LE14H's-Back from the DEAD!
In my continuing restoration sagas, here is one I hope you will all enjoy and also hope it will be a source of inspiration to those who, when faced with a particular restoration challenge, will think twice about just what can be done to save their drivers.
Last year, I managed to find my first big pair of JBL's, L222 Disco's. They were in HORRIBLE shape. With alot of research,luck,money and the help of speaker repair EXPERT and friend, Mr. Marlon Balan and Mr. Darrell Redmond, (my bro), I achieved success in what at first glance, seemed like a hopeless and literal "basket case"
The PR15c's and original LE14H's. I'll focus on the LE14H's in this story. The following picture will help you all get a clear idea of what we were up against. Notice the DEEP gouges in the flanges and all the gobbledy-gook inside and the extremely poor state of the whole "mess"
Let's get ready to RUMBLE!!
I was able to track down some ORIGINAL cones (voicecoils intact) from my good friend Mr. David Brink, out of NY State. First, Marlon surveyed the baskets and provided the prep. "must do's" and gave me hope too. Second, Darrell and I discussed the metal rehab and put the plan into action, being CAREFUL to tape off all gaps and critcal portions to ensure no debris got in. We then took dremels, DA sanders and belt sanders and cleaned up the baskets. thankfully, JBL made these like a tank and you could actually remove quite a bit of material and still have plenty of thickness. While not perfect, they look good enough for a picky guy like myself. Here are some shots of the rehabed metal and new cones. Marlon put new spiders on too.
Great work! Colgate Strips?
Thanks Steve! I love seeing your projects thru the stages. Very impressive and inspirational, I am a budding speaker restoration guy, so far mostly surrounds, a little torn cone repair, no full recones as yet. I want to get into it. And I am learning much on this forum and from people like you. I am grateful for your full photographic documentation of the process. And the great explanations. Where did you get the idea to "draw" in the wood grain? Brilliant! I have now a pair of LE14A I may soon decide to do a Re-surround upon. How do you get the ring off without damage to it? And the Lans-a-loy? What is the best technique to remove that dried out horrible stuff? the cone will be damaged unless you really do it right. And what do you do in the whitening? Use Colgate Strips? Thanks, again. Rolf Erickson.
