AR-1W, what to do

[Chris __R]

Hi all, new member here. I've been looking around at all the existing threads on this speaker but I am looking for some basic opinions.

I recently picked up a single AR-1W at an estate sale - essentially free - it was being used as a side table to support a bunch of junk in someone's basement. Pictures attached.

The speaker works OK. I hooked it up to my very new and not at all vintage Sony receiver and ran it on very low volume for quite a while to 'warm it up'. Bass response is mediocre at best but since it is about 65 years old I didn't expect much. Perhaps it's also a function of my receiver.

The case is not in great shape. The veneer is delaminating on a couple of the surfaces, and the finish in some places has totally flaked off. The grille/fabric is in good condition and is only pulling out in one small area. The inner woodworker in me wants to fix the veneer, sand the entire case down and tung oil it to perfection, simply for the satisfaction. I recognize the historical significance of these models so I may hold on to it, but I may also shop this around since I am amassing old speakers at an alarming rate (and will likely not come across the type of speaker these were paired with) and I am aware that some people might actually prefer the 'original' finish - even if it is tough shape.

I guess I'm just looking for some other opinions to sway me one way or the other with what to do with this......

 

[nolasally]

Sell on eBay with 10 day auction starting on thurs. .99 starting price make sure to check the global shipping box. It will sell for more than you think.

 

[Dswankey]

Highly doubt you'll run into another single one so it seems pretty obvious to move it on plus it's pretty beat up cosmetically.

 

[Chris __R]

Sell on eBay with 10 day auction starting on thurs. .99 starting price make sure to check the global shipping box. It will sell for more than you think.

If I put the effort into it, I could make this look practically new. I just don't know if that would necessarily translate into higher value.

 

[nolasally]

Not worth the effort. A very clean one sold for 163.00. These were used as a stand alone woofer in conjunction with Janzsen electrostatic speaker.

 

[Chris __R]

Thanks - appreciate the definitive responses.

 

[A23gt]

Not worth the effort. A very clean one sold for 163.00. These were used as a stand alone woofer in conjunction with Janzsen electrostatic speaker.

I have a pair of the Janzen that were used with the AR1. They are smaller than the more common version, and made around the late 50’s. Wish I had the AR1’s to go with them. Would be a fun combo with something like a Citation II

 

[macyjrm]

On the other hand, the inner snob in me enjoys being the only kid on my block who has something somewhat historical like this. I might try to clean and repair (not refinish) the cabinet, and try some different external tweeters on top while looking for an original Jansen to mate with it. Mono for easy listening isn’t bad. This is doable since you have so little invested so far. Would be a fun project for me.

 

[Chris __R]

On the other hand, the inner snob in me enjoys being the only kid on my block who has something somewhat historical like this. I might try to clean and repair (not refinish) the cabinet, and try some different external tweeters on top while looking for an original Jansen to mate with it. Mono for easy listening isn’t bad. This is doable since you have so little invested so far. Would be a fun project for me.

I think I may just do that. One speaker doesn’t take up too much space....

 

[audiojones]

Back in the late 80’s I found one of those AR1W speakers up in the attic at my girlfriend’s house (her father was a hifi buff from way back). Sitting on top of it was an AR3ST which was the AR dome “super tweeter” in its own little matching AR cabinet, guess that’s what he used instead of the Janzen for highs. It looked like a miniature version of the typical AR speaker, had the same cabinet, grille cloth and even the badge but it was only big enough to house the dome tweeter. I told him to let me know if he ever wanted to let them go but he didn’t seem to keen on the idea. He never liked me much anyway. Pretty sure there was an amp and a turntable up there too.

 

[StimpyWan]

The cloth woofer surround probably needs to be resealed after all this time. That would vastly improve bass response. Vintage AR (on eBay) sells the sealer (none mine).

Good luck.

 

[Chris __R]

The cloth woofer surround probably needs to be resealed after all this time. That would vastly improve bass response. Vintage AR (on eBay) sells the sealer (none mine).

Good luck.

That would be great to try, however, the grille and cloth are installed behind a walnut perimeter frame so I’d probably need to remove the frame from the cabinet to access the surround. I’d hate to further damage it...

 

[gkimeng]

The grill is not behind the front face molding. Do not remove the molding. The grill cloth is stretched over a frame (masonite or plastic, depending on the age of the speaker) that fits into a groove in the face molding. There may also be staples fastening it down.. Remove any staples and then remove the grill by bending the frame. If it's the plastic frame, there's a very good chance that it will break because it has become brittle with age.

 

[GD70]

The grill is not behind the front face molding. Do not remove the molding. The grill cloth is stretched over a frame (masonite or plastic, depending on the age of the speaker) that fits into a groove in the face molding. There may also be staples fastening it down.. Remove any staples and then remove the grill by bending the frame. If it's the plastic frame, there's a very good chance that it will break because it has become brittle with age.

To elaborate on the grill, the fabric, called Saran, is usually attached on the top and bottom, not the sides, to allow the grill frame to bow and allow removal. The channels in the face molding allow you to either push the frame up, so the bottom can be pulled out, or reverse by pushing the grill down, and pulling out from the top. Use a paint can opener and something to protect the wood while prying out with the paint can lid remover o the grill edge.

 

[Drugolf]

What he said. ^

 

[Chris __R]

Thanks for the clarifications. I’ll take a closer look. Sounds like something reasonable to try, depending on the frame material.

 

[macyjrm]

Yes, it’s easy to break the plastic frame when working to free it from the cabinet. In most cases however, they are relatively easy to repair unless brute force has been applied. We don’t wish to discourage you. Just go slow and with caution. No anger allowed.

 

[Chris __R]

Slow and with caution worked. The frame is hardboard and was glued down, but I was able to get it off without much issue and without breaking it.
Assuming that it needs resealing (not sure what it should really look like) I'll probably order some as StimpyWan recommended and see what happens.

 

[gkimeng]

This looks pretty good to me. How much power does your amp have and what are you playing that seems to have mediocre bass?

 

[Chris __R]

It's a 90 watt and I was playing Dire Straits (Once upon a time in the west, News) among a couple others. I didn't want to strain this too much not knowing the last time it was played.