This evening I was going to put a line in on my JVC RC656 as its a fab sounding box but desperately needs a proper line in.  Well before I could do that I got a bit distracted by my pile of spare LEDs and decided to liven up those dull waffle grills

Job well done I have both models RC 656 your right the box sounds great one of best JVC to record from ....the look is awesome . 

They just keep getting better

You have cool idea's Northerner,gonna wait and see what you do with a big one,look's like new vintage JVC656

Do you have pictures of how you installed the LED's to give that look?

 and what circuit you allowed them to operate with or how you powered them?

You read my mind , I was about to ask the same question..... as I am curious ...thanks 

have quite a few bland waffles here that need the blue syrup Enlightenment

I'm going to assume they are LED kits...but do they run off battery voltage or a seperate 9V with a switch?

Regardless this is KICK A$$...this thread needs MORE pics!!

Thanks guys

Because I'm just experimenting and don't know whether it will work or not I've not taken photos...I know I should really as I'm always interested to see how others have done stuff. I'll take some when I go back in to do the line-in

Its just one small 3mm LED in each speaker...you have to remove the tuner and amp boards to get the speakers out.  Theres a ridge around where the speakers sit on the inside which I cut a groove using a scalpel big enough to slot the LED.  Hot glued them in place then put the speaker back.

They are pre-wired 12v LEDs that have the necessary resistor already attached rather than a kit...just easier than doing that yourself and they are still cheap.  They will run off a 9v battery but I've tapped them into the box power supply so they run off the mains.  The box is supposed to be 12v tho when I checked it with the multimeter it was nearer 13v...this is within what the LEDs will run on so no problem.

I tapped the power into where the power wires connect from the transformer to the amp board as it was the most obvious and easiest to access.  However, I didn't check that the circuit powers down when the box is off and it doesn't so the LEDs come on as soon as the box is plugged into the mains ie they don't go on and off with the box power.  So when I go back in I'll look for a better place to tap into that does go on and off as I don't want to put in a separate on/off switch.

The LEDs are static ie non-flashing, as its a classy looking box and didn't want to turn it into a disco box like the D8444 I did...just wanted to 'show' the speakers rather than hiding them behind the plain grills.

Anyway, glad you like it!

great work! anyway, what's wrong with waffle grills? they are so much 70s...

They are sooo Boring to look at

And Northerner is giving these Grill's a refreshingNing so much needed imho

super .

All i want to say that those grills look so super woooow now !!!

In the past i ve found some boxes with those kind of grills,

never thought that they would look so nice with

some led installed inside the box!!

Great job northerner !!!

Thanks Deech!

so where would a relatively novice like me si start with modding up with lights, a box....because as much as i hate to say it....im really liking the idea!!!!what does it involve after getting the leds etc

this 656 is looking awesome bro.....i never did understand why the trend back then was to hide speakers behind thick plastic grillessome do suit it,i admit,but the 656 would be much better with "open face" effect grilles....with this one bro youve picked up where jvc have left it....for a relative newcomer to this hobby si you are putting peeps like me to shame,so well done,and i salute you,and when you coming down for that brew?ive gotta see the jvc in the flesh

I like it.

see my latest post on the for sale section si and see what you thinknot sure you really have any of the models ive mentioned though,but i cant remember what you have tucked away

my 9090 would look great modded up with leds if you chose to accept