Re Do Black Widow 18

[borgward]

After several decades the 18" 4 0hm speaker in my Peavey 1810 needs attention. Need reference for speaker repair in Austin TX, or further away if need be. Anything to look out for? I don't want something else substituted for my speaker. I use it with a 1977 Gibson Ripper and Peavey Bass 400 amp. That's 200 watts fed by those Bill Lawrence humbuckers made especially for the Ripper.

 

[RoadRanger]

Black Widows are serviced by replacing the basket assembly and most anyone can do it themselves.

 

[borgward]

Can you explain about the "Basket Assembly"? What is that? You're talking about the coil, the cone, or something else? Where to get?

 

[RoadRanger]

Google:
Peavey 560470

That 4 ohm version appears to have been discontinued but you might find one somewhere or you could just go with the 8 ohm version.

 

[borgward]

No Good. The amp is 4 ohm.

 

[RoadRanger]

No Good. The amp is 4 ohm.

Unless it's a tube amp it will work fine with a higher ohm speaker. One of my combos had a bad 4 ohm speaker that I replaced with a 16 ohm. You might loose a couple dB's in max volume.

 

[Al Kraft]

I suspect there is still some NOS out here, but you may need to do a search for a few sources. As I recall most of those basket assemblies were between $100-$125. If you prefer not to do the "bolt and unbolt procedure" yourself, any competent speaker shop should be able to handle the job.

 

[borgward]

So the basket assembly is what? Is it the paper cone, or the stuff behind the cone, the coils? If it is the cone, is that repairable or replaceable?

 

[elgecko]

FWIW, Speaker Repair Pros charges $155 for that job

For what that's worth, he was the head guy for Orange County Speaker, who have shut down operations.

 

[Al Kraft]

So the basket assembly is what? Is it the paper cone, or the stuff behind the cone, the coils? If it is the cone, is that repairable or replaceable?

The picture pretty much answers your question...it's essentially everything but the magnet assembly. To the best of my knowledge most any speaker can be re-coned. I'm sure there are exceptions where the materials, unique design and/or tolerances are such that it is not practical or economically advantageous. The major advantage to the Peavey design was rapid replacement in the field with minimal "speaker technician" skills.

 

[draygriff]

I replaced dozens of these baskets over the 10 year period I worked retail. Takes all of five minutes. Ask the store person for help. They should be familiar with the process.

 

[JRA]

agreed: you can do it yourself: i've only done a few, but it's way easier than you might think: also, parts express and others sell the basket replacements. good luck!

 

[Bill Whitehurst]

I am guessing that the 1810 has both an 18 and a 10 in it.
Assuming that is the case, there will be a crossover in there.
Changing from 4 ohm to 8 ohm will change the crossover point.
Get the 4 ohm version, if you can.

 

[nuhckes8]

I am guessing that the 1810 has both an 18 and a 10 in it.
Assuming that is the case, there will be a crossover in there.
Changing from 4 ohm to 8 ohm will change the crossover point.
Get the 4 ohm version, if you can.

I've always wondered about that, could you elaborate if it's not too complicated.

 

[agedhorse]

Be sure the gap is super clean, also check for deteriorated foam (vent filter) bits that may have melted and stuck to the gap. The gap must be cleaned with a suitable solvent like lacquer thinner in this case, or you will ruin the new part.

 

[hhirbe]

I've done this myself with my bw 15 and it really is a 5 minute job. Follow aged horses advice to make certain the gap for the voice coil is clean of all debris and have at it.
Basket replacements for the bw series are all over eBay.

 

[Rocker47]

I've done a few Peavey basket replacements and it is super easy. As @agedhorse says be sure to clean the gap with a good cleaner. They call them "field replacements" for a reason. I'm sure there are some online somewhere if you do a search. Good Luck!!

 

[Steve Dallman]

Look over the speaker carefully. I've repaired old Black Widows that had glue seams let go. Over time the aluminum frame may develop white "corrosion" causing the glue to let go. I've seen both the edges at the frame let go, and the corrugated spider glue. Clean up the aluminum the best you can and reglue with the best you have. (I don't remember what I used...I've been out of the repair business for 10 years.) The corrosion happens due to dampness and condensation, like say from storing cabinets in the garage.

Another thing is to take off the basket, and inspect the coil. I have worked on aluminum forms that had developed high spots (from heat) and have worked out the high spot with the plastic grip of a screwdriver. I have worked on ones that I just couldn't get to stop rubbing.

 

[RED J]

be sure to clean the gap with a good cleaner

You got that right. Mine sucked a foam dust cover and I was sure it was blown. Cleaned the gap with tuner cleaner and air and got my speaker back.
Maybe @borgword you should check this possibility. mine was quite old too.

 

[borgward]

Tanks for the encouragement guys. I was going to leave it in the cab until I found a replacement or repair. Things seem to get lost after being taken apart if left un assembled. Well here goes...............I removed the speaker from the cab. Looking at the back side I see a wire screen in the hole in the center of the magnet. I can see something loose down in there that looks like old dried out foam.
Any words of wisdom before I disassemble the speaker? There are three bolts back there. Do I need to index anything?