Altec 2 ways
- Thread starter GeorgeO
- Start date
GeorgeO
Well-Known Member
Thanks Manav
Welcome anytime. I have a trip to Delhi planned in late Sept, hopefully will have time to come over to your place for an audition.
Welcome anytime. I have a trip to Delhi planned in late Sept, hopefully will have time to come over to your place for an audition.
rajagopal_j
Active Member
Everything looking good George. It should be up and running in another 2 days?
GeorgeO
Well-Known Member
Raj
No, there is a problem with the adhesive and the goop from GPA for the reconing of the LF units-both of them got confiscated by the TSA guys when I put them into my checked in suitcase at San Francisco last week, and while this will hopefully get solved soon it will take a little longer than a few days, maybe a week.
Will post once there is progress.
No, there is a problem with the adhesive and the goop from GPA for the reconing of the LF units-both of them got confiscated by the TSA guys when I put them into my checked in suitcase at San Francisco last week, and while this will hopefully get solved soon it will take a little longer than a few days, maybe a week.
Will post once there is progress.
You are very welcome to come over sir!
Just let me know your dates a little in advance.... missed you the last time you were here... this time we have to have you over!
Sir is the Goop for the surrounds to be applied every few years? I noticed that it is there on my Altec's too... and was wondering what happens if it solidifies or 'wears out'....
GeorgeO
Well-Known Member
Hi Manav
AFAIK it remains a bit tacky for a fairly extended period-many years I would think, Rajiv no doubt can shed some light on this.
As I understand it the rubbery component of it is in a solvent which evaporates, leaving the coated surface a bit tacky, so if the tackiness disappears, we should be able to use a suitable solvent and clean it off the cone, and re apply the goop.
Re Delhi-Need to be there in the week commencing Sept 28th-that much is certain at this time, how many days and the exact date is to be firmed up.
AFAIK it remains a bit tacky for a fairly extended period-many years I would think, Rajiv no doubt can shed some light on this.
As I understand it the rubbery component of it is in a solvent which evaporates, leaving the coated surface a bit tacky, so if the tackiness disappears, we should be able to use a suitable solvent and clean it off the cone, and re apply the goop.
Re Delhi-Need to be there in the week commencing Sept 28th-that much is certain at this time, how many days and the exact date is to be firmed up.
rajagopal_j
Active Member
The goop is to ensure that there is a dampening effect on the cloth surround and to prevent it from tearing through normal use (here in context of the drivers being used in a movie theatre at very high volumes for about 12 hrs a day).
Considering our personal use, If you got the original Altec goop then it shouldn't be a problem for lifetime, given our weather it should keep being sticky for a long time. Altec in the past has been known for applying excess goop which made the goop run down the paper cone in hot weather states like Texas. Mine has been on for about 2 years now and it is still as sticky as it was when I got them. You need to worry only when you see that it has lost the gloss and isn't sticky anymore.
Unfortunately the original company which made the goop has shut down recently. You don't get the original anymore. That being said, the water based goop which you get for the Tannoy's are equally good.
If you didn't get the original goop, and you had to make do with something local or used the Tannoy water based goop, then the concept is still the same gloss and stickiness, you just need to keep checking every 6 months say.
Usually its not a problem if you regularly use the drivers and ensure dust doesn't stick on the goop (use a grill cloth).
Considering our personal use, If you got the original Altec goop then it shouldn't be a problem for lifetime, given our weather it should keep being sticky for a long time. Altec in the past has been known for applying excess goop which made the goop run down the paper cone in hot weather states like Texas. Mine has been on for about 2 years now and it is still as sticky as it was when I got them. You need to worry only when you see that it has lost the gloss and isn't sticky anymore.
Unfortunately the original company which made the goop has shut down recently. You don't get the original anymore. That being said, the water based goop which you get for the Tannoy's are equally good.
If you didn't get the original goop, and you had to make do with something local or used the Tannoy water based goop, then the concept is still the same gloss and stickiness, you just need to keep checking every 6 months say.
Usually its not a problem if you regularly use the drivers and ensure dust doesn't stick on the goop (use a grill cloth).
GeorgeO
Well-Known Member
Prem
Stereo Labs is the German company whose name I couldnt recollect, another one is BD Design. Both offer horns, in addition many other DIYers worldwide have done DIY horns from many materials- wood, papier mache, MDF, fibre glass, etc. I developed mine from fibreglass. I initially planned to buy the teak wood ones from Viren, who has also developed them, but, in the spirit of making my own masala powder, decided to "roll my own", so to speak. The mould was quite expensive, and it may be hard to justify how one can amortize it, but hey, we big boys like big and costly toys, right? A few friends joined hands with me and a friend who are building identical Altec two ways, to buy a few pairs on spec, so the cost came down a bit.
Next week I will post some more pics.
Cheers
Stereo Labs is the German company whose name I couldnt recollect, another one is BD Design. Both offer horns, in addition many other DIYers worldwide have done DIY horns from many materials- wood, papier mache, MDF, fibre glass, etc. I developed mine from fibreglass. I initially planned to buy the teak wood ones from Viren, who has also developed them, but, in the spirit of making my own masala powder, decided to "roll my own", so to speak. The mould was quite expensive, and it may be hard to justify how one can amortize it, but hey, we big boys like big and costly toys, right? A few friends joined hands with me and a friend who are building identical Altec two ways, to buy a few pairs on spec, so the cost came down a bit.
Next week I will post some more pics.
Cheers
Hi,
Prem, George's LeCleach horn is exactly like the Azura horn.
In a side by side comparison to the original Azura horn it is identical both visually and sonically.
The original Altec goop lasts forever, no need to reapply.
Regards
Rajiv
Prem, George's LeCleach horn is exactly like the Azura horn.
In a side by side comparison to the original Azura horn it is identical both visually and sonically.
The original Altec goop lasts forever, no need to reapply.
Regards
Rajiv
GeorgeO
Well-Known Member
The old cones have been completely removed and the frames are being cleaned, using fine emery paper to remove the residual adhesive. Deoxit/WD will be used to clean up all the connectors. The HF units have also been cleaned, a little more "crud" remains here and there. Our pan is to spend enough time cleaning it all up before reconing, then apply the goop.
The horn requires a cradle, to be custom designed, to hold the LF unit and the horn, in a kind of fixture, hopefully will start working on it. The cradle will minimise any stress on the horn, which when compared to the cast body of the compression driver is far lighter.
The journey continues.
The horn requires a cradle, to be custom designed, to hold the LF unit and the horn, in a kind of fixture, hopefully will start working on it. The cradle will minimise any stress on the horn, which when compared to the cast body of the compression driver is far lighter.
The journey continues.
srinisundar
Well-Known Member
How about like this for horn & HF unit> > will it be good ? Horn stand
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GeorgeO
Well-Known Member
Hi Srini
Thanks
Something on those lines is what we are looking at, I saw that link too. The cradle will be of wood, with possibly two half round sections one to hold and support the driver and another the horn. I think some trial and error will do the trick.
Thanks
Something on those lines is what we are looking at, I saw that link too. The cradle will be of wood, with possibly two half round sections one to hold and support the driver and another the horn. I think some trial and error will do the trick.
GeorgeO
Well-Known Member
GeorgeO
Well-Known Member
GeorgeO
Well-Known Member
The old local cones have been removed from the LF units and surfaces thoroughly cleaned, there were residues of the adhesive on the frame that needed to be sanded off thoroughly. Our plan is to recone by the weekend if possible. I will post more pictures as we go along.
Audio_Freek
Well-Known Member
Hello George,
I doubt about the Quality of the Voice Coil and the spider which would make some change in the original sound of the speaker.
If some one say "ONLY Cone Makes the difference and not the voice coil or the Spider in the speakers are just a fillers"- I strongly deny that. I use to restore many speakers in past out of interest, Just go to most of my friends home and bring out nonworking speakers and will make them function.
That would be real FUNction for me
, Even last week I fixed issue with Vintage speaker.Awaiting for the pictures,
GeorgeO
Well-Known Member
Hi
The voice coil and come are from Great Plains Audio, who bought the rights, tooling and specs to make Altec's drivers and spares, so apart from the brand name they are 100% original. I think they will perform well, but let's see.
The voice coil and come are from Great Plains Audio, who bought the rights, tooling and specs to make Altec's drivers and spares, so apart from the brand name they are 100% original. I think they will perform well, but let's see.
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