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View Full Version : Tannoy Monitor Gold 12RS - Full Restoration & New Balmoral Style Cabinet Build



Gerard124
19-08-2023, 14:01
In early June, I made the decision to have my Tannoy Monitor Gold 12RS fully restored and new cabinets built.

I purchased the Golds around 10 years ago along with the original crossovers, strangely only one of the crossovers had been worked on previously (a re-cap and the other was untouched).

Cosmetically, the driver’s had the usual doping stains - in addition ‘teenagers’ had applied greasy stains whilst partying several years ago – the drivers really didn’t look good!

I contacted Frank (@cooky) re the work and sent him pictures of the state the drivers were in.

https://i.postimg.cc/FKy94Cs4/Tannoy-Monitor-Gold-12-RS-Right-Speaker.jpg

https://i.postimg.cc/bNrNtRLx/PXL-20230604-122902876.jpg

The teenagers handy work was giving Frank cause for concern; however, we needn’t have worried . . .

I drove over to Frank’s place with the drivers, discussed the options and decided on the following work:

• Drivers - clean up and cone surface refurbishment.

• Crossovers – we decided against new crossovers and to recap the originals where necessary.

• Terminals: Swap for new binding posts.

• Cables: Purchase and fit Gold plated ‘new build’ 4 Pin Tannoy speaker plugs with new wires.

I contacted Fraser (@fraserking) a cabinet maker and long-time friend of Frank’s to ask if he would consider building some new cabinets and Frank made a start on the drivers . . .

First up, the cones and dust caps were coloured. The rubber surrounds were cleaned, and rubber restorer applied. When cleaning the rubber an incredible amount of tobacco stain came off – these obviously belonged to a heavy smoker in the past.

https://i.postimg.cc/jSvXFty0/Whats-App-Image-2023-06-16-at-08-28-38.jpg

Frank needn’t have worried the results he obtained were excellent, and the drivers were now looking great, Night & Day:

https://i.postimg.cc/dt6rqn3G/Night-Day.jpg

https://i.postimg.cc/Hx89nMRd/Whats-App-Image-2023-06-16-at-08-59-24.jpg

Next up the crossovers, Frank found capacitor mismatches, here’s a picture of opened crossovers before re-cap.

https://i.postimg.cc/c6yYr5Yc/IMG-20230617-204040.jpg

So new Clarity cap ESA were fitted for HF, and to preserve the use of electrolytics Alcaps were fitted to the bass section.

https://i.postimg.cc/FsyG0jRK/IMG-20230618-095936.jpg

New Jantzen speaker terminals were fitted to replace the poor-quality original binding posts. The diagonal corners of crossover bodies were secured with Allen bolts, 2 brass bushes transferred from other crossover so they matched and new velvet applied to bases. New crossover cable with gold plated Tannoy 4 pin plug fitted. New crossover cable with gold plated Tannoy 4 pin plug fitted.

https://i.postimg.cc/Pqx4G9ML/Whats-App-Image-2023-06-25-at-09-01-44-b.jpg

https://i.postimg.cc/Gt0Jy2nY/Whats-App-Image-2023-06-25-at-09-03-47-c.jpg

The existing gaskets did not look good and were too tall.

https://i.postimg.cc/J0rNfHtH/Tannoy-Monitor-Gold-12-RS-Left-Speaker-Gasket.jpg

https://i.postimg.cc/GmKHfgGK/Whats-App-Image-2023-06-11-at-13-44-16.jpg

New gaskets were needed, Tannoy ones are no longer available, and regardless a lower profile was sought for any new replacement. In addition, the existing clamp screws protruded quite high, and any new arrangement needed to deal with this. Frank’s solution was to build a new thinner gasket out of two layers of 3mm gasket. To stop the clamp screws causing any bumps in the top face of this thinner gasket cuts were made in the underside of the lower layer.

The new completed gasket, in this photo you clearly see the work Frank has done restoring the rubber of the surround on the 12" Gold RS.

https://i.postimg.cc/FK5TSDb1/Whats-App-Image-2023-07-20-at-15-50-00.jpg

The HF drivers were stripped, cleaned, and re-aligned.

https://i.postimg.cc/sft0Yj4T/IMG-20230627-WA0010.jpg

https://i.postimg.cc/YSqXrhtC/IMG-20230627-WA0012.jpg

https://i.postimg.cc/VLnZ4x7m/IMG-20230627-WA0013.jpg

https://i.postimg.cc/jSTg1M9N/IMG-20230627-WA0014.jpg​

All tested and good frequency match found for Tanoy’s – ignore response below 1kHz, drivers in free air.

https://i.postimg.cc/nVsP9jBs/IMG-20230627-WA0007.jpg

https://i.postimg.cc/K85qhnSW/IMG-20230627-WA0008.jpg

Great work by Frank and all now ready for Fraser King . . .

Gerard124
19-08-2023, 14:01
My existing cabinets were based on the dimensions of Chatsworth cabinet (volume 83 Litres), I was looking forward for something taller, more wife friendly and with grills.

After discussing the options with Fraser King, we decided on the following for the build:

Balmoral Style Cabinets

Size (Excluding Plinth) = 98cm High x 42cm Wide x 38cm Deep

Plinth = 35mm High

Material = Walnut MDF with Osmo finish

Ply internal carcass

Ply internal Bracing

Cabinets lined with dead sheet and new internal foam

Recessed Port - Black

Grill Cloth - Speckled Grey

Circular Tannoy Badges

I drew up some plans

https://i.postimg.cc/qMkPB1WW/Plans.jpg

Fraser set to work and regularly sent pictures as the build proceeded:

First Fraser visited the timber yard to ensure the Walnut MDF had a decent grain suitable for the project.

https://i.postimg.cc/vZrGfSRN/Whats-App-Image-2023-06-21-at-10-52-42.jpg

https://i.postimg.cc/R035GP2m/Whats-App-Image-2023-06-30-at-18-31-27.jpg

https://i.postimg.cc/XYkp4vvq/Whats-App-Image-2023-06-30-at-18-31-42.jpg

https://i.postimg.cc/zXWy27Zn/Whats-App-Image-2023-06-30-at-18-32-04.jpg

https://i.postimg.cc/8Cks5VFH/Whats-App-Image-2023-06-30-at-18-33-53.jpg

https://i.postimg.cc/bvFYwSfy/Whats-App-Image-2023-06-30-at-18-34-12.jpg

Osmo oil applied

https://i.postimg.cc/Vk8dxtm2/Whats-App-Image-2023-07-01-at-11-17-31.jpg

https://i.postimg.cc/VkdVcJgB/Whats-App-Image-2023-07-01-at-11-17-39.jpg

https://i.postimg.cc/Pr6RcWW5/Whats-App-Image-2023-07-01-at-11-17-51.jpg

Previewing the Speckled Grey grill cloth with an earlier prototype Tannoy Badge

https://i.postimg.cc/L6zb4dFh/Whats-App-Image-2023-07-03-at-18-05-02.jpg

Foam and dead sheet going in

https://i.postimg.cc/rwjZWSmk/Whats-App-Image-2023-07-05-at-09-03-43a.jpg

https://i.postimg.cc/mk96FJcX/Whats-App-Image-2023-07-05-at-09-03-43b.jpg

https://i.postimg.cc/Gh0f1LNZ/Whats-App-Image-2023-07-05-at-09-03-42a.jpg

https://i.postimg.cc/FKt5WbvJ/Whats-App-Image-2023-07-05-at-09-03-42.jpg

https://i.postimg.cc/VNjy3SsZ/Whats-App-Image-2023-07-05-at-09-03-40.jpg

https://i.postimg.cc/RV0PcWk5/Whats-App-Image-2023-07-03-at-18-16-24.jpg

It's worth mentioning that when we were designing/specifying the cabinets Fraser couldn't find any ports 'off the shelf' anywhere that weren't either cheap looking
or ridiculously enormous e.g. 100mm internal pipe with a massive flare of 150mm that was going to dominate the baffle and just look so wrong.

So what did we do? Fraser made hand made ports that are more or less the same size as the dust caps and I think he absolutely nailed it aesthetically.

https://i.postimg.cc/sXsSw55W/Whats-App-Image-2023-07-29-at-17-58-19.jpg


https://i.postimg.cc/gjrxTsjx/Whats-App-Image-2023-07-29-at-17-58-26.jpg

Fraser had Tannoy badges made at an engravers, and I decided not to have the logo painted.

https://i.postimg.cc/Wpy9wNTd/Whats-App-Image-2023-07-16-at-17-58-39-a.jpg

MDF front grill with cuts out for driver and port and drilled for pegs.

https://i.postimg.cc/x1nFcs95/Whats-App-Image-2023-07-16-at-17-58-39.jpg

https://i.postimg.cc/rppn9K0t/Whats-App-Image-2023-07-18-at-13-54-35.jpg

Gerard124
19-08-2023, 14:01
Fraser drove up to Frank’s place with the completed cabinets for installation of the drivers, testing, port tuning, glue backs in cabinets, listening etc.

The following day I drove over to Frank’s to meet Fraser and collect the speakers.

https://i.postimg.cc/9MBgCZ70/Whats-App-Image-2023-07-20-at-15-49-58.jpg

https://i.postimg.cc/W4GXwgS8/Whats-App-Image-2023-07-20-at-15-49-58b.jpg

https://i.postimg.cc/v832K7yS/Whats-App-Image-2023-07-20-at-15-49-59.jpg

https://i.postimg.cc/3R39SNcT/Whats-App-Image-2023-07-20-at-15-49-59b.jpg

https://i.postimg.cc/FK5TSDb1/Whats-App-Image-2023-07-20-at-15-50-00.jpg

https://i.postimg.cc/8PcXgFPk/Whats-App-Image-2023-07-20-at-15-50-01.jpg

https://i.postimg.cc/3JqS8KdX/Whats-App-Image-2023-07-20-at-15-50-02.jpg

https://i.postimg.cc/J4SxwP2K/Whats-App-Image-2023-07-20-at-15-50-03.jpg

https://i.postimg.cc/zXy7P90V/Whats-App-Image-2023-07-20-at-15-50-03b.jpg

https://i.postimg.cc/g0HHZdkB/Whats-App-Image-2023-07-20-at-15-50-04.jpg

https://i.postimg.cc/hjC82rmL/Whats-App-Image-2023-07-20-at-15-50-05b.jpg

https://i.postimg.cc/NF56SH8W/Whats-App-Image-2023-07-20-at-15-50-06.jpg

The speakers looked fantastic, we went on to have a good old listening session and they sounded bloody gorgeous.

Later that day, the speakers were in place in their new home.

https://i.postimg.cc/cCg3XN0W/Whats-App-Image-2023-07-20-at-21-12-27.jpg

https://i.postimg.cc/PqX80DT2/Whats-App-Image-2023-07-20-at-21-12-56.jpg

https://i.postimg.cc/g0g6p00d/Whats-App-Image-2023-07-20-at-21-13-24.jpg

https://i.postimg.cc/MT4McrRF/Whats-App-Image-2023-07-20-at-21-15-08.jpg

I’d like to thank Frank and Fraser for the great skill, care, and attention to detail shown when restoring and building my new speakers.

Thanks Lads, all the best.

Gerard

Swann36
24-08-2023, 22:03
Great thread very inspirational

Gerard124
25-08-2023, 10:37
Cheers!

We all but a lot of effort into getting everything perfect. :)

AJSki2fly
25-08-2023, 10:58
They look great Gerard a credit to you all, I bet they sound good too. :)

struth
25-08-2023, 11:01
proper job...

Andy831
25-08-2023, 21:08
Top job Ged, although nothing more than I would expect from Frank, he certainly knows his stuff and is an absolute credit to our hobby. ( he rebuilt my 15" K series drivers about 4 years ago and I am still delighted with the results)

Gerard124
26-08-2023, 10:40
Top job Ged, although nothing more than I would expect from Frank, he certainly knows his stuff and is an absolute credit to our hobby. ( he rebuilt my 15" K series drivers about 4 years ago and I am still delighted with the results)

Thanks Andy :)

Good to hear from you, how's it going?

I'm delighted with the work Frank & Fraser both did for me! As you say they are credit to the hobby.

Cheers

Ged

Gerard124
26-08-2023, 10:41
They look great Gerard a credit to you all, I bet they sound good too. :)

Thanks, and yes they sound great!

Techno Commander
26-08-2023, 19:17
Absolutely stunning. :)

Gerard124
26-08-2023, 22:10
Absolutely stunning. :)

Thank you, good to know folks appreciate the work the lads put into these :)

majex45
13-11-2023, 22:05
Wonderful, if they sound half as good as they look, you should be in audio nirvana.