Mystery solved, JBL C48 Madison info needed

[Greg Nal]

Welcome to "Guess That JBL" where the points don't matter and everyone is a winner. For your viewing pleasure today, a mystery pair of JBL speakers.Cabinet measurements are 11 3/4" X 13 1/4" X 24" two way 8" driver (the cone measures about 8 1/2", the with Lansalloy surround and aluminum (?) tweeter.

Based on the ! logo, the speaker connection on back I'd say these are early 60's. I love the concave speaker grill and the MCM design. Looking for someone who can identify these beauties and suggestions on how to increase the flexibility of the lansalloy (brake fluid?) Also the wood case on one is pretty bunged up so I'd love suggestions on how best to make it whole. I'm comfortable with general restoration, re-capping and can probably figure out re-veneering, but never had the pleasure of working with Lansalloy.

Greg

 

[Greg Nal]

I found it in the Lansing Heritage catlog archives! It's a C48 Madison, 1962 with LE 8 driver, LE 30 tweeter and LX 3-1 crossover.

Anyone have any history with this speaker?

 

[donprice]

I know nothing about them except that I would skip the brake fluid and go straight to replacing the surrounds with new foam.

 

[nedseg]

Pretty similar driver load to the Bel-Aire, I think?
BTW, I calculated that a JBL 308 should fit rather nicely inside one of those (Bel-Aire) cabinets

 

[brucew]

Over 2 years late on this.....

http://www.lansingheritage.org/images/jbl/catalogs/1962/page22-23.jpg

I think that is a LE10 driver in the C48 of the OP, as it does not use the A28 adapter plate noted in the above link

I have C48 with LE8 and adapter plate, no tweeter, but a port vent to help the bottom end.

 

[Nyjblbob]

It’s rare to find a pair with Good Le30’s most I‘ve seen are ruined

 

[brucew]

 

[Kingsin7]

I picked up these two pairs recently. I recognized the LE30 and the Lansaloy surrounds on the small set as JBL, but deduced they were a custom home-build cabinet.

Just saw a pic of these online today and was glad to hear they are a lesser-known JBL speaker model.

I also recognized the Altec cabs next to them when I was picking through a storage unit.

Turns out those had 604E's in them after I cracked em open when I got home. Was a good day..

 

[Nyjblbob]

Wow Good day is an understatement.
How are the Le30's? Never even seen a pair not dented
they could be real cabinets
no markings on the back?

 

[Kingsin7]

Wow Good day is an understatement.
How are the Le30's? Never even seen a pair not dented
they could be real cabinets
no markings on the back?

They seem fine. I have another loose pair I got in a deal years ago, also un-dented.

The JBL XO housing is on the back, it's just the cabs seem a little cheap and clunky. They appear to be factory after reviewing the pics in this post, though. I guess they are just early 60s cabinets and not the quality you would later expect from JBL.