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JBL 4430 rehab

First impressions

Now that I get to really examine these JBL's, I can really understand what needs to be done. First, the theaded rods running through them had to come out. They ran from top to bottom with big heavy steel bracing on the inside bottom. Then the holes need to be filled and sanded smooth, it's possible that I will reveneer the tops to make them perfect. For now they get putty so there is no leaks in the cabinets, the bottoms will just get sanded and painted black to match.

The cabinets have a few bumps and dings to address, but they mostly need some oil and rubbing. Woofers look good except for they need the usual refoam, which I already have the kit hear for that job. I will install an extra pair of the same models for the time being to get a listen to them. Then I will take out the crossovers to deox the switch, and also the L-pads.

Let the fun begin! :D
 

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That's the first time I've seen the "Threads rods all the way through" trick.

very interesting. Any idea their last location/why they needed to do that?

Would love to see photos and hear your process while de-oxiting things.
 
cjwebber said:
That's the first time I've seen the "Threads rods all the way through" trick.

very interesting. Any idea their last location/why they needed to do that?

Would love to see photos and hear your process while de-oxiting things.
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They came from the Boston area where they were hanging their entire life. Either a sound room or a autotorium from what I was told. It looks like any of the dings probably came from when they were taken down.
 
Holes are filled, replacement woofer about to go in. Dusted off the fronts and they look fresh instead of dusty. Grills need a good cleaning, only one hole in them, I hope to find some thread and try to close it up so it's not noticable.
 

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Sweet! I normally hate the black Sharpie trick, but it works amazingly well on any dings in the horn paint: Just draw over it and wipe it off with your thumb.

Are they missing the internal bottom bars and hooks? If so, you might want to put screws in the holes left behind, baffle and bottom. I found some at the hardware store for the 4435s that will look perfect when I paint them.
 
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Zonker92 said:
Sweet! I normally hate the black Sharpie trick, but it works amazingly well on any dings in the horn paint: Just draw over it and wipe it off with your thumb.

Are they missing the internal bottom bars and hooks? If so, you might want to put screws in the holes left behind, baffle and bottom. I found some at the hardware store for the 4435s that will look perfect when I paint them.
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These holes (top and bottom) were not well done, these hung upside down their whole life. I just filled the holes with a very good putty and left it high so I can gently work it down. The bottom is no issue since it is just painted black, but the top will just have to be a colored sharpie to blend for now.

I have one ready to try, and about to start on the second. I will not recap them right away, I need to give the a good listen, and do the original woofer refoam before that step. But I am super pleased to have them here, I have regretted parting with my first pair, now it's time for some cheeky enjoyment. :yes: :thmbsp:


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I'm thinking we can all guess what you will be doing tonight. So- have you decided what the first music will be that you put through them? Or maybe the first 3?
 
Lux Man said:
I'm thinking we can all guess what you will be doing tonight. So- have you decided what the first music will be that you put through them? Or maybe the first 3?
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Tonight, are you kidding? I'm on this like stink on...... well, you what I'm talking about. :D

This is a picture of the threaded rod, and a picture of the cheeks jammin behind some Fisher sweetness. Oh man are they out of this world good! :thmbsp:

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Steve, aren't you planning a 4430 versus L220 smackdown soon?

I'm guessing you already cleaned up the biamp switches?
 
Zonker92 said:
Steve, aren't you planning a 4430 versus L220 smackdown soon?

I'm guessing you already cleaned up the biamp switches?
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Yeah, that will most certainly happen one day, and I opened up the crossovers to inspect the switch, they were not discolored but I deoxed them any way, then switched them back and forth. I thought these would be too power hungry for my 500-C, but it has no problem pushin them.

The Jeff Healey band was the first music I pushed through these, it just happened to be what was up first.
 
I did take Zonks advice and bypassed the switch. I hate wondering if I have weak points in the signal path and at least, that was one I could eliminate.

BTW- I think.....I can hear them from here. I think I can, I think I can and they do sound great.
 
Lux Man said:
I did take Zonks advice and bypassed the switch. I hate wondering if I have weak points in the signal path and at least, that was one I could eliminate.

BTW- I think.....I can hear them from here. I think I can, I think I can and they do sound great.
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They were actually rattling the window in the kitchen durring one song, I just love these woofers. The highs seem a little better than my last pair, I'm not sure I want to touch the crossovers for awhile after hearing them, time will tell. It's probably the Fisher though, they seem to bring out the best in every speaker.
 
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