Dunlop Heil Talk Box won't speak to me.

[Jamforthelamb]

Hey all,
I recently aquired a used Talk Box. I tried running it using my 28w practice amp, and I couldn't get it to work. I setup it up by un-plugging the practice amp's speaker leads, clipping them onto a speaker cable, and pluging it into the Talk Box. I've never used a Talk Box before, but I assume that the guitar's sound will be fairly audible through the tube if it was working correctly ? The only way I get any sound through the tube is with the amp cranked all the way up, and the sound is very quiet. The only other amp I have to test this with is my 120w Twin which exceeds the recommended wattage limit.

I've heard these have capacitors that go before the horn driver, is it possible it could be bad ? I haven't opened it up yet.

Thanks!
-jftl

[m-theory]

They aren't very loud, though it should be loud enough to feel vibrations in your mouth when you're wearing the tube.  There's not much to them, so I'd definitley pop the top and see what's cooking inside.  Be careful with those flakey speaker connections...if that's a tube amp and one of those wires comes loose while your pushing the amp, you'll very likely take out the output transformer.

[Jamforthelamb]

It's a solid state amp so I should be safe in that regard.
I'll try and crack it open tonight.

Thanks!
-jftl

[jayp5150]

Just for a reference, with my 5150 at stage volume (about 3 1/2) my Talkbox is at about regular speaking volume.

[Jamforthelamb]

Ok, there's definitely a problem then because with my practice amp cranked I have to hold my ear to the tube to be able to hear anything. How snug is your tube into the box ? I got some 5/8 inch tube for my because it didn't have the original, and it's snug, but not real snug.

Thanks!
-jftl

[m-theory]

I got some 5/8 inch tube for my because it didn't have the original, and it's snug, but not real snug.

That's probably your problem, although I do believe that the cap in there is an electrolytic, so you should probably swap that out anyway. 

[Jamforthelamb]

Ok, I'll try and use some cloth tape to make the end going into the box more snug. I'll check on that cap tonight.

Thanks!
-jftl

[jayp5150]

Even if it was the tube not being tight, you should still be able to pull the tube out and hear it coming out of the connector thingy easily.

Worst case scenario, the horn is bad. I'm sure you can find a cheap replacement (well... a not-so-costly replacement) on e-bay or at a place like Parts Express, etc. that has speaker building parts.

But, as stated, start with the wiring and cap, and go from there.

[Jamforthelamb]

Check this out:

So do you think the cap is bad ? 
-jftl

[jayp5150]

Maybe it just has a sinus infection... give it some amoxocillin and call me in 7 days lol.

Good deal, man. hit back with results.

[Jamforthelamb]

Well that kind of stuff has certainly been going around our house 

I've heard the cap is 15uf, but that 47uf can be used. Any idea on what tolerance I should get ?
+ of the cap goes toward the driver I assume ?

Thanks!
-jftl

[Jamforthelamb]

Nevermind, I found it. It's a 15uf non-polarized 50v cap.

Thanks!
-jftl