The poetry of life can often arrive when you come full circle. It’s when you end at the beginning and realize what the journey has been about. Okay… so let’s go back to the beginning… It all started more than a decade ago during a conversation with “C,” the owner of the world’s largest collection…
All prefect until…
Here we have one 555 diaphragm that has now been replaced from 13Audio inventory. The western electric 555 is now back to factory specifications and the owner can enjoy. This driver was purchased by the owner online at eBay. All the readings were correct and the voice coil was 12,7ohms, just about where it should…
Red dots ?
The mysterious western electric red dot diaphragms….blogs, websites, forums discuss this matter. Some claim it’s superior sound when paired with the ringing sheet steel western electric 16a horn. That red dots are more suitable for bass than the “non red dot” versions. Some are keen to pay top dollar to have “red dot diaphragms “…
Resistor Mag
https://resistormag.com/features/western-electric-horn-systems-time-travel-with-tim-gurney/ Rafe Arnott, Editor at Resistor Mag talks about what what they stand for and I am happy to be on the same page today. All fun…. “Resistor Mag favors cultural over commercial impact; handbuilt craftsmanship over effective branding. We will remain fairly indifferent about measurements and specifications, while placing a premium on the more enduring…
Brass insert tool
So I am asked how do you remove the brass insert from the cast iron throat? https://13audio.com/2015/03/18/essential-part-brass-insert-for-we555-driver-to-throat/ This is the tool used back then and today. Just don’t use a screwdriver and a hammer! Some throats have a locking pin inserted to block the brass insert. These are near impossible to remove without drilling out….
Solid wood rules…
Whilst finishing a pair of solid wood 16a horns I couldn’t resist taking a photo to share. Here 16a solid wood sections catching the soft light in my workroom. All hand made in solid wood shaped by hand, no CNC tools, no Plywood or sheet steel….not for me! Keep it real. I’ve been handcrafting replica…
True Blue : Original Drawings
Did Western Electric have blueprints and precise building instructions for the numerous horns they designed, tested, modified, and finally ticked off for production and installation ? Well, I’ve heard individuals claim they just didn’t. Really? Just a glance at the wonderful book written by my good friends Bjørn Kolbrek and Thomas Dunker should be enough…
Having fun in the Alps!
Nice setup here with stereo western electric 13a and 12a hand crafted by 13Audio. 13Audio crossovers get the horns playing in a cohesive manner. It will take sometime to get it all balanced. So for now? All fun…
Solid Wood Western Electric 16a
Why didn’t they make the 16a horn in solid wood 90 years ago? The Western Electric 16a horn was manufactured in steel yet the patent mentions wood, steel, or any other appropriate materials. However, steel was the only material known to have been used. From a mass production perspective, this makes sense; thousands of 16a…
