1955 Ferguson 352 U, Bluetooth Speaker
This is a rare 1955 Ferguson 352U radio, a must have for any collector. I think it would be sad to see it hidden on a shelf, so I decided to convert it into a great sounding bluetooth speaker. All original components have been preserved and if rewired it would still work.
What I have done:
I replaced the old speaker with a quality full range Visaton speaker and rewired the on/off switch. Please note this is now a bluetooth speaker only the radio is not working. I bypassed the tube amplifier with a class D amplifier and bluetooth receiver. Now it works on 12V low voltage and can now be operated in any country and on any network with the supplied 12V power supply.
Just connect the (included) power supply, switch the radio on and you can pair the radio with your bluetooth device like your smart phone, tablet or Alexa. It is very straight forward.
You can here it play on Youtube:
As with all my radio conversions, 6 months warranty included.
Dimensions: (WHD) 12 x 9.5 x 5.5 inch / 30.5 x 24 x 14 cm
Weight : 5 kg
Voltage: 12V low voltage with external power supply and can be operate in any country.
Condition: The case is in great condition given the age. There is a small dent at the front and a hairline crack on the right, but it has been properly fixed and is neither an issue structuraly or visually. Please see the pictures for detail.
About the brand
Ferguson is one of the older electronics companies, alongside Ultra, Dynatron, Pye and Bush in the United Kingdom. It was originally an American–Canadian pre-War company making radio sets for the U.K. market based upon contemporary American models. After World War II, it became Ferguson Radio Corporation, making radio receivers and, later, televisions. Later still, it became part of the British Radio Corporation. It was taken over by Thorn Electrical Industries in the late 1950s, but the Ferguson name continued to be used by Thorn, and its successor Thorn EMI.
Throughout the company's early history, Ferguson products were very popular across its wide customer base. By the early 1960s its wide product range included a most comprehensive range of audio and TV equipment. Small, battery-operated portable transistor radios to solid oak 6 ft wide hydraulic lid radiograms sporting fully automatic stackable Garrard turntables, multi-channel radios and 2-foot-wide stereo speakers were commonplace in many UK households. Open reel tape recorders and hi-fis followed
You can find out more about the radio here:
https://www.radiomuseum.org/r/ferguso_ra_352u_352_u.html