Although some things are a good find on eBay, the shipping can kill you, whether you're selling or buying, especially with heavy stuff like this.
A fuzzy photograph, but described as columns (I have an affinity for them, more on that later), so I called and made a trip to see them.
Here were two 5 foot columns. Looks as if they spent the better part of a year outdoors. Dusty, stained and ripped. I could see the outline of 8 speakers in each column.
Looking at the back of one, there was an electric cord and 1/4" jack input. Nothing in the ad stated "powered" speakers.
The lady said they'd been used for stereo speakers for a while...(been there, done that!)
I handed her the $50 and loaded them into the SUV.
I stumble upon a couple blogs where I find out they're 100 watt powered columns!
Only one column still had the power amp inside, the other had been gutted.
So, I start tearing them down.
Each column had eight 10" speakers. I got lucky, only 3 were beyond repair!
So, the start of a new project; resurrecting them.
Gutted with amp hanging out
Paper plates make a great paint shield!
The speakers boards were removed and rusty, loose and broken hardware replaced and boards were painted. Broken/torn speakers replaced.
Found 3 very inexpensive replacement speakers at a little electronics shop in Phoenix.
Heck, there's probably only one mom and pop electronics shop left here so I might as well give them a plug, Capital Electronics Supply. If they don't have it or can't get it, no one can. Prices are right, too. It's where I got all the materials I needed to make the foot switch for the Kustom K250-4.
I had enough speaker grille cloth left over from my Kustom amp repair to do both columns. That helped make this repair a lot cheaper.
Looking into the back
A view from the back
Close up of the amp.
Now the test. All the speakers work, but the amp had been disconnected long ago and the speakers wired directly to outputs for a home stereo.
A study of the amp showed no signs of damage. All circuit boards and fuses intact.
There's no volume control so whatever powers them needs to have the control.
I connect the wires up to the back plate input and speakers to the output, grab my daughter's little Kustom amp and plug it into the headphone output.
MAN! THIS SUCKER IS LOUD!!!
So, I drilled another hole in the back plate, install another output from the amp and install an input on the cab without the amp. Ran a cord over to it and BINGO! Plenty of power for both columns!
I wonder how that will sound with a cord from my "monitor out" jack on the Kustom K250-4? So, I connect the two........
OMG! I've created a MONSTER! I'm surprised the neighbors didn't call the cops!
Once again I place my recent prize up on Craig's list and it gets bought.
But I got to enjoy them for a little while.
