A Mid-Century Modern Classic
The JBL C49 “The Dale” was a popular loudspeaker enclosure offered by James B. Lansing Sound, Inc. during the late 1950s and early 1960s. It represented a blend of high-fidelity audio potential with the prevailing Mid-Century Modern (MCM) design aesthetic of the era.
Mid-Century Modern Styling
The C49 Dale enclosure is highly regarded for its quintessential MCM design. Key characteristics include:
- Clean Lines: It featured a simple, rectilinear form factor, low and wide, fitting the furniture styles of the time.
- Fine Wood Veneers: JBL offered the Dale in various high-quality wood finishes like walnut, mahogany, and korina (limba), often with beautiful grain patterns.
- Tapered Legs: Perhaps its most defining MCM feature was the set of elegant, tapered metal legs that elevated the cabinet slightly, giving it a lighter, floating appearance.
- Textured Grille Cloth: The front grille cloth is stretched over the angled grill frame which is capped on each end with shiny aluminum.
This combination of materials and design elements made the C49 Dale not just an audio component, but a stylish piece of furniture that integrated seamlessly into contemporary home interiors.
Driver Installation Options
One of the key aspects of the C49 Dale was its flexibility. JBL sold it primarily as an enclosure, allowing customers or dealers to install various pre-engineered JBL “Load Plans” or driver combinations. This catered to different budgets and desired audio performance levels. Some common factory-recommended systems included:
S5 Load: LE10 LF and LE30/LX3 HF/crossover
Optional: LE8 Full-Range single driver (adapter needed)
Manufacturing Dates and MSRP
- Manufacturing Start: Approximately 1957-1958.
- Manufacturing End: Approximately 1962-1963. (Production timelines for vintage gear can be inexact, but this is the generally accepted range).
- MSRP: The price varied significantly depending on the finish and the specific driver load installed.
- The enclosure alone (C49) typically cost around $130-$150 in the late 1950s/early 1960s, depending on the wood veneer.
- A complete system like the S5 installed in the C49 enclosure would have been considerably more expensive, in 1958, a pair cost $379 plus tax. (Note: These are period prices and would equate to several thousand dollars today when adjusted for inflation).
The JBL C49 Dale remains a sought-after item for vintage audio enthusiasts and collectors due to its combination of classic JBL sound potential and iconic Mid-Century Modern design.