AR-1 grill cloth installation

[Tenor59]

Hi, 

l'm new to the forum so I hope this is the right place for asking my question. I'm restoring an AR-1 cabinet. The veneer was pretty much trashed with deep gouges, scratches etc, when I got it as a kid over 40 years ago, so I've replaced the veneer. The picture frame molding which was glued on the face originally is now off. My question is what method was used orignally to attach the grill cloth? When I received the speaker someone had just stuffed some thick brown speaker cloth in behind the molding edges and it wasn't taut. The grill cloth I'm thinking of using is a fairly stiff, thin material. Any suggestions would be appreciated! 

[der]

My suggestion is to make or have made a masonite frame with openings for the drivers to which you can staple new grill cloth.  I believe there is new cloth available that closely approximates the original.  Vintage AR sells masonite grills for the AR3a which are the same dimension. http://stores.ebay.com/VINTAGE-AR-PARTS-AND-SERVICE/SPEAKER-GRILLES-STANDS-/_i.html?_fsub=10827826&_sid=65919614&_trksid=p4634.c0.m322 

[JKent]

Welcome Tenor!

Be sure to download and read the AR-3a restoration guide. Much of it applies to your AR-1: http://www.classicspeakerpages.net/library/acoustic_research/original_models_1954-1974/original_models_schematicss/restoring_the_ar-3a/

Here is a photo of some 1Ws with the grilles on http://www.classicspeakerpages.net/library/acoustic_research/original_models_1954-1974/original_models_pictures/ar-1w_with_janszen_speakers/ar-1w_with_janszen_speakers.html

Here is Tom Tyson's AR-1 "naked": http://www.classicspeakerpages.net/library/acoustic_research/original_models_1954-1974/original_models_pictures/tom_tysons_ar-1/

I don't know how many grille options there were for the 1 (Tom would know) but I'm pretty sure one was saran, a plastic brille material that yellowed with age. It is now available from Mellotone but you have to buy a lot. I have a piece left, I think so if you want, take a look at this post: 

-Kent