Looking for some guidance: SoundLab A-3 content

[Litaly512]

First of all, HELLO to all of the forum members!


Any help you could provide would be greatly valued


The Find:
Recently I have come upon a pair of SoundLab electrostatics at a client's home. I am 90% sure they are A-3 but I didn't know enough about them at the time to take notice. They have been stored in the basement for many years ( old clients )


The Good:
They make sound (I briefly hooked them up)

The Bad:
Looks like they have been painted (unless they came grey )
One of the cloth front's has been damaged (SOMEONE ripped it to look inside
The panels on the back have been beaten/bludgeoned and need new connections/knobs etc

The Questions:

1. Are these in any way rare/collectible/sought-after?
2. Would refinishing/recovering/repairing add any appeal or value?
3. What kind of deterioration/problems could I expect to find internally and acoustically? How much would replacement parts/proper repairs cost?
4. What would you do?

The client is more than happy to let me take them to a good home if I so choose.

Hopefully I can get an idea of what I would be dealing with if I decided to take these to my shop.

I would like to the right thing whether its accurately restoring them, just leaving them alone (as you would a classic car) or leaving them in the basement (as you would a classic lawnmower )

Thanks for any help!

[geraldfryjr]

i personaly don't have any experience with them,but,imo any comercialy built esl is worth keeping especialy for free and in working order!i'm sure they can be rebuilt if needed,as i have read a few threads of people doing as such.keep looking and you will find them here.good luck! jer

[Steve Dunlap]

SoundLab A-3 - Google Search

Here is plenty of information about them. On person is asking $12K for a used set. I say take the free ones.

[Litaly512]

I bought the pair today for $200, client couldn't be happier.

Neither could I... The innards seem untouched... I'll post pics once I have them delivered.

Thanks for the input. Keep it coming!

[rok-n-rol]

Originally Posted by Litaly512

I bought the pair today for $200, client couldn't be happier.

Neither could I... The innards seem untouched... I'll post pics once I have them delivered.

Thanks for the input. Keep it coming!

There's a Soundlab owners group- SOG. Plenty of info there on troubleshooting and upgrades. From what I remember the HV diaphram supply is a weak link with many. I passed on pair for $650 w/bad PS, shipping killed the deal.

[rdiiorio]

I just shipped the A-3 cores to Utah from NYC via Greyhound and paid $217.00 one way. I had the diaphragms replaced, other minor repairs with return shipping for 1875.00 not bad for a $13K speaker system.