Renovation of Celestion 66 Studio Monitors

[istari_knight]

Ansar Supersound are very good

[Marco]

Thanks for the info on the caps, Ken - much appreciated. I'll sticky this thread for future reference.

Looks like things are progressing nicely with your own refurbishing project... I think you're going to end up with a really stonking pair of speakers!

Marco.

[Qwin]

Thanks Marco

I only have room for one set of speakers, so it will be a shoot out between my Tannoy Cheviots and the 66's.

They are different designs and will do some things better than others so its the overall balance I will be looking at and which ever one I favour will be keepers.

Sorted out the Hosting issues - Normal service has resumed.

[Ali Tait]

Ansar Supersound are very good

+1

[Qwin]

The grill cloth which came on the speaker frames is the original and while it is in very good condition for 40+ years old there is one defect.

The Treble has a window cut in the metal mesh frame directly in front of it; presumably the metal was blocking the sound.
The cloth is unsupported in this are and is pinned in position by a few dabs of glue round the edge of the window, consequently the cloth does not stretch and move with the rest of the material.

The weave had become saggy and is not pulled tight so a few ripples can be seen.
On examination of the cloth, I could see it has quite thick strands of plastic thread running throughout it. These may have stretched over time and due to pressure when being cleaned.

Knowing that plastic has a memory and when warmed will try to return to its original shape I grabbed my hot air paint stripper. It’s a fierce tool I know so has to be applied cautiously, I held the trigger down and let the temperature stabilize then waved it across my out stretched hand to gauge the distance were it would be HOT but not scorching, I didn’t want to melt a hole through the irreplaceable cloth. I waved it around the area of the window and like magic I could see the ripples flatten out as the weave tensioned up.

It’s stood overnight and both grills have remained flat, if I press on the cloth in the window it is no longer floppy and has some spring to it when you push against it. Job done and they now look perfect.

This is not for the faint hearted if you have a saggy window (Ooo Err Missus) and try to fix it in this way be very cautious in applying the heat and as soon as you see it flatten stop heating it.

A hot air gun will burn a hole through the cloth in seconds if applied incorrectly.

If you have a hair dryer, use the hot setting, this may be enough heat to do the job.
As I am follicly challenged I don't own one and can't say for sure it will work as well.


SCREWS:

The screw inserts (T-Nuts) installed in the Baffle board are an imperial size, almost but not quite M5. Its so close that an M5 will go in a few turns before it jams. I want to fit new screws as the old zink plate has gone grey and in any case appart from the bass driver chassis everything else is black so black screws would be better for most fixings and stainless for the Bass driver. Imperial screws are available but not so much choice in finishes etc this side of the pond so I've changed over to M5. I didn't have to replace the T-Nuts, I just ran an M5 Tap through them while still installed and they work fine.

[The Barbarian]

Ansar Supersound are very good

Too right James..Said this all along.

[Marco]

Ken, when it comes to the grilles, I've tried listening to the speakers with and without them over a long period of time, and in my opinion the 66s sound more balanced and natural with the grilles on.

See what you think, though!

Marco.

[The Barbarian]

Marco:
This is true with my vintage Castles, i always now leave the grills on.. But this is obviously bound to be a criminal offence to audio buffs

[Effem]

Really nice pair of Ditton 66 right on my doorstep

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1412627317...%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

[Marco]

Marco:
This is true with my vintage Castles, i always now leave the grills on.. But this is obviously bound to be a criminal offence to audio buffs

Marco.