celestion ditton repairs advice

[thegreenbee]

recently picked up a pair of Celestion Ditton 33 off a well known online auction site, payed a decent price for them, seller assured me they were in good working order, whatdyaknow? they are completely goosed! One of the tweeters has gone and the sound on the other speaker is distictly muddy.

First question, anyone reccomend someone who could repair these, i live in Manchester so ideally looking for someone within striking distance, dont want to post out due cost etc

Secon question, when repairing speakers, when does a speaker stop being the original speaker you intended? To explain a bit, if you start replacing components with other components ie replacing a tweeter with something similar when ogs are not available or prohibitvely expensive where do you draw the line? Are somethings just not worth doing or can you replace like for like without compromising the overall sound. Sorry if taht sounds a bit vague but there you go

 

[diceman]

I refurbed a pair of Ditton 25s a year or so ago.

A couple of capacitors in the crossover were dead (all ended up being replaced with like for like components due to age - no upgrades, same manufacturer and same ratings).

One tweeter was however dead (HF2000 IIRC) and replacement difficult to find in correct "no mounting hole" format and expensive - around £80 typically. IMHO a single tweeter at £80 for originality over £40 for a new pair of alternative tweeters (http://www.falconacoustics.co.uk/seas-19tff-1-h0737-08-tweeter-prestige-series.html ) makes sense on an item that is increasing in value. They will probably sound better with the Seas tweeter though.

If you are doing it for you then probably get the seas tweeters. If you may sell them on then an HF2000 will make more sense.

There used to be voice coils available for them but they are no more. Hopefully someone will start to make them again.

As a simpel check stick a multimeter across the tweeter after disconnecting from the crossover. If open circuit they are dead.

 

[thegreenbee]

I refurbed a pair of Ditton 25s a year or so ago.A couple of capacitors in the crossover were dead (all ended up being replaced with like for like components due to age - no upgrades, same manufacturer and same ratings).

One tweeter was however dead (HF2000 IIRC) and replacement difficult to find in correct "no mounting hole" format and expensive - around £80 typically. IMHO a single tweeter at £80 for originality over £40 for a new pair of alternative tweeters (http://www.falconacoustics.co.uk/seas-19tff-1-h0737-08-tweeter-prestige-series.html ) makes sense on an item that is increasing in value. They will probably sound better with the Seas tweeter though.

If you are doing it for you then probably get the seas tweeters. If you may sell them on then an HF2000 will make more sense.

There used to be voice coils available for them but they are no more. Hopefully someone will start to make them again.

As a simpel check stick a multimeter across the tweeter after disconnecting from the crossover. If open circuit they are dead.

Thanks for this, really helpful. I may have tracked someone down to do the work so happy days