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