Wharfedale W60 British 2 ways speakers - Restoration project

[McIntosh Man]

I have been busy for the last 2 months working on this retauration project and I wanted to share my results with you guys.

First, for the ones that don't know the brand it was a good British speaker company that was pretty popular in North America in the 50's and the founder was Mr.G.A.Briggs.

I found a pair of Wharfedakle W60 on the Web at a fair price and decided to bring them back to what they were when they left the factory in 1961.


Wharfedale W60's BEFORE as they were when I bought them (these are the seller pictures not mine)





The reason why I choose these is a because W60's was the first pair of speakers I bought with a brand name when I was just out of College.

When I brought them home I realized they were in worse shape than I tought. What I didn't see at first was the multiple holes on the back panel of one enclosure and being sand-filled the sand was all over the place and ruined a voice-coil of one woofer. Also, I found the dust cap of one tweeter between the tweeter and the front grill.

Finding an indentical woofer (in good shape) from the early sixties is not that easy but I managed to find one. It was quite easy to reglue the dust cap.

When I bought them the cabinets were scratched, tarnished and dented. I almost forgot an important part of this adventure; the seller tried to remove the scratches and tarnish by applying Lemon oil on them. By doing so he sained the front grills and they needed to be replaced.

Finding identical fabric for the W60's was an impossible task (I Googled and didn't find this type of fabric in good condition). I had to look for fabric in a local fabric store (it was my first time alone in a store like that !)

As far as the cabinets I had to remove the back panel support, toremove the front panel to get to the grills. Once ther was only the four sides left I sanded them by hand and refinished them with 5 coats of stain and non-glossy-lacquer (who I polished with fine steel wool between each coat). This was a long, very long process but it was worth the effort.

Wharedale W60's AFTER the restoration process







What's inside (12.5 inches woofers with 2 inches voice coil - 4.5 inches midrange-tweeters)







Inside the box view one day before the finish line



I really hope you enjoy my effort...but listening and looking at them is my reward

[two dot]

They are absolutely beautiful...

How do they sound?

What are you driving them with... come on.. do tell...

[McIntosh Man]

Originally Posted by two dot

They are absolutely beautiful...

How do they sound?

What are you driving them with... come on.. do tell...

They sound very very good.

I little light in the bass but I believe it's because I compare them to speakers with a much higher price (Paradigm Sinature S8 v.2)

I'm driving them with a McIntosh MC402 and/or Yamaha RX-V1.

The project beiing completed I will proceed with the restoration of other pair of Wharfedale (SlimLine II - 1958).

Eventually, I will part with the Wharfedale W60's as I can't keep everything I own.

[schaefer11]

Look great. My first "real" speakers were Panasonic SB550's from around 1970. 3 way, oiled oceanic teak cabinets and lattice grills. See them on Ebay now and again and have to resist the urge to pick up a pair and try to ressurect them. I have to resist because I have zero aptitude or patience to pull of a project like you have. Again, nicely done.

[Still-One]

Nice job Marcel. Like Kevin, I have no patience for what you went thru.

Jim

[Harvey/ Ga]

Originally Posted by McIntosh Man

I have been busy for the last 2 months working on this retauration project and I wanted to share my results with you guys.

First, for the ones that don't know the brand it was a good British speaker company that was pretty popular in North America in the 50's and the founder was Mr.G.A.Briggs.

I found a pair of Wharfedakle W60 on the Web at a fair price and decided to bring them back to what they were when they left the factory in 1961.


Wharfedale W60's BEFORE as they were when I bought them (these are the seller pictures not mine)





The reason why I choose these is a because W60's was the first pair of speakers I bought with a brand name when I was just out of College.

When I brought them home I realized they were in worse shape than I tought. What I didn't see at first was the multiple holes on the back panel of one enclosure and being sand-filled the sand was all over the place and ruined a voice-coil of one woofer. Also, I found the dust cap of one tweeter between the tweeter and the front grill.

Finding an indentical woofer (in good shape) from the early sixties is not that easy but I managed to find one. It was quite easy to reglue the dust cap.

When I bought them the cabinets were scratched, tarnished and dented. I almost forgot an important part of this adventure; the seller tried to remove the scratches and tarnish by applying Lemon oil on them. By doing so he sained the front grills and they needed to be replaced.

Finding identical fabric for the W60's was an impossible task (I Googled and didn't find this type of fabric in good condition). I had to look for fabric in a local fabric store (it was my first time alone in a store like that !)

As far as the cabinets I had to remove the back panel support, toremove the front panel to get to the grills. Once ther was only the four sides left I sanded them by hand and refinished them with 5 coats of stain and non-glossy-lacquer (who I polished with fine steel wool between each coat). This was a long, very long process but it was worth the effort.

Wharedale W60's AFTER the restoration process







What's inside (12.5 inches woofers with 2 inches voice coil - 4.5 inches midrange-tweeters)







Inside the box view one day before the finish line



I really hope you enjoy my effort...but listening and looking at them is my reward

Just checked into here and saw this. A beautiful restoration job!!
Like you, my first ( 'early 60's) REAL speakers were Wharfedale W-60's...2 way, probably just like these. When I decided to get better speakers, I wanted my old ones again. Found a pair of W-60E's that I re-capped and kept as my main speakers until I found a pair of Celestion 66's. The 60's are now in the den with the 2nd system.

[Alberto]

Hi Marcel,

Beautiful, just beautiful. You restoration is very close to some of my plans for my system overhaul. When I ask myself what could replace my beloved SF Guarneri Homage, vintage speakers with 12"+ drivers are high on the list.

Alberto

[cmalak]

Marcel...very nicely done and enjoyable to see the transformation

[darkstar]

My dad had those same sand-filled speakers. He was driving them with an HH Scott tube receiver. Brings back lotsa good memories. Thanks

Rich

[powerlight]

Awesome job. These are beautiful pieces.