lakecat

Those 2a's are like brand new! Graining is same but these don't look as blonde....lighting? Finished removing lacquer from both cabs yesterday. Been busy with family issues so haven't had time to work on them. Plus...the rain has been non-stop...sigh.

For the last fifteen years, I have searched sites for AR speakers. I have looked at hundreds and hundreds of AR 3's and 3a's....and have never seen birch. I got these thinking they were pine as birch never entered my mind...lol. No one on this forum has ever highlighted a birch cabinet purchase (that I can remember) or posted here they have a birch AR on this post. That is why I asked about rarity as I have simply never seen one.

Yea...was going to wet a spot to see if it needed a light stain but being blonde like it is....saves me a step!..:) Thanks for the info...

I have used the MinWax on my first lessons in lacquer with a pair of cherry 3's I did a couple of years ago. With poly, I can elevate speaker on its back and spray the poly on all four sides. I tried that with the lacquer and had runs everywhere!..lol. I learned quickly to do only one side at a time laying flat so the lacquer can self level. Lacquer thinner is your friend also. The cherry 3's came out very nice but took me three times longer than poly...sigh. So now I get to have more fun with lacquer!...lol. But these deserve it so do it I will.

Nice AR2a's! Yea...they are birch and as much as I hate lacquer...I will do them right. This purchase was such a serendipity thing. The seller was such an awesome guy and even drove two hours to meet me halfway. My saving grace was he simply refused to ship them...and had higher offers from other countries. Your collection from what you have posted in past is huge...and full of rare speakers....so have been jealous here too!...:)

Also...is birch more rare than pine? I just never see birch...so curious.

I can confirm they are birch. Lacquer finish was easily removed from one bottom with lacquer thinner...showing the birch grain better. They are in fantastic shape and excited to get these bad boys back to like new condition. Anyone know what stain that is on them? Looks to be really light.

Got em all apart...to refinish. Does this look birch to you?

Were made? Is it more rare than pine? Just picked up a really nice pair of 3's yesterday...thinking they were pine...till I got them home. Opinions?

Chris....did a big search after 123 said it was discontinued. Bought a little bit from other vendors but they can't find anymore either. There is a 20ct that is being made and Larry ordered some...but it has to be ordered from overseas the last time I checked. Maybe Larry will chime in and tell us if he got his order in yet....and see how close this is...but may be our only choice in future.

I had several newer AX's that sounded okay but never matched up to the 3a of course and sold them. Then I ran across a pair of early Ax's with the alnico woofer. I was stunned in how good they sounded! I had a friend that heard them and wanted them...so sold them to him but it compared quite nicely to the 5. They would be great in a smaller room.

Well....we do have the infamous 303 from 1995. Be hard to top that.

Looks great!...glad you like them. I still haven't had a chance to compare yet. One of alnico woofers in the pine is chattering on some notes...so got to take it out and see if I can fix it....sigh. Always something!

agree.....plus for two grand....you couldn't do the 12" woofer?

Thank you! These were a lot of work to get them in this shape. I am trying to figure out a "protection" for them. I was thinking satin water poly but afraid to use it as I don't want to change the look. There is a protective wax they have for chalk paint they use on antique furniture. Have to look into that. Any ideas? ...as it does need protected.

Hi Kent....tough question. I do have my original 3a's that has those tweeters but will need to compare. I feel the originals are better but not enough for the money spent. When I do a big project like these pine beauties, I fall "in love" with them...just for the fact my mind needs to justify the time and cost!...lol. So I would be a rotten judge right now. Wish I had an audio pal close that could come over and be a fair judge. But when I bent over and put my ear close to the new tweeters while playing...I was shocked on how clear and precise the sound was coming from it. Big difference from them originally and was shocked. You have the cost of the Hi-Vi's plus the time to install vs the time and cost to replace them. I am not changing my Hi-Vi's in my pair. They have always sounded good. To have to go out and find the originals..the cost of redoing them plus shipping...meh... But if I bought a pair with originals in them...then yes...would certainly have them redone. I never realized how inept they were in sound until I heard my new ones. That mid was doing much of the work...

Was waiting for my tweeters from Chris. Got them installed....put on some tunes....and was floored!..lol. Had no idea how much I was missing and I have been thru many pairs. These are keepers and the sound is incredible. The alnico woofers...the awesome mids...and now the new tweeters will have me in music heaven now...:) New caps...pots working...new grills....just killer speakers!

I counted 20 but more importantly in searching for linen is the varying thickness of the threads in the original. So not only the count but the varying thread thickness also.

So upset that I never thought about it. Already changed and done. Still waiting for tweeters from Chris.

On another note....today was my turn to do something stupid! I spent the afternoon cutting a grill from 1/4" luan plywood....cutting paint sticks to add to grill for depth so staples won't come thru....gluing the sticks....clamping to grill. Then painting grill with almond latex... Finally get the grill material out..cut it to size....then staple the heck out of it. I spritz the material with water and use hair dryer to shrink material. Take the grill and set it speaker...perfect! Get the other grill out from other speaker to see how they look together.....and I see they don't match!.....well....cursing begins...because I grabbed the 28ct lambswool linen that 123 sent me by mistake and told me to keep it....more cursing....as I now must remove many...many staples and start again!....sigh...stupid is as stupid does!...lol Pic shows the 28ct on grill.....with the CORRECT 18ct in bag.

Yep...I agree

Dang...but the alnico shows up on Ebay occasionally. Good luck.

Wow....that pair carries some of the earliest serial numbers I have seen! Great capture....let us know how they sound.

I found another seller that has 12 pieces left. I got 4...and asked that it be left in one piece. I know that Roy and others looked for awhile for a match back long ago. Shame it is being discontinued. Maybe the 28 ct will have to be the replacement. I am going to stretch this 28ct here over the grill I have to make for the 3a pine and check it out. Or as the sewing lady said...to bleach the darker 18ct they have.