• The move to the new server is done. There are some software and database maintenance updates in process. This has us passing the hat around to help out. We appreciate any donations. Seriously, even a dollar helps. The payment page may be found here - https://www.audiokarma.org/support.html

Uh oh, more JBLs (L20Ts)

Zonker92

Zonker92

All shiny and chrome
Couldn't help myself; clean L20Ts on Craigslist; $125. I just had to buy them, "for a friend."

Plans are, before said friend gets them, to get that little dent out of the tweeter, clean everything, and rebuild the crossovers with new caps and (as needed) the other components needed to bring them up to T3 spec. New oil and wax on the veneer and clean the grill cloths.

Before:

JBLL20Tsbefore_zps340664e2.jpg


Or I could do charge-coupled 4406 networks. :scratch2:

:music:
 
Register to hide this ad
do they have rubber surrounds? They look mint except for that tweeter. To think i passed on a pair of L20s in the past. for cheap to. if i knew then...
 
Yeah, rubber. They are very clean. One tiny corner ding (rear bottom) and that little tweeter dent, and of course faded grill cloth and faded veneer. And some very, very minor scratches in the veneer here and there (steam out). Otherwise perfect.

So tiny! So cute!
 
id say. kinda makes you want to cuddle with tehm when youre off to sleep eh? :D

I like the way tehy have wrap around veneer on em. Only other pair with that have been my koss pair. Just a tad bigger then the L80's i got. come to think of it they are quite similar in the drivers but different makes is all. And different tuning and all.
 
I just finished restoring some L80Ts for my son, and the veneer is total crap on this whole series: L18, 20, 60, 80, 100. I have read that it's really a pressed and printed "wood product" that some call spaghetti veneer. It lifts and chips like a bastard.

But it's fine on these, thank the Lawd.
 
yeah thats what ive been reading my self. Would spreading howards stuff on em help to pretty tehm up a bit? Not the restore a finish one though.

The walnut on my koss is antiquated looking. I think its some type of varnish not sure, There is a thread floating around on here on them. Not too far back i dont think.
Dang it. almost time for me to go learn some more of my lesson in life. I enjoy reading about JBL's when i first got mine i had like 7 pages at a time on my browser reading all i could. Been meaning to going back to do another search on em.
 
Those are so cute Z! :)

I would have grabbed those! Nice veneer and I'll bet they sound great.

The baby Ti's would be cool too! :yes:
 
Thanks, Bob! :D

Budget, I took the L80Ts down to their raw veneer and then, just for the heck of it, wiped them with Howard's Restor-A-Finish in "Walnut," then put Watco Teak Oil on them, then Howard's Feed'N'Wax. Here is the result. I like how it turned out and may do the same thing with the L20Ts. Before and after:

Before1.jpg


DSC_3098.jpg


DSC_3197.jpg
 
Nice score on the L20T's. Actually would like to know how they sound compared to the 4406 in a direct comparison.
 
The L20T is not really improved with the T3 crossover trick that works so well on the L80T. Difference between the two is very small.

Cabinets respond very well to a little bit of Howard's or some Watco. They're a very capable little speaker usually purchased for less than the value of their tweeters. Only the L1 works better in that size.
 
The veneer being what it is, how did you sand down to teh raw veneer? Is it that you took of the original coating then used restore a finish? If so i just may try it some time. Ive got some Walnut R-A-F as well they look much better in that finish then in the blond oak they have.

Mine are also slated for my sons room as well. With the Koss CM 1020 to take their place, in the living room. Will find out some time how the two compare against each other...im thinking the koss will out. They have heppner woofers and Mids along with peerless tweets...Titanium against the peerless should be interesting to compare against each other.

Or even the M&K S-1 satellites "I DONT KNOW" at this point.
 
Thanks, Tony! Love your avatar; looks just like our dog; same happy face. :D

5uje8yga.jpg


Budget, as I recall, I went over the veneer with a sponge and mild detergent/water solution, patched some veneer with grafts from the area hidden by the plinths, then gently hand sanded with ... 400? ... I think. I might have started with something coarser. But really, all I did was get the thinnest coating of roughness and grime off.
 
Last edited:
OK. I think ill go over these with olde english using a fine steel wool. Then wipe them down with a clean cloth and wait a few days and use the R-A-F. Kind of leery of using water and detergent.
I just notice the "thinnest coating of roughness" part up there. If mine are smooth already i think ill just use the restore a finish with the steel wool. Unless there is a finish on them i should take off first.?

edit dont forget to post pics of the finished project for us junkies.
 
Sounds good. I'm no expert by any means; I just experiment a lot. Just to be clear, though, I only used a damp sponge; I didn't get the veneer truly wet.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom