Bush VHF81

This compact set has medium and long waves and VHF. Produced 1964, it has styling typical of the period. The wooden cabinet is veneered in mahogany and has a pleasing warm colour with attractive grain but the construction is rather flimsy. 

The chassis is a single vertical panel, the valves and major components projecting horizontally from this, being visible when the back is removed. Most of the smaller components are located behind this metal panel, as is much of the wiring. There is a three-push-button switch-bank for the station selectors. The volume is combined with the on-off switch to the left of the dial when viewed from the front, the tuning knob is on the right.

Not a difficult set to work on, although the rather insubstantial chassis tends to fall about rather.

AC/DC live chassis technology is used. Despite the flimsy casing, the sound quality, surprisingly, is very good on a well-aligned example. There is a similar Bush receiver housed in an alternative plastics case.

Bush VHF64

This 1950s receiver is a big set by any standard, with an impressive specification. AC mains, long, medium and short waves on AM plus VHF/FM. Tuning indicator, twin loudspeakers plus an electrostatic tweeter. Piano-key selection, bass and treble tone controls. Housed in an attractively veneered wooden cabinet. It sounds superb, especially on VHF, with a lovely deep and resonant 'valvey' quality. 

Piano key switches - on any receiver - can be a source of trouble as the buttons become fragile with age and the switching action itself can stiffen or fail to lock in place as each key is pressed.

Bush VHF90

A small table radio from the famous maker, this mid-fifties offering is scaled down in every sense - choice is limited to medium wave or VHF. Brown Bakelite cabinet, with sprayed detailing. Perhaps not Bush's most attractive offering.