JKent Posted May 28, 2012 Report Share Posted May 28, 2012 In this thread, http://www.classicspeakerpages.net/IP.Board/index.php?showtopic=7250&pid=92987&st=0entry92987 , Ron writes about the grille material he found that is a good match for the original Saran AR3 grille. He, I and another CSP member are discussing buying about 4 yards, which should be enough for 7 pair of speakers if my calculations are correct. I don't mind making the initial purchase (about $100), cutting it up and mailing it out. If a couple more members express an interest I'll go ahead. Please PM me.Kent Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bhamham Posted May 29, 2012 Report Share Posted May 29, 2012 Many thanks for taking this on Kent! It's greatly appreciated, there's nothing on this side of the world that comes close to the original. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leftyadk Posted August 13, 2012 Report Share Posted August 13, 2012 Is this offer still in effect? If so, I am interested.kng Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JKent Posted August 13, 2012 Author Report Share Posted August 13, 2012 HiI did order it and am dividing among 5 of us but there "may" be enough for one pair of grilles leftover. Give me a week, then send a PM.Kent Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ironlake Posted August 14, 2012 Report Share Posted August 14, 2012 vintage ar sells the original stuff and it matches the original right on. I have one mint ar 4x next to one restored 4x with the vintage ar stuff and you can not tell the difference. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JKent Posted August 15, 2012 Author Report Share Posted August 15, 2012 I'm a little confused. The 4x did not use the same grille material as the 3. The 4x used linen, like the 3a, and the best source for authentic linen is 1-2-3 Stitch, as described in the AR3a restoration booklet. As I understand it, Vintage AR sells a cheaper quality linen. The material he is selling for the AR3 is white linen and NOT (AFAIK) authentic to the AR3.Anyway, the discussion here is about AR3 grilles, which originally were made of Saran. The Saran yellowed with age. The Mellotone DF7022 is a modern speaker material that is as perfect a replacement as you can find.Kent Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RoyC Posted August 15, 2012 Report Share Posted August 15, 2012 Kent is correct...In fact, Larry L./"Vintage AR" is very interested in the AR-3 Mellotone DF7022 material as well. He does not offer an original type AR-3 grille material at present.For the AR-3a, 2ax, 4x, 5, 6 and 7, the 18ct Lambswool linen sold by 1-2-3 Stitch (as well as some other needle point linen sellers) is the most authentic.Roy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JKent Posted August 27, 2012 Author Report Share Posted August 27, 2012 There is some left so I posted it in the For Sale section. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rwhitebbq Posted January 20, 2014 Report Share Posted January 20, 2014 As a note to anyone purchasing this Saran grille fabric for your AR-3 restoration...Kent mentions the tendency for the fabric to fray on the edges. After some research, as well as contacting the manufacturer/distributor, the recommended cutting method is to use a "hot knife". I filed down an old soldering iron tip into a nice sharp chisel point, and used a metal straight edge on the good side of the cut - using a piece of Masonite as the cutting board. Had to experiment a bit to get the right cut speed, as too fast doesn't seal the good edge under the ruler, and too slow melts fabric under the ruler. However, "just right" seals the edge, lightly sticking it too the smooth Masonite. Lifting up shears the bond, and leaves a straight sealed edge, with a bit of slag to pick off. Hope this helps someone else.Randy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JKent Posted January 20, 2014 Author Report Share Posted January 20, 2014 Great suggestion Randy. I'll try that myself. Thanks for doing that research!One nit to pick: The original was Saran and it tended to turn yellow. The new stuff from Mellotone is polypropylene.Kent Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rwhitebbq Posted January 20, 2014 Report Share Posted January 20, 2014 Nit acknowledged, and picked ;-)I should have said "replacement for the Saran..." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rwhitebbq Posted January 29, 2014 Report Share Posted January 29, 2014 One additional tip, Kent, that may be helpful to you and others.As you mention, the fabric is stiff and holds a set from the roll. A few minutes heat from a hair dryer makes this stuff much easier to handle, hold, cut, etc., and greatly eases accurately laying the "aggressively tacky" frame on it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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