I enjoy this phase of the restoration process.

@TheHorse (226688)
Walnut Creek, California
November 22, 2023 12:03am CST
Of course I enjoy all phases of the vintage loudspeaker restoration process. Else I would not do it. But this phase is one of my favorites. I have sanded down the scratched up surfaces, and repaired most of the damaged corners. In this photo I am doing a hot water treatment on one of the scratched up bottoms. The hot water helps the wood expand. Often the scratches go away. The hot water also darkens the surface, allowing me to see what it will look like when I apply oil. I am almost done with these 1970s JBL L-100s. Soon will start to rebuild the frames that hold the JBLs' famous "egg carton" grilles. Wish me luck.
12 people like this
11 responses
Judy Evans
@JudyEv (353904)
• Rockingham, Australia
22 Nov 23
Good luck - but I think you have probably done so many of these that you don't really need a huge amount of good luck.
3 people like this
The Horse
@TheHorse (226688)
• Walnut Creek, California
22 Nov 23
Yes, I get to a point were I'm pretty confident I know what they will look like when done.
2 people like this
Anna
@LadyDuck (474659)
• Italy
22 Nov 23
Correct, the hot water expands the wood, if it's a minor scratch no need to do more.
2 people like this
Anna
@LadyDuck (474659)
• Italy
22 Nov 23
@TheHorse - I know that you enjoy working with those loudspeakers.
2 people like this
The Horse
@TheHorse (226688)
• Walnut Creek, California
22 Nov 23
I usually do a final light sand after I'm done with water treatments. I mostly use 150 grit, but I often use 320 for the last sand.
2 people like this
The Horse
@TheHorse (226688)
• Walnut Creek, California
22 Nov 23
@LadyDuck It can be pretty relaxing. I just started working on the broken frames this morning.
2 people like this
Judy Story
@jstory07 (144209)
• Roseburg, Oregon
22 Nov 23
Youu still have a lot of work to do. Good luck.
1 person likes this
The Horse
@TheHorse (226688)
• Walnut Creek, California
22 Nov 23
Yeppers. But most of what I have left to do on the speakers themselves is the "Zen" oiling part. The frames will be a challenge, though.
1 person likes this
Marie
@Tampa_girl7 (52495)
• United States
22 Nov 23
I know that it’ll look great.
2 people like this
The Horse
@TheHorse (226688)
• Walnut Creek, California
22 Nov 23
I just started on the frames this morning.
1 person likes this
Margaret Mwangi
@Missmwngi (12915)
• Nairobi, Kenya
22 Nov 23
Good luck
2 people like this
The Horse
@TheHorse (226688)
• Walnut Creek, California
22 Nov 23
Thank you. Actually, all I need is good skill and no severe earthquakes.
1 person likes this
sarika bhatia
@sarik1 (7600)
•
22 Nov 23
Good luck.
2 people like this
The Horse
@TheHorse (226688)
• Walnut Creek, California
22 Nov 23
Gracias.
2 people like this
celticeagle
@celticeagle (174832)
• Boise, Idaho
22 Nov 23
All the luck. I know they will turn out great.
1 person likes this
changjiangzhibin89
@changjiangzhibin89 (16934)
• China
22 Nov 23
You make those vintage loudspeakers look quite new ,so you feel a sense of achievement !
1 person likes this
Eva James
@wolfgirl569 (116358)
• Marion, Ohio
22 Nov 23
It looks good. You will get them built
1 person likes this
LindaOH
@LindaOHio (189201)
• United States
22 Nov 23
I know that the person will be amazed with how well it all turned out. Good luck.
1 person likes this
Berend E
@TraveOnWorld (854)
• Georgia
23 Nov 23
I wish you luck on that on those grilles, but so far so good, looks stunning. After the oiling part, your customer is going to be amazed and glad that he had it restored. Enjoy!