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I'll NEVER Pass Up A Pair Of Old JBL's

Jayrosc

Jayrosc

Super Member
Even though I've got JBL's that are superior to these I couldn't resist it when I walked into an estate sale today and saw a pair of L100 Centuries sitting on the floor. Sure, there are issues. No Grills. One has some screw holes in it right through the top. Biggest issue is the voice coil on one woofer actually blistered and froze the cone. BUT, they look great, one works perfectly, and the one with the screwed up woofer has a good tweeter and mid range. I've never replaced a voice coil. Is it even possible? I'll try and send a pic of the damage, but the problem does not seem to be with the actual coil, rather the paper between the coil and the magnet has blistered. I'm wondering if I can wet it and press it back into shape.
Thoughts?
PS both speakers look as good as the one pictured.
 

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The problem......
 

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Cool! Condition-wise, that pair is very similar to a pair I have stashed away, awaiting restoration. (I have a similar attitude about old JBLs.)

Gnarly damage on that voice coil; might be best just to find a used woofer on eBay, or recone it.
 
Estate sales are fun, today I scored a YAMAHA Kee-Tar LOL

I love vintage JBL, they were like the Han Solo of speaker companies. Cool without trying too hard.
 
So, it seems you agree this poor woofer has suffered a fatal blow. I've never seen the likes of this. Do you think it has melted?
Zonker92 said:
Cool! Condition-wise, that pair is very similar to a pair I have stashed away, awaiting restoration. (I have a similar attitude about old JBLs.)

Gnarly damage on that voice coil; might be best just to find a used woofer on eBay, or recone it.
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if the white cone is in great shape otherwise I wonder if its worth selling? I had a pair that had some nasty stains on the woofers and there is just about nothing you can do to remove them.
 
That voice coil is toast. Done. Finished.

All you will need to do is simply recone the speaker. Speaker Exchange has the white cone kits.

Keep us updated with the progress.

GeeDeeEmm

C8R2213.JPG
 
White ones have been discontinued...
grrr....
gdmoore28 said:
That voice coil is toast. Done. Finished.

All you will need to do is simply recone the speaker. Speaker Exchange has the white cone kits.

Keep us updated with the progress.

GeeDeeEmm

C8R2213.JPG
Click to expand...
 
Hanleyster said:
if the white cone is in great shape otherwise I wonder if its worth selling? I had a pair that had some nasty stains on the woofers and there is just about nothing you can do to remove them.
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I bought my L100's with several brown stains. I bought two plastic squeeze bottles of acrylic paint; brown and white from JoAnn's. The cones are normally slightly off white. I had to experiment by mixing a minute amount of brown into the white. When I got the right shade I watered it down and very lightly applied it by sweeping the brush across the cone. It took three or four light applications.The cones came out perfect. You cannot tell they had any imperfections. Remember, water it down and apply several light coats.
 
If I saw those, I would have grabbed them too!
So many of these were made, a replacement woofer should be pretty easy to find.
Cabs look great! My type of project! You plan to recap the crossovers as well?
 
New voice coil maybe if a replacement can be found. I have had a few successful transplants including one of my Altec 619s still in use today.
Won't cost much to try.
 
GD70 said:
If I saw those, I would have grabbed them too!
So many of these were made, a replacement woofer should be pretty easy to find.
Cabs look great! My type of project! You plan to recap the crossovers as well?
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Yeah, for those of us addicted to the hunt, this was cool. I saw the estate sale listing. No mention of ANY audio stuff, but the neighborhood was perfect...one of the best in town where all the movers and shakers of the 60's 70's 80's laid down roots. I pulled up and got excited because the house was so great looking and even the stuff out in the driveway for sale was high quality, then got nervous because I realized the sale had been going on for about 6 hours already. Walked in through the kitchen and immediately saw this pair through an archway, parked on the floor of the dining room. Post it on them had the price marked at less than a sit down lunch. I offered two thirds of that and the guy didn't even blink. Into the car they went. All in all, one bad woofer is not that bad. Well, the connecting posts are bad too, but I can replace those and the one screw hole that's visible will be filled with walnut colored wood filler I've got laying around here.
 

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Great deal! Repro grills and a replacement woofer will cost more, but well worth restoring these classics!
Was there any other audio gear for sale? Curious what may have driven the JBL's.
 
GD70 said:
Great deal! Repro grills and a replacement woofer will cost more, but well worth restoring these classics!
Was there any other audio gear for sale? Curious what may have driven the JBL's.
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Believe me, I searched EVERY nook and cranny of that house for the rest of the stuff and all I found was a TEAC cassette recorder that looked like it was top of the line when new. Belt was shot but it powered up. Like many folks, it appears that as stuff malfunctioned they just threw it away, but it is possible that someone got there before me and snagged some nice receiver and turntable. I kind of doubt it though, because anyone that would grab stuff like that would also take these JBL's because the price was so low.
 
Excellent! Glad to see Gordon chimed in. He has a driver of mine at the moment.
I went out quickly and checked a few garage sales in the hood this AM to see what I might find and found less than nothing. Most I was able to just drive by when I saw all the kid and toddler clothes and toys and furniture for sale.
 
Drugolf said:
Excellent! Glad to see Gordon chimed in. He has a driver of mine at the moment.
I went out quickly and checked a few garage sales in the hood this AM to see what I might find and found less than nothing. Most I was able to just drive by when I saw all the kid and toddler clothes and toys and furniture for sale.
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I still stop, and always ask about forgotten gear tucked away in the basement, attic, or garage. That's how I ended up with my Time Windows and Mitch Cotter SUT(free), the AR-2a's, and meeting that elderly gent with that incredible collection of vintage gear. You just never know.
 
Jeez Jay,
I saw those also but after carrying the Mac tube gear down from the attic I was too tired to carry those out.

Bob
 
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