Alternate Grill Cloth Colors (i.e. not Black or Brown) - Show us what You've Got!

[MCM_Fan]

Ok folks, I'm looking for inspiration here. I have a couple pairs of vintage speakers (late 1970s) in need of replacement grill cloth. Both have walnut veneer cabinets. One pair originally had dark brown grill cloth, the other was originally black. I find both of these options rather unappealing (too dark and plain for me). I'd prefer something lighter, or brighter, perhaps even something with a pattern or texture.

Here's an example of some beige grills I did for my JBL L36 Decades to give you an idea what I like:

I purchased the grill cloth from SpeakerWorks in Eugene, OR, I found the cloth to be of high quality, easy to work with and very affordable. If you click on the link, you will see what other colors they offer.

I find that beige a nice match for the whitewashed oak finish of my L36 Decade cabinets, but I'm not sure if it will look as good paired with darker, chocolate brown walnut veneer.

Huntley Audio also sells some high quality replacement grill cloth in a variety of colors:

And then there is this thread on the Lansing Heritage site where the OP PhotoShopped several alternate grill cloth colors onto his L112s:

In terms of new speakers, I like what both Wharfedale and Klipsch have done with the grills on their special anniversary models.

Klipsch Heresy 70th Anniversary Edition with silver luster gill cloth:

Wharfedale Denton 80th Anniversary Edition:

Of course, I probably won't be able to source the exact same cloth used by the manufacturers, but perhaps something similar.

In any case, please post photos of your non-black, non-brown grill cloth. All are welcome, please show us what you've got. Bonus points for alternate grill cloth colors combined with walnut veneer, and if possible, please list the source for your cloth.

 

[kirk57]

Rectilinear Highboys. This cloth actually came from some old Magnepans, but you could come close with something KLH-ish.

 

[bigaltx24]

KLH Model 6, with what I understand are fairly rare grills. The original cloth was black, but it was also way beyond repair. I let the wife pick the cloth, the pictures don't show the color well but it's a light sage green.

KLH Model 6-3

• bigaltx24
• Mar 12, 2017

 

[MCM_Fan]

Rectilinear Highboys. This cloth actually came from some old Magnepans, but you could come close with something KLH-ish.

Ha, it's funny yours was the first response. I actually have a pair of Rectilinear III Highboys I am restoring. Mine came with the original grill cloth, which I will NOT be replacing:

I picked them them up the same day as a pair of KLH Model 23s:

I also like the look of the dark gray grill cloth on the Model 23s (which I will also leave original), but both of those speakers were from ~1967. Of course, I LOVE the look of the vintage Rectilinears and KLHs, but the speakers I'm restoring now are at least a full decade newer (late 1970s to early 1980s). So, I'm thinking something a little more modern looking.

 

[kirk57]

I have no pics, but my JBL L26s have the orange grille cloth and look very stylish in a 70s kind of way. They have oak cabinets, though.

 

[MCM_Fan]

I have no pics, but my JBL L26s have the orange grille cloth and look very stylish in a 70s kind of way. They have oak cabinets, though.

Yeah, I've never seen the walnut veneer - burnt orange combo. Something tells me it wouldn't be a great match.

For a splash of color, I think one of the blues, either the original JBL navy blue or the brighter royal blue, or perhaps a dark burgundy would be a better match for walnut veneer.

 

[pustelniakr]

There are lots of choices here: http://acoustonegrillecloth.com/about.htm#

Enjoy,
Rich P

 

[MCM_Fan]

There are lots of choices here: http://acoustonegrillecloth.com/about.htm#

Enjoy,
Rich P

Thanks, I may have to request some sample swatches.

Ironically, I kind of like the black/brown P2703 fabric, but think I like the P2700 black/gray better:

From the looks of it in the photos, I also like the B400 stretch fabric. The color reminds me of the Wharfedale 80th Anniversary Denton grills, but the texture looks a little different.

 

[mkane]

http://www.mojotone.com/Cabinets_x/Grillcloth_x#/

 

[Blue Shadow]

My Dynaco A25s are clothed in Magneplanar Vintage Off White, the slubby cloth not the smooth double knit of today. The Tannoys I just got have the walnut boxes with brown double knit grilles. They were also offered in a medium wood and light wood with blue and black cloth.

 

[Archguy]

I'd prefer something lighter, or brighter, perhaps even something with a pattern or texture.

In any case, please post photos of your non-black, non-brown grill cloth. All are welcome, please show us what you've got. Bonus points for alternate grill cloth colors combined with walnut veneer

My old Zeniths (I have several) would seem to qualify, though I doubt they're quite what you mean. Some neat patterns in the grille fabric though.

In terms of new speakers, I like what both Wharfedale and Klipsch have done with the grills on their special anniversary models.

So do I, very much. It's all I can do to resist buying some.

 

[Starquest]

Obviously not an alternate color, but the Heresy "Capitol" models look awesome in blonde but they're $300 extra each

 

[darkblue94]

Since when is beige not brown?

 

[Porkloin]

"Salt and Pepper" popularized by Marshall amplifiers. From Mojotone. Staring at it too long has been known to send Japanese school children into convulsions.

 

[jazzmans]

My Maggies, 1.6 are black, 2.5 are white (taupe, whatever) and I really like them, and prefer the colour over the black of my 1.6's.

 

[Johnny_Law]

I briefly tried red.

 

[Aldo]

I have my Timewindows done in navy blue, I like the look much better than the original black foam.....

 

[Porkloin]

I briefly tried red.

"Briefly" ? What a shame. That cloth was striking.
I suppose cloth color is as subjective as the sound of the speakers themselves.

 

[MCM_Fan]

My Maggies, 1.6 are black, 2.5 are white (taupe, whatever) and I really like them, and prefer the colour over the black of my 1.6's.

I should get a pair of vintage Maggies for my bedroom system (currently running a pair of KEF 104/2s). The oatmeal grill cloth would be a perfect match for my bed (a PB Comfort bed from Pottery Barn with oatmeal slip covers).

 

[Zonker92]

JBL 250Ti in blue:



Velodyne FS1200:



Altec Lansing 846B Valencia in Parts Express nylon fabric:



Geneva Soundworks XL in red metal mesh: