Building ESS AMT 1 grill frames? Anyone done it?

[Shockmaster]

I recently picked up a pair for ESS AMT 1 speakers. They’re are the first original pair they introduced. I absolutely love the sound. They didn’t however come with their grills. I got them for a steal so I’m not worried, but I get a lot of sun in my living room and where they are placed, the tweeter and driver get hit with a few hours of direct sun a day.

I want to get some grills for them, but they are hard to come by and or/are really expensive. Has anyone built their own frames and stretched their own fabric? If so I would love to give it a shot my self. I’ve never done it before but I think I’m capable. Is there a website that shows directions or dimensions and materials? Can anyone give me some advice? That would be greatly appreciated. Thanks so much!!

 

[jcidave]

I see a pair of AMT1 frames for sale on ebay now , but I think they are pricey. I think ESS can provide them, but those will be very costly. I had thought about making a pair myself, but with my limited skills and tools, I would have made them straight up and down vertical sides with no taper at the top. THis would have been easier to assemble and wrap fabric. That type of design will give the speaker a different type of look. I never got to the design phase of this project. If you have a tape measure and cardboard you can build a prototype. If you use enough glue and double up on the cardboard thickness, that might even be strong enough to be the frame. Good luck with this.

 

[Blue Shadow]

$300 is way more than you spent for the speakers but it isn't really expensive and that is for new production. But if you have the shop they shouldn't be to hard to build. Lower frame to sit on the speaker, corner supports and an upper frame, clothe them and park em on the speaker. Then throw a matching towel over the area that gets too much sun.

 

[rebelliondog]

I have some of these AMT-1 .....original model.

I want to build some of those wooden frame grills similar to the ones that ESS are selling. My question is pretty much the sam as the original question in this post....

Does anyone have the dimensions / angle measurements for these? If not, I will figure it out and post them up for future reference....

 

[elnaldo]

Anyway, I'd protect them from direct sun. Direct sunlight can damage many materials.

 

[elnaldo]

I've built frames (actually, send them for CNC cut since they had a 45º bevel, and glued the fabric by myself). Not difficult at all. Used UHU general purpose glue (no affiliation). Frames are MDF, fabric is the same fabric sold as "swimwear inner lining", it comes in different colors.)

 

[rebelliondog]

Those are nice.....however;

Mine are the AMT-1 version.....square top hat grills, 4 sides.

Iwas just wondering if someone already had the dimensions and angles for the cuts.

 

[Poultrygeist]

They look fine not hidden behind grills. If you've got 'em flaunt 'em.

 

[rebelliondog]

They look fine not hidden behind grills. If you've got 'em flaunt 'em.

I think so too....during times when I am listening to them.
However, I was thinking about their possible rehoming in the future. I just want them to be complete....ordered some cool looking fabric already.

 

[jcidave]

Interesting fabric. Looks very similar to the black and brown tweed that ESS supplied back in the day. They don't have that original grill cloth anymore. Where did you get this?

 

[rebelliondog]

Interesting fabric. Looks very similar to the black and brown tweed that ESS supplied back in the day. They don't have that original grill cloth anymore. Where did you get this?

Mojotone.com . Some cool looking fabric seemingly matching vintage guitar amplifier cabinets. There are a few colors In this style material available.


I think it will serve its purpose nicely. The picture I saw online seemed to have less ‘tan’ color. The picture I attached shows what I received vs what I saw online when shopping.....it feels just right and the thickness matches nicely. No stretch.... $23 / yd.

I will continue this thread with pictures of my progress.....I, of course, searched for information on material to use, dimensions to build wooden hats for the AMT - 1, etc. and have found little useable information. I have the old plastic frames to use....if I can get enough glue/epoxy on them .

For $150.....ESS will re-epoxy the plastic and recover the grills in black. For $425.....they have some nice looking “wood” frames plus black material. Saw an ad about building frames.....$295 for that individual’s services.

I thought about doing some out of mdf, to go under the fabric. That would do away with the plastic entirely.

I have some time today....I will experiment with my idea and see what I come up with.

 

[rebelliondog]

Spent a little time on these grilles today....material worked out great.
Except, I mistakenly ordered material that was 33” wide. I thought it was 53” wide......then 2 ‘linear yards’ would have been fine. 2 more yards....$60 more makes the total $120+ to redo these. I do like the fabric.
I stuck with the old plastic frame....worked well.
I laid it out, cut the material just a little too big to start and used contact cement to glue it on. A Bic lighter tightened up the edges.
The material looks darker than in the pictures.....however, I thought about seeing if I could lighten that wood veneer a little.

 

[rebelliondog]

Side by side ....old and new.

 

[jcidave]

Very nicely done on these grills. I see you got the fabric taught even with the taper. I also see you've put the ESS cast frame woofer in these. How is that working out for you sonically?

 

[rebelliondog]

Very nicely done on these grills. I see you got the fabric taught even with the taper. I also see you've put the ESS cast frame woofer in these. How is that working out for you sonically?

The ‘new’ woofers.....probably still breaking in. I don’t have a comparison, they came to me this way....a project. 10” woofers were new in box. They are perhaps a bit much (at times). I have not tried adjusting the stuffing. All in all, I really do like the sound of these. I often have to adjust according to music types....bass up / bass down.
My source for music (most of the time) is Bluetooth....phone to dx3. Crown preamp then Crown PS 400. I definitely believe in equalizers. Streaming quality of course varies song to song...but overall I am happy through the various genres of music I listen to. I
I do not know if this material has any effect on the sound ....however, it is very close to the original fabric it seems to me. I was only able to do one cover so far. I’ll get to hear later when I cover the other one.
These speakers came with some homemade stands....my next quick project. Clean them up and paint them.

 

[Powertech]

If they are to remain in a bright sunlit position I would also consider making up a black cloth loose cover for them to protect the good work that you have done.

 

[rebelliondog]

Fully finished....I thought the new grille color needed a darker wood underneath.
So, I stained the veneer a shade darker.
Also....there is a stand underneath to raise them up a little.

Absolutely no complaints.....these are some nice speakers....

 

[eiraved]

https://www.mojotone.com/Pickups_x?search=cloth
Just thought I'd add the link.

 

[Poultrygeist]

I still like the AMT naked and looking purposeful. It has excellent esthetic value but covered up folks can't appreciate what's under there.

 

[jcidave]

Fully finished....I thought the new grille color needed a darker wood underneath.
So, I stained the veneer a shade darker.
Also....there is a stand underneath to raise them up a little.

Absolutely no complaints.....these are some nice speakers....

I like your finished product. It all works well, visually. Your base reminds me of a flyer I got back in the 70's where somebody was making a stand that was supposed to be a bass enhancement module. I'm attaching it here just for thehellofit.
Your pair is the first pair I've seen where the ESS cast frame 10 inch woofer was substituted for the OEM stamped frame woofer. I might try this with one of my 2 pair after the holidays. Enjoy.