio for future owners and collectors.

The included historical booklet may contain:

• Manufacturer history
• Production dates and rarity information
• Original advertising and catalogue material
• Technical descriptions
• Chassis and cabinet details
• Historical context of the era in which the radio was built
• Restoration notes and servicing guidance

This transforms each purchase from a simple antique acquisition into a complete historical presentation.

Professional Shipping Throughout North America

We routinely ship restored radios throughout Canada and the United States, including destinations thousands of miles from our workshop. Radios and specialty equipment restored by Old Fidelity have safely travelled as far as California and internationally to countries including Sweden.

Because antique radios are fragile and often irreplaceable, we use professional packing methods specifically designed for vintage electronics and wooden cabinets.

Radios Under 40 Pounds

Smaller radios are protected using a multi-stage double-boxing process that includes:

• Two layers of large 1-inch bubble wrap
• Heavy-duty inner and outer cartons
• Protective cushioning to eliminate movement during shipping
• Multiple impact protection zones

Radios Over 40 Pounds

Larger consoles and heavier radios receive even greater protection through custom-built wooden shipping frames constructed from:

• Solid 2×4 framing
• 3/4-inch plywood panels
• Reinforced outer protection

This system creates an extremely durable protective shell capable of withstanding the rigours of long-distance transport.

Every shipment includes:

• Full insurance coverage
• Tracking information
• Professional packing documentation
• Photographs of the packing process before shipment

We do not believe in rushed or careless shipping. Every radio is
packed and shipped as though it were from our own personal collection.

More Than Restoration — Preservation

At Old Fidelity, restoration is not simply about electronics or cabinetry. It is about preserving the craftsmanship, industrial design, and human stories behind these remarkable machines.

Every restored radio represents a surviving artifact from one of the most transformative technological periods in modern history — the era when families first gathered together around the glow of a radio dial to hear music, news, drama, and voices from around the world.

Our mission is to ensure these historic instruments continue
to survive, function, and be appreciated long into the future.

Read a Recent Review of Old Fidelity Restorations

Restorations Currently Waiting for a New Home