Ferguson 461; loudspeaker fault? - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

Andy Day · 8th Nov 2006, 9:37 pm

Hi folks,

I've just done a quick restoration of a Ferguson 461 from 1946, don't know why, it's unmemorable enough!

To the quick. The audio doesn't sound right. I'm a bit Mutt and Jeff, but some musical content sounds "crunchy" Not all music sounds the same, Virgin plays a tune 'The White Hare' by Seth Lakeman, sounds awful, but Ok on other radios. Other tunes on the 461 sound ok!

It's as if it distorts in a particular part of the audio spectrum, perhaps up at the top - probably 4-6 khz for me?

How should these sound, any ideas if there may be a fault?

ukcol · 8th Nov 2006, 10:15 pm

Hi Andy

Sounds like it might be the speaker. Try disconnecting the voice-coil of the speaker and temporarily connecting another speaker.

Sideband · 8th Nov 2006, 10:59 pm

Yup. I'd go along with Colin on this.

I repaired one of these a few years ago and had to fit a replacement speaker. The original energised one had an O/C field coil so I fitted a choke and a PM speaker as the customer was not too bothered about originality...also didn't want to spend much!

The end result was fine. I seem to recall it sounded very good.

Might be worth pulling the speaker out and checking that the voice coil is not fouling the centre post. You may be able to re-centre it using thin paper shims if that's all it turns out to be.

Rich.

Andy Day · 9th Nov 2006, 9:17 pm

Thanks lads, you may well be right!

When you gently move the cone in and out by hand you can hear the voice coil fouling the core or magnet. I'll sub one off another radio.

8th Nov 2006, 9:37 pm	#1
Andy Day Pentode Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, UK. Posts: 154	Ferguson 461; loudspeaker fault? Hi folks, I've just done a quick restoration of a Ferguson 461 from 1946, don't know why, it's unmemorable enough! To the quick. The audio doesn't sound right. I'm a bit Mutt and Jeff, but some musical content sounds "crunchy" Not all music sounds the same, Virgin plays a tune 'The White Hare' by Seth Lakeman, sounds awful, but Ok on other radios. Other tunes on the 461 sound ok! It's as if it distorts in a particular part of the audio spectrum, perhaps up at the top - probably 4-6 khz for me? How should these sound, any ideas if there may be a fault? __________________ The older I get, the faster I was! Last edited by Darren-UK; 15th Jul 2011 at 1:58 pm.

8th Nov 2006, 10:15 pm	#2
ukcol Rest in Peace Join Date: May 2003 Location: Harlaxton, Lincolnshire, UK. Posts: 3,944	Re: Ferguson 461 audio sounds 'not right' Hi Andy Sounds like it might be the speaker. Try disconnecting the voice-coil of the speaker and temporarily connecting another speaker.

8th Nov 2006, 10:59 pm	#3
Sideband Dekatron Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Croydon, Surrey, UK. Posts: 7,572	Re: Ferguson 461 audio sounds 'not right' Yup. I'd go along with Colin on this. I repaired one of these a few years ago and had to fit a replacement speaker. The original energised one had an O/C field coil so I fitted a choke and a PM speaker as the customer was not too bothered about originality...also didn't want to spend much! The end result was fine. I seem to recall it sounded very good. Might be worth pulling the speaker out and checking that the voice coil is not fouling the centre post. You may be able to re-centre it using thin paper shims if that's all it turns out to be. Rich. __________________ There are lots of brilliant keyboard players and then there is Rick Wakeman.....

9th Nov 2006, 9:17 pm	#4
Andy Day Pentode Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, UK. Posts: 154	Re: Ferguson 461 audio sounds 'not right' Thanks lads, you may well be right! When you gently move the cone in and out by hand you can hear the voice coil fouling the core or magnet. I'll sub one off another radio. __________________ The older I get, the faster I was!