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Ess Company

I worked at Ess in Sacramento California which was located at the time on Oates Drive just off of Bradshaw Road. There was also the "Vinyl Plant" located off of Folsom Blvd. Memory not as good now but I worked there for approximately 2 1/2 to 3 years from 1979 to approximately 1982. I started off in the "wood shop" routing  holes for the speaker fronts. Very soon after the warehouse had an opening. Worked in the warehouse for most of my time there. Great job! I was saddened when we were told the plant was shutting down. They gave us severance pay for I believe was 2 months. Also made several runs to an Oakland Ca. machine shop for some type of speaker parts. Still have many fond memories of ESS Sacramento. 
jimess
decooney
1,993 posts
 
I worked at ESS in the early 80s on the assembly line.  I still play a bit with custom builds today.  More recently, last week I had the opportunity to evaluate some of the newer version speakers made by ESS and visited SoCal location a few months ago. Right now ESS has a focus on headphones. 

Over the next few months hope to work on some new designs and configurations.  Good fun.  
jimess OP
2 posts
 
Did you work off of Oates drive or at the vinyl plant? Remember the Coubal family that ran the small cafatera and made home made yummy food?
decooney
1,993 posts
 
I was there mid '83 at Oates at the main bldg far area assembly. Don't recall a cafeteria.  That must have been part of the glory days there before my time I guess. I heard stories about how it was before I got there, but missed some of that fun stuff I guess.  We cranked up the music a bit, stood on the assy line with air lines/tools and just assembled speakers as they came on down the line.  Was there a short time that year but it was fun.  
dgarretson
2,598 posts
 

I had a long relationship with ESS AMT1 towers 1975-1989. Spent most of my summer income between college years on those speakers. I’ve heard the "new" models at several recent shows. Their performance doesn’t measure up to memories of youth... but what does?

I sold them to a fellow whose cats destroyed them by using the tall wrap-around grill cloth as climbing posts.

statman's avatar
statman
285 posts
 
I also had a pair of AMT 1's. My first "real" audiophile speaker as a young man. I nicknamed them "boom and sizzle". I had great enjoyment from them. I eventually sold them to a friend who really wanted them and bought Magneplanar speakers. 
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