Looking for motorola tweeter

[gidaver]

New guy here.  I purchased a sunn PA system roughly 20 years ago new.  It is the SX6350(6 channel, 350 watts) head with model #1205 cabinets(15" speaker with a dual motorola tweeters).  Recently, I had one of the tweeters go bad.  This PA system has been through some moderately rough times and has never failed me as far as performance goes, and I would rather find the correct tweeter instead of finding something that fits the hole.  Does anyone know where to purchase tweeters for these cabinets?  I would really like to find the motorola tweeters and have had zero luck so far.  I'm in Kansas city area and I could use some help tracking down these tweeters.  Thanks in advance. 

Jay

[Isaac]

IIRC, it's just a piezoelectric tweeter. I'd be surprised if you heard a difference between an old Motorola (it'd have to be old - Motorola doesn't make them anymore) and a new one that looks the same. I've seen Motorola units on ebay for around $15, but you can get replacements for about a tenth that price.

Something like this: http://www.parts-express.com/wizards/searchResults.cfm?srchExt=CAT&srchCat=452&searchFilter=piezo&CFID=5401306&CFTOKEN=72986358

[gidaver]

I seriously doubt I would be able to tell the difference in sound either; I would just prefer it be what came with it if it was still available.  I bought it new in 1989.  I didn't think about evilbay, I'll check into that.  Now I just need to fill the hole with something of the same dimensions.  The hole in the cabinet is 9"x3 1/2".  Thank you for your time and info.  Much appreciated. 

Jay

[gidaver]

I did search on ebay and actually found quite a few motorola tweeters, just the wrong size.  Pardon my lack of knowledge on tweeters, but would it be possible to change only the drivers?

[mckinnon audio]

   Hi there,as long as the mounting holes line up,you can mount another piezo element to the lens.It just needs to fit properly,good luck,Mel.

[gidaver]

I didn't know if some pics would help to identify it better.  As far as specifications go, the back of the cabinet says 8 ohm, 100 watt rated(I'm assuming RMS).  I found some tweeters on ebay with similar specs, just the horn was not to the same dimensions as the hole cut in the cabinet.  Can you tell what type of tweeter it is by the pics?  Just want to make sure what type I'm looking for.  Thanks again for your help guys. 
Jay

[mckinnon audio]

  Hi Jay,the part you're holding in your hand is the piezo element.That's the only part you have to replace.As long as the 3 screw holes line up on the replacement,you can unclip the wires and screw the new one on.Everyone uses these,from Peavey to John Meyer,shouldn't be too hard to find one.Good luck,Mel.

[gidaver]

Thanks for the info Mel.  I haven't had much luck in my area(and I'm mostly computer illiterate-not sure where else to look), so if anyone has an idea for where to obtain these or something similar, it would be greatly appreciated.  8 ohm, 100 watt tweeters(with the above screw pattern) I guess is what I'm looking for.  Thanks again guys.  This site is pretty cool.  I dig looking at the vintage sunn equipment.   My old bassist has an old 2-15" sunn bass cabinet that absolutely rocked. 

Jay 

[Isaac]

I don't know of any place to get them without their being attached to a horn. Obviously, they're available, but maybe only in industrial quantities. Why not buy a new horn for $2 and take it from that?

[gidaver]

So far, I have come to the conclusion that that is probably going to be my best option.  The majority of what I've seen(on ebay) is for the DIY DJ that wants to build a custom cabinet, with tweeters being sold by the dozen.  But what I've seen(so far anyways) is 4 lugs to mount to the horn instead of three.  I just need to keep searching ebay I guess.  Unless there is another place to search....
Thanks for all the help, you've helped me identify what I need. 
P.S.-Through some more research, I found that motorola tweeters division have been purchased by a company by the name of CTS.  I found a site(BLUZ BROS) with some info that I'm sure most of you probably already know this:

QUOTE As everyone knows, CTS  ceased manufacturing their piezo electric tweeters nearly two years ago.  There were rumors that another firm had purchased the molds and the rights to produce the same high quality products that their predecessors (Motorola  & CTS) had provided the industry.  We are pleased to report that the rumors have proved true and we have located the prime manufacturer in the United States.  Their product is currently being manufactured in the Philippines and distributed in the United States.  Many of the molds had to be re-tooled, so the prices have risen to meet their financial challenges of current production.  We are purchasing their products as each model becomes available.  The same high quality sound is their goal!  We are shipping the balance of our  Motorola  and CTS  tweeters first until the old inventory has been depleted.  If you prefer only the newer inventory, just inform us at the time of your order and we will let you know if that item is in current production.  Unfortunately the new owners are still trying to decide on a a name.  Therefore the latest available product does NOT yet have a new name on it.  These are the same Piezos that use the same original Motorola / CTS Piezo elements that make a piezo a piezo.  Don't be fooled by the cheap imports copies that don't hold up." QUOTED FROM BLUZ BROS WEBSITE.


It seems that alot of folks on other forums don't approve of the knock offs.  Until I can find motorola/CTS replacements, I may by some cheapies and take a chance.  I did find that it is a KSN 1005 diaphragm. 
Jay

[EdBass]

This is unquestionably the most indepth discussion I've ever read about a freekin' piezo tweeter.

QUOTE As everyone knows, CTS  ceased manufacturing their piezo electric tweeters nearly two years ago.  There were rumors that another firm had purchased the molds and the rights to produce the same high quality products that their predecessors (Motorola  & CTS) had provided the industry.

Silly me, I always thought the terms "piezo" and "high quality" were mutually exclusive relative to tweeter applications. Why don't your tear the remaining "high quality piezos" out and get some real drivers in there?
Anyway, if you are intent on replacing those diaphrams, here you go.

http://www.speakerrepair.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=10-339&Category_Code=add_q_piezo

[Isaac]

Piezoelectric tweeters can be very good, but not the way they're usually used. They really do need a crossover, despite what everyone's been saying all these years. And they shouldn't be used below 4K, in most cases.

[EdBass]

Great concept, and piezo's have tremendous use potential in a wide range of applications, but IMO music reproduction isn't one of them. I think they perform quite well in the acoustic receiving role of a transducer, but usually very thin and harsh as a tweeter.
Hard to beat them from a durabilty and cost standpoint though!