Re: 760 Leslie

[SalAzz@aol.com]

Bob S. writes:

>>If you look inside most Leslies, you will see a black stencil with the
>model no. on the lower shelf, next to the bass speaker.  Most late 147 and
>122 Leslies are stenciled 770 ... hmmmm.

I've noticed this too.  Seems like I've never seen one marked 142; they all
say 145 inside.

More interesting is the number stamped to the left of the model which is a
date code.  I've pretty much figured it out from the '50's to the 70's.  Some
Leslies only have the date code and not the model.  Here's how it works:

You have to be able to date the Leslie within 10 years, which should be
fairly easy.  Just to get started, 21H's are 1950's, 22 series is 1956 to
1963, 122/142/147/145's are late 1963 and later.  Anything with a foil CBS ID
tag is post 1966, anything with a metal tag is prior to 1966.

The code is 4 digits.  The first 3 numbers are the day, and the last digit is
the year.  For example, model 142 serial #B15324 has 2317 stamped on the
baffle which means it was made on the 231st day of 1967.

Here's a few other examples from my collection: 

A 147, sn H47665 is dated 3382 (December 3rd, 1972).

Two 147's with consecutive serial numbers, 86156 and 86157 were made on the
same day, 2519 (1969).  The model is stamped 122-1.  (You know you're too
deep into any hobby when you purchase a Leslie with a consecutive serial
number to one that you bought 20 years previously!).

Two 122R's; serial 42947 was made 3263 (no kidding, November 22nd, 1963).
 WHERE WERE YOU THEN????  I wonder if it was made before or after.... 
Serial 42874 was made 2853, October 12th 1963.

A model 45 sn 60186 is dated 0952 (April 4th, 1962).

A 21H sn 18
A Leslie is really easy to date; there are date codes scattered everywhere in
them.  The motors, tubes, speakers and some amp components are dated as well.
If any of these components happen to still be the originals, you can date
everything. 

For example, the "JFK" 122R (42947):

Fast motors: 6346 - 46th week of 1963.
Slow upper:  6345 - 45th  "
Slow lower:  6341  - 41st  " 
HF speaker: 220344 - 44st week of 1963.
LF speaker:  220342 - 42nd week of 1963.

This stuff is probably old news to the gurus and rabid collectors, but if
anyone wants more info I'll pass along what info I've dissected out of my
Leslies.