Blackwidow Speaker

5string5fingers · #1 07-22-2011, 11:24 AM

Just bought a half working Peavey Combo 115 from my fiances step brother. Amp and all the controls work but the sound is distorted. Got smart, and hooked it up to my practice amp speaker and the sound was clear. So that leads me to think that the speaker is blown. Can I just replace the basket or am I going to have to replace the whole thing?

RickenBoogie · #2 07-22-2011, 11:38 AM

It might be able to be re-coned, but either way, you'll want to take it in to an experienced tech to actually do the work.

BassmanPaul · #3 07-22-2011, 11:42 AM

Further to what Rick posted some BW speakers can be simply repaired by changing out the basket. I know that Parts Express has some of the baskets so see if you can match up the model number of you driver.

Edit: This change can be done by the user.

3l3phantstomp · #4 07-22-2011, 11:44 AM

If there aren't any visible signs of tears or punctures or water damage, etc, on the speaker then I'd get it checked out first at a local shop. Could be something as silly as a wire come loose off the speaker. Future-Step-Brother-In-Law didn't give you a heads up as to when it stopped working for him?

Smokin' Toaster · #5 07-22-2011, 11:55 AM

With all due respect, if you can operate an allen wrench and make sure you have an VERY CLEAN place to do it, you can replace a Black Widow basket yourself. I can't stress VERY CLEAN enough. A tiny speck of debris, or worse, metallic debris in the voice coil gap and you are going to have problems. Before you remove the old basket, vacuum the area thoroughly and sweep it with a magnet. Then carefully remove magnet assembly off of the old basket, turn it over, place the new basket on the magnet assembly taking care to guide the voice coil bobbin (tube) into the voice coil gap without bending or banging it on the top of the magnet assembly. Holding the basket/magnet assembly together, flip it back over so that it is magnet side up, carefullly turn it till the screw holes line up, and insert the screws and tighten them up. The replaceable basket was a great idea that I can't believe didn't become the standard of the industry.

5string5fingers · #6 07-22-2011, 12:27 PM

Ok. Anybody know where I can find out what specific BW speaker I have? Seems there are several different models. I know this one is an 8ohm speaker.

BassmanPaul · #7 07-22-2011, 12:35 PM

Should be marked on the driver.

1n3 · #8 07-22-2011, 12:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Smokin' Toaster

With all due respect, if you can operate an allen wrench and make sure you have an VERY CLEAN place to do it, you can replace a Black Widow basket yourself. I can't stress VERY CLEAN enough. A tiny speck of debris, or worse, metallic debris in the voice coil gap and you are going to have problems. Before you remove the old basket, vacuum the area thoroughly and sweep it with a magnet. Then carefully remove magnet assembly off of the old basket, turn it over, place the new basket on the magnet assembly taking care to guide the voice coil bobbin (tube) into the voice coil gap without bending or banging it on the top of the magnet assembly. Holding the basket/magnet assembly together, flip it back over so that it is magnet side up, carefullly turn it till the screw holes line up, and insert the screws and tighten them up. The replaceable basket was a great idea that I can't believe didn't become the standard of the industry.

+1. I also like to sweep the voice coil gap in the magnet with a piece of adhesive tape. I prefer double-sided tape, but you can also fold single-sided tape over so that both sides are sticky. Needs to be stiff enough that you can push it down to the bottom. IME, this will pick up particles that a vacuum won't. Repeat until the tape comes out clean.

D Bopp · #9 07-22-2011, 01:09 PM

I wonder if you have my old Peavey cab. I sold mine about 10 or 11 years ago. I installed an external speaker jack to the back of it. It always had a low hum when powered on.

dmrogers · #10 07-22-2011, 01:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 5string5fingers

Ok. Anybody know where I can find out what specific BW speaker I have? Seems there are several different models. I know this one is an 8ohm speaker.

Yes, it will be listed on the back of the driver.

will33 · #11 07-22-2011, 02:33 PM

Instructions for installing the replacement basket are on peavey's site under archived manuals but they pretty much tell to do exactly what these guys said. If you want you can check with peavey, some models all used the same magnet structure so you can change models just by ordering the basket for that models and putting your magnet on it should you so choose. Don't know if that's true with the newer series though.

Bass_Pounder · #12 07-22-2011, 03:45 PM

You may just want to disassemble your current Black Widow and give it a good inspection before ordering a replacement basket.

On the magnet assmebly, there is a vent in the center. On the inside, there is black foam to keep dust/dirt out. Sometimes that foam crumbles apart, and gets into the coil gap causing distortion.

Once you have the magnet off, just follow the previously given instructions regarding cleaning the coil gap with 2 sided tape, etc. Re-assmeble after cleaning, and give it another try - good luck !

johnk_10 · #13 07-22-2011, 03:57 PM

here's another place with most of the basket kits:

AES - Parts Catalog

Oren Hudson · #14 07-22-2011, 08:24 PM

FYI - most BWs have the speaker designation in the area where the speaker wires attach to the speaker leads. If it's a 15 incher, the number will probably start 15_ _, possibly followed by some letters and the ohms will be stated too. The magnet design is on it's 3rd generation and this last generation looks way different than the previous ones. For further info, the "search" function is your best friend. I know that there have been at least a couple of informative threads on BWs in the last year to 2 years.

5string5fingers · #15 07-22-2011, 08:36 PM

I've already cleaned up this speaker, got rid of the foam inside, and cleaned the voice coil with denatured alcohol and cotton swabs, still distorted.

This is a picture of the back. It doesn't tell me. There's a serial number but it says 613763.

D Bopp this one appears to have come factory with an external speaker out.

1n3 · #16 07-22-2011, 09:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 5string5fingers

... Seems there are several different models. I know this one is an 8ohm speaker.

There are several models; some better suited to bass duty than others. I don't know the models well enough to say more than that. Think I have seen will33 talk about this before.

Are you just assuming it's an 8 ohm speaker? I ask because the standard internal speaker is 4 ohms (the Combo 115 is rated for 2 ohms).

As far as I know, the 15" baskets and magnet structures are interchangeable. If so, you can choose the basket that works best.

5string5fingers · #17 07-22-2011, 09:30 PM

I did just assume.

1n3 · #18 07-23-2011, 12:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 5string5fingers

I did just assume.

OK... It doesn't really matter what's in there now, because the impedance will depend on what you buy. Since the stock speaker is 4 ohms, I'd get a 4 ohm basket.

According to this, your choices are the 1502DT-4 and 1505DT-4. Specs look similar, but the 1505 has more excursion (xmax of 4.8 vs 2.8), so that looks better to me. Unfortunately, the 1505-4 basket seems to be rare or non-existant. US Speaker has a 1505DT-4RB listed here. I'd call them to confirm availability, then call to Peavey to confirm compatibility. Have the serial number of your amp ready.

Might also be worth inspecting the existing basket for repairable damage like a partially unglued spider or surround, or a voice coil lead touching the cone.

will33 · #19 07-23-2011, 12:26 AM

That's the older series like mine. If the cone is smooth it's a 1505, if it's ribbed it's a 1502. "-4" after the model number means 4ohm, "-8" means 8ohm. Make sure when ordering the basket you order a "DT", NOT a "KADT", that one's a high spl midbass PA driver with very little xmax, not suitable for bass guitar.

For example if it's an 8ohm 1505 you want to order a "1505DT-8" or a "1505-8DT". I've seen it written both ways, they are the same thing, not sure which one is the technically correct nomenclature.

Replacement baskets should be around $80.

If you have a powerful amp you may want to consider getting the 1505. Midrange character is different from the 1502 but both are present in the mids at least on axis. The 1505 has little deeper smoother lows and more xmax/higher displacement limit.

Specs are at peavey's site under archived manuals, compare for yourself.

1n3 · #20 07-23-2011, 12:56 AM

will33 - If this cab is the same as a Combo 300 (think so, but am not sure) it has a net volume of around 2CF, and a tuning well north of 60hz. Power is 210w into 4 ohms, I believe.

I thought the 1505 would be the better bet because the extra excursion would help the power handling down low. Do you agree?

Also, the basket at US Speaker, identified as 1505DT-4RB... Any idea what the RB suffix means?