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Help! Grado died 50% (with pics)

post #1 of 18
7/24/08 at 7:59am
Thread Starter 
Hi all,

I'm afraid I have some bad news.

When doing my recable on my MS-1 one of the plastic things where you are supposed to solder the wires to has come of. Probably because of all the violence it has seen to get the cup open. However the actual thing happened when I tried to solder the wires.


This is my good cup. Everything is working properly here.


This is the victim. You can see the plastic thing is missing.


Just another pic to make things a bit more easier to see what the problem is. I know the blue wire is a bit messed up atm.

I have absolutely no idea how it's going to make contact to the driver. I suppose there is some sort of lead from the top-plastic to the driver. That's probably why there is some sort of gum there which can be seen in the pics.

I hope you guys can help me with this one as I like the Alessandros a lot. I also thought of buying just one MS-1 cup, is this possible somewhere?

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post #2 of 18
7/24/08 at 8:26am
Too bad, ApatN! I fear this driver is dead, as the coil wire is destroyed.

Surely a solveable problem, but it may take a while until everything is organized. If I was you, I'd send an inquire for a spare driver both to Alessandro and Grado, but I guess Grado is the better option. Pray that they send the correct driver, as the Grado empoyee morale isn't exactly what I would call prussian.

**thinks**

Looking at shipping costs and exchange rates, you better order another MS1. I doubt that this would be more expensive than an exchange driver, but million times quicker.

Good luck!
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post #3 of 18
7/24/08 at 8:57am
Thread Starter 


I got to think things over then. I really really really (:P) like the Alessandro but I also want something better. I'm thinking of DT880'03/HD650/K701 but I also wanted to hear the MS1000.

I'll give it some more time however. If it is broken, do try to fix it
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post #4 of 18
7/24/08 at 10:25am


In the red circles, are there wires?
There should be the actual wires going to the driver.
If you can see them, I suggest you ask a pro if he can reconnect the soldier pad you lifted off.

And no, I am not going to apologise for my drawing skills
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post #5 of 18
7/24/08 at 10:47am
Sorry to say but that driver is likely trash now as the super-thin coil leads have been broken and do not appear to be exposed. Even if the ends were exposed the chance of a repair are pretty slim. I know because I did a similar thing once trying to accomplish my 3rd or 4th re-wire.

The cure?
Send them back to Grado Labs who will repair them for a flat charge of $40, which they charge for any repair not under warranty.
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post #6 of 18
7/24/08 at 12:20pm
Thread Starter 


I don't see any wires. I guess this thing can't be fixed anymore. I'll send an email to Alessandro/Grado regarding the options for fixing it or else I think I'll go with a DT880'03
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post #7 of 18
7/24/08 at 1:50pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by apatN View Post


I don't see any wires. I guess this thing can't be fixed anymore. I'll send an email to Alessandro/Grado regarding the options for fixing it
unless you could perform 'micro-surgery' on it (unwind part of the coil to get new leads, reattach them to the terminal block and re-glue it to the driver), which is unlikely to be successful, that would be your best option . . . .

although now might be a good tie to consider an upgrade
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post #8 of 18
7/24/08 at 1:59pm
If you would like, I could gladly take them off of your hands.
I do some of this kind of repairwork on small electronics, I I might be able to do something with them.
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post #9 of 18
7/24/08 at 2:09pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Germania
If you would like, I could gladly take them off of your hands.
I do some of this kind of repairwork on small electronics, I I might be able to do something with them.
He's Dutch, shipping costs would probably exceed any DIY advantage. But good to know for owners of vintage gear though.
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post #10 of 18
7/24/08 at 2:10pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by NiceCans View Post
The cure?
Send them back to Grado Labs who will repair them for a flat charge of $40, which they charge for any repair not under warranty.
Does Grado definitely provide that service for Alessandro headphones too?
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post #11 of 18
7/24/08 at 2:13pm
Thread Starter 
Well Alessandro isn't even a 'real' brand. They're Grados as well.

And thanks a lot Germania but as nickchen said I'm Dutch so that won't work.

I sent an email to both Alessandro and Grado, inquiring about my options but haven't got a reply yet. Well, with such a big company I should give it some time.
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post #12 of 18
7/25/08 at 6:49am
Thread Starter 
Just a little update. I got a reply to my email to Grado Labs:

Quote:
Repair charges would be $30.00, and shipping costs would be $30.35.
Please return them to our factory address listed below and include
a short note explaining all.
Thanks so much.

Regards,

Grado Labs
4614 7th Ave.
Brooklyn, NY 11220
I think I will get them repaired by Grado. 60USD is like 40EU so not that expensive. I don't like the fact to ship them to the USA however. Shipping costs would be 30.35 but I don't know if I have to pay that twice. Let alone the customs when I would get it back. I had to pay 42EU for just two pairs of GS1K pads..

Has anyone got some experience with Grado Labs repairing?

Nick.
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post #13 of 18
7/25/08 at 8:32am
Quote:
Originally Posted by apatN View Post
Has anyone got some experience with Grado Labs repairing?
When I had mine repaired I only paid shipping in one direction, they paid for shipping back to me once repaired. I do not live in Europe, but I expect they'd do the same. You could always send another email to be certain.
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post #14 of 18
7/25/08 at 9:00am
Quote:
Originally Posted by apatN View Post
Just a little update. I got a reply to my email to Grado Labs:



I think I will get them repaired by Grado. 60USD is like 40EU so not that expensive. I don't like the fact to ship them to the USA however. Shipping costs would be 30.35 but I don't know if I have to pay that twice. Let alone the customs when I would get it back. I had to pay 42EU for just two pairs of GS1K pads..

Has anyone got some experience with Grado Labs repairing?

Nick.
You will still have to post the phones to Grado, i.e. additional expense on top of the quoted amounts from Grado. I would guess the total cost to roughly equal the price of a brand-new MS-1 from Alessandro...
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post #15 of 18
7/25/08 at 9:06am
i'm afraid that a repair will cost you more than a new headphone, 60$ to grado labs, shipping to the usa will cost at least another 15-20$...and when the package returns...it may happend that the customs charge some taxes....you'd better get a brand new ms1...
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