How to Recone a Speaker

[@MiscerVids]

I love how this guy gets right into it without 20 minutes of talking before hand

[@UncleDoug]

Thanks, MV. Why talk when there is work to be done :)

[@stclairstclair]

MiscerVids , Well too much talking beats these friggin mime videos I keep watching, One stupid hand gesture after another all while teaching you nothing, now go look at my old videos.....

[@ronniepirtlejr2606]

@@stclairstclair say what???

[@stclairstclair]

Ronnie Pirtle Jr, So I go to watch a video on how to learn what I need to do, As a retired GM auto mechanic I like a lot of specifics, Instead what I find are videos with some lame music, No talking, And some guy performing the work without talking, Without telling what he is doing or why, All the while making hand gestures like a 1920's film festival. =Mime videos.

[@ronniepirtlejr2606]

@@stclairstclair oh ok, yea I agree with you there. Uncle Doug is a great teacher. He explains everything in great detail but doesn't go on about useless crap with music going in the background.

[@donerskine7935]

Attention all makers of 'how to' DIY videos. THIS is how to make a video! Clear, well explained, thorough. Superb.

[@UncleDoug]

Wow....thanks, Don :)

[@donerskine7935]

@@UncleDoug What I particularly like is that just you don't just show 'how,;' but also explain 'why'.

[@donerskine7935]

@@UncleDoug What I particularly like is that you don't just show 'how', but also explain 'why'. I'm an electronics engineer, about to recone some expensive vintage Celestions, and you video is very helpful.

[@UncleDoug]

@@donerskine7935 That's good to hear, Don. Best of luck with your project.

[@UncleDoug]

@@donerskine7935 The more you know about a topic, the better you understand it :)

[@hi-ccowboy7983]

This video lifted a lifelong veil of ambiguity for me. I wasn't aware that the voicecoil was physically attached to the cone and that it floated in an airgap. Speakers suddenly make sense. Thank you. Doug. Consider me a patron. :-)

[@UncleDoug]

You're welcome, Dave. The only thing missing from the equation is that the voice coil is an electromagnet suspended in a strong electrical field (provided by the permanent magnet). When the music signal, which is AC, causes the voice coil EM to rapidly switch polarity, it and the cone move back and forth rapidly.....making music :) Thanks so much for your pledge.

[@hariharprasad2882]

Good method explain. 👍

[@Mrs.3617]

i was able to recone the original oxford speaker that came in my 1968 fender deluxe reverb.i watched this video over and over and over and over i watched it so many times i almost new the script.the point is because of Uncle Doug making this video i now have my original speaker back in the amp that had been sitting around for about 20yrs.Uncle Doug has given advice on this amp in the past and thanks to him i have an amp that has vibrato now and the original speaker back in the amp and i just wanted to tell you thanks once again your videos are priceless and have been pretty much the get up off my butt and get it done instruction and inspiration for me to get it done the only left is to install the 3 pronged plug.i really appreciate the help i have received and the satisfaction that my mom didnt waist that college money on me all those years ago.this amp to me now sounds better than it ever has in the 30yrs i have had it thank you Uncle Doug and take care

[@UncleDoug]

Wow, thanks so much for all your very nice comments and congratulations on your successful repairs. It's good to know that the videos have been helpful. Keep up the good work, PJ.

[@Dennis-mq6or]

I wish I would have had the knowledge I have been getting from your videos about 40 years ago when I had my shop! 77 years old and still trying to learn one new thing every day..

[@UncleDoug]

That's an admirable goal, Dennis. Good luck :)

[@noslyguy]

This by far the most in depth video covering the rebuild / refurb of a speaker. Very nice job.

[@UncleDoug]

Thanks, Sly.......glad you liked it :)

[@varonos357]

You are the best teacher you tube has to offer sir! Thank you!

[@UncleDoug]

Wow....thanks, V :)

[@chainsawnate]

Great Video, I feel confident I can now re-cone a speaker, and I must say the intermissions with the pets made it feel like I was learning this from my grandfather. 10/10

[@UncleDoug]

Glad it was helpful, Nathan :)

[@audiotechlabs4650]

Uncle Doug, there is no end to the things you can do. If a person interested in tube amp electronics needs help or instruction, these videos can open the door to a world of information, so completely explained and demonstrated. Please do not run out of topics to share with your devoted followers! Thankz

[@UncleDoug]

You're welcome, ATL. We really appreciate your kind words of support.

[@christianfigueroa3441]

Thank you for this knowledge sir . Ive been buying Z906 speakers for the best almost 10 year i believe . I have no choice but to learn how to fix the set now .

[@UncleDoug]

You're welcome, Chris. Good luck.

[@jamesprisciandaro3144]

I am using your video to re-cone 3, old jensen c10r speakers pulled from an early 60's univox 4x10 cab. I can't thank you enough for this resource!

[@UncleDoug]

You're quite welcome, James. Best of luck with the project.

[@kennethkranz7603]

Excellent video. I have not reconed a speaker for about 35 years, now that I have retired that may change; back in the 80's I had a friend that designed the Jansen Equipment in Auckland New Zealand, I was a little jealous of their equipment, speakers for reconing would be demagnetized so cleaning any metallic residue from the magnet assembly was a breeze, the recone was carried out and then a quick zap in the machine to re magnetize the speaker, very cool.

[@UncleDoug]

Thanks, Kenneth. I wasn't aware that the magnets were degaussed for cleaning, then regaussed.....it makes good sense.

[@cathysatin3342]

Thank you so much for the referral. We are happy to be a resource for parts for so many of these vintage speakers. They are definitely worth reconing. I watched your whole video. It is very detailed and precise. There are a couple of things I feel compelled to point out. We do not trim the voice coil opening on the spider or cone as you indicated. We find that if there is a gap like you show, the epoxy often drips down the voice coil. In fact, we prefer there to be a tight fit between the spider and voice coil. You are correct that often the cone throat needs to be opened to fit a larger voice coil or to adjust for height. You can use the back of your thumb to press the end of the throat back to make space if the cone is slightly too deep. If not, cutting is fine. The gap between cone and voice coil is less critical if caution is applied when adding the epoxy. Good Job Uncle Doug. You are providing a great service. if you want to review our video of generic reconing, you can find it on our site under FAQ kzbin.info/www/bejne/boampaZ5j7GWjbc. After watching your video, I realized we must find the time to be make more videos and be more precise. We actually tried to not be too specific since we wanted our video to work for many different speakers. Please contact me if you need any parts or info. [e-mail].

[@UncleDoug]

Wow, Cathy.....Rusty, Jack, and I are very pleased that you visited our channel. I appreciate the input on the spider gap. The maestro who trained me, many years ago, emphasized the absolute necessity that neither the spider nor the cone should touch the voice coil, for fear of throwing it out of alignment. A tiny gap must exist all the way around that is filled with epoxy. I agree that I opened the spider gap up a bit too wide, but no epoxy leaked past it......thanks to its relatively thick consistency, and good luck :) I was very pleased with the items I received from you, but would prefer to have metal eyelets in the cone to facilitate soldering, rather than the radial slits. Thanks again for your excellent service, products, and input.

[@cathysatin3342]

We do not get many cones with the eyelets anymore. It is a bit easier that way but they are no longer manufactured that way. I saw you use a soldering iron to make a hole in the cone for the pigtail. We use a screw or poker. Either works. Also, we leave a larger amount of pigtail in the front that the vc lead is wrapped around. We then solder and snip the excess pigtail or braided wire. Just a FYI in case that makes it easier for you or your followers. Keep up the good work. I'll try to watch some of your other videos sometime in the next few weeks.

[@UncleDoug]

Thanks for the info on the non-eyelet cones, Cathy. We would be most flattered if you were to watch some more of our videos and always welcome your comments. Rusty, Jack, and UD.

[@budandbean1]

Now that was really an Instructional Video! Fiddly is what I'd call it... Not for the faint hearted or impatient person. Thank you Uncle Doug, this something I was a bit curious about and actually, after watching the video for a few minutes, I realized I never knew how a speaker was actually built. I found myself asking, now why is he doing that, and what does he mean by that. Watched it several or three times. Thanks again!

[@budandbean1]

Just to add, I have only been watching you on KZbin for a little over a year now. After watching this last video, I looked and realized that you have actually done other videos on speakers, one is a great explanation on how they work. I guess I need to start your production library from the beginning... :-)

[@UncleDoug]

You're welcome, Buddy. Yes, I have a speaker repair (not re-cone) video and a video comparison of the different types of speaker. Please watch them when you get a chance.

[@EmbelekoBand]

Once again amazed with your capabilities of restoring an old Jenson speaker and giving it life once again. Great job!!!

[@UncleDoug]

Thanks, Gil :)

[@tedgrosch]

Thank you so much. I did my first cone replacement with under your instruction. It came out perfect. I bought 2 speakers on eBay and one arrived damaged. I found out the man I bought it from had had a stroke or something and was selling everything. No way I was going to send it back and ask for a refund. Now I have two perfectly fine old speakers. Thanks for helping me and my seller.

[@UncleDoug]

You're quite welcome, Theodore. I'm glad it worked out so well for both of you.

[@deluxetone]

Fantastic tutorial as usual. Thanks for covering all the subtle details that are often overlooked. I know my first attempt at reconing a speaker was a disaster as I had no idea how to set the voice coil travel however I just finished my first successful recone after following your detailed and excellent instructions. Thanks for all your wonderful content,

[@UncleDoug]

You're welcome, DT. Glad it was helpful :)

[@oov55]

you're a gentle, clear, knowledgeable guy Uncle Doug - and I thank you for ur kindness

[@UncleDoug]

You're quite welcome, oov. Thanks !!!

[@jackallen6261]

I had at one time thought I might be able to do this myself....after watching this video I realize this is beyond my patience level,. lol. I love the fact that you have shared this with us because I now realize this is WAY beyond my level of take a hammer to it approach at working on things, lol. Great video and thanks for sharing !!!

[@UncleDoug]

You're welcome, Jack :)

[@Sasser2015]

Thank you, Doug. This step-by-step explanation is precisely what I needed as I prepare to lose my speaker repair virginity.

[@UncleDoug]

You're welcome, S. I hope the speaker is gentle and still respects you in the morning. ;)

[@AgentJayZ]

Really nice job with a beautiful end result. Newifying a classic speaker is very satisfying. I recently did that as well. I only wish you played it first to see what the broken-up cone sounded like, if the voice coil was electrically intact. Remember Dave Davies' experiments with cutting cones up in the 60's looking for tones and distortion. It might have been fun to compare how the old and new cones sounded as well as looked. Otherwise, your workmanship and your videos: fantastic. Always great to watch. The fact that you test the amps with surf guitar is a terrific bonus. Thanks!

[@UncleDoug]

You're welcome, JZ, and thanks for your very nice comments. The voice coil was also destroyed....blown out of the speaker and the tiny little wires were shredded. If you want to hear a vivid before and after video featuring speakers, check out my Airline Amp videos. You'll laugh when you see the "before" cone repair. If you like surf guitar, watch the pristine '79 Champ video with the 6G15 reverb unit.

[@momomo393]

Thank you Doug. I'm rebuild a speaker for my grandpa's 1940's radio so I can can give the radio to my mom as a present. I knew your channel would have something helpful and insightful. You, and Rusty's videos are very much appreciated!

[@UncleDoug]

You're welcome, Jordan. We're glad to hear that the videos were helpful with your project. Best of luck to you and your mom.

[@johnstrange6799]

Very interesting, informative and humorous. You've demystified the process for me, and I appreciate it.

[@UncleDoug]

Thanks for the positive comments, John. We're glad the video was helpful.

[@solerso68]

This is the best vid hands down for reconing a vintage Jensen speaker.Other speakers, modern celestions for instance, are not as "fussy'" and the details you included are essential . Jack is relly cool

[@TheStuffMade]

Beautiful work, absolutely perfect result, better than most factories. This is not as easy as you make it look, anyone contemplating doing this procedure should heed the warning that this requires a lot of skill, experience, attention to detail and patience.

[@UncleDoug]

Thanks for your nice comments, SM :)

[@TheStuffMade]

Thank you, for sharing your extensive experience and knowledge. Watching you perform the procedure on youtube does't make anyone an expert, but it gives us a reference to what the result should look like. Much appreciated.

[@UncleDoug]

You're welcome :)

[@PunkHardSisters]

It really says alot about the quality of the video when 20 minutes fly by like 2 and you forgot you had a coffee 🍵 pot on the stove

[@UncleDoug]

Wow, high praise indeed. Thanks so much, MS :)

[@JulianChown]

A superb video Uncle Doug and your assistants! Thank you especially for demonstrating the most necessary shims which explained a big hole in my understanding of how re-coning is done properly. I've just subscribed and look forward to watching more like this. Many thank you's again!

[@UncleDoug]

Thanks, Julian. I'm glad the video was helpful.

[@JulianChown]

@@UncleDoug very much so. Just wondering, how many speakers you've built, and I gather you had to learn the hard way to get to this stage, haha, as many of us are likely to!? This is where your videos save our time, so thank you so much again! I'm wondering about how ohms come into this, of at all? I've got 2x12 speakers, one of which has died and either needs replacing or rebuilding. They're from a Lab Series L5 amp, which am sure you know with your superb musicianship. Would you suggest a rebuild or upgrade to a new pair, which no doubt will need breaking in. Also, is mixing 2 different brands ok to do or would I ideally need to replace both? Thank you again

[@UncleDoug]

@@JulianChown I was taught re-coning by a local man who rented and restored musical equipment for many years, Julian, and I was able to buy re-coning supplies from him for years after he retired. Speaker impedance is determined by the (AC) impedance of the speaker's voice coil, and is completely different from the DC resistance that is measured with a DC Ohmmeter. I personally advocate not only two speakers from different manufacturers, but two speakers of different magnet type: one ceramic and one Alnico, for the best of both worlds.

[@GregsGarage]

Once again... A master class. Great work.

[@UncleDoug]

Thanks, Greg.....glad you liked it :)

[@hkguitar1984]

I have a close friend who has been reconing speakers for decades. As a side/2nd job he does very well supporting his guitar/amplifier habit! Anyway, I was fortunate enough to help him recone speakers one weekend allowing me both experience and instruction of the process. In the past I've worked as an Aircraft Instrument Technician, that said there are many instances when there is only one single way to repair something correctly, speakers being one of those. Not sure if my friend and Uncle Doug have ever compared notes but step by step what is documented here in this video is exactly how I learned all those years ago. Another great video and a refresher for myself. Thank you for the time and trouble to make and produce this video. Also, for someone looking to make extra money it is extremely lucrative to purchase blown speakers, then recone and sell them for a profit.

[@UncleDoug]

Good advice, HK.

[@brandondavis8286]

I was building a subwoofer box for my Jeep CJ-7 and the sub I am using had a bad voice coil in it. Just ordered a new one. Realized you had a CJ in the background too.

[@buffdoc46]

Thank you for posting this, during the shutdown, I became a recone bandit. This video gave me the confidence to move forward. I really have learned how different spiders, glues and diameters make a huge difference, let alone the glues.

[@UncleDoug]

We're glad the video was helpful, BD :)

[@tectalabyss]

Outstanding job has always Doug. Thank you for sharing. All my best.

[@UncleDoug]

You're welcome, Bobby.

[@thedevilinthecircuit1414]

One important step to do before you epoxy the coil connections to the tinsel leads on the front of the cone: Test across the tinsel leads on the back of the cone to make certain your soldering process sufficiently melted the varnish on the coil wires and made a solid electrical connection. Your emphatic appeal to ensure the voice coil gap is surgically clean is *spot* on; it cannot be overstated. Bravo!

[@UncleDoug]

Thanks for the nice comments and helpful advice, DC.

[@damianvila]

Wonderful, Uncle Doug, Jack and Rusty! Remember to mention your Patreon on your videos and provide a link to it in the description. Cheers!

[@UncleDoug]

Thanks, Damian. I did include our Patreon membership in this latest, reconing, video.

[@frankporfidio9813]

It's funny to see the differences and similarities , I was a JBL/ EV and a few others guy , where you use the washers we used either EV fixtures OR rolls of solder for the dust covers ! LOL when you do the five minute epoxy with the stick , we used to use a pointy "Water cooler" cup and snip the bottom and drizzle it in . A lot of fun to see someone ELSE do it . Great Video !!!

[@UncleDoug]

Thanks for your interesting input, Frank :)

[@markprentice1961]

fascinating!

[@thomaslines8489]

Thank you for sharing your knowledge with us, and making your videos so entertaining. I never thought I would spend so much time with a math teacher. lol

[@UncleDoug]

You're welcome, Thomas. Just like the Elephant Man, "We math teachers are not creatures to be shunned......we are people too", or some such nonsense :) Thanks for watching.

[@daneriksen7136]

Were do you get the Hi-tech clothespins? :)

[@UncleDoug]

They were willed to me by Nick Tesla. He used them for all his high-tech projects.

[@Seeker85420]

Stew-Mac, $11.95 @ea....

[@marcususa]

Definitely the best tutorial out there. Direct and to the point, with humor added.

[@UncleDoug]

Glad you liked it, Marcus.

[@iamasmurf1122]

I thought this said “ how to become a speaker “

[@MiguelBaptista1981]

Careful when applying epoxy.

[@iamasmurf1122]

Miguel Baptista ha !

[@jegr3398]

Nice work. I never would have even thought reconing a speaker was something I could do until I saw this video

[@UncleDoug]

Glad to hear it!, JG. Good luck with your project.

[@roryoconnor31]

"Birds and Underwear" ...lol

[@Kardall]

6 years ago... wow. This is exactly the kind of thing I was looking for. Very detailed instructions on how to do this. Always wanted to learn this but never had the time to take any courses. The internet is great. I am bookmarking this just in-case I need to do this myself one day. I have always wanted to build my own 4x12 cab. Might have to give it a shot and try to find some broken speakers and redo them to hopefully save a bit of money :)

[@UncleDoug]

Good luck with your project when and if you decide to undertake it, K.

[@redfishbum]

Hey Doug....thanks for showing this procedure! I'm certain I'll not tackle this. However, I have a much better understanding of how a speaker works. Long live Rusty!

[@UncleDoug]

Thanks, Bart. I think Rusty will end up outliving us all :)

[@marcodoria]

Thank you sir! I'm viewing your videos in the azores, Portugal, for a while and really appreciate the time you take sharing your enormous knowledge! As a repair man, I think that sharing is great, and I also share my knowledge with others. I'm thankful for all my masters at younger age, without them it would have been much harder. Again, thank you very much!

[@UncleDoug]

My pleasure, Marco. Thanks so much for your nice comments.

[@TheBeet21]

yet another superb job, Uncle Doug! new alnico speakers are pretty expensive here in the philippines. now I'm thinking of just buying broken alnico speakers and recone them myself. this is a great tutorial. thank you very much :)

[@UncleDoug]

Thanks, TB. They're pretty expensive here, too......always much higher than the ceramic speakers. If you can get blown Alnico speakers and re-coning kits at a reasonable price, then it sounds like a good solution. Good luck.

[@MykelObvious]

I want to be like you when I finally decide to grow up! Building amps, re-coning speakers, building hot rods and walking the dog! Thank you for being such an awesome human being and validating my hobbies at the same time! You sir, ROCK!

[@UncleDoug]

Wow.....thanks for the very nice comments, Mykel. We really appreciate them :)

[@tonymanns8249]

Very informative. I had no idea how complicated it is to re-cone a speaker.

[@UncleDoug]

It does require a lot of very careful work, Tony, and you're never sure if your job is successful until it's done......and then it's too late :)

[@TheHiski65]

Thanks, learned some neat tricks that help me to recone couple of old Jensens and Hammond alnico speakers I do have. Especially one thing I never did find anywhere else was that how deep I should put the voicecoil and really got it from this amazing video. I have always told that I have one certificate called "MSMD" - and for those who did not get a clue what that is I can tell that it is "Monkey See - Monkey Do" :-) Really nice video!!!

[@UncleDoug]

You're quite welcome, TH......glad it was helpful.

[@johncunningham5435]

Excellent work re-coning the 1957 Jensen speaker; it looks exactly fresh out of the factory to the point it would be hard to tell that you had re-coned it. "Congratulations on a job well done" Great tips on reconstruction and the final finishing touches.

[@UncleDoug]

Thanks so much, John. We really appreciate your very nice remarks.

[@paulinmt2185]

You made me cry, Doug! I sold my 4 smoked Celestion Green Backs at a yard sale. A drunk bass player blew 'em out when I stepped away from the jamming area at a party. I could have re-coned them. I"m really missing them now. Good job. Thanks, old chap.

[@UncleDoug]

What a disaster, Paul......I'm sorry for your loss. Drunken bass players are the devil's accomplices.

[@seanrosedotcom]

Excellent video. I really expected a completed cone to be dropped in. Seeing you order a coil and cone and build it all was great! Thanks!

[@UncleDoug]

Thanks, Sean :)

[@fiftywattplexi]

I'm continually amazed and inspired by this vast library of videos that you've shared with us. I literally just finished reconing my first speakers ever and it's all thanks to you Uncle Doug. I would not have had the confidence to do it if I hadn't seen you do it! thanks for making something so incredibly daunting absolutely accessible to us all.

[@UncleDoug]

That's great news, Xiola. Keep up the good work ;)

[@LostinMND]

Hi Doug, Thanks for providing these videos! I've been in the repair business for over 40 years, and still learning. I am now getting into speaker reconning. I wanted to in the pass, but there was no good places to get a good majority of speaker parts until now. The site you mentioned is a very welcome addition to my list of speaker parts providers. Thanks for the tip. I want to leave you with a tip to aid in speaker repair. I picked up a lazy susie at the thrift store and use it to easily rotate speakers when cutting the paper, spider, etc. And it works great for making nice consistent gluing. Thanks again for your informing videos. Pete

[@UncleDoug]

You're welcome, Peter. We're glad the videos have been helpful.....and like your idea of the rotating stand. Thanks for your input.

[@deel2783]

Did not know this was possible! I was heart broken when in the middle of an antique family AM radio restoration I came across the torn speaker cone. Thought I was done for. Thank you very much for the information

[@UncleDoug]

You're welcome, Dee :)

[@djfrank59]

This was a very effective re coning job! I have to remember to pick up a few gallons of Blue Bunny Ice Cream! Those buckets not only make great holders for the speakers, but a nice sounding baffle! My better 1/2 may not like me eating that much ice cream, but hey...ice cream makes everyone smile, and it will give me the ability to do multiple speakers at one time :) One of the things I usually do after a re-cone job is connect my HP audio oscillator to the speaker directly and run around 40 Hz for a few minutes to get the stiffness out of the new cone. (break-in period) This was another job well done! My teaching abilities have improved tremendously from your videos...I used to have difficulty putting things in common terms; which also taught me that not everyone is a technician, and I'm not able to talk shop with the average Joe :)

[@UncleDoug]

Thanks, Frank. My wife and I are now on low-sugar diets, so ice cream is a thing of the past :( I'm glad the videos were beneficial to your teaching abilities. Thanks for your input.

[@OddJobFix]

Wow, you are still replying after 7 years. That's commendable in itself. I was linked to this video so it's being shared still. That's a valuable video. Yes, I learned. Thank you.

[@UncleDoug]

I'm glad to hear it, OJ :)

[@Dan79istheman]

Once again Doug, great video. And I will be donating to your patreon link. The learning I have received from you has been invaluable. So appreciative mate. Regards, Dan

[@Dan79istheman]

Also Uncle Doug, don't be afraid to sell yourself a bit more. Maybe you could mention your patreon option in your video and include a direct link to the donation page.

[@UncleDoug]

I have been gradually working my way up to a video mention, Dan. On one hand, it goes against my nature to seek donations for anything, but on the other, this really has become a full-time job and has been keeping me away from many money-making opportunities.....as well as my family :)

[@Infinityplus1111]

I relate to your meticulousness. It is what hooked me in to you videos and I must say, there has not been a video where I haven't learned a thing ...or three. It is the sign of a great teacher. Kudos sir.

[@UncleDoug]

Thanks so much, Wiz. We're glad you appreciate our videos :)

[@boboala1]

Nice job Uncle D - you made/make it look easy(!) I happened upon this interesting video of yours by chance as I was Googling for info on if it was possible to recone the 6 x 9 speakers in a vintage set of Jensen Triaxial car speakers I obtained (free!) last summer. Apparently, these were the 1st of their kind & started selling in the mid-to-late 70s. They look neat and are heavy & stout. A few folks have new/unopened boxes of these on eBay asking for $200 - $300! Whoa! Reconing them is not a project I'll have time for in the near future...I was moving them out to storage & thought I'd check on reconing vs harvesting magnets. (The 6 x 9's are dry rotted 1/2" from the metal edges ALL the way around and I'm assuming the paper mid-range & tweeter (metal?) cone material - though it looks intact - is probably rotted & would fail very quickly upon use. PS I gotta say, and in agreement with you, the soundcheck of that speaker just laying on top of a plastic ice cream container was pretty darn good, Doug! It really caught my attention immediately and made me think 'what the...'! (Unless you pulled a joke on us & had a Fender Champ hidden off-view...? ;-) I thought it sounded better than some of the amps you've fixed - not that that's your fault - you always do the best with what you're given: old designs, old or wrong parts, and previous meddling, etc. But yeah, was that a freak accident of microphone placement or is there some sonic research to be done, perhaps, on a semi-closed-back speaker 'bucket' made of plastic that's firm enough to support the speaker's weight (and in this case, the speaker's weight at low volume prevented 'flapping' about...) and big enough volume-wise internally to absorb the backpressure of the speaker & hard enough to impart a somewhat naturally bright resonant and consonant tone? (I wonder what the sound would be like with holes of various sizes clustered about - not unlike the soundboards on Ovation guitars and mandolins?) All factors seeming perhaps to generate/support a nice naturally mixed 360 deg upward/outward soundscape. such as found in the ceilings of symphony concert halls. A hypothesis. Yet plastic speaker enclosures for PA cabs (HF horns) are not new...but this choice of material the way I see it, is more an efficient manufacuring cost and weight-cutting production method than for sound quality/dispersal. But I could be wrong... [Now it's storytime. Enjoy the below drivel of a once average, to slightly below that, mind...slipping into delusional predementia. Should you? Dare you!?] So now Mr. Retired Music Teacher - me - gotta go eat me a gallon of ice cream (no complaints!) and dig around in my man cave for a speaker to set on top of the empty rainbow sherbert. Maybe I'll get back to you on my findings. Since Roland makes the Cube series of amps, maybe you/me could design the 'Bob or Doug' Bucket 'cream' amp - a plastic recycling project, too! Why not recess a small 5W amp below the speaker in the bucket!?. Make a minimal cheap amp conversation piece: ain't gonna have no modelling SHARC chiips, BT, or USB to connect to a DAW! (They'll only be available at Dollar General stores next to the cat food & flea spray products.) Maybe 3 tone stages: Vanilla/clean, Blue Sherbert/slight breakup; and Chunky-Choco/brown lead sound! (If ya need Chorus, then buy 2 DougBuckets and stick one in the bathroom, close the door partially, and hook it to the other amp with our optional 'Y-creamer cord'...only $34.95 But it will require your exclusive black-with-white-stripe external AC/DC adapter that looks just like an ice cream sandwich - only $39.95. LOL! -) Those sending us plastic gallons of ice cream get a discount coupon in return towards the purchase of their very own DougBucket! OK. I just love to brainstorm, but it's time for bedtime, and to dream, we don't get sued by Danelectro! LOL...So goodnight, Douglass, and cheers!)

[@UncleDoug]

Bob, brand new 6" x 9" Rola-style speakers are currently available from: www.vintage47amps.com/V47-Speakers/

[@yeeboi5545]

I never imagined such a repair would even be practical. Surprised to see the parts are pretty available too. Awesome! I love your presentation style. Hope you start doing videos again soon. :)

[@UncleDoug]

Thanks, YB :)

[@ziccuj]

Beautiful work! I could never, in a hundred years, perform a procedure like that since there are so many steps where you can screw it up - and it only takes one to ruin the speaker. I just admire people like you who have the experience and know-how and want to share it with the whole world. All the best from Finland and a little hug to those four-legged fellows as well!

[@UncleDoug]

Thanks so much, J. I really think you could re-cone a speaker, with a little practice :)

[@stonecoldcustoms]

This is a master class in speaker reconing. Awesome to see a pro at work.

[@UncleDoug]

Wow, thanks, SC. We appreciate it :)

[@BURTBROWN]

LOL!!!!! I love your sense of humor and attention to the dog and cat!!!!! LOL!!! After seeing this, if I need a speaker reconed I'll send it to you!!!! It's a lot more detailed than a DIY job!!!!!

[@UncleDoug]

Glad you enjoyed the video, Burt. I no longer offer re-coning, since adding the cost of 2-way shipping to parts and labor generally exceeds the value of the speaker.

[@3rdiwide]

You must be around my back yard! Thank you for the video very easy to understand. Thank you for showing our beautiful desert wonders and highlighting the good that the Rail Road does to give back to our environment. Keep them videos rolling!

[@UncleDoug]

You're welcome, Jerry. Will do :)

[@gennidee]

Hello Uncle Doug, thank you for this interresting video! Just one addition, if I may: The first thing that I would do is ripping out the cone and sealing off the gap of the magnet with tape prior to any cleaning procedures. The way you did it it is very unlikely to get out all the dirt that you introduced to the gap when cleaning the basket, even with compressed air. Especially since you used a scraping tool to remove the gasket which might even scrape off some metal from the frame which doesn't come out with compressed air. On most speaker magnets the gap is only a few mm deep and then wides and there is a torroidal space underneath the gap. Once dirt got there it usually never gets out compelely and finds its way back into the gap sooner or later to produce a scraping voice coil. So, taking care no dirt gets into the magnet gap should always be priority #1 when reconing a speaker. Even then before installing the new cone I would use post-it stickers to clean the gap from dirt that might have creeped in there in the last decades. Hope you find my little advice helpful. It has been really successful for me being a collector of old speakers (30's.... 80's) who constantly has to deal with scraping voice coils with those old speakers often missing a dirt cap. (:

[@UncleDoug]

Thanks so much for your input, GD. This speaker had already been subjected to so much debris entering the VC gap that I neglected to protect it with tape......however, your suggestion is an excellent one and I hope the viewers benefit from it.

[@gennidee]

Thank you for your kind words, Uncle Doug (: By the way, your videos inspired me to revive my amp-building-hobby and I just finished a little weekend-project - little meaning literally little, almost tiny (: It's a 15x16x13cm (about 6"x6.5"x5") all tube combo using one half of a ECC82/12AU7 as a SE power amp (the other half + one ECC83/12AX7 as preamp stages). Speaker is an old 5" AlNiCO from 1958. Very minimalistic and nice vintage tones ^^ .... Anyways, thanks for the little push (:

[@UncleDoug]

You're welcome, GD. It's great to hear that our videos inspired you to begin building amps again. Your recent project sounds very interesting. Perhaps you would consider posting the schematic on my Facebook page: Uncle Doug's Vintage Amps. I would like to see it and I'm sure that other viewers would too.

[@archiguitarchi]

Very few people can actually teach. You are one of the few.

[@UncleDoug]

Thanks so much, AG :)

[@nickkiahtipes2785]

I don't learn by video well and frankly I don't find much of the gear videos to be electronically accurate in the first place but Uncle Doug, you and your crew of critters are sweet, even-order harmonics in a world of dissonant intermodulation! Love the desert appreciation at the end, I watched that part twice!!

[@UncleDoug]

Thanks so much for your kind words, Nick. We're glad you enjoyed the video :)

[@fordmustanggtish]

thank you sir. that was great! i did not know it was possible. great to keep the vintage speakers alive!

[@UncleDoug]

Glad you enjoyed it, Joel :)

[@djscott9207]

This was an impressive educational video. I like the detailed illustration and explanation with a little dash of humor. Dig the variac and DBT. The ending was the icing on the cake. Time flew!

[@UncleDoug]

Thanks so much, DJ :)

[@thome1547]

Great job, as you said, it is not a project for everyone, but the reward when finished and functioning will put you in higher spirits. It seems that Mastermind Rusty got a bit exhausted from detailing all your current projects. Keep it up and thanks for sharing.

[@UncleDoug]

Thanks, TM. Yes, Rusty has been overdoing it a bit lately and I've had to encourage him to take it easier :)

[@HBSuccess]

Beautiful job on the re-cone BTW. That looks better than it did new.

[@UncleDoug]

Thanks, TF. In a proper cabinet, it will most likely sound as good as it did new. I may get a chance to find this out.....so stay tuned.

[@HBSuccess]

I've handled a ton of 'pro' re-cones (never tried it myself, although now I might) - and honestly I don't think any of them showed the same degree of attention to detail. I think they have to ram-jam them out the door at the re-cone shops but a vintage amp like that deserves more. That was an impressive job - and video. Kudos!

[@UncleDoug]

Thanks so much, TF. It was indeed a very special speaker that had fallen on bad times and certainly deserved a careful and thorough resurrection. I would never work in an assembly line shop.....it goes against my obsessed-with-detail nature.

[@julesl6910]

Well damn Doug, I don't know why it took me so long to get here but your speakers series is absolutely fantastic and I feel a great deal more knowledgeable about how they operate. Thank you as always. PS love the ending with the little arroyo stream, what a nice touch.

[@UncleDoug]

Thanks, Jules. I'm glad you enjoyed it :)

[@SuperTheguys]

I'm 18 and I love your videos! You're making a mark on the youngsters!! Thanks, Uncle Doug!

[@UncleDoug]

You're welcome, Eric, and thanks for your very nice comment. If our videos are inspirational to young people, then I would consider it to be the greatest accomplishment we could ever hope for. Best of luck with your future.

[@UncleDoug]

@Ken Mason Maybe next time :)

[@georgekrabs6948]

Nice work once again unc, had to watch this one again, especially to see Rusty so overwhelmed with joy for a new project.And of course Jack's great fetch.Hope you're well.Cheers.

[@UncleDoug]

We're all doing quite well, George, especially Rusty, whose capacity for excitement and enthusiasm has increased dramatically.

[@murratosmani6517]

Hi Dough, thanks for the video! Perfekt for the Saturday morning coffee. Great how you put in all these little tips of your long experience. This really shows what to look for avoiding all the traps waiting for beginners. I'm a bit envious when seeing how much space and freedom you have at home. What a landscape. Thanks for sharing!

[@UncleDoug]

You're welcome, Murrat. We're all glad you enjoyed the video.....and your coffee :)

[@romanvanderspan7893]

Thrown underware 🤣 thank you very much! I love to learn from the people who still know how things need to be done properly. A lot of respect for sharing your knowledge with the younger generation like me. I’m going to try it and gently follow your steps.

[@UncleDoug]

OK, Roman, but be sure the underwear you throw is a clean pair ;)

[@SmokeFlame1]

I know absolutely nothing about electronics, but I surely enjoy your videos. They're fun and informative. I particularly enjoyed the ones where you build your own amps.

[@UncleDoug]

We're glad to hear that, SF, but be careful......if you keep watching them, you may end up knowing a lot about electronics :)

[@airtow6766]

Not many folk with the knowledge to recone. You did a nice job, and that old Jensen sounded good. Thanks!

[@UncleDoug]

You're welcome, Rex.

[@Alexandreklechowicz]

Mr. Doug. That is the best video for a recone speaker, thanks for share.

[@UncleDoug]

Thanks, Alex :)

[@jensniedrich]

Great video - I could learn a lot from basic speaker functions down to how to repair them. Not sure if this is something for me but very educational and interesting at the same time.

[@UncleDoug]

Glad to hear it, Jens. Thanks !!!

[@go6371]

Thanks for putting this up! it addressed everything everyone else left out like the coil spacing and the clothes pins was a nifty trick. thanks again!

[@UncleDoug]

You're welcome, 54Y.......glad it was helpful :)

[@rumproast2000]

This is something I've always wanted to learn how to do, but found it to be a daunting task and something that always had a mystique about it. Thanks for making it easy to understand and straightforward! Another awesome video!

[@UncleDoug]

You're welcome, RR. I'm glad it was helpful.

[@davidbird4597]

Beautiful work Uncle Doug! You have a lot of really neat little tricks to reconing speakers. Reminds me of the 23 years I work for Gibson guitar some of the things we used to use. Thank you so much for putting on this video I feel like I can do it myself now. I really enjoy watching all your videos thanks so much again 🙂!

[@UncleDoug]

Thanks so much, David. Give it a try :)

[@jazzmood2383]

Hi, Uncle Doug. Thanks for these great tutorials wich make me feel confortable on electronics. It's not common to find someone who explains everything in such a calm way. Please keep it that way! Macedo Pinto Portugal

[@UncleDoug]

You're welcome, Macedo. We will :)

[@charlesshaw9090]

Really excellent and informative video. Best recone instruction I've seen. I have a real vintage g12m waiting for a recone and having watched this, I may attempt it! Get that poor dog exercising! Great, thanks!

[@UncleDoug]

Thanks, Charles.....glad you enjoyed the video. Watch Rusty's ball-playing at the end of the B&H Projector amp video. He would have made a great shortstop :)

[@markbatten5178]

Very well done and loved the old dust cap. Thanks again.

[@UncleDoug]

Thanks, Mark. It's like a felt air cleaner :)

[@joesimon2018]

I have used black automotive weatherstripping glue for these jobs and it works pretty well. It's strong and flexible and quite durable.

[@UncleDoug]

Thanks for your input, Joe.

[@MrZlooze]

A magnificent tutorial! I look forward to trying this.

[@UncleDoug]

Thanks, Mr. Z ;)

[@JCHaywire]

I've watched 99% of your videos at some point in my uneventful life, and generally felt fulfilled--yet one burning question (of a purely practical nature) has remained. In this video, you closed that smarting emotional papercut. I can't tell you how many times I've had to painstakingly remove a wide variety of undergarments from my un-capped Jensens. Problem solved. Thanks, buddy.

[@UncleDoug]

You're welcome, JC. I too have been plagued with this virtually insurmountable task more times than I care to recall. For me, the worst to remove are, in no particular order, sequined G-strings, edible thongs (especially licorice flavor), and old wino boxer shorts. As a result, I carry a pair of barbecue tongs with me at all live performances to de-"brief" the pole piece.

[@a.f.1587]

Wow. Beautiful and clean work, well done! It was very relaxing to watch it and so satisfying to see that old speaker got a second chance.

[@UncleDoug]

Thanks, AF. Glad you enjoyed it :)

[@jjoud6639]

Excellent tutorial! This gave me the courage to re-cone my old '68 Jensen C30 speaker with the cone all cracked. I actually re-used the gaskets and dust cap as well as the coil. The new coil was thicker compare to the old one made of paper, and didn't quite fit that well. I just put on some new leads and it worked like a charm. The gaskets didn't fit either, so it's a good idea to save these parts just in case. As for sound, it is difficult to compare an old cone that has been around since '68, with a new one. Who knows what it sounded like new? The new one is still not broken in, but it still sounds sweet to my ears. So thanks! And I suppose I must give credit to Rusty as well, he owes his part in this too, just by being himself.

[@UncleDoug]

Congratulations on your successful reconing project, JJ. As you discovered, the job requires care and focus......but it's not all that challenging. You're welcome :)

[@destijl7414]

Excellent! Thank you for sharing your work.

[@UncleDoug]

Glad you enjoyed it, DS.

[@saturn5tony]

Wow excellent restore of that speaker, thank you for sharing lt Uncle Doug, and thanks to Rusty and Jack for their enthusiasm.

[@UncleDoug]

You're welcome, Tony. I'd be lost without their able assistance and encouragement :)

[@PelleKuipers]

A lot of fun to watch. I am only a guitar builder but I love seeing you work and listening to you explain it.

[@UncleDoug]

Thanks, SS. We're glad you enjoy our videos :)

[@daveb9370]

Another fine video from one of the best youtubers out there. Thank you Uncle Doug, Rusty and Jack.

[@UncleDoug]

You're welcome, Dave, and thanks for the nice comment.

[@PFrei900]

Great video! Informative and entertaining. With your help I believe I've successfully re-coned an Oxford 12" from my '64 Fender Bassman.

[@UncleDoug]

Thanks, PF. We hope the speaker works perfectly :)

[@michaelszczys8316]

Wow! That was absolutely fabulous Uncle Doug, it brings back a long, long, long time ago when I was a teenager and a friend gave me a couple huge 15 inch speakers ( biggest thing I had was a 12 ) with fried out coils and I gave it a heck of a try to make my own coils and put them in. It didn’t work much but I gave it heck. Wish I still had some of the blown out EV 15s I had , I would get the right stuff and try it.

[@UncleDoug]

The "giving of heck" is all that normal humans can offer, Michael, so you should harbor no regrets over this incident......but it's a darned shame that the mighty and wonderful EV-15's could not have been saved.

[@fullstop213]

Again, thanks to you and all your very industrious assistants for very interesting and educational presentations!

[@UncleDoug]

You're welcome, FS. I owe it all to my experts co-workers :)

[@PeterWalkerHP16c]

To my mind this is *_the_* most interesting UD vid yet. I didn't even know one could buy parts and repair speakers. It also taught me a lot about the construction of loud speakers. That was great viewing!!

[@UncleDoug]

Wow.....thanks so much, Peter :)

[@bullthrush]

Rusty's macro camera work is very impressive! Nice tips along the way of the close tolerance work required. Thank you. Good to see Jack moving. :)) The desert is looking nice too.

[@UncleDoug]

He does indeed have a steady paw. It is a "fussy" job, requiring good up-close eyesight....which is becoming more and more scarce around here :) You're welcome.....glad you enjoyed the desert trek.