Newbie: Just bought Amazing platinum with one bad ribbon

[danfree 15]

Just picked up a pair of Carver Amazing Platinum speakers at auction. One works. The other tests open across the ribbon.  

Im hoping it might be a repairable solder joint/break somewhere simple but before disassembling I thought I would seek guidance from someone who has done this before.  Im not interested in investing any money. If the ribbon cant be fixed I will sell the set.  First thing I would like to check are the connections to the PCB top and bottom.  Is it as simple as loosening the bolts along the ribbon housing? 

 

Edited November 6 by danfree

[AndrewJohn 9,170]

Welcome, @danfree, glad you found TheCarverSite!

 

You'll want to reach out to @sea, a member here, who does ribbon repair.  Bob Carver has authorized and approved his technique and materials.

 

Taking apart the ribbon is not a DIY task, it will never get put back together without the proper jig as the magnets will not position properly.  

 

Sorry to break it to you, but you will likely have to spend some money if you want to hear these in all their glory.  Working, they sell in the $750+ range, fully restored with fully restored ribbons in both speakers, they can go for much more.  But it takes investment.

 

One thing you might do, is watch for a ribbon on Ebay, from a set that someone is parting out.

 

Still, hang around here, and let us know what you do next.

 

Glad you found us.

[Receiver2000 3,081]

Welcome, great to have you with us. Hope you get those CAP's singing again soon!!!

[danfree 15]

I found that the solder connection on the ribbon is open but the ribbon is okay.  If I can resolder the connection it should/may work. I am moving slowly and carefully which is not my nature. I am trying to figure out how to access the end of the ribbon without damaging it. Anyone have any suggestions on what type of glue would be used for the fiber board surrounding the ribbon? The old glue has dried out. 

[AndrewJohn 9,170]

1 minute ago, danfree said:

I found that the solder connection on the ribbon is open but the ribbon is okay.  If I can resolder the connection it should/may work. I am moving slowly and carefully which is not my nature. I am trying to figure out how to access the end of the ribbon without damaging it. Anyone have any suggestions on what type of glue would be used for the fiber board surrounding the ribbon? The old glue has dried out. 

 

Use the SEARCH feature of the site, or browse the forum for speakers (scroll down on home page)..., I'm not sure, but I am guessing someone had a project they documented and shared what glue they used for this purpose.

 

One thing, if you pull the ribbons to get access to the solder connection, good.  just don't disassemble the ribbon assembly.  that will lead to disaster, as the magnets are under tension, and without the jig that @sea has, you'll never get them back together.

 

good luck, and we LOVE pictures - post picks of your project, when you can, and that solder connection - others may be able to help more with pictures.

[Cring08 192]

Welcome! 

[BobTFM35 2,251]

Welcome!!

 

Looking forward to seeing pictures of your speakers, as @AndrewJohn suggested. 

[danfree 15]

Status update.  I found a small crack in the ribbon and tried to use silver conductive paint but it did not seem to work. My second attempt using aluminum foil worked. We removed and glued all the magnets back in. It looks like the magnets had previously been removed and the polarity was incorrect for a number of them.  We built a rig and somehow did not damage the ribbon when putting it back together.  It worked! 

 

Next up. One of the tweeters is much quieter than the other. The repaired ribbon is much brighter and louder/brighter than the other. It may be the amp is under powered, the caps need to be changed, or there is a fault in the untouched ribbon. As time allows I will put a meter on the untouched ribbon. Beyond that, changing caps is possible, replacing the amp is not due to budget concerns. Thoughts, comments, suggestions always welcome.