Help! Altec Model 19 Horn/Driver doesn't work

[CauYem]

I just got a pair of model 19 from a friend. They are in good condition, physically.

One speaker works wonderful; and the horn of the other doesn't work. I can hear only the low freq (bass) from the woofer; there was nothing from the horn.

Where should I start to troubleshoot the problem?

Thanks

[Robh3606]

Could be a wire or a diaphram. Have you checked the wiring to the horn??

Rob

[Mr. Widget]

Could be a wire or a diaphram.

You should also remove the back cap and closely inspect the diaphragm... the leads from the terminal screws to the voice coils tend to fail over the years and they can be soldered back if you have a very steady hand.


Widget

[CauYem]

Thanks for your quick replies!
No, I haven't touched the inside yet!
I will remove the horn & inspect the wire.
Also the bass sounds different from the working one.

Both of them are so beautiful to look at. This is my first time to get a real pair of Altec speakers in my house.

[CauYem]

Hi Mr. Widget,

I just removed the horn assembly from the speaker. The wires (Black & Red), which come out of the X-over and connect to the black cap, are OK!

I opened the black cap and saw 2 fine wires sticking straight out of the diapharm, which are not connected to anything. Meanwhile, there are 2 small wires, which are shorter and have one connected to the wires on the black caps; the other end is also sticking out at perpendicular to the above wires from the diapharm.

So, I guess that I have to solder these 2 wires together in order to make it sings.

[CauYem]

I tried to solder the wire (it's actually a flat ribbon), but it didn't take solder. While trying to bend the longer ribbon to make contact with the short one, the ribbon broke off right at the bend area. Now, at that join, the two ends just barely touch each other.

I don't know what kind of metal is that ribbon. I don't think It's copper or copper alloy since it very springy & brittle. What should I do now to joint them?

I saw on eBay the diapharm replacement for $42.99. Is it good to replace it? and which is the right one to use: 8 or 16 Ohms? I'd like to fix the old one since it's original.

Thanks for all your help!

[CauYem]

Here is the picture of one of the 19

[Paul C.]

What he is talking about, ship your drivers to Great Plains and let them install the diaphragms.

The Alnico magnets in the drivers lose magnatic force after so many years. Bill at GPA will rezap the magnets, bringing them back up to spec, at no extra cost.

The only additional costs you will encounter is cost of shipping the two drivers.

[spwal]

and of course send your xovers to paul, as i mentioned to you on the first day of your post