Expert Sound-Box

[kirtley2012]

I’m wondering if the diaphragm is in even worse condition on the other side and that’s why it’s been turned.

Does anyone make acceptable replacement diaphragms? I was thinking of bidding on it.

I occasionally make diaphragms of the correct Aluminium grade and thickness

[jamiegramo]

I’m wondering if the diaphragm is in even worse condition on the other side and that’s why it’s been turned.

Does anyone make acceptable replacement diaphragms? I was thinking of bidding on it.

I occasionally make diaphragms of the correct Aluminium grade and thickness

Thank you. Orchorsol has already recommended you!

[chunnybh]

The corrosion looks like it has also effected the brass surround. Must have been wet for a long time to do that. The springs too are rusted and will need replacing.
The Expert 4-spring is definitely better than the Expert 2-spring which was mainly used on the smaller Experts. I believe the EMG horseshoe 2-spring is a favorite amongst some collectors as it is easier to set up and excellent for acoustic records as well as generally a great soundbox. I personally believe the 4-springs are better once "tuned" and there's the challenge.

[poodling around]

If this is the example which I remember, it has been on and off eBay for months if not years.
At least the starting price is now a more realistic reflection of it's condition.
As well as being back to front, the diaphragm appears to be corroded and may need replacing.

Wow - time flies very fast indeed.

I may well be wrong, but I assume that Expert sound-boxes are rarer than EMG sound-boxes ?

I think this because I see fewer Expert ones and Expert was a later 'off-shoot' from EMG and so were produced for fewer years ?

Also, I seem to remember that on this forum some-one once said that they prefer the Expert (or was it EMG ?) two spring sound-boxes to the 4 spring versions. I can't remember when or where this was said.

Oh ...................... it was the one and only steve who previously, not once but twice, sang the praises of the Expert 2 spring sound-box when comparing to the 4 spring !!!

It's all coming back to me now !

viewtopic.php?p=286903&hilit=expert+pre ... ng#p286903

viewtopic.php?p=78289&hilit=expert+prefer+spring#p78289

[epigramophone]

When new, my Expert Minor would have been available with either a 2-spring Expert or a Meltrope III.
When it came to me it had an 2-spring EMG "Horseshoe" in the original box with instructions. Frank James and other authorities told me that this was a better soundbox than the 2-spring Expert, and after Ian Maxted rebuilt it for me the sound quality was and still is superb. Watching Ian work his magic, I felt that I was in the presence of a master.
In the interests of originality I also use a "New Old Stock" Meltrope III which runs the EMG pretty close.

[Adamp1gramophone]

When new, my Expert Minor would have been available with either a 2-spring Expert or a Meltrope III.
When it came to me it had an 2-spring EMG "Horseshoe" in the original box with instructions. Frank James and other authorities told me that this was a better soundbox than the 2-spring Expert, and after Ian Maxted rebuilt it for me the sound quality was and still is superb. Watching Ian work his magic, I felt that I was in the presence of a master.
In the interests of originality I also use a "New Old Stock" Meltrope III which runs the EMG pretty close.

If you ever want to part with the 2 spring horseshoe soundbox let me know I’ve just picked up a second mark 9 EMG that had a Meltrope III that I’d prefer was a horseshoe! Will do a post on the EMG soon!