• The move to the new server is done. There are some software and database maintenance updates in process. This has us passing the hat around to help out. We appreciate any donations. Seriously, even a dollar helps. The payment page may be found here - https://www.audiokarma.org/support.html

Vintage JBL C35 - worth it?

Picked them up this morning! Definitely larger in person than I remembered them being :) I'll clean up the cabs a bit this evening to get some slightly better pictures, but for now here they are in their dusty glory right as I picked them up! The large rings seem like they may just be surface deposits and not stained markings, but I'm not sure yet.

Just did a simple physical inspection of the cabinets and drivers using my phone flashlight. What I assume are the D130s (appeared to definitely be an 030 load) look to be in perfect shape!

IMG_0474.jpeg IMG_0475.jpeg IMG_0476.jpeg IMG_0477.jpeg
 
The gentleman that I bought them from was the original builder, but he had a buddy who was a cabinet maker cut all of the cabinets before the owner assembled it all! The owner said that he couldn't remember if they were build out of plywood, and then full cherry veneered, or if he had used cherry plywood to construct the sides and top before veneering the front edges. They used to be powered by a kit Scott tube amp and receiver that he had also built, but those were unfortunately sold long ago. The exact build year he couldn't remember, but I think he said sometime around the 70s. It was great to get to hear a little bit of history about them from their builder!
 
Congrats! Wow, look at that grain in the veneer! Those should clean up nice. Looking forward to seeing your progress cleaning & checking them, if you were going to post it. And of course, listening impressions...
 
Johnny_Law said:
Congrats! Wow, look at that grain in the veneer! Those should clean up nice. Looking forward to seeing your progress cleaning & checking them, if you were going to post it. And of course, listening impressions...
Click to expand...

I sure hope they'll clean up nice! It will probably end up being a full sand-down due to some of the shallow blemishes, but we'll see.

I'll post as I go! It might end up being later this week that I actually get to lug them upstairs for a listening impression. Unfortunately, I don't have any tube gear yet, which is how I've heard that these really shine.
 
remember, cherry darkens with exposure to sunlight and age. so if you sand them down you'll want to do every surface or you'll have mismatched tones in the veneer. but be careful sanding veneer; i don't know how thick it is, but it can sand through way too easily. you might want to try a damp cloth heated with an iron over any shallow blemishes to see if they lift. otherwise have fun, and be careful!
 
Back in the late 80's I worked for a high end dealer in Ca. I was asked to go out to see a customer to see if I could provide any input regarding his system. He was convinces the his speakers were old and crappy.
The storer had already sold him a TT and amp package.
Linn Ittok Koetsu black. Levinson ML 11 and 12.
They had all sorts out in this guy's room. Kef's , Vandersteens etc etc. all free standers.
He had 030 system with the cabs built into the wall. When I got there there were Kef 107's or somesuch. He was an architect and his room was big , glass , hardwood floor etc , plenty of space.
He was into Stan Getz and that genre of music. So we listened to some albums and to be honest the presentation was meh @ $2500 bux a pair. I said Art lets hear your old speakers.
He hooked them up and OMG the music came alive. It was like being at a live concert.
The room let the speakers breath in spite of all the reflective surfaces..
Keep em
 
madwing said:
remember, cherry darkens with exposure to sunlight and age. so if you sand them down you'll want to do every surface or you'll have mismatched tones in the veneer. but be careful sanding veneer; i don't know how thick it is, but it can sand through way too easily. you might want to try a damp cloth heated with an iron over any shallow blemishes to see if they lift. otherwise have fun, and be careful!
Click to expand...

Thank you for the reminder! I've only ever restored walnut veneer, so I had totally forgotten that about cherry. And I made the rookie mistake on that pair (Frazier MK IV) of sanding through in a couple spots on the front edges of the veneer. I'll definitely try the iron method first before going as drastic as a full sand.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom