Celestion Ditton 44

[Rare Bird]

Here's an old 60's amplifier i'm in the middle off. It's had a lot of part changes inside. I wanted it to look as original as possible (as always). Just needs some new internal wiring in places (& more tidy than originally)

As you can see the bottom amp is an untouched example of another simular model, poor quality crosshead bolts, the horrific 2 core bell wire

The rear pannel goal was to replace those bolts with stainless steel button head allen fixings, the speaker terminal were obviously inpossible to used. terminals as with phono sockets were not the same centre fixings as they are thesedays hence i had to opt for a small diameter speaker terminal that would fit in the existing holes of that original mounting plate..

Re: mains cable, thanks to Dave brook i now have an ideal flexable high grade mains cable which was perfectly the corect diameter i wanted, i removed the original plastic cable gland, fitted a slotted gromet that would allow the larger diameter cable (was impossible to mount a large cable gland), the cables inside is clamped down as not to pull out of the grommet.The amp now has a proper 3 core cable .. all this looks great & without defacing the original item.

[Macca]

Looks great Andre - if I do decide to mod these Dittons I'll be bringing them over to you

[spendorman]

Here's an old 60's amplifier i'm in the middle off. It's had a lot of part changes inside. I wanted it to look as original as possible (as always). Just needs some new internal wiring in places (& more tidy than originally)

As you can see the bottom amp is an untouched example of another simular model, poor quality crosshead bolts, the horrific 2 core bell wire with no earth to chassis

The rear pannel goal was to replace those bolts with stainless steel button head allen fixings, the speaker terminal were obviously inpossible to used. terminals as with phono sockets were not the same centre fixings as they are thesedays hence i had to opt for a small diameter speaker terminal that would fit in the existing holes of that original mounting plate..

Re: mains cable, thanks to Dave brook i now have an ideal flexable high grade mains cable which was perfectly the corect diameter i wanted, i removed the original plastic cable gland, fitted a slotted gromet that would allow the larger diameter cable (was impossible to mount a large cable gland), the cables inside is clamped down as not to pull out of the grommet.The amp now has a proper 3 core cable earthed to chassis.. all this looks great & without defacing the original item.

Are those speaker terminals a bit too close together (the new ones)?

[Rare Bird]

I was waiting for you No they are actually 0.5mm wider apart than the backs of the originals, besides the ones i use are the smallest diameter high grade posts you can use i this situation, they are perfect. I'm extremely methodical in everything i do, no mistakes

[spendorman]

I was waiting for you No they are actually 0.5mm wider apart than the backs of the originals, besides the ones i use are the smallest diameter high grade posts you can use i this situation, they are perfect. I'm extremely methodical in everything i do, no mistakes

Still a bit too close for me with my clumsy hands and possible loose strands of wire!

[Rare Bird]

Still a bit too close for me with my clumsy hands and possible loose strands of wire!

Theres a hell of a lot more chance a strand of wire touching two terminals with the old way than the new, besides i wouldnt be seen dead using bare wire in a situation like that.

[spendorman]

Theres a hell of a lot more chance a strand of wire touching two terminals with the old way than the new, besides i wouldnt be seen dead using bare wire in a situation like that.

Ah, using plugs, not so bad.

[Rare Bird]

Not So Bad





Anyway sorry about the sidetracking Martin

[Jac Hawk]

Hi Marco
Too right mate, It still amazes me the results you can get from changing the old cross over parts, some old companies around this era did infact use very high quality Inductors, celestion being an example, i would personally stick with whats in those '44's indctor wise..As for caps, not brainy spending mega buck on boutique capacitors, a set of Ansar polyprops would be an excepional choice at beer money, i'll always recommend these caps, Mike (Jack Hawk) took up the recommendation with his old castle's, i believe he was very very please with the end result.

Very good advice it was too, now i do understand where you're coming from macca, you want yer new speakers to be as original as possible, but parts do wear out and the caps even if the speakers have only been used once in a blue moon will need replacing due to the age of them, the Ansar's Andre recommended to me really will make a big difference, the best way i can discribe the difference it made to my Castles is with the old caps they sounded out of focus, however with the new caps everything sounds clear and easily definable

[Macca]

I'm sorting out some stands tomorrow and I've already ordered some Belkin spade connectors so as soon as I have the whole thing together I will hook them up and do a comparison. Bear in mind the A2 were £1500 in 1996 they are not a budget speaker. If it is a walk-over for the Dittons (once set up properly) I will be amazed - I expect them to be just different I think.