Blown kappa 3015... recone question

Matt Dean · #1 04-23-2011, 11:37 AM

Last night at a new band rehearsal, I think I blew my kappa 3015. I was using my Mesa Diesel 115 (very close to a TL606 box), not playing unreasonably loud, but was using a MXR BOD a fair amount and by the end of the session, noticed that the speaker had the blown speaker death rattle.

Anyway, my question is this: I have a blown EV15 in the garage and now a blown Kapplite 3015.... should I get one of these two re-coned (and which one) or should I buy a new speaker and get something else?

And is there anything out there that would be better than the kappa 3015 for my TL6506 box?

Oh, and one more question: if I go the re-cone route, should I get a hemp cone re-cone (I live about 30 min from the hemp cone guys)?

Thanks, Matt

will33 · #2 04-23-2011, 11:54 AM

Well, the 3015 can far outperform the EV so that would be the more robust speaker but.....if you're blowing these things, you're not doing something right. Should maybe be using 2 cabs to reach the volume you want. Also, if the effects are hitting the front end of the amp hot, it'll be making more power come out the back end even if the knobs aren't set that high.

will33 · #3 04-23-2011, 12:00 PM

Also, using a lot of overdrive/distortion effects can mask the sound of a stressed speaker so you may not be able to hear when you're overdoing it.

Matt Dean · #4 04-23-2011, 12:07 PM

Actually, the EV wasn't blown. About three years ago, my diesel 115 (w/OEM speaker) rolled out of the back of my station wagon and tumbled down a steep hill, end over end and the voce coil broke. So, this is really the first speaker I've blown. And I've had this speaker for about three years and have used it in hundreds of hours of loud rehearsals with no problems. However, I am interested in why blown and why now.

I'm thinking of getting the kappa re-coned by A Brown Soun in San Rafael and have them do a hemp cone... comments?

BassmanPaul · #5 04-23-2011, 12:37 PM

If you want a 3015 get the speaker re-coned with the proper Eminence kit. With a different cone material it will no longer be a 3015.

Matt Dean · #6 04-23-2011, 01:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BassmanPaul

If you want a 3015 get the speaker re-coned with the proper Eminence kit. With a different cone material it will no longer be a 3015.

Thank you... this is the kind of advice I am looking for.

Matt Dean · #7 04-23-2011, 03:34 PM

One more bump before this thread fades into the dustbin of TB history...

Is there another speaker that might work better for my Diesel/TL606 box than the kappa 3015?

steveksux · #8 04-23-2011, 03:51 PM

Not sure about the low end performance, but the hemp cone would definitely increase the highs substantially.

Better to go with a stock recone kit.

Is the cab actually tuned for a 3015? Just because its tuned for the EV, and the 3015 is "better" doesn't mean it'll perform better in a cab not designed for it.

Randy

Smurf-o-Deth · #9 04-23-2011, 03:56 PM

The 3015 works very well in the TL606.

Matt Dean · #10 04-23-2011, 04:27 PM

I can testify that the 3015 does work well in the Diesel 115. I just thought I'd pose the question of alternatives cause I'm curious; but, I think I am just going to order a re-cone kit.

Do y'all think re-coning is a DIY project or should I have a tech do it?

Calaverasgrande · #11 04-23-2011, 05:19 PM

Has anyone modeled the 3015 in the Diesel/TL606 box? I wonder if the venting or box size may either inhibit the driver or allow too much excursion. I have accidentally bought dirvers that were not meant for vented boxes and the difference was shocking. Now I know the 3015 works in a vented box, but that Mesa was designed for a totally different driver. One that is actually known for not being very low bass prominent.

Jim C · #12 04-23-2011, 05:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matt Dean

Do y'all think re-coning is a DIY project or should I have a tech do it?

Not a DIY project
Many techs who have done numerous recones are not that good at it.

Many threads here that say the 3015 is the best modern fit for the TL606 which is very close in dimensions to the Mesa.

steveksux · #13 04-23-2011, 05:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim C

Not a DIY project
Many techs who have done numerous recones are not that good at it.

Many threads here that say the 3015 is the best modern fit for the TL606 which is very close in dimensions to the Mesa.

Is that based on "it sounds good", or running the thiele parameters through the windows programs? It could also sound good, but port tunings could lead to problems. Say the cab/port is tuned for a 4 string bass, and playing low B through it results in overexcursion as the tuning means the back wave is now assisting instead of resisting the cone movement at some point below the lowest notes the cab was designed for back in the 4 string days.

I'm not a cab guru, just know enough to be dangerous, btw.

Randy

will33 · #14 04-23-2011, 05:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Calaverasgrande

Has anyone modeled the 3015 in the Diesel/TL606 box? I wonder if the venting or box size may either inhibit the driver or allow too much excursion. I have accidentally bought dirvers that were not meant for vented boxes and the difference was shocking. Now I know the 3015 works in a vented box, but that Mesa was designed for a totally different driver. One that is actually known for not being very low bass prominent.

Don't know the tuning of the Diesel but the TL606 has a couple of options with the removable port cover. The 3015 is what you'd call "small box friendly" or "workable" in a variety of sizes and tunings. All obviously aren't "optimal" but it can take a smaller box without having an outrageous midbass hump or take a larger box without farting out at 40watts for example.

There is the danger of unloading below the tuning frequency and blowing any speaker if the box tuning is high and you're playing low B's or downtuned stuff with power behind it. If playing cleanish you'll hear the distortion/farts before that happens but if your sound already has lots of overdrive/distortion in it 'cause that's what you want to hear, you might not hear the speaker crying. Cool to play with OD/effects but with a new-to-me piece of the rig, I'd test it's limits using a clean sound first, just hear the limits. Don't know where the line is if you don't at least stick a toe over it right?

Matt Dean · #15 04-24-2011, 10:26 AM

So yesterday, things were very much clarified when I hooked up my amp to another cab (a PH 212) to do some practice and much to my surprise (and chagrin) it sounded the same, very raspy and crackly, just like a blown speaker... So I am now assuming that it's my amp that is not working properly.

See new thread: Mesa M6 sounds like blown speaker