my lucky find - L100's

[markdam]

Please go to this thread i posted at audio Karma Im looking forwad to more of Lansing heritage!!!


http://audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=56377&page=1&pp=15

[markdam]

i was wondering if anyone knew what vintage mine are via the serial number? they are in the pics in the AK thread

[Zilch]

We can't see the pics at AK if we're not members. Perhaps repost them here.

If yours are drivers-in-line, they would be early.

Dating by serial numbers is difficult, as the records are gone, alas.

A forum member here (Sonofagun) makes correct Quadrex pattern replacement foam grilles for them in a variety of colors....

[mech986]

Not the original L-100 but the more common Century with the offset midrange. Still a very nice pair of speakers and the condition and price were right. Congratulations.

Regards,

Bart

[markdam]

im confused. ithought the "century" was the earlire model and the 100a is the newer one heres pics

[Don C]

Yours are L-100A.

[Regis]

Nice score for $3.99. They're worth a lot more than that!

[markdam]

thanks guys they sound AWESOME im really shocked that they needed nothing but the l pads cleaned on one of them, (a bit scratchy), tested the caps, they were good! and the drivers them selves.....perfect.... ive bought garage sale /thriftstore goods before but usual;ly SOMETHING was wrong . broght them to my buddys house who has L65's (owned em for 10 years)and A/B ed them on fome free electrons (tube amps). I actually thingk the bass is tighter in my L100's...

[glen]

What a great find, congrats!

[markdam]

so the L100a IS the L100 century?

[Mr. Widget]

What not even dented domes (they do not affect performance:bs: )?

Congratulations!


Widget

[Titanium Dome]

so the L100a IS the L100 century?

In the beginning was the L100 Century. It had the vertical driver alignment, a port with no port tube, and no foam around the tweeter. This was from 1970 to sometime in 1972.

In 1972 the configuration of the L100 Century was changed, becoming the L100A Century. The last iteration of the L100A in production dropped the Century moniker.

A search on the forums for L100 will yield lots of threads filled with all kinds of L100 goofiness. Some interesting facts come out, as do all kinds of foolishness by members who make a habit of mocking these icons of JBL manufacturing.

I've got two pairs of L100 Century speakers, an original pair that I bought in 1971 as my first JBLs, and a minty second pair I picked up recently for a ridiculoulsy low price, though not as low as yours! What a steal you made!

[mech986]

The link to the Lansing Library article on the 4310/L100 and 4311/L100 updated. Perhaps one of the best discussions of the design evolution from those who were involved. Many thanks to Don M. for getting these folks to write the history for us.

http://www.audioheritage.org/html/profiles/jbl/l100.htm

http://www.audioheritage.org/images/jbl/extracts/thumbs/l100-431x_small.jpg

From Left to Right: 4311 Control Monitor - L100(A) Century, staggered alignment (1973 on) - Original L100 Century, Vertical alignment (1970-1972) - 4310 Control Monitor

Sorry for the previous confusion on my part. After rereading this article and the L100-L100A posts here and in the archives, I think my understanding is now clarified. Just don't ask me about POLARITY issues :blink: :blink:

Regards,

Bart

[markdam]

thanks i think in my mind there was a phantom 5th "evolvement" speaker lol anyway Im just glad to have any of them. these really sound excellentflat havent even tried setting the Lpots for the room! looking forward to doing some "a" "b" comparisons with my restored Marantz Imperial 7's on tubes...... Im doing a review on an el34 amp that Pacific Valve is hoping to import.should make those L100's sing!!!!!

[Zilch]

L100's "Flat?"

Unlikely....

http://audioheritage.org/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=4408

[markdam]

I guess what i meant was I have the L pots set to "0". :applaud: Ive been playing with the preamp though!!!