VintageMan Posted April 15, 2015 Report Share Posted April 15, 2015 I'm in the midst of acquiring a set of AR3a Improved from their first owner including all the paper works.One original woofer has its surrounds "missing", the other woofer has been... replaced by some other brand woofer The tweeters are working, cabinets have some watermarks/stains on top.Grills, cloth and logo's are there and in good condition.How difficult, or easy, is it to find one original woofer? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
owlsplace Posted April 15, 2015 Report Share Posted April 15, 2015 I'm in the midst of acquiring a set of AR3a Improved from their first owner including all the paper works....How difficult, or easy, is it to find one original woofer?You just found one A pair of AR-3 woofers were on the auction site recently and a quick search there reveals they come up frequently. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VintageMan Posted April 15, 2015 Author Report Share Posted April 15, 2015 You just found one A pair of AR-3 woofers were on the auction site recently and a quick search there reveals they come up frequently.You mean on the bay?All other sites are to difficult for me, I could contact Kent Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michiganpat Posted April 15, 2015 Report Share Posted April 15, 2015 they come up on ebay ("the bay") pretty regularly....the woofer is essentially the same from the AR3a through the AR9LSI's Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
owlsplace Posted April 15, 2015 Report Share Posted April 15, 2015 You mean on the bay?All other sites are to difficult for me, I could contact Kent Yes, and RoyC can probably get a line on one for you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VintageMan Posted April 15, 2015 Author Report Share Posted April 15, 2015 Yes, and RoyC can probably get a line on one for you.OK, I'll be picking them up this Friday.Then I will contact RoyC to see if he can help me on the woofer part. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VintageMan Posted April 15, 2015 Author Report Share Posted April 15, 2015 they come up on ebay ("the bay") pretty regularly....the woofer is essentially the same from the AR3a through the AR9LSI'sSo basically all 12" from newer models from AR3a and up? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michiganpat Posted April 15, 2015 Report Share Posted April 15, 2015 I *THINK*, but don't quote me, once you get into the TSW series, the woofer cone changes to poly....but the woofer is essentially the same from the 3a through the LS/LSI series. the AR3 restoration document has some good information on the various AR 12" woofers..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
owlsplace Posted April 15, 2015 Report Share Posted April 15, 2015 So basically all 12" from newer models from AR3a and up?Ah, I missed the "Improved" on your original post. I believe they are a lot rarer than the 3/3a's. Definitely worth a restore.Roger Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
owlsplace Posted April 16, 2015 Report Share Posted April 16, 2015 So basically all 12" from newer models from AR3a and up?Here is one listed as a tweeter on the auction site with a start bid of $90 or bin price of $120. It has been refoamed so you would have to evaluate that at this listing number: 361270424604.Someone is parting out an AR-11. Looks like a vented dust cap which I have never seen before. Anyone else seen one like this?Roger Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RoyC Posted April 16, 2015 Report Share Posted April 16, 2015 Here is one listed as a tweeter on the auction site with a start bid of $90 or bin price of $120. It has been refoamed so you would have to evaluate that at this listing number: 361270424604.AR-11.jpgSomeone is parting out an AR-11. Looks like a vented dust cap which I have never seen before. Anyone else seen one like this?RogerThe dust cap is not original, and the foam was glued to the underside of the cone. The replacement foam itself is not the best one available, and appears to have been installed in a less than professional way. I would avoid this one at that price.Roy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
owlsplace Posted April 16, 2015 Report Share Posted April 16, 2015 The dust cap is not original, and the foam was glued to the underside of the cone. The replacement foam itself is not the best one available, and appears to have been installed in a less than professional way. I would avoid this one at that price.RoyI didn't think it looked normal... makes me wonder what happened to the other speaker Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VintageMan Posted April 16, 2015 Author Report Share Posted April 16, 2015 OK, If I get the AR3a Improved and have them home I will start looking for the woofer replacement. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VintageMan Posted April 17, 2015 Author Report Share Posted April 17, 2015 I picked them up today.The top-finer is in not such a good state, the wife had plants and pots on it....Because of that there are some stains in the grill cloth, but that can be cleaned.I removed the replacement woofer, no need for it.Pictures says it all!So I'm in need/search for a AR3 Improved woofer Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
owlsplace Posted April 17, 2015 Report Share Posted April 17, 2015 I picked them up today.The top-finer is in not such a good state, the wife had plants and pots on it....Because of that there are some stains in the grill cloth, but that can be cleaned.I removed the replacement woofer, no need for it.Pictures says it all ...So I'm in need/search for a AR3 Improved woofer Very nice find ... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VintageMan Posted April 18, 2015 Author Report Share Posted April 18, 2015 Very nice find ...When talking to the owner on the phone he never mentioned the top finer, so this was a bit of a shock.I think with some sanding and oil it will be acceptable, it has also some charm about it I've contacted RoyC on a lookout for one woofer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DavidDru Posted April 18, 2015 Report Share Posted April 18, 2015 What's that round speaker on the left there with the tread on it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
owlsplace Posted April 18, 2015 Report Share Posted April 18, 2015 When talking to the owner on the phone he never mentioned the top finer, so this was a bit of a shock.I think with some sanding and oil it will be acceptable, it has also some charm about it I've contacted RoyC on a lookout for one woofer.That sort of looks like a degraded varnish finish in which case lacquer thinner would even it up quite a bit. It looks like someone may have oiled it already which makes the blemishes stand out more where the oil soaked into the wood.Roger Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VintageMan Posted April 28, 2015 Author Report Share Posted April 28, 2015 What's that round speaker on the left there with the tread on it?That is a vintage Pirelli tire on a Lambretta wheel in a Pirelli stand; is was used for commercial purposes in Bike and Scooter shops to advertise Pirelli scooter tires.I used to own 7 vintage Lambretta scooters, the models came from the years 1948 to 1963 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VintageMan Posted April 30, 2015 Author Report Share Posted April 30, 2015 I've got 2 "new" woofers from an AR restorations specialist here in The Netherlands.Complete with new surroundings.They come from later AR3a model.Had to trade in my one original woofer.One happy camper here Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VintageMan Posted April 30, 2015 Author Report Share Posted April 30, 2015 Some questions about the capacitor and woofer inductor replacement;- Can i just follow the AR3a restoration document?-- part 3.9 and 3.10 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VintageMan Posted May 4, 2015 Author Report Share Posted May 4, 2015 Got my hands on a matching woofer!yehaa, me happy! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DavidDru Posted May 4, 2015 Report Share Posted May 4, 2015 You are winning the battle. Fight on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VintageMan Posted May 28, 2015 Author Report Share Posted May 28, 2015 There off to the restorer.He will re-foam both woofers and rebuild the crossovers this weekend.I was planning to work along with him but my presentation was needed elsewhere. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VintageMan Posted June 30, 2015 Author Report Share Posted June 30, 2015 Like the AR3a's these returned home last weekend.They have been re-foamed, 1 new woofer (also a new foam as the one it had was not OK) and rebuild filters with parts from Ken (and RoyC).Comparing them with the AR3a that have also been rebuild the AR3a wins hands down in sound quality.All drivers work but the AR3a sound more "real", alive. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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