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Repairing Tear in Altec 406-8Y Woofer

Wickateer

Wickateer

New Member
Picked up some well loved Altec Maderas last weekend and one of the woofers has a tear in the cloth surround. Amazingly, I can't really hear any difference from the other speaker with intact surrounds. Still, I would like to find a way to patch it up if possible. Anyone had success with repairing a 406 or other Altec woofers from that era? Any tips appreciated. Thanks!
 

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Wow that’s missing a whole chunk of the surround. With them being an acoustic suspension, you really want the cabs to be as air tight as possible.

I would think about getting a donor surround and cutting a piece out of it to use. You can buy cloth accordion surrounds fairly cheap online. You just want the repair to remain flexible. I’m not sure what adhesive to use, but I’m sure someone who has done this will be along here shortly. Luckily I’ve only had to deal with cone tears.

Another option is send it to speaker guru GordonW. I’m sure he could either repair it or replace the surround with a new one.

I also have a pair of 892a I got a few months back. I recapped then and refinished the cabs, but haven’t spent a whole lot of time with them yet. I also got some new grill cloth but haven’t had time to put it on.

Post some pics of your speakers when you get them back together.
 
Midwest Speaker in Roseville Minnesota sells the surround material. Because I live here I just take the speakers to them to be fixed by them.
 
For adhesive, I use Weldwood contact cement (the red can).
You can thin it with Naptha if needed and I usually do use it thinned.
I've used it on lots of old speakers over the years, it always works great.
I got that directly from Ted Weber of Weber VST speakers long ago (Ted has since passed on).
I've used it not only as an adhesive, but also to 'tighten up', or seal up various cone and surround issues/tears/wear.
It's my number one go-to for any type of speaker repair/band-aid/fix-er-up.
 
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