JBL D140F (I found two NOS)

[BassFishingInAmerica]

I have 2 D140f speakers in a Fender cab that I used nearly every weekend for 10 years. After playing through a Hartke 410 for years, I pulled out the Fender cab just to see the difference. The D140s were so clear and deep, amazing sound. They have no problem handling 100 watts. I ran a GK400RB at 3/4 volume most of the time.

 

[ToneMonkey]

I think they're actually better guitar speakers than bass speakers. I had a 2xD140F cab back in the '70s. Big and heavy, but clean tone for days.

But definitely watch the volume. If you pop them, there are no proper recone kits available. One reason that for me they just aren't worth the maintenance hassles.

 

[ToneMonkey]

I like them.

Being old and without warranty, regardless of lack of use, they’re worth less to me than currently available speakers with the same power handling.

If you lived less than a half hour away I might throw you a hundo for them.

AgedHorse is right- there’s reverb listings asking 2-6x that, so probably taking $150-400 each for a quick sale if they're truly immaculate.

Good luck.

Strongly disagree. Check some eBay completed auctions. A NOS pair could easily go north of $1K.

OP, do your own due diligence.

 

[FSGrind]

Really appreciate all the comments. Thank you everyone

 

[StereoPlayer]

Strongly disagree. Check some eBay completed auctions. A NOS pair could easily go north of $1K.

OP, do your own due diligence.

Well…if they were mounted in a cabinet…then they are not truly NOS. just my opinion.

 

[MattZilla]

Strongly disagree.

saw those. That’s why I said “quick sale”. Ebay doesn’t show how many times those were relisted.

With eBay, OP doesn’t need to do any diligence beyond better-than-garbage photography, post it, and wait.

 

[ToneMonkey]

Well…if they were mounted in a cabinet…then they are not truly NOS. just my opinion.

Still original cones in EX condition will command a premium. I’ve seen thrashed recones get $400/ea all day long. When you can find them.

 

[FSGrind]

Still original cones in EX condition will command a premium. I’ve seen thrashed recones get $400/ea all day long. When you can find them.

Do you think eBay is where I should post these if I do decide to sell?

 

[SoulReflection]

Do you think eBay is where I should post these if I do decide to sell?

If it were me, I would keep them and look for a good cab and >100w tube amp but, that is just me.

 

[FSGrind]

If it were me, I would keep them and look for a good cab and >100w tube amp but, that is just me.

I would probably blow these speakers up if I played them. I have only played SVT’s and 8x10’s forever.

 

[agedhorse]

Still original cones in EX condition will command a premium. I’ve seen thrashed recones get $400/ea all day long. When you can find them.

Not where I am, recones and especially thrashed recones are pretty much worth the cost of the basket... between $75 and $175 based on COMPLETED eBay transactions. You can ask anything you want, getting it is another story.

I've sold many of these drivers, the "hyped prices" bantered about are nothing but misleading IMO.

 

[agedhorse]

Do you think eBay is where I should post these if I do decide to sell?

Yes, that's one good option, but look at the completed transactions to see what they are really selling for.

With original parts (you will need to prove that somehow, because "everybody" makes that claim yet don't know what's really in there), you should be able to get between $250 and $350 if you are fortunate. That's my opinion, I'm sure there are some who will disagree.

 

[SoulReflection]

I would probably blow these speakers up if I played them. I have only played SVT’s and 8x10’s forever.

There is a lot to be said about quality of sound over quantity of volume. That was what us players in the 60's didn't have to deal with. The volume wars that came about later changed all of that.

 

[FSGrind]

I love the volume wars.

There is a lot to be said about quality of sound over quantity of volume. That was what us players in the 60's didn't have to deal with. The volume wars that came about later changed all of that.

 

[SoulReflection]

I love the volume wars.

Welcome to the world of hearing aids....

 

[bgavin]

I also have a NOS... JBL M151-8, never been out of the factory box.
Had two... sold one cheap to my other bass player... shoulda kept it.

 

[MVE]

The B-15NL was an upgrade that Ampeg offered for a time. The double baffle cabinet in my 1964 B-15N sounds wonderful with it's D-130F, but one has to be very conservative volume wise.

View attachment 4375536

Wow, $489.50 in 1964 is like over four thousand today.

 

[SoulReflection]

Wow, $489.50 in 1964 is like over four thousand today.

I guess that's why I never bought one, then or now .

 

[Bill Whitehurst]

Wow.
Yep, if they are NOS someone will give good money for them.

The other option is to use them.
That means a cabinet that works well with them.
The Sunn 200 or 2000S cabinets were built around them.
There might be better choices, but they are a proven winner wit D140s.

Drive that with a vintage amp in it's power handling range and explore the 60s.
Prime choices would be Sunn 200S or 200S, Fender Bassman , Showman, Bassman 100 or 135,
Ampeg V4B, 400 series PVs G-K 400RB and Acoustic 370. Maybe a Kustom 200 or 400.

 

[CosmicRay]

JBL D-140F speakers sound really good for bass, but - as Agedhorse stated, they will not handle a lot of power. Also realize that these speakers are reverse polarity - black is positive and red is negative. Best to do the 9V battery test to be sure !! For many years I played through a couple of Peavey 2x15 cabs loaded with JBL D-140F speakers !

They were in my 1968 Sunn 200S. I wish I still had that rig.

 

[GreyBeard]

They along with EV and Altec were the go to premium speakers back in the 60's and 70's. They were a speaker upgrade we paid extra for while some companies like Sunn used them as standard issue in many of their bass amps. I personally prefer EVM's which are what is in my avatar.