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Blown driver - what is it?

8

83_Silberpfeil

Aug 15, 2011
432
218
#1
Driver blew out --- voice coil completed fried and shredded.

QUESTION: based on pix, can anyone ID the type of driver/speaker? Stick has serial or model # and "Made In USA".

This is in a Mesa Boogie cab --- at least that is what he label says on the input jack plate.

Here's how it went down. I connected it to my rig and turned on the power amp. Unfortunately the volume was up on the power amp. I heard a quick thump and pop. then nothing. Connected to second (identical) power amp to test it out, nothing.

Well, as it turned out the coil not only fried but completely unraveled and got stuck in the gap between the magnet and the frame.

Strange that the speaker has so much corrosion.

The cab is made of very cheap looking/feeling plywood. It does have lot of supports built in, just quality of wood is very poor.

Each time I open the face/lid of the cab to practice my bass, I always smell something pungent coming from the cab. Smells rather like acid or something -- perhaps the glue that was used? Anyhow, I figure that is what corroded the speaker.

I will take the driver to Orange County Speakers this week to get it assessed/estimated for a recone --- but figure that it is a tosser and I should get a new one.

driver top

driver top

cab inside

cab inside

cab outside

cab outside

driver coil

driver coil

driver coil 2

driver coil 2

driver cone

driver cone

driver postse

driver postse

 
#2
It's most likely a PAS driver, though there are other manufacturers that use a similar style frame. The guys at Orange County Speaker are good. If they suggest that you replace it, (because of the corrosion damage) they might be able to offer you better suggestions if they know more about the cabinet.
 
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#4
Maybe the cab got flooded (wet basement, whatever) and someone just took the driver out, let the cab dry, replaced the poly stuffing, and put the speaker back in.

We had a big flood back in Nashville seven or eight years ago. Major flood, completely immersed a couple of music equipment warehouses. Stuff that got damaged from the flood still pops up on CL from time to time, though of course without any mention of the flood exposure.
 
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#5
This one is from LA. Bought used via CL. Only paid ~ $120. So, yeah you get what you pay for. I think the cab with road case around it and wheels makes it worthy of what I paid. No problem with installing a nice new driver in there. Just concerned about future corrosion. Can't figure out what they put in there that keeps that pungent acid smell. Perhaps it is the glue? Perhaps it is a sealer/paint they used? Not sure

nashvillebill said:
Maybe the cab got flooded (wet basement, whatever) and someone just took the driver out, let the cab dry, replaced the poly stuffing, and put the speaker back in.

We had a big flood back in Nashville seven or eight years ago. Major flood, completely immersed a couple of music equipment warehouses. Stuff that got damaged from the flood still pops up on CL from time to time, though of course without any mention of the flood exposure.
Click to expand...
 
#9
I've gotten old radios and consoles in that had been infested with mice, that's pretty pungent too. I've seen entire speaker cones that had been eaten by mice! The mice urine and feces makes one nasty concoction.

It seems to me the white poly stuffing looks a little too "new", maybe the cab got vermin in it--the previous owner may have just replaced the pee-soaked stuffing. Or maybe the cat managed to crawl inside and pee in it. Or maybe a critter crawled inside and died. Hence, previous owner may have replaced the stuffing and put the cab up for sale quickly and cheaply.
 
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#10
Yes, that's certainly a possible scenario, with good likelyhood as well.
Also correct, that the white poly stuffing looks very new. It does feel new also --- holds together well when tugged. Doesn't just disintegrate.

What I am not quite in agreement is that the pungent smell is definitely something that is chemicals related, synthetic rather than bio product. I'll take a closer look underneath the poly stuffing and see what shows up.

Thanks for chiming in!

nashvillebill said:
I've gotten old radios and consoles in that had been infested with mice, that's pretty pungent too. I've seen entire speaker cones that had been eaten by mice! The mice urine and feces makes one nasty concoction.

It seems to me the white poly stuffing looks a little too "new", maybe the cab got vermin in it--the previous owner may have just replaced the pee-soaked stuffing. Or maybe the cat managed to crawl inside and pee in it. Or maybe a critter crawled inside and died. Hence, previous owner may have replaced the stuffing and put the cab up for sale quickly and cheaply.
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