revitalization of my RTA-12c's

Sea

I have a pair of 12c's that I bought new in 1984. They still sound good but I know could be better. I am the process of replacing the tweeters with RDO-094, securing the drivers with hurricane nuts, dynamatting, BH5 and rebuilding the crossovers.

These are currently covered with Rosewood vinyl that has 30 years of bumps, scrapes, etc. I have ordered a piece of Rosewood veneer. I plan to strip the vinyl off and prep the surface.

I am trying to decide how best to attach the veneer. I have zero experience. Based on a ton of internet research, I think I have three options.

1. Contact cement
2. Cold press glue
3. Heat activated glue (Iron)

The cold press option would be the hardest to implement. particularly the top. The sides would not be too tough.

I would appreciate some guidance from those of you that have experience. I am especially hopeful that F1Nut will chime in. I know that his wood working skills are top notch.

metalmike65

I have seen a video guide on simplyspeakers.com. He used a spray adhesive and a heat gun. By the way where did you find the rosewood vinyl?

Sea

JSO Wood Products in Louisville, KY.

metalmike65

Thanks, just checked simplyspeakers and the how to video isn't there anymore. I watched a video on how to put new speaker cloth on and at the end it had a youtube link on how to put vinyl on. It was awhile ago sorry about the misinformation. I did watch the video and he used spray adhesives on both the cabinet and the vinyl,let it get tacky and applied the vinyl starting on the bottom and working his way around the cabinet. He used a heat gun to get better adhesion on the corners. I hope this helps.

Sea

For clarification, my speakers currently have the original VINYL. I am planning to remove it and apply real wood veneer.

Faustin

There seem to be mixed opinions on removing the vinyl or just preparing it properly and applying the wood veneer over it. I re veneered my 12's last summer and went right over the vinyl. I used the PSA veneer that has the 3M contact cement on the back. A little more money, but to me, a lot less hassle. I am sure that other members with more woodworking skills will chime in.

Sea

Those look great. What kind of finish did you use?

Sea

Bump

Faustin

The finish is a natural cherry stain with 6 coats of hand rubbed polyurathane.

Sea

When I did my 1C's I replaced the poly switches with 0.5 resistors as was suggested by many. My 12c's have an inline fuse. Will I get the same sonic improvement by removing?

drumminman

I bought my 12C's in the summer of '84, at a now defunct audio store called Woofer & Tweeter, so they may be from the same production run as yours. I've always had a fondness for these and they image very well for non SDA speakers.

I've done all the mods I can think of except replacing the SL 1000's and the fuses: Xovers (both upper and lower) rebuilt with Sonicaps Mills, rewired with Teflon PCOCC wire, BH 5 installed behind MW's, Hurricane nuts, spikes, MW's dynamatted.

After using my newly modded CRS+ in the HT for burn in and hearing the clarity, I'm ready to get the RD-0194's. (Gotta say though that the Sonicap/mills have the SL1000's sounding pretty good.)

I still have the fuses so I can't answer from experience, but I've replaced the stock fuses in my PA with ones from Synergistic Research, and it made a clearly audible improvement. I'm guessing that using a resistor in place of the fuse would yield similar results. When I do the tweeters I'll do this as well.

Mine still have the Genuine Rosewood Vinyl veneer

Did you finish your 2.3TL's?

Sea

I have ordered and am waiting on the tweeters for both the 12c's and the 2.3TL's. I still have to build one crossover and the 2.3TL's will be ready reassemble. Would a 0.5 ohm resistor be correct in place of the fuse?

drumminman

Don't know the value, but that's what I'll probably start with. If it's too much you can try a 0.2 or 0.3.

Where did you purchase you 12C's ?

Sea

I don't remember the name but it was a stereo shop in Wilmington NC. I wanted SDA 1 or 2 (can't remember) but could not afford them. I paid 400 each. This was a lot of money in 1984,especially to me. This is a link to a sales document that came with them.
forum.polkaudio.com/discussion/161646/early-rta-12c-sales-document

drumminman

I wanted the SDA's as well, but they were too much money. I went from a pair of ADS L-700's to these and it was a substantial upgrade.

strokin

Sea wrote: »

JSO Wood Products in Louisville, KY.

I live right here in Louisville, how convenient for me .