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Topic: Old Cromwell amp needing speaker repair |
Joe Kaufman
From:
Lewiston, Idaho
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Posted 22 Feb 2016 10:08 am |
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I have found an amp to match my 1937 Cromwell lap steel. http://bb.steelguitarforum.com/viewtopic.php?p=2453524&sid=ef3ccf2394e95e9c2b35b0425af0c5a0
It unfortunately needs the speaker repaired as there is a rip in the cone. I believe it is a 10" Utah original speaker. The EG amp is supposed to be similar to a Gibson EH100 from the same era.
Any advice on th best way to get this repaired? Glue it up or recone?
Thanks! I know it's an old amp and I don't want to replace the entire speaker if I can avoid it. |
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Bill Sinclair
From:
Waynesboro, PA, USA
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Posted 22 Feb 2016 6:18 pm
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Does it look like the ones in the ad in the thread you referenced? Show us a picture!
I've made torn speakers functional by saturating a 1/2" strip of paper towel with white glue and laying it over the tear. You can probably find a better method on youtube. It won't hurt to try but a speaker that old is going to have pretty crumbly paper so it probably won't work for very long.
The original would have been a field coil speaker which can be replaced with a ceramic or alnico but it requires substituting the resistance of the field coil with a large resistor in the power supply. That's what I did in the '48 Silvertone that's in my avatar. More work for an amp tech but it allows you to try different speakers in your amp from there on out.
Reconing could be an option. I know some of the reconing outfits say the do vintage radio speakers so maybe someone has a cone that will fit yours.
Pictures. Let's see what you've got! |
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Blake Hawkins
From:
Florida
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Posted 22 Feb 2016 8:37 pm
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If you do a bit of research you will find many articles on speaker repair. Everything from rubber cement to "Shoe Goo" for adhesive. Fillers used include cotton balls, tissue paper, and the above mentioned paper towels.
I've seen many repaired cones which worked well.
As long as the paper cone is not too brittle you stand a good chance of success. |
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Stephen Cowell
From:
Round Rock, Texas, USA
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Posted 22 Feb 2016 10:36 pm
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Elmers and yellow pages paper works best for me... in the cone itself. In the accordion surround, I'll use Shoe Goo.
For paper cone tears, work some Elmer's into the paper surrounding the tear. Put yellow pages on there and press from both sides if possible... you want the thinnest repair you can get. Let it dry completely then tear the excess paper off. Spray paint it flat black if you don't like the looks of the repair.
For the surround, work the Shoe Goo into the crack. Don't leave a big bead, you want the accordion folds to still work... clean up both sides.
_________________
Too much junk to list... always getting more. |
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Joe Kaufman
From:
Lewiston, Idaho
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Posted 23 Feb 2016 3:54 pm
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Thanks everyone. The amp is a Cromwell EG and here is a picture of it:
The covering is a perfect match to the lap steel case. I have not purchased to amp yet. I would love to, but I'm not desperate for it. I would be happy to pay what this functional amp with a suspect speaker is worth just to have them paired up. I'm not willing to pay more than what I could reasonably resell it for. What is a fair price assuming the speaker can be repaired? What about if the speaker must be replaced? |
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Bill Sinclair
From:
Waynesboro, PA, USA
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Posted 23 Feb 2016 10:03 pm
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Please note: I am NOT an amp expert. I like fiddling around with them and I've looked at a lot of ads over the years but I don't bring much expertise to the table. This is just my opinion and I'd be interested in hearing differing ones.
A 75 year old amp is likely to need a lot of work. Replacing all the filter caps, paper caps and most of the resistors is time-consuming. The speaker is another expense. Hopefully the transformers are okay. Do you know what tubes are in it? No matter how cheaply you buy it, it's unlikely you'll get your money back out of it after repairs unless you sell it paired with your Cromwell guitar. Most lap steel amps from that era seem to sell for $300-$600 on ebay and most of them need work. Check the completed auctions for Gibson, Electra, Valco and so on. Iconic amps sell for more but as far as I know, this amp doesn't fit that category. That said, there probably isn't a more fitting buyer for that amp and it would be beyond cool to have them paired up! $300 shouldn't be an insulting offer. Again, my opinion only. |
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