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Damaged driver? / Replacement Ampeg 10" spkr

JCM800

JCM800

Jan 22, 2009
91
17
Austin TX
www.facebook.com
#1
I suspect one of the 10's in my Ampeg Isovent cab may be damaged/torn/about to go. Produces a farty sound in the SW part of the speaker. Tried tightening it down, and removed the speaker grill to see if that was rattling. No dice.

So, if my speaker will need to be replaced, what are some good 10's to use as replacements? I play either a late 70's SVT or all-tube SVT-II with a USA P-bass. I like old school tube bass tone, nothing too modern. Lots of low-mids and punch. A little natural grit to the sound is nice.

Thanks, and I just gotta say this place is Awesome. As a bassist I'm surprised I'd never come here before!!!
 
#3
I'd look into reconing if I were you. LOUD will send you replacement speakers, but they'll send you what they're currently using, and it will sound like crap. Also, aside from cab/speaker matching problems you might have if you buy off the shelf, if you replace one, you would more than likely need to replace all the 10"s in it. So reconing is your best bet IMHO. It's more expensive than it needs to be, but it's what I would do if I had that cab.
 
#4
JimmyM said:
I'd look into reconing if I were you. LOUD will send you replacement speakers, but they'll send you what they're currently using, and it will sound like crap.
Click to expand...
How hard is it to get it reconed with the identical coil/cone assembly as in the original, though? If it's not the same as the original, then reconing amounts to the same mismatch. :(
 
#5
"if you replace one, you would more than likely need to replace all the 10"s in it. "

Hmmm, glad there are only two of them...!

Not sure what year, but I assume I have an early-mid 90's Isovent cab. The other 10" seems fine, the 2 15's seem fine as well. Just this one damn speaker making farty noises. Speaker cone looks fine to my untrained eye, but suspect damage due to the localized area of said fartiness.

What about aftermarket upgrades, EV's or Eminence? Emi makes good versions of alot of existing big-name guitar speakers, have never looked into their bass speaker line. Google, here I come.
 
#6
Bongo, never thought of that. All I know is when I take a speaker in for reconing, it always works the same as it did before. But I am far from an expert. Best let one of them answer.

JCM, it's very possible some aftermarket stuff would work, and Eminence is a great brand, but putting the wrong speakers in there can lead to poor performance and/or blowing them. So if you do replace them, I'd consult someone who knows about the Isovents and knows about cab volume and port tuning and all that.
 
#7
Good point re: consulting a professional.

But damn, I just did a search on the Ampeg Isovent and there was hardly anything. Was just trying to find out when exactly they were MADE... let alone an expert on them. Crap. Stupid weird/rare/awesome-sounding cabinets, heh.


I guess I should go back to square one:

What is the best way to see if the speaker is in fact damaged? Nothing visible to my untrained eye, only indication something is amiss is the aforementioned fartiness emanating from the SW part of the speaker itself.
 
#12
JCM800 said:
"Dust cap" (just googled it, yay internet! Saved me from another dumb question)

Will do. Thanks, all
Click to expand...

Speaking of dust caps, you might take a good look at yours, sometimes they're glue starts to come loose causing a loud rattle type noise...

If you havent already, also make sure all your speaker wiring connections are clean and tight too. Theres been quite a few guys here lately reporting that loose/poor speaker connections were causing symptoms very simalar to yours.
 

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