Tim Sr.

CECAA850 asked about the cleaner so I decided to get as much possible info for him The base company is Hammerl GmbH & Co. Joha Product line under painting accessories they now have a Joha cleaning and care set, and I think that is most likely the same or near identical formula. The cleaner I am using is now near 20 years old and came in 250, 500 ml and Liter. I am not sure about posting URL addresses for a commercial site so a quick google will fill in the blanks here. What is on the label that I can still make out, Raw Linseed oil 72%, Oil of Turp 17%, Ethanol 7%, Inert materials 3% I said I have tried to replicate the stuff with out success and is most likely the turpentine used at the time, and over the years I have learned there is a real difference in the types of turpentine's and that versus terps or turp oil. The big issue is when cleaning an old instrument, is that one turpentine will end up stripping the varnish where as another will not touch it, even if you wanted to strip (big no no) it off. Something to do with the species of the fir tree's from locale's, all chemistry actually. I have had to switch over to using a rag with turpentine mixed with boiled linseed for now as I realized this was going to wipe the rest of this cleaner. I am also realizing that the smoke has penetrated through the oil finish so am really looking at a refinish job for these. I tried to avoid that, but odor is not something that can be covered up. There is a lot of minor scratches into the wood surface, and hopefully not too deep to have gone through the laminate. If so then it will mean a tedious run of small repairs to fill in the voids. My biggest concern is the cane on the grills, as one has a nice coffee stripe down the middle from top, and depending on how long that has been there will determine if it can be removed, being cane is problematic in itself since coffee removal would require acidic types of treatment. So far they have been cleaned of the odor only, using a 5% mix glycerin 15% ethanol in cold water, then rinsed with cold water following the soak. They do not show the water stain marks (glad they came out) now but the coffee of course remains. I have gone so far as to look at replacement cane and the only one that comes close is the British Style Small Weave Cane Grill Cloth 32" Wide part# 6000009 Mojotone, and I am going to order that anyway, make new grill plates to mount that on, and store the originals away. Something I was wondering is about badges. There seems to not have been any badge work on these, so my curiosity asks is that true? was there Klipsch speakers that did not advertise who they were? I still have to resize the images for the 002 box and will upload them later. Side tracked to inventory the parts for the amps, orders are arriving now regular like. For me, this is all fun stuff. I am loving this project. Tim

Just heard: RIP Fats.

Timing that was the cleaner is a German mix with some linseed oil, Venetian turps and an unknown to us detergent. Primarily though is the Linseed, slow drying so can work it off as needed. I have played with a few mixes of my own but never attained the results that I get from this. as you can see in the pic how the stuff was just running off from a light spray coating. It used to be sold by Joha GMBH but I do not think they carry it anymore. so when mine is gone, it's back to elbow grease. Tim

I agree the cane is awesome, yet they are so laden with smoke, not too sure yet how to proceed, without damaging the cane structure. I think i will test small area's inside the the cover with a few of my shellac cleaners. meaning they clean shellac not remove it, designed more for organic materials like seedlac and resin (Rosin)(Pine Pitch) I think I will also order some cane somethings to play with, try to dissolve that and see what will and won't unravel the cellulose structure. So for now is gonna be a cigarette burn focus, after they stop stinking! Thank you for the replies Tim

Chuckling here: yes DizRotus and so do I. I have a major task ahead and honestly look forward to it. This is going to be one major cleaning job, almost to the point of the need to refinish them, but that is not my way. So I will continue to apply my oil based cleaner one coat at a time until the surface comes away clear. Now my question, attaching files here. There has got to be a limit and I do not remember catching that in the rules, so I shall ask what is reasonable according to this community? 2? 5?, 10 images per post? These things take up server space so I feel I should ask what the big fella's and ladies (moderators) think. I am going to reduce the images to around 500K each jpg or maybe 300K and offer to email full size if anyone wants. So for today Ill start with a few as found shots, and a nice one of the puddle being created with the cleaner from all the brown coating over them. I did get the house aired out good so no concerns for momma's health. I hope I am within my limit here only posting pics of the one speaker for this post. I will be happy to post the other speaker later. Note the nice burn on the top of this one. For now Tim

I have something interesting with the WINIsd program: I downloaded the program and installed it, clicked ok to run the program and wham Windows defender was not a happy camper. Has anyone else had any issues with the program or the install? Screen shot attached for reference. Tim

Hey Diz: faux-pro huh looks very good! and I am not one to favor the dark imagery, always working with flamed maple and grinding pigments into shellac to attain that perfect match on Violins, it's training really, so always shy'd away from the new black instrument look. It has it 's place though and this is a great example of well done. They look sharp! Pics are on the way , probably after I take them (sunlight) and a nap. And a nose wash (reference to my other post in General Info) If I can not save these poor puppies Ill have to call on you to faux pro again, just kidding though, I really want to see how they looked on the showroom floor. Be well, Peace Tim

Hey Diz: Wow nice offer there, and very much appreciated. I do have a few tricks left here to be able to sample the new speakers. It is a long story but all my main gear is locked up storage for a while, so I am taking the opportunity to build a rather nice toy, or shall we say compliment to the Speakers :). I currently have been living with an Altec 2.1 mini thing and the computer for most of my music. Of which I can tolerate for a bit longer. Helps keep the goal of finish in the forefront too. I will have to holler at History Kid to find out what he is spinning on. I broke down and picked up a Project Debut II Carbon a month ago, just can not take the digital on my ears anymore. Not bad, took a bit to get into balance but otherwise I am actually impressed with it. Another project I have and had to put on hold, *sigh*, building a transcription table. Well I will have that for later on and more time to ponder the total look I was going for. Waiting for the sun to creep out so I can get a few pics now, camera is all charged up, so just a matter of pushing a button. Dying to get cleaning them up, the stench of the ashtray has been an overwhelming experience. So Pictures, disassembly and long hot bath.... Tim

I have started a thread in Technical now with some data. pics to follow soon, charging camera waiting for good light. hope to see you there Do we need to close this thread by chance? Tim

I have been yakkin with a few members over in the general info section, learning what I can about a pair of speakers I was to get. They have arrived and I can finally offer some proper data on the creatures. Heresy Oiled Oak with cane grills. SN: 161Y002&3, sadly the labels are torn. If I interpret the wonderful codex on the forum these are 161st batch numbers 002 and 003, or the 160002 and 160003 unit made in 1983. I bet I am off by 2000 here.... Tweeter is K-77-M, Squawker is a K-53-H, and the woofer is K-22-K, the crossover is the E-2. I have to wait for for good lighting to get some initial (Ugly) photos of them as arrived, plus I have forgotten to charge the camera battery. In this light I can see they are not as nice of shape as I had thought they were, but only time will tell what can be reversed and what can not. On unit 003 there is a bad cigarette burn near the back on the right side. I have ahead of me some real serious cleaning to do as well, as they are coated in tar and nicotine, and I can not be sure that the few water stains are in the wood or the extra shellac they have accumulated. The only I am sure of is that the drivers have no holes or show any abuse, other than a half inch of caked in dust and grime, ok it is actually about an 1/8th inch thick in reality. These need to be carefully cleaned and examined before allowing any juice to flow through them. I will post pics tomorrow Tim

Oh I hear you on that one, yes, seems that a lot of planning was done to determine the best way to reroute people, disrupt sleep, and create road interference as if it was a football game. I agree with dtel's wife on going to the 2018 Pilgrimage, sadly can no longer make the long trips away. I have to finish an inventory of parts here, and get that put away before the speakers arrive if I plan on being able to do any photos. My timing was impeccable starting this new project, having started the new amplifier build just prior.But having "the" speakers the amp will be married to, is the best thing while building it. So actually is perfect timing, just going to be busy through the holidays for sure. Ill get a thread opened tomorrow in the Technical sub-forum once I get pic's of as delivered. Till then Tim

Wow, I like this place! Lot of thought and response. Ceptorman: I imagine images of the violin work will creep there way into the photos I post of the restoration process, If not I'll toss a few unsuspecting images in along the way. Nothing major going at the moment, a few bow repairs and a couple half finished violins. The History Kid: should be grumbling at me hearing the rocks I threw on your roof! Too cool how the big internet has not squelched Local communication! I have to chuckle! dwiLawyer: thank you. and dtel's wife: thank you. you all have made this a very nice start for me. I am getting anxious now to get started, always is harder the last 24 hours of waiting. Once I start the restoration, is there a particular place to post the process? A preferred sub-forum? I believe the technical/Modifications might be the most fitting, arguing that only the technical part fits, since I plan not to modify but restore these. Tim

Well what a nice and warm welcome here, thank you! The History Kid: Eastern Iowa, Davenport meaning I have to claim City Kid LOL, but with Farming experience too ricktate: I have a lot to learn yet on what these were from factory, once I can grab a serial # and start the research, Ill be sniffing out things like this button or other missing decorations. I am sure the connections all have oxidized, and yes that will be taken are of. Peter P.: Yes I agree with testing the caps as well, no need to change them "if" they meet the specs off of and under load. I can do some vigorous testing for sure and since I plan to keep as original as possible, this will be part of the process. willland, Bill: I am hoping that the previous owner has not done anything to these, so that I can assess little details of the original build, but yes we will see soon. Cabinets looked like original finish at least with all the grit,grime and dings in place, so a really good cleaning will be first order, then evaluation of ding damage. Ceptorman: I'll admit I am much more comfortable within the madness, and do feel rather empty when away from it so hopefully I will fit in here. Now about these pictures... I guess I will have to choose carefully what ones I shall post, since I will be taking a few while seeing to the restoration. So the plan is to get em here, take initial as found pictures, do a cleaning, begin careful disassembly, measure all components for integrity, and then develop a plan for the restorations. I am hoping to bring these to the factory release condition, and I will add rubber seals where necessary that can be removed with no modifications to the cabinets. Over Kill for what they probably are, but is how I am. Comes from Violin restorations, and the rules we have to work by. Never change the makers work, bring it forth to be admires! I am excited of course because I love a good project. Again THANK YOU for such a nice welcome Tim

Hello everyone, from Iowa. I have been reading through much of the current postings and this seems like a good group of people. I will receive my Klipsch speakers on Tuesday, and at this time, can not really give much info on them. It was a deal that one can not walk away from. No matter what model or year. I know that Klipsch speakers are the better choice especially for tube amps, and that is the issue I was facing in the near future, of what speaker to build/buy. Then a neighbor mentions he wants to sell/get rid of some old speakers, so I had to look. 12" woofer, Large mid horn (Squawker) I guess that's what its called, and smaller tweeter horn, cabinets slanted to the floor, wedge base, and barrier strip terminals on the back. The front covers are removable, but that was all the time we had to get a good look at these. I figured I couldn't go wrong so on that one short observation told him Ill take em. From what I have seen on the internet they look like Heresy or Heresy I. So, paid for, take delivery Tuesday and Ill be the new owner of a pair of Klipsch. Sadly the amp wont be finished much before March if all goes well. But till then Ill find a way to drive them. Also I am sure that they are going to need to be recapped, so will want to hear what everyone thinks on Capacitor brands. So that is my hello here. Tim