Dating Sunn Speakers

[beebassdude]

I have a Sunn 2000S head with the matching 2x15 cab. i pulled the back off and the speakers are the JBL D140F models, and im trying to figure out how to date them. the only marking the speakers is on the back of the magnet, its a simple serial number. is there anyway to use that serial number to determine the year? any info would be helpful, ive been searching here and on google and havent come up with anything (which now that i said this theres probably a simple website with this info lol). thanks!

[dhsierra1]

from what I've read on the subject the main guy in charge of JBL speaker development from that era said there was no real rhyme/reason to the serial numbering he was aware of. They just got the stickers from the local (LA) printer and slapped them on the drivers.

There are others on TB more knowledgeable than me on the subject but since I too recently got a pair of those I did some homework and that's what I found. Maybe search here for D140F and see what threads come up and perhaps there's some links that'll be more helpful.

[Stumbo]

You might want to contact "Mr. Sunn":

c.sundholm@comcast.net

About Conrad

[lowphatbass]

Chances are those speakers(lovely speakers!)are original to the cab, so by dating the cab you can assume the speakers will built around the same time(or within a year or two anyway).
Serial numbers on those JBL's and on the Sunn amp won't do you any good. Sunn amps and cabs often had a date hand written inside the chassis/cabinet, but not always. If you check-out the Sunn amp page/forum there's a catalog page that should help you nail down when your amp was built.

That's a nice rig BTW!

[Oren Hudson]

Originally Posted by dhsierra1

from what I've read on the subject the main guy in charge of JBL speaker development from that era said there was no real rhyme/reason to the serial numbering he was aware of. They just got the stickers from the local (LA) printer and slapped them on the drivers.

Pretty much true. When researching D140Fs for my Bassman rehab, I talked to one of the guys who then worked and had worked at JBL for many years. He said the same thing. One of maybe a couple of brands that you can't get a manufacture date clue.

[B-string]

Maybe take them some flowers, a nice dinner and a movie and they will give it up?

[BassmanPaul]

Originally Posted by B-string

Maybe take them some flowers, a nice dinner and a movie and they will give it up?

Come on Jon, you've got to know they're not THAT kind of speaker!!!!

[B-string]

Originally Posted by BassmanPaul

Come on Jon, you've got to know they're not THAT kind of speaker!!!!

Yeah could take a little more smoozing? But they are getting older and a little less picky?

[edbass]

Are you trying to date the cab itself, or the D140 drivers? The cab was only built for a short time period, late '68 - '71, and certain structural and cosmetic attributes can narrow that window further.
Probably the easiest to ID is the grill cloth, if it's the "sparkly" grill cloth it's a '68. If it has thin foam rubber insulation it's more recent than if it has fiberglass batt insulation, etc.
Post some pics; it might make it easier to date your stuff.