EXHIBIT 5

                          NUTTER, McCLENNEN & FISH, LLP

                                ATTORNEYS AT LAW

                             ONE INTERNATIONAL PLACE
                        BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS 02110-2699

             TELEPHONE: 617-439-2000        FACSIMILE: 617-973-9748

CAPE COD OFFICE                                               DIRECT DIAL NUMBER
HYANNIS, MASSACHUSETTS

                                  June 1, 2000

GenRad, Inc.
7 Technology Park Drive
Westford, MA  01886

Gentlemen/Ladies:

         Reference is made to the registration statement on Form S-8 (the
"Registration Statement") which GenRad, Inc. (the "Company") is filing
concurrently herewith with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended, (the "Securities Act"), with respect to
500,000 shares of the Company's common stock, $1.00 par value per share (the
"Common Stock"), issuable pursuant to that certain Non-Statutory Stock Option
Agreement by and between Robert M. Dutkowsky and the Company dated April 24,
2000 (the "Plan") and an indeterminate number of shares of such Common Stock
which may be issued or become issuable under the Plan by reason of stock
dividends, stock splits or other recapitalizations executed hereafter.

         We have acted as legal counsel for the Company in connection with the
adoption of the Plan, are familiar with the Company's Articles of Organization
and By-laws, both as amended to date (collectively, the "Organizational
Documents"), and have examined such other documents as we have deemed necessary
for this opinion. Based upon the foregoing, we are of the opinion that:

         1. When issued and paid for in compliance with the terms of the Plan,
the Organizational Documents and the Massachusetts Business Corporation Law, the
500,000 shares of Common Stock referred to above will be duly and validly
issued, fully paid and non-assessable; and

         2. The additional shares of Common Stock which may become issuable
under the Plan by reason of stock dividends, stock splits or other
recapitalizations hereafter executed, if and when issued in accordance with the
terms of the Plan and upon compliance with the applicable provisions of law and
of the Company's Organizational Documents, will be duly and validly issued,
fully paid and non-assessable.

        We understand that this opinion letter is to be used in connection with
the Registration Statement and hereby consent to the filing of this opinion
letter with and as a part of the Registration Statement and of any amendments
thereto. It is understood that this opinion letter is to be used in connection
with the offer and sale of the aforesaid shares only while the Registration
Statement, as it may be amended from time to time as contemplated by Section
10(a)(3) of the Securities Act, is effective under the Securities Act.

                                     Very truly yours,

                                     /s/ Nutter, McClennen & Fish, LLP

                                     Nutter, McClennen & Fish, LLP

ARH/JCC2