C36 Enclosures - How Old?

[Ray]

I've recently acquired a pair of C36 enclosures that I'm trying to date. These enclosures are loaded with what looks like the same speaker layout that are in L101's(DLH175 driver & LE14A woofer). They've got the sound port to the top right, too. I'm only guessing from pictures of a pair of L101's on ebay. I know nothing about vintage JBL speakers and I've only pulled the front cloth grills out and seen the fronts of the speakers. The attenuators(?) on the back are identical to the ones on the L101's on ebay.

These used to belong to a late relative who worked for Capitol records in the seventies and eighties. He received them as a gift and I was told they were in a listening room in one of their offices, prior to him receiving them.

Can anyone enlighten me on these speakers? How old? Are they custom, since they where in a Capitol listening room? How much would they be worth? They're in excellent shape(cabs & speakers) and sound great. Oh, and they're really heavy. Thanks, everybody.

[scott fitlin]

These speakers are listed in JBL,s 1956 and 57 catalogs! I dont know when the ones you have were actually made, but you can look through the JBL catalogs in the library section of this site.

I dont know what their value is, but there are others here that will be able to tell you more on the collectibility and value of your speakers.

If you like them and have room for them, use them and enjoy them.

The C36 is listed in the catalogs up till 1969, and in 1970 its listed as the S36.

[boputnam]

Hey, Ray...

To flesh-out on what scott offered, here's some Links to the JBL brochures, if they're of interest:

Lansing Heritage JBL L101 - Link

Lansing Heritage JBL 175DLH - Link

Lansing Heritage JBL LE-series - Link

Lansing Heritage JBL 1956 Catalogue - Link

Lansing Heritage JBL 1957 Catalogue - Link

That LE14A transducer is a bit legendary here on the Forum - reknowned for it's performance. The 175, too, although some speak of a preference for a larger diaphragm. These are a great combination!

What condition are the drivers in? Have you resurround the LE14A's? And, have you replaced the diaphragms in the 175's? The improvement would be noticable on having done so...

How much would they be worth?

No idea, 'cept a google more than an L100...

[Ray]

Thanks guys!

I haven't done anything to the speakers as far as refurb-ing them. How do I go about resurrounding them and replacing diaphragms? ...and how can I tell what condition the drivers are in? I have a feeling these were barely used in their day. They just sat in my uncle's rec room.

[boputnam]

Er, sorry, Ray - been swamped with quarterlies. B-U-S-Y!

Anyway, if you can, post a picture of the woofers here - focus upon the surrounds - and we might be able to see something.

Although, I'm guessing that just with the age of these treasures, they're due for some maintenance. The surrounds are not hard to do (there is a step-by-step DIY here at Resurround Step-by-step Thread - Link that might ease the fright !! I've not personally replaced diaphragms on the 175, but it's fairly straitforward and there's plenty here who have

Boo!

[Ray]

How's this for the longest time between replies? Ok, recently sprayed out the pots of the crossovers and I'm listening to them right now. Pictures right here... sorry for the 2 hairs.

[Hofmannhp]

Hi Ray,

no one told you till now, that we also have a registry for this kind of questions to vinatge systems.....sorry.

In this case of your C36, unfortunatly there are only 8 pcs in the registry and all without dates of fabricátion.....

if you like, you can take a look by yourself and maybe add your systems and the drivers.
go for:

www.prpr.no/lhs
User: lhs
PW: lhs2007

regards

HP

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