JBL 4425 UK Questions

[Moko]

I recently managed to buy a pair of 4425's which are very rare over here in the UK



As you can see they have a very light finish and no holes for grilles does this give any indication of what year they are from? I haven't opened them up yet so no clues as to serial numbers etc.

They clearly need reconing so any recommendations of which kit to go for?

Also is it possible to dye / refinish the cabs to the more traditional walnut colour?

Any other hints / suggestions of how to proceed in returning these speakers to their former glory are most welcome.

Thanks in advance David

[SEAWOLF97]

They clearly need reconing so any recommendations of which kit to go for?

nice find , fun re-new project.

my guess is that they need new foam surrounds rather than re-coning. easy to test.

actually, I would lay them on their backs, facing up , and give them low signal to see if the LF is OK.

[Moko]

I didn't realise there's a difference between refoaming and reconing...the drivers still play music when tested so I'm not sure if that helps deciding which repair is most suitable.

Any advice is most helpful as I've never played with drivers before....only cabinet restorations

[SEAWOLF97]

I didn't realise there's a difference between refoaming and reconing...the drivers still play

refoaming is replacing the foam surrounds - well cracked in your pic- just a maintenance item.
usually about $30

reconing is replacing the paper/cardboard cones - I doubt you need that- couple hundred dollars

[Moko]

That's good news ..,any recommendations for the best refoaming kit (are originals still available)?

[Odd]

Resurround Step-by-step


Rick Cobb (looneytune2001 on eBay)

[grumpy]

+1 ...and no such thing as original JBL foam surrounds being sold without being attached to a recone kit.

Rick's replacement surrounds are quite good.

[richluvsound]

PM me if you want them veneered in walnut .... The Rick Cobb kits are excellent in my experience .

best of luck with project ... Richard ,

[BMWCCA]

[QUOTE=Moko;394747]Also is it possible to dye / refinish the cabs to the more traditional walnut colour?/QUOTE]

I'm kind of fascinated by them in the blonde form. Never seen any with that finish and I kind of find it compelling for the novelty.
I think I'd leave the finish alone . . . but then they're not mine! They're yours.

Another for Rick Cobb and his kits. I'm a happy customer.

[rdgrimes]

I wonder if you hit that lighter color veneer with some good old Linseed/turpentine potion - if maybe they'd darken up some. It gives the black walnut veneer a sort of reddish-brown color.

[Moko]

Thanks for all the replies....I just need to measure the cone diameter to make sure which version of the woofer I have in my speakers before I order them from Rick.

As to the speaker cabs apparently my wife likes the lighter finish so I think I'm going to clean them up the best I can and see how they look then.....if I (we) still fancy a darker walnut finish I will contact Rich and take up his very kind offer.

Have any of you ever seen 4425 without grill holes...it looks like my version was never designed to have them fitted it seems unusual but just wondered if the Pro version were made without them?

[richluvsound]

Good question .... I've only seen them with grills . Sunlight kills the foam over time . If your keeping them in direct sunlight I would advise you to get grills ....

Rich

[Lee in Montreal]

Thanks for all the replies....I just need to measure the cone diameter to make sure which version of the woofer I have in my speakers before I order them from Rick.

Shouldn't a 4425 have a 12" woofer? 4430 has a 15" woofer. The 4435 has two of the 15" woofers.

[hsosdrum]

To me the photo looks more like faded walnut as opposed to blond.

[JeffW]

http://www.jblpro.com/pub/recording/4425.pdf

2214H

I wouldn't count out the possibility that the cabs have been re-built. Of all the pics I see on the internet, none of the others have a visible seam on the ports, for instance. Post a pic with the woofer out.