Recommendation to replace a 15'' Black Widow

Qittisak

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Jun 27, 2017
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Hi all,

I've just got an old Peavey Bass combo Mark III 260 series.

It sounds really great but the speaker's voice coil seems to be (nearly) burnt. The membrane feels very stiff when you push it with your hand, and when you're playing, there is some kind of crackling/vibration noise. Apart from that, the overall sound is pretty good. So I would like to replace the speaker to get the best out of the beast.

What model would you suggest?
I'd like one that sounds quite the same (or better, but in the same vein).

Is it worth a repair instead of a replacement?

Thanks!
 
Peavey Black Widow speakers have replaceable baskets.
It may be cheaper to replace the basket rather than buy a new speaker.

Before you replace the basket though, you may want to check the voice coil gap.
Sometimes dirt and debris build up in the gap.
Older BW speakers had a foam filter that disintegrates over time (and gets in the gap).
You may just need to clean out the gap in the magnet structure.

It is easy to remove the magnet on a Black Widow speaker (and clean the gap).
 
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I bought this Steel Guitar creation from Eminence can't remember ST 15C something similar. It runs around 3000 htz down to 38 htz I believe. I replaced in my Peavy TNT. Much rounder & smoother than the stock Peavy 4 ohm. Close as I've seen to old JBLs
 
This is the classic symptom of deteriorated foam debris getting into the gap and gumming things up. Review Peavey's instructions for removing the basket and if the foam filter from the vent screen is the cause, you will need to clean the gap using lacquer thinner, business cards, and lots of patience. It takes many iterations of saturating the card and "swabbing the gap" to get it clean. Then use a q-tip with lacquer thinner to clean both sides of the bobbin (voice coil).
 
View attachment 1164200 I bought this Steel Guitar creation from Eminence can't remember ST 15C something similar. It runs around 3000 htz down to 38 htz I believe. I replaced in my Peavy TNT. Much rounder & smoother than the stock Peavy 4 ohm. Close as I've seen to old JBLs
Not going to do 38Hz in that cabinet at any meaningful volume.
 
You should be good after a cleaning. BWs are really good speakers that are hard to blow up.
I play 5 string through a cab with a 15" Scorpion Plus and it's doing great despite being not as badass of a speaker.
My son blew up my loaned PA 18" bw Internationals. I think on back of cab said 150 rms & I heard they had a 2000 watt head. When I got them back they buzzed. They are blowable.
 
My son blew up my loaned PA 18" bw Internationals. I think on back of cab said 150 rms & I heard they had a 2000 watt head. When I got them back they buzzed. They are blowable.
Dang it! That situation would blow up anything!
My point, more accurately stated should be that BWs are hard to blow up when used in their bass and guitar amps where they are aptly, if not very safely matched.
 
Nice to here from someone, perhaps knowledge beyond years, who knows what that speaker sounds like in my customized cab.
I know the limitations that the small box combined with just about ANY driver presents on a practical basis.

Sorry I'm appearing to burst your bubble, but representing the engineering side of the performance equation.

We can also run the numbers and see how far down the response is at 38Hz, and what the excursion limited SPL is at that frequency.
 
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If your for sure it's the speaker that's the problem, decent 15" bass speakers can be got from Eminence. Jensen and Celestion also has a few. It's impossible to test out each one to find what is best, but they do provide technical spec data that could help you narrow down your choice. Try to match up the power wattage and ohm rating. Avoid using any speaker rated less power than your amp to avoid distortion and possible damage. And try not to use one that is rated too much beyond your amp's power, as it will decrease the clarity and articulation.
 
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I know the limitations that the small box combined with just about ANY driver presents on a practical basis.

Sorry I'm appearing to burst your bubble, but representing the engineering side of the performance equation.

We can also run the numbers and see how far down the response is at 38Hz, and what the excursion limited SPL is at that frequency.
You may be right about cab physics. I do my experimenting with my ear & sound. I put a 3 1/2" tubed port in front corner while plugging factory triangle port with thick foam rubber. As I mentioned it along with a better smoother spkr drastically altered the sound over the original Peavy spkr. Don't know what exact low frequency it truly emulates but a low flat wound G has a round warm deep tone w/ my '51 Pbass. No farting with this combination.
 
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Good to know info here. Geez, I hope I don't ever get that problem in my TNT115 I picked up a while back ($75). I only play it at home at lower volumes but I've cranked it up to 50% when the neighbour(hood) is gone, usually Monday mornings (I'm retired). Love those BW's!
 
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Nice to here from someone, perhaps knowledge beyond years, who knows what that speaker sounds like in my customized cab.

Dude, do not question his opinion.
He has years working in the industry with top companies.
His posts are unemotionally accurate and his knowledge is often sought out in these forums.
I bet my house he is 100% accurate.
You may want to cut back on your snarky comments and try to learn something.