Toploader Hartsfield Project

[Oldmics]

Just thought I would post a few pics on the Hartsfield toploader project that has been going on in my life for years now. :banghead:

Its still slowly coming together.

[Robh3606]

Very Nice!! So how many years you have left on it or are you getting close??

Rob:applaud:

[Oldmics]

Most of the time involved has been consumed by the reverse engineering of the original cabinet design.

Since the original plans are long gone its been quite a journey to get the production jig this far which is almost done.

Probably another month or two till the jig (pictured) is compleate and then I can start bangin em out.

I"ll post pics of the first finished pair when compleated.

Oldmics

[57BELAIRE]

Very nice! What component lineup are you planning to use. Three-way?

[spkrman57]

Thanks for sharing with us.

I will be watching this thread as it progresses.

Regards, Ron

[Bruno GINARD]

Wonderful job........ for the first time i can see and understand the differences between the two models...

Absolutely not the same speakers.. Are you going to compare the sound of this "top loader" and the 1959 model ?

REgards

[Oldmics]

The reproduction Toploaders will be a two way system loaded with original JBL componets from the original era of Hartsfield production for testing purposes.

I have a buncha original 150-4C speakers,original N 500 crossovers and the 375 "humpback" drivers with wax seals.

While I will not be able to do a side by side comparision and offer test data of the reproduction toploader v/s the coffin back style cabinets,I already know that the Toploader is superior in its bass reproduction.

It will be interesting to hear the differences (if any) between 50+ year old "seasoned" lumber and the new wood.

Lumber choice was a critical decision to duplicate the original cavity resonance.

I have owned many Hartsfields of both styles and in my experience the longer horn path of the Toploaders produced better sounding bass.

Bruno-please note the exponential horn flair mockup trace lines on the sides of the unfinished center cavity in the first picture.It will give a Hartsfield builder such as yourself the rest of the construction picture.

So its a "work in progress" :)

Thanks for the comments,Oldmics

[Mr. Widget]

Wow... they really are going to happen!

Congratulations!!!


Widget

[Oldmics]

Been a lengthy project :blink:

[louped garouv]

Been a lengthy project :blink:

VERY cool one though!

I hear the term 'toploader'
does the woofer load through the top cabinet section,
underneath where the serpentine horn/lens assembly would be?

interesting note about wood species selection to get the 'right' resonance
going!

[Oldmics]

Speaker does load in from under the top horizontal surface

[Woofer]

Not very often do you get to see the insides of a work in progress.
Thanx heaps for the pics.
Great workmanship.

BTW, what sort of glue did you use? I was just wondering if you stayed with tradition and used 'hot pot' glue, or something more current? (eg 'white' glue)
.... and if I can ask one more question, what are you finishing off the cabs with? Wax? Shellac? Varnish? or again, something current.

Cheers. :bouncy:

[Val]

Beautiful work!

[jcrobso]

Yes a long project, your first post was over two years ago>:blink:
FYI: currently on eBay.
http://cgi.ebay.com/Early-JBL-Hartsfield-All-Original-Components-Exc-Cond-/190464673016?pt=Vintage_Electronics_R2&hash=item2c589444f8

[tom1356]

They are beautiful.
Well done sir. You copied a '54 I see. :applaud:

[tomee]

Wow! Beautiful construction job - thank you very much for sharing those with us. :)

This thread is down in the Similar Threads list...wow, that's a long time back!

http://www.audioheritage.org/vbulletin/showthread.php?308-Hartsfield-Toploader-Build-Attempt-Proposition

Talk about sticking to an idea and completeing the project! Truely inspirational!!

[macaroonie]

Arise Sir Oldmics. :applaud:

[Mr. Widget]

Congratulations!!! Certainly well worth the wait!

They are beautiful... so if you don't mind showing off, can we see the driver compliment you will be using?


Widget

[louped garouv]

an original is on the bay right now...

http://www.ebay.com/itm/JBL-Hartsfield-Top-Loader-All-Original-Exc-Cond-375-Driver-150-4C-N400-Network-/190628445762?_trksid=p4340.m1374&_trkparms=algo%3DPI.WATCH%26its%3DC%252BS%26itu%3D UCC%26otn%3D15%26ps%3D63%26clkid%3D582356027296389 0518

[JUNGLECATGEORGE]

I am currently building similar speakers.i am going to use an e 140/2441 with 2309 horns. It will be intresting to compare to my existing 4530's.any advise on building these would be appreciated