need ALTEC 3000 diphrams

[joe3rp]

Can anyone direct/refer me to a pair of replacement diaphrams for an Altec 3000H Hi-Freq Drivers?
I already called GPA...no luck.

Thanks

[Old Guy]

hmole posted April 16, 2006

I think the tweeter in the 602 is the t-3000 which has a microphone diaphram. It was used in the 601 and as a tweeter in various systems as the Bolero and Coronado. I think it may have been Altecs longest running driver as it was produced from somewhere in the 40's to at least the 80's.
For repair talk to
MicroMike Laboratories ?
1537 West Cris Place
Anaheim, California 92802
Telephone: (714) 774-0342
Attention: Mr. Bill Hayes

[Todd W. White]

I was about to suggest Bill Hayes, as well.

Tell him I said hello.

[bfish]

Wonder if it's possible to swap them out from a 632 or 633 mic without damage?

[DrRick007]

For years I've heard that the 3000 uses an Altec microphone diaphram. The previous post mentioned a 632 or 633 mic.

Does anyone know if that is correct?

If so, I will sacrifice one of my 633's to try it.

Any one know for sure?

Peace,

DrRick

[bfish]

From my shot-to-hello memory, I think the 3000 fram is the same as both the 632 and 633 mic frams. I think it's mylar, and the compliance is hydraulically formed, maybe under heat. Not sure if the edge is glued, or held in place mechanically, but I suspect it would be easy to destroy one in removal, if it could be done at all. All this is vague memory that shouldn't be depended on, maybe Todd or Jim D can tell us for sure. All I can say for sure is the fram is as fragile as a soap bubble.

I've got a 632 I intended to sacrifice for this very purpose, as the housing's all ate up, yet the fram ohms out OK. So much corrosion on the case, I haven't been able to get it apart yet though.

It seems they last longer in mics than tweeters, presumably from smaller movement and less current. As many as were made of both, I'd think that at least at some point in time there would have been either a large stock of replacements, or an aftermarket alternative, but I never heard of any. Last I heard, Mr. Hayes needed several people to make an order, and didn't have any made and ready to ship or install, but that may have changed. Guess someone should call and find out.

[bfish]

I found some info on Altec mic 'frams in TL 148;

http://alteclansingunofficial.nlenet...ers/TL_148.pdf

From this paper, it seems the 'frams are glued in. Since there's no frame, the diaphragm material is glued directly to the magnet, which confirms my earlier suspicion that it would be very difficult to remove one without damage. The only apparent remaining swap-out option would be if the entire assy was interchangeable. I've still had no luck getting my 632 apart for comparison.