Ripped Hartke 1415 speaker

[mitochondria]

I've got a nice tear in the 15-inch speaker in my Hartke 1415 combo amp. I'm a novice on amp repair and I'm looking for advice on how to proceed.

It's not under warranty. Should I look to replace the speaker entirely? Suggestions on brands if so? Recone? Cut my losses?

Thanks for any pointers.

 

[Rick Auricchio]

You can either have it reconed or order a replacement from Hartke. Depends on your time schedule and budget.

Dropping a different driver into the cab will be a crapshoot, since cabs are designed to match the speakers.

I presume it got torn due to accident, not by overdriving it. If you overdrove it, don't do it again.

 

[mitochondria]

Thanks. I probably should have mentioned up front I'm looking for a cost-effective option. Time isn't much of an issue.

 

[jastacey]

I'd try some good old fashioned Carters Rubber Cement ....apply it in several coats to build up the repair ... it may work, it may not ....but if it does ...it will buy you some time to save up some $$$$$$$$$ to get a replacement driver

 

[Rick Auricchio]

Yeah, it won't hurt to try the rubber-cement fix. You'll get better results if you apply a layer of glue, then tissue paper or even light cloth over that.

You can't make it worse!

Actually, before trying the fix, press lightly on the cone to ensure that you don't hear it rubbing the magnet assembly. If it rubs, it could eventually short out. If it isn't rubbing, try the patch.

 

[Foamy]

The guys that make JB Weld, make a rubber too. JB Rubber? Stays flexible. I've used it before to fix a screwdriver hole and it worked perfectly. Let me go look up the name...

 

[jastacey]

That's a good idea in adding some material to the tear ....I've only had to fix small screwdriver holes ...... crap like this does happen to most people ..... IMHO

 

[mitochondria]

Patching would have been my first thought, too, but it's a sizeable rip. Maybe 5 inches or so.

I've been reading in some places that reconing kits for Hartkes are hard to find or nonexistent? And getting a replacement Hartke driver is costly and a pain too?

 

[Rick Auricchio]

I should mention that I've been assuming it's a paper-cone speaker.

Reconing kinda depends on the company you choose. Some are better than others. Doing it yourself may not be worthwhile, since you don't get to practice.

Ask Hartke what they think. They may even repair/recone the driver or have refurbished ones at a decent price.