Yet another ESL57 rebuild

I started up with a pair from 1976. Bought them some years ago after reading about the special sound. Have been stacked before and show marks after that operation. I installed dustcovers for the treble panels sins they didnt have any :oops: also did some work on crossovers/input-trannies and EHT board. They sounded really great and sat back and just listen to the music. Had some issue with lower EHT voltage after connection to the boards. I measured speakers frequence Responce and quite obvius a leake i one of them. And there I started my total rebuild of those speakers.
 

Attachments

  • Mina orenoverade.JPG
    Mina orenoverade.JPG
    261.8 KB · Views: 417
  • Mina ESL57 innan renovering 1meter 2,83Volt.PNG
    Mina ESL57 innan renovering 1meter 2,83Volt.PNG
    68.4 KB · Views: 430
  • Före renovering.JPG
    Före renovering.JPG
    228.6 KB · Views: 431
  • Laga högspänningsdel.JPG
    Laga högspänningsdel.JPG
    159.2 KB · Views: 376
  • Mäta frekvensrespons.JPG
    Mäta frekvensrespons.JPG
    213.4 KB · Views: 361
  • Mäta frekvensrespons2.JPG
    Mäta frekvensrespons2.JPG
    127.9 KB · Views: 354
  • arbetsbänk.JPG
    arbetsbänk.JPG
    240 KB · Views: 382

Attachments

  • Protection boards.JPG
    Protection boards.JPG
    235.1 KB · Views: 166
  • Treble protection unit.JPG
    Treble protection unit.JPG
    209.4 KB · Views: 180
  • Assebbling protection unit.JPG
    Assebbling protection unit.JPG
    112.5 KB · Views: 169
Last edited:
Did do some paintwork at the frames as they look quite tired. Also did fix some holes made by stacking rack earlier. Have had a conversation with a local carpenter for make some spiderlegs. Will be done so full orginal restauration will be possible. Will come back with picks of those legs later...
 

Attachments

  • måla.JPG
    måla.JPG
    193.6 KB · Views: 132
  • Painting.JPG
    Painting.JPG
    299.9 KB · Views: 131
It's an awful coating, as evidenced by the fact that it seemingly can't be applied evenly, and over time it evaporates and takes hours or days instead of minutes to charge up like they did when new. Also evidenced by the fact that they changed the coating and haven't looked back.
For the period (1955) it was the only coating, so the best coating available. Yes, times and techniques have changed since.
That it looks awful and uneven doesn't mean it sounds awful and uneven. Visual and technical are totally different matters here IMHO.
You can still build a great sounding ESL-57 with Elvamide.
 
I have done some more work at this panels. Now working on Treble panels and had some tiny arcs. Cant wait to power them up and have some real music playing.
 

Attachments

  • Bass panel terminals trough dustcover 1.JPG
    Bass panel terminals trough dustcover 1.JPG
    132.2 KB · Views: 185
  • helt renoverat treblepanel baksida.JPG
    helt renoverat treblepanel baksida.JPG
    65.3 KB · Views: 208
  • helt renoverat treblepanel.JPG
    helt renoverat treblepanel.JPG
    78.7 KB · Views: 163
  • provspelning treble.JPG
    provspelning treble.JPG
    100.4 KB · Views: 162
  • Pressa treblepaneler.JPG
    Pressa treblepaneler.JPG
    231.1 KB · Views: 164
  • Tiny arced treble panel.JPG
    Tiny arced treble panel.JPG
    50.4 KB · Views: 164
  • dags att dra kablar.JPG
    dags att dra kablar.JPG
    300.5 KB · Views: 182
  • helt färdiga paneler monterade.JPG
    helt färdiga paneler monterade.JPG
    347.1 KB · Views: 185
  • Like
Reactions: 2 users

Attachments

  • done with Cables 1.JPG
    done with Cables 1.JPG
    161.1 KB · Views: 155
  • Done with cables.JPG
    Done with cables.JPG
    171.6 KB · Views: 146
  • All cable reconnect in audio transformer.JPG
    All cable reconnect in audio transformer.JPG
    75.7 KB · Views: 169
  • Clamp board installed and connected.JPG
    Clamp board installed and connected.JPG
    174.8 KB · Views: 170
  • How to mount clamp board.JPG
    How to mount clamp board.JPG
    54.6 KB · Views: 149
  • Like
Reactions: 3 users