Amazing Ribbon Kapton material

Hi all, I am new to the forum. I just purchased a set of Carver Amazing Loudspeakers, originals and found this forum while trying to find information on fixing them. I remember the first time I heard these speakers, I used to drive for two hours to get to St Louis just to run the stereo shops in the late 80’s and drool on the gear. I always wanted a pair of these speakers but never had the chance until now. The pair needs some TLC and one of the ribbons is bad. I have done a little research and I have found out that the company that made the material for the ribbons is still in business and you can purchase the kapton material from them to rebuild the ribbons. What I don’t know is the name of the company and how to contact them. I was hoping someone on the forum wound know this. I want to try rebuilding them myself so I am also looking for anyone who has some 30” ribbons that they no longer need due to an upgrade and would like to sell them.(got to have something to practice on) Any information on how to rebuild them would be great! I may even remake the cabinets. I do a lot of custom woodworking and am in the process of building every piece of furniture in my house out of quarter sawn white oak in mission style so I could make new cabinets out of solid quarter sawn oak. If I get that far I will post a picture.

Thanks!
Glass.

It would be easier and cheaper for you to have Dave S. rebuild your ribbon.

The pair needs some TLC and one of the ribbons is bad. I have done a little research and I have found out that the company that made the material for the ribbons is still in business and you can purchase the kapton material from them to rebuild the ribbons.

If you do purchase the ribbon material from that company, it will be in the multiple thousands as you have to purchase a minimum quantity. The minimum quantity is quite substantial to say the least.

As F1nut has said, it would be cheaper to have Dave repair the ribbons. Not to mention, the job would be done right the first time. So, unless you want to spend the amount that you would spend on a new car, go with Dave.

BTW, welcome to the forum.

Welcome

Talk to DaveS.
He's a great guy. I rebuilt one of my 60" with his material and guidance.

Hi all, normally I would say you are right just have the Dave fix it and be done with it. But I kind of like doing stuff myself and it’s a challenge. The other reason is I have really caught the bug for these speakers. So I have one pair now in my two channel system but I am finishing in a home theater in my basement and I am hooked so I need a pair for the front and rear, and then I plan to make a custom center channel, ribbon in the middle flaked by two 12” on each end in a horizontal lay out and put it above the projector screen. All mounted in custom quarter sawn oak cabinets. Now you see where this is going. I see on here where I can purchase the woofers new, or maybe buy some used and refoam them ( I rebuilt three pair of Bose 901’s last year) I will either have to come up with used crossovers or make them from scratch, then find the ribbon drivers, so I may be able to find Ribbons that need rebuilt from someone who has upgraded to the platinum and removed the 30” drivers or sitting here looking at the 30” driver out of my speaker, if I can figure out how to replace the ribbon maybe I can make the speaker from scratch. It looks like the driver is held between two pieces of wood probably kept in place by the pressure from the screws that pass through the body of the metal case and wood with an electrical connection on each end. It is flanked by what looks like three rows of magnets front and back, If I can get the magnets I may be able to make the complete driver. Now that is a lot of if’s but I know you can get the Kapton material, looking at the driver I can make the metal and wood parts all I would need to know is the size, strength, magnet type and any orientation rules, and maybe I could get them to. Once I have this part figured out I can make the complete speaker. The hardest part for me will probably be the crossovers because I have not done that type of work before but I have a crossover sitting on the back of the speaker behind me and I have seen a schematic of it on here so if I can get the parts I should be able to make one. I know it all sounds crazy… Maybe I am getting way ahead of myself so I will contact Dave and see if he will sell me the material and maybe talk me through rebuilding this pair first. I wish I could have gone to the Carverfest and had the honor of talking to Bob about these speakers, he would probably call me crazy to.

You're not crazy, just eager.

I have done pretty much what you say you want to do... trust me, not worth the time starting from scratch.
I looked into making NEW ribbons a while back. The upfront cost to get the minimum orders of everything was around 10k
And that was before the prices of metal went all crazy.

Best bet is to get some used ribbons off eBay or Craigslist and rebuild them. Either doing it yourself, or having Dave do them.

And if you want NOS we have them here as well viewtopic.php?f=3&t=1263

Ok, now that my unbridled enthusiasm is under control and you all have talked some sense into me I have to make a decision. I think I am going to buy the new 60” ribbons from Toy Maker for the set of amazing I have now. Then I am going to take the 30” ribbons I have now and see if DaveS will sell me the material and I will try to rebuild them and order new subs to make a pair from scratch. I found a set of crossovers for sale so I think I can make this work if I am lucky. I am probably still crazy but it gives me something to do. My dad and I work in the woodshop all the time and he likes new projects anyway. The last pair of speakers we built was in 1989 with drivers from radio shack.

Or sell me one working 30' ribbon..