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AR3a Improved - almost


VintageMan

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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?

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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.

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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 :rolleyes:

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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.....

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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.

post-173498-0-29076200-1429148019_thumb.

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

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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.

attachicon.gifAR-11.jpg

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

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.

Roy

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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.

Roy

I didn't think it looked normal... makes me wonder what happened to the other speaker :)

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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!

DSC02500.JPG

DSC02501.JPG

DSC02502.JPG

DSC02503.JPG

So I'm in need/search for a AR3 Improved woofer ^_^

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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 ...

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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.

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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

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  • 2 weeks later...

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 :wub:

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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 :)

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  • 4 weeks later...
  • 1 month later...

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.

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