Trippigs Posted February 13, 2019 Share Posted February 13, 2019 I have an opportunity to purchase a pair but don’t know much about them.....only know what is captured on vintage sales flyers. I haven’t seen them in person but photos indicate the cabinets to be in great condition. Have requested photos of the insides. Does anyone have an opinion or experience with this model which seems pretty rare? Thanks in advance Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marvel Posted February 13, 2019 Share Posted February 13, 2019 @Mallette Dave is the one to ask... 😉 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mallette Posted February 13, 2019 Share Posted February 13, 2019 These are very rare. Not having heard them I can only say that I've never heard a Frazier that wasn't equal to or the best in class. In good shape and right priced, I'd jump on them. Dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trippigs Posted February 13, 2019 Author Share Posted February 13, 2019 Hi Dave...this is in keeping with my gut feel. A sleeper brand, good quality, a devout following, some collector appeal, rare, etc. I am going to move forward so wish me luck Thanks for the feedback 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YK Thom Posted February 14, 2019 Share Posted February 14, 2019 Looks like a great opportunity that shouldn’t be missed. Hopefully the sale goes through and I look forward to hearing your impressions. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kevinmi Posted February 14, 2019 Share Posted February 14, 2019 Can;t go wrong with Fraziers. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trippigs Posted February 14, 2019 Author Share Posted February 14, 2019 I got the speakers today and am pleased given what I paid. They have consecutive serial numbers. The cabinets and grills are in very good condition. One is missing a back panel. Upon opening the other back panel I realized the internal configurations are not alike. Only one has a doghouse ( like LaScalas) which makes sense given the relationship with Klipsch. Only one has ports. The workmanship in the modifications is good. Just gotta figure out which is correct 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
glens Posted February 15, 2019 Share Posted February 15, 2019 Which one sounds better? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trippigs Posted February 15, 2019 Author Share Posted February 15, 2019 Good question! I have yet to hook them up.....got caught up with the insides. But will tomorrow 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trippigs Posted February 15, 2019 Author Share Posted February 15, 2019 The FUG site on Facebook had a photo of a Symphonetta with the top off! So I now know the one on the right is original.....great. It is a folded horn design with a single coaxial driver. Someone spent quite some time modifying the one on the left but I think the cabinet can be properly restored. Taking the top off might be a challenge. I plan on cleaning and hooking them up tomorrow....gonna be fun 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pzannucci Posted February 15, 2019 Share Posted February 15, 2019 Those are probably from the mono days. They both may be correct. Judging from the slots, Frazier was working a lot with "Helmholtz resonators" (slotted ports) and those look quite clean. Not sure it wasn't some transition from the factory but no clue. I would modify to the one that sounds better in your room if you want to make them equivalent unless you can find that the slot loaded one has remnants of the original design (would it would have to) under the fiberglass. Gives you some options. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trippigs Posted February 15, 2019 Author Share Posted February 15, 2019 Fantastic! I will look closely for remnants of a doghouse inside the slotted one. This set may be very unique in that it captures a factory transition while having sequential serial numbers. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
glens Posted February 15, 2019 Share Posted February 15, 2019 If they're in fact sequential product and both as-delivered (I agree they seem more like mono units), then that would make them even more valuable as a pair, IMO, and wouldn't perform any modifications. I'm still curious if one sounds any better. Judging by the verbiage in the image in the earlier post (Longer "vent" path) I'd be inclined to go with the "doghouse" version as being unmodified, but for the exposed fiberglass... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trippigs Posted February 15, 2019 Author Share Posted February 15, 2019 I carefully looked around inside the ported one and see no remnants of a doghouse. Also, don’t see any fiberglass....all wood. Got one working and the driver functions ok. The other has a wire connection issue at the power transformer which I may be able to fix.....moving forward 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ceptorman Posted February 15, 2019 Share Posted February 15, 2019 Interested also if there are any sound difference. Very cool old speakers. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marvel Posted February 15, 2019 Share Posted February 15, 2019 The sad thing is there are no plans for these to be found anywhere. Unless someone demolishes on to measure and make drawings, a lot of Jack Fraizer's designs will remain somewhat of a mystery. The Dixielander is a somewhat complex build, and what is available in drawings has been debated as to the accuracy. Those both look really nice, though. Bruce Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
glens Posted February 16, 2019 Share Posted February 16, 2019 7 hours ago, Trippigs said: Also, don’t see any fiberglass....all wood. What's that up the right side inside the outer wall of the one with the doghouse? Looks like insulation - that's what I was talking about. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trippigs Posted February 16, 2019 Author Share Posted February 16, 2019 Ah.....I now understand. Yes there is insulation inside both cabinets. It is stapled and possibly glued as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pzannucci Posted February 16, 2019 Share Posted February 16, 2019 So in the ported version, there are no remains or anything that looks like something was screwed down like the dog house was removed under the fiberglass? If not, definitely mono units which were in transition. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DizRotus Posted February 16, 2019 Share Posted February 16, 2019 It seems to me that each is original. As @pzannucci said above, they appear to reflect a transition in Frazier design. I’d be reluctant to modify either. I look forward to reading and seeing more about these. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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