Speaker reconing parts?

[Rhodesplyr]

I'd like to be able to get access to speaker reconing parts so that I can subcontract to my brother to do occasional recones for clients of mine. I can trust that he's going to do an extremely precise job every time.

The catch is, as I'm sure anyone who's had anything to do with speaker reconing knows, access to speaker reconing parts is still very restricted. I gather that this stems from the practice of protecting the territory of established reconers. I can understand the reasons for that, but it gets in the way of my ability to get the right parts to the best reconer I know.

Thus, I'm wondering, other than Weber, are there any companies out there that will actually sell cones, voice coils, spiders, etc... to smaller businesses or individuals? I know you can buy DIY recone kits for specific speakers like JBLs and EVs, but I'm thinking about generic Jensen, Utah, CTS, etc... recones.

[Enzo]

Last time I was in a discussion of this, I googled speaker reconing and got a ton of hits.

Also, last I looked, Parts Express had some reconing materials.

Martin Pro SOund is a good source in my view for certain speakers and speaker parts, you might see what they have in the way of recone materials.

Madisound is more hifi, but you might contact them for resources.

[Rhodesplyr]

Thanks, Enzo.

Parts Express has a few refoaming kits, dust caps, and adhesives, but they don't sell cones, voice coils, or spiders.

Martin Pro Sound has some interesting stuff, but I think that both they and Madisound are selling primarily to people who are building loudspeaker systems, whether for home or PA use, not to people doing reconing. I've bought some Morel and Vifa tweeters from Madisound in the past.

The issue with most serious reconing supply places is that you have to meet certain conditions for them to deal with you at all. My brother compares it to situations he's run into in terms of trying to repair his own heating or air conditioning equipment. A local distributor may have the part you need in stock, but they won't sell to you unless you're a licensed HVAC installer.

Weber is one of the very few places that will sell raw cones, voice coils, spiders, tinsel wire, etc... to the general public.

[Enzo]

Madisound is hifi for sure, but if you contact them and ask over at Martin, they may be able to source recone kits for some of the name brand speakers. And sometimes you can contact the speaker makers, worst they can do is say no. It has been a very long time ago, but I once ordered a recone kit from Yamaha for a Yamaha speaker. Came with cone and coil, shims, tube of cement, dome. Very complete. And it has also been a long time ago, but we used to could order recone kits from EV direct.

And one thing I keep relearning, is many times on google listings, the odd small hit on page 5 sometimes pays off better than the mainstream hits up front.

But whatever you find out, ther will be a number of us interested in the results.


I mainly use Martin to buy new speakers, and they have a variety of compression driver diaphragms I find useful.

[J M Fahey]

access to speaker reconing parts is still very restricted. I gather that this stems from the practice of protecting the territory of established reconers.

This is crazy.
Imagine Mouser answering "we can't sell you those 1/4W resistors because you have not offered satisfactory proof of being an established amp repairer/all amp repairs in Florida must be referred to Joe's Service"
Those Mafia/Drug gangs don't "protect" their territories much tighter than this.
Crazy.
We are talking *Speaker* repair, not Hospital Life Support Systems, or Airport Instrument Landing ones, where I *do* find such control essential.
What about Free Trade, Capitalism, fair Competition, and all that Jazz?

[Bill Moore]

I haven't tried to purchase reconing parts, but I find a state tax ID number will get you better pricing than the general public. Of course volume buys will always ensure a better price point.