The Steel Guitar Forum

I recently bought a JBL K130 on ebay. Is there way to tell by looking at the cone if it's original? The speaker looks and sounds excellent. The cone looks like what I would expect for a speaker that old, but still in great shape. Not shiny like a new re-cone job.

Is there an easy way to know for sure?

Might be a cone code stamped on the back of the cone.

Look for the number 21057 stamped on the back side of the cone. If it's there it's either an original or a JBL recone with all the correct components.

Look at where the spider meets the edge of the frame, if there is any glue showing, it is probably a re-cone.

21057, it's a keeper!

Tommy, a word of caution. Just because it's original don't mean it's a great speaker. I was once told by someone in the community that knows what he's talking about, that "there is no great ones still out there". Age has played it's part on them. I've bought about 6 of the K130's that were original and had to get them all reconned.

Dave, thanks for the advice. I guess I'll know it's time for a recone when it stops sounding great like it does now.

Is there any way a JBL K130 cone can be original without the number stamped inside the cone?

Ron,
Are there any numbers stamped on the cone? Probably not the original cone without the 21057 number, but
it might be an actual JBL recone kit in it however. JBL was supplying E130 kits for that speaker up until
they discontinued kits for the older speakers. I installed lots of them-I used to do service for JBL.

Jeff

Thanks so much for getting back to me Jeffrey no there are no visible numbers apparently on the inside of the cone whatsovere


The seller tells me that when he holds it up to the light you can see the light come through where the cone meets which apparently is how they're supposed to be but I honestly don't know..This is for a Sho Bud amplifier which I originally had JBL D130s,so I'm trying to get it as close to spec as possible being fully aware that a JBL K130 from age might not have much life left in it.

I hear that if it is not the original speaker or an original JBL recone that it's not really Worth having redone by anyone else.

I would say that is definitely not the original cone.
It looks like an aftermarket cone--not from JBL.
Gaskets are wrong color and wrong material for JBL parts.
The surround(outer edge of cone) looks wrong also. It should look like this picture

I thought it wasn't right and gave it a swerve,thank you so much for confirming!Really invaluable advice I really appreciate it thanks again!

When you see a speaker with a gasket is that is "pieced" (usually 4 pieces) that's a good sign that it's had a re-cone. That's not necessarily a bad thing because sometimes a speaker that's been re-coned can sound better than an original one with a cone that's old and dry. For a musician, if it sounds good, it is good. Only collectors care about maximum vintage value because they're super-picky. And yes, they can tell if a speaker's ever been removed or replaced, even if it was replaced with an identical original speaker!

Thats a very useful tip for spotting a recone, thanks. And I agree, especially with something that old that a recone would be welcome if it sounded good or preserved the character of the speaker,(and amp) .In this particular case however I'd been told by every source I've contacted that if it wasn't reconed with a long discontinued jbl recone kit the differences in voice coil and material would wind up sounding nothing like a K130 and, as this is for a Sho Bud single channel restoration that originally had a D130,I may as well try to just get a new speaker. I'm in the UK so a Weber isn't an option unfortunately and the Eminence EPS-15c's are out of production, so finding a speaker that will fit the bill is going to be tough, (when I found this Sho Bud it had an Eminence ME15 300 in it).
Great tips on this forum, I'm genuinely grateful to the members.

Ron,
Too bad we're not located closer. I have a few of the JBL D130F speakers I am working on. One of them would be perfect for the Sho Bud amp.
Good luck finding a speaker.

Jeff

Thank you so much Jeff for your' invaluable advice, and really wish I could benefit from your expertise and just buy the real deal from you, maybe if tour dates take me through in the future-I'll make this Cain as good as I can get it -Eminemce Travis Troy and Paul Franklin PF350 look like the only reasonable alternatives-

Hey guys, for what it's worth I just reconed both my D130s.I bought the kits from Soundspeaker.com The kits are completely disassembled. You have to build the kit. The correct materials and voice coil built to JBL specs' This was my first attempt at speaker recone.It was tedious, but it worked great! I put them in a pair of Peavey bandits and get comps all the time on the tone. Check them out! they have videos of how to step by step! The kits are correct down to the gasket material, and you can get either a cloth or paper surround.

Dan, how long ago did you buy kits? Website is dead and for sale. Thanks

https://www.simplyspeakers.com/jbl-spea ... -kits.html

Far as I know, this Fla. company is still active. They offer DIY kits for many brands.

Anyone not interested or able for a DIY job and seeking an in house speaker recone would be wise to contact forum member Jeffrey Maxwell though. His work is excellent and his prices are fair.

Jerry thanks, I was just at their website and it's active. Never tried reconing a speaker but I have 2 D120F out of my 135w twin that needs it. Good winter project.