[Akathriel]

My Great Uncle Erwin was an intense audiophile for a long time, unfortunately, as he is now well into his 70s and partially deaf he has somewhat gotten out of the hobby. Anyways, he was a friend of Joe Grado's and a high up chemist for exxon for over 40 years.

Every couple years Joe would call him up and ask him for 5 pounds of butyl rubber. Every time, Joe would ask him, "is it soluble in hexane?" as a joke. and every time, my uncle would say no, or maybe, or I don't know. One time he gave in and said, "give it a try" and Joe Grado thanked him, and told him he'd send him a special cartridge which he never got haha. Anyways, the point of the story is that the nasty black crap inside the chamber is either butyl rubber or a butyl rubber hexane solution in case any of you were interested. I just thought it was really cool.

The most exciting part, is that Erwin told me that Joe gave him some of his top of the line headphones. I asked him if he remembered the model number? No Were they the metal ones? Yes What happened them? They're in a box somewhere... I am convinced my uncle has a pair of HP-1s but I don't think he has the interest or energy to the find them himself. Looks like I'll be heading up to New Jersey for a little scavenger hunt

.

 

[nsjong]

Interesting story!

Can't wait till you find those cans!

 

[MD1032]

Wow! That's quite a story... let us know if you find those headphones...

 

[apnk]

Quote:

Originally Posted by MD1032 Wow! That's quite a story... let us know if you find those headphones...

Yes, yes.

 

[VR6ofpain]

If you find them, and your uncle gives them to you...you and your uncle are the $hit. Fricken team work, I like it!

 

[SK138]

Do you need a second hand to find the "metal" can?

 

[kontai69]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Akathriel Anyways, the point of the story is that the nasty black crap inside the chamber is either butyl rubber or a butyl rubber hexane solution in case any of you were interested.

I wonder if this black stuff is also used to make that "blob" found on the back of the transducers in the upper end Grados.
Interesting story, by the way.

 

[Akathriel]

Quote:

Originally Posted by kontai69 I wonder if this black stuff is also used to make that "blob" found on the back of the transducers in the upper end Grados. Interesting story, by the way.

I believe it is. Butyl rubber is considered to be a very good dampening material.

 

[derekbmn]

Your not a fisherman by chance are you ? No seriously it is a small world isn't it. That's pretty neat . I would be out the door that instant !

 

[sisenor]

I'm excited for you..that's so awesome!

 

[Jahn]

and one day, the intrepid head-fier discovered that he was a descendant of the fabled clan of the Grado Gunk. and all who became aware were struck in awe.

that's a crazy story, good stuff chatting it up with your uncle, who must love talking shop with his nephew!

 

[kramer5150]

nice story!!!

So now we have a technical term for the black goo.

Good luck finding those metal headphones

 

[F107plus5]

Oooo.......that's not a scavenger hunt; that's a TREASURE HUNT!!

 

[omendelovitz]

ah...so that's the modding material I'm looking for

he, he, he. A new search begins d'oh!

 

[mysticaldodo]

Sounds like fate/ destiny to me