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Post by MartinT on Jun 20, 2014 18:36:18 GMT
Here's a photo story of my rebuilding of a pair of classic Gale GS-401C speakers bought on e-Bay as 'breaking for spares' for very little money. These are the rarer US ones, made when Ira Gale moved to America. The basic carcasses were fine, as were the driver coils (not the surrounds), but the crossovers were completely burnt out. The veneers were so-so, with some nasty cup marks on the top/bottom surfaces.
Condition as bought (grills removed).
One set of drivers. Note the bass surrounds. The mids were less damaged, but still pierced. The tweeters measured fine, but were in a poorly way.
One of the blown crossovers, still stapled, screwed and glued to the rear panel.
Carcasses partly cleaned up, with a layer of Danish oil applied and drying.
Original controls (rear of crossover).
One bass driver with old surround removed and cleaned up, ready for new surround.
New surround applied to one bass driver.
Redesigned crossover, having measured the control centre positions as set by Gale but deleting the controls and fuses.
One completed new crossover, using Supersound caps, Wilmslow hand specified chokes and Mills resistors.
Crossover outside, with rescued label.
Crossover mounted inside carcasse, cable loom installed using Black Rhodium Twist, new holes drilled (twice as many for bass drivers) and Tee nuts installed.
Build complete. Tweeters missing their grills as one was never there although I have since acquired a second.
On test and playing music!
They sound amazingly good: punchy, tight, with a nice smooth midrange and surprisingly good quality extended treble. The midrange is not the last word in detail, but the Gales make up for that with power and an impressive sense of scale. They can go very loud indeed without breaking up. They are a horrible load so under-powered amps need not apply. |
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Post by ChrisB on Jun 20, 2014 18:42:25 GMT
A great project Martin. They look really good - I much prefer the tree flavoured ones to the shiny metal type.
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Post by MartinT on Jun 20, 2014 19:13:15 GMT
Thanks. I always wanted a pair in my youth, they were a good project within my capabilities, and I now have a pair of 'show' speakers since the Ushers are completely immovable.
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Post by ChrisB on Jun 20, 2014 19:34:32 GMT
I don't blame you not wanting to move those things - my Mirages are heavy and awkward at 63kgs each, but nothing compared to those buggers!
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Post by John on Jun 20, 2014 19:38:40 GMT
Yes they look great and should work well in most rooms
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Post by MikeMusic on Jun 21, 2014 11:04:30 GMT
And they compare well to the Isobariks, way easier to move around too
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Post by guy on Jun 29, 2014 22:15:17 GMT
looking lovely - well done.
How did you get rid of the cup marks? just careful sanding or oxalic acid?
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Post by MartinT on Jun 29, 2014 22:20:47 GMT
Thanks, guy.
I was given a tip by an expert: rub the wood with fine wire wool soaked in Danish Oil. Allow to dry and repeat. It worked really well!
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Post by Firebottle on Jun 30, 2014 5:56:05 GMT
Great post with excellent pictures. Brilliant result as well for a pair sold as spares or breaking.
I've not seen the veneered Gales before, they look the biz.
Cheers, Alan
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Post by MartinT on Apr 28, 2017 21:45:36 GMT
The Gales on test tonight ready for taking to The ASBO tomorrow. They still sound good with a natural ability to go loud, but need more power than the Ushers.  |
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Post by realluthor on Mar 13, 2023 18:05:18 GMT
Hi Martin thanks for reply, I'm about to start renovating my old Gale 401's. I did a part refurb about 8 years ago as had to replace the perished foam surrounds round the bass and mid units, however now it's the crossovers that have failed. Am I correct in thinking you did away with the pots for the HF and MID altogether? If so can you remember how you wired the crossovers minus the pots? It's something I have considerer for a few years as never had anything but trouble with them, very noisy, and always preferred the sound on max anyway. Cheers Graham.
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Post by MartinT on Mar 13, 2023 18:44:06 GMT
Hi Graham and welcome to TAS! Amazing to unearth this old thread about the Gales, I still have them although they haven't emerged for a play in a few years.
Yes, I eliminated the pots by measuring their resistances at the exact centre position and using fixed Mills resistors. See my circuit diagram in the first post with all the values. I bought all the components from Wilmslow Audio. You can follow my layout in the image below the circuit diagram - the amp connecting posts are dead centre and marked + and -.
Take note that the midrange and tweeter and wired with +ve terminals to the common - terminal.
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Post by realluthor on Mar 14, 2023 19:07:28 GMT
Thanks Martin that's great. I'll try that.
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