Older Black Widow Speaker

Boo Bernstein · From: Los Angeles, CA

I have a 1976 Session 400 and I added a Black Widow 15" speaker in 1979 -- the older one with the spider web print on the back. I thought the speaker had gone bad. When I opened it up, I found the foam disintegrated. I cleaned it all out. My question is whether I need to replace the foam or if it will be okay without it. Thanks in advance for your help.

Boo

Lane Gray · From: Topeka, KS

I've gone without. They put the foam in there to keep debris from getting in the gap. Ironically, the foam becomes a major source of debris. unless you live and play in really dusty environments, I'd just clean the gap.
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Mike Wheeler · From: Delaware, Ohio, USA

Yep, clean out the debris for sure. If you want a cheap solution, tape, or glue, a layer of medical gauze over the vent. One stray piece of junk getting in the gap and your speaker could be damaged beyond repair.
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Dick Sexton · From: Greenville, Ohio

Been there... Had to clean the gap with acetone to get it all out. Nasty stuff! Alcohol will also work, but not as quick. Don't use acetone on the coil.

When I was done cleaning it up, I cut a circle out of the bottom of a coffee filter, and glued it in place. Worked for years. OOMV

Boo Bernstein · From: Los Angeles, CA

Thanks to you all for your helpful responses. I should know this, but I want to be clear that I know what the "gap" is ... is it the narrow opening in which the BW magnet fits into in the speaker frame?

Also, where was the original foam? Was it against the metal grate on the magnet or the round silver part of the speaker?

Thanks in advance for your help. Boo

Jerry Overstreet · From: Louisville Ky

Yes, you have it right. The gap is the slot in the mag where the coil on the basket moves.

The foam plug was glued into the port underneath the screen.

FWIW, here are some more of my thoughts on covering the screen. You'd need to check with Peavey for mfg. recommendations. I sometimes leave the screen open, but it's probably best to cover it with some acoustically transparent material. You could re-foam, but it'll likely deteriorate again.

Here's what I do sometimes. Push the screen out by one edge from the outside in. It is probably glued in but the convex shape will allow it to collapse enough to get one side started then ease it out.

Put a piece of grille cloth or other light fabric over the screen and push/glue it back in place from the inside, make sure it's secured tightly and won't fall out.
The fabric will be held between the screen and the magnet.

That screen is stronger than it looks, so a flat screwdriver or other tool at one edge will be required to get it started also shape when re-installing it.

This way, the fabric is on the outside of the screen and can't fall forward into the dust cover/coil gap in the unlikely event that it would eventually deteriorate.

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