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Bought a pair of empty Altec Model 19 speaker cabinets. Now contemplating which direction I am going to go with them. The options seem to be to buy vintage drivers and woofers and rebuild them. Or I could buy all new components from Great Plains. Great Plains seems to be a good bit more expensive than vintage but of course I would know that what I am getting is in good shape and GPA has a stellar reputation. So if you were going to rebuild some Model 19's what would you do?I am leaning towards GPA but am open to suggestions, as always.
Edits: 05/30/12Follow Ups:
Were the original cabs well constructed? Were they made with voidless plywood? If you are going to go to the expense of purchasing GPA drivers and new xover perhaps you should consider building new cabs with BBP.
But maybe the cabs, despite how they might have been made, contribute to their lively, dynamic sound.
Well, I have already bought the things. Building with them is a forgone conclusion provided they are stable. Upgrading the cabinets, if we think that would be worthwhile, is always something that could be done at a later date.
"Upgrading the cabinets, if we think that would be worthwhile, is always something that could be done at a later date."
No lie, it will be easy enough to stiffen the cabinets if you want. Just sink some small eyebolts on opposite sides inside. Loop through a doubled up length of #9 wire and then twist it tight with a spud wrench. Or use turnbuckles.
Nice suggestion for a really easy way to brace a cabinet. Thanks!
I'd do whatever was the least hassle. Probably buying the 811s from the most convenient used source, Jammin Jeresy maybe, and new drivers from GPA.
Jammin Jersey had some nice stuff at very reasonable prices, especially for retail. Tempted to buy vintage drivers from them, but I do think I want to try out GPA, like you suggest. Do you have any thoughts on the 902 vs the 802?
"Do you have any thoughts on the 902 vs the 802?"
I had 19s with 802-Gs. I idley swapped in Altec 902s I had around and could tell no difference. Note that later model 19s used 902s. So I'd use either the 802-G or the 902, whichever was easier for whatever reason. Or cheaper.
Thanks, I have to do some research on what is available for what cost. I was noticing on ebay that GPA had 802's for $250 and 902's for $200. Big difference seemed to be that the 802's were Alnico. Anyway, I have an amp we are building first so I have some time to keep reading and decide, as I noted in another post I will probably be happy no matter what I do. For the time being I am thinking 802-8G with Alnico. You input is appreciated!
You could "back into" the 19's by simply building or buying the crossovers, and using the components from your Valencias - that would give you pretty good idea whether you want to pursue the project to the fullest, and buying duplicate drivers and horns. Good luck!
And easy to accomplish. Thanks!
I'd think about rounding up vintage drivers and build the stock crossover for starters.
After that, anything goes.
eso
They were a carnival of American decay on parade, and they had no idea of the atrocity they had inflicted upon themselves.“ Henry Chinaski
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I would go with new GPA drivers (902-8a and GPA 416-8c) and vintage 811b horns with the late great Zilch's Z19 crossover (1200Hz).
Dan
You would take the 902 over the 802? Seems like I have read people preferring the 902 (I think it was actually Zilch who told me at one point to replace the drivers on my Valencias with 902 drivers, now that I think of it). And your input is noted and appreciated!
Edits: 05/30/12 05/30/12
Hi Paully,
Guess there are always trade offs. The 902 is a brand new off the shelf unit. I often find that vintage units need to be rebuilt, and that's an extra cost. The 902 has better high frequency extension due to the trangerine phase plug. However, there is some lumpyness (not much) in the response from the 902. Zilch seemed to think it was caused by the tangerine phase plug. That said, I've read from other expeienced users, like Tom Brennan, that that there isn't much difference in the sound from either the 802 or the 902.
I have no direct experience with the 902. I played around with the 811b/802 some in the past and liked it. I'm in the process of building up a M19 style system right now, but I haven't purchased the horns yet. I'm actually considering using BMS 4555 (1.5" driver) with the JBL PT-D95HF waveguide.
Hope this helps.
Dan
Food for thought, so thanks. I was under the impression that if I go with a 902 or an 802 I really can't go wrong. So I can anguish over it all I want but I will be fine which ever way I decide. Not familiar with the other components you mention you are considering, BMS or a waveguide. But I will probably just go towards Altec components and GPS seems like a good way to go.
Well If you want an Altec 19 you should go for the Altec-GPA drivers and find a good xover designed for the drivers.
If you want to change drivers and xover points, then you are on your own and should know hat you are doing.
I only heard the 19 once, a modded version with video so it doesnt count, I do find it hard to believe they are as good as everybody says, but have no reason to doubt it, I lived with Valencias for a long time and found a lot of short commings on them, if the 19 magically solve them do stick to the recipe!
And thus will just be heading down the Altec components road. I have lived with my Valencia speakers for a while and liked them enough that I was thinking this whole exercise of building some model 19's was kind of dumb. But I just couldn't give it up. So we'll see. Sometimes I wonder what I am doing in horns when I loved my PSB and other speakers I have heard like Thiel so much. But I have started this and plan on finishing it. Wish me luck!
I thought about used Altec's but went with GPA 416-8c's and GPA-399-8A's and used my Altec 902-8T's that I removed the caps and put felt on the back plates and crossed over 416 to 399 at 500hz and 399 to 902 at 7000hz and built a 5.65 cu. ft. box tuned to 35 hz. I used Fatial LTH142 horns for mids and B&C ME-10 horns for tweeters.
The GPA drivers are really not that expensive compared to used drivers.
I am happy with the results.
I would use GPA 416-8c and GPA 902 with 811 horns and get the correct crossovers to extend the highs.
They say the GPA416-8c sounds more like the 416b than the original Altec 416-8c.
The GPA 416-8c in a 19 cabinet should go plenty low with a little upper hump at 40hz.
Just my opinion.
Kenny
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