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Hi, everyone! I'm new to this forum, so I am just learning the ropes. But, I am in a tough situation. I just looked at a Leslie model 145 today, and I might buy it. The only problem is that, I had no way to hear it. But, I may be able to get this speaker at a bargain price. So, buy the speaker, and hope nothing is wrong, or pass on the deal and keep searching. Thanks.
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Re: Leslie Speaker 145
I like this dilemma. Of course, it matters what the bargain is. I've bought a couple untestable 145's, and I've been lucky so far. I think my personal cut-off is $400, provided I can check out a few things visually:</p>
Go with some tools and a flashlight. Take the back off. Is is clean? super dusty? rodent poo and nestage? Unplug the 15" speaker and take out the 8 screws. Take it out and check it over. Holes? rust? mold? Gently press on the cone evenly in four spots at once--voice coil rub? </p>
Unplug the four motors from the amp. Get an extension cord and plug them in one at a time. Does one of the rotors move fast or slow when you plug each in?
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Take out the amp. Remove the speaker plug, remove the two nuts and lift the front and gently slide it out. Are the tubes decent looking, not all white, still some gettering (the chrome-looking stuff) left on the top or sides? Look underneath the amp. Anything melted or burned? Any ugly looking DIY tractor mechanic solder work? </p>
If it passes these tests, it's probably fine. Of course, everything is fixable, but there comes a point when a person is better off paying more for a working unit. If you do discover problems, point them out and make that part of the bargain.
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I gave this same info to a buddy who traveled a good distance to pick up a 145. It was a hassle to get electricity to the area, he didn't have tools, and the seller was impatient, so he didn't bother to do all the checking, paid $600 for a ratty looking 145, only to discover later that the top rotor was busted and both drivers were blown, in addition to the usual maintenance issues of caps, cleaning motors, etc. He could have had a shiny minty 145 for what he ended up paying. Don't be that guy!
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Good Luck!
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Re: Leslie Speaker 145
...you've gotten some excellent advice here already. I would only add this: the condition of the cabinet can tell you a lot. A Leslie that's beat up on the outside has likely been gigged, which means it almost certainly will have a blown (or non-original) treble driver - the original Jensens were never designed to be pushed as hard as gigging rock bands push them. And with rock guys, you also tend to find geniuses who have monkeyed around with tubes, crossovers, and even jerry-rigged the internal amp circuitry -- I speak from (painful) experience here. By contrast a Leslie that still has a nice finish, maybe just a few scratches or vacuum-cleaner dings and sometimes a water ring on the top from Aunt Mildred's potted plant - that's more likely to be pristine inside too.</P>
But even with a "home" Leslie you can run into problems with storage conditions -- see above re: rodents (been there, smelled that! yuck) Or even worse, moisture... be sure to check out the wood for signs of water damage. Lots of these Leslies got chucked into garages and basements when they stopped being loved, so water can be areal problem. If you see signs of water damage to the wood, plus rust on the amp, run! --unless the price is, say, $150 or less. In short caveat emptor - and good luck. Scott</P>Nobody loves me but my mother,
And she could be jivin' too...
--BB KingComment
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Re: Leslie Speaker 145
Thanks for all of your advice. It should be very helpful. Basically the guy wants $650 for somthing I can't hear! Yeah right!! Thats gonna be a major pointer to talk the price down. My highest offer on this, is probably going to be $450. Let's hope for the best!Comment
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Re: Leslie Speaker 145
I wound up not buying it. But I may be looking at a 25 sometime soon[:D]
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Re: Leslie Speaker 145
does itComment
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Re: Leslie Speaker 145
work, how does this saga end?Comment
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