Altec Lansing 803 A ("blueback") 15" spkr

Buck Dilly · Post by **Buck Dilly** » 27 Sep 2003 3:08 pm

I just picked up a really old Altec 15" from a friend. It looks as heavy as a pro speaker, but before I put any $ into it I wanted some feedback on it. (It has a really nice looking dark metallic blue back, so it will obviously sound good for dom. 7 and 7#9 chords etc.)

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Lacquer Emmons PP,D-10, 9+9, Nationals, Dobro-8, Dan-O's, '70 ES 340, Scofield-Ibanez ES, Tube Amps. "Blue Sparks From Hell", "Kings in Disguise".

Larry Bell · Post by **Larry Bell** » 28 Sep 2003 9:58 am

Buck,
I use 15" 1970 Altec speakers (Model 418B) every gig. They came stock in my two Standel amps. I tried a K130 JBL in one of them and changed it back immediately. Bob Crooks knew what he was doing. I've never used the Altecs with any other amp, but they sound incredible in the Standels.

The 418B has a black back and we all know that black sounds better. Even the 7#9 chords.

Never had an 803 A, however.

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Larry Bell - email: larry@larrybell.org - gigs - Home Page
2003 Fessenden S/D-12 8x8, 1969 Emmons S-12 6x6, 1971 Dobro, Standel and Peavey Amps
[Edited to correct model number -- Thanks, Bill Hatcher][This message was edited by Larry Bell on 28 September 2003 at 03:16 PM.]

Bill Hatcher · Post by **Bill Hatcher** » 28 Sep 2003 11:36 am

The Altec 803A is described in Altec lit. as being "moderate power". I would guess 45watts in one of the old Altec A7 cabinets.

It is a bass speaker with a frequency response of only 60-1600hz. In it's original form, this speaker would NOT be suitable for a steel guitar. Personally I would not invest any money in it for PSG use.

Buck Dilly · Post by **Buck Dilly** » 28 Sep 2003 2:38 pm

Thank You. Is it possible to recone with a different basket to make it more useable for steel? OR - Does anyone out there need this for something?[This message was edited by Buck Dilly on 28 September 2003 at 03:41 PM.]

jim milewski · Post by **jim milewski** » 29 Sep 2003 9:04 am

I know with a JBL D 130 which was blown, it got reconed as D 140, which handles more power (or so I'm told), the Altec may have that option as well, are these cast frames

Lee Jeffriess · Post by **Lee Jeffriess** » 29 Sep 2003 8:38 pm

Buck
Talk to the guys at great plains audio there, an outfit in Oklahoma city that recone Altecs,
with original parts.
Infact there ex Altec employes.
Like larry, i use the 418B IMHO IT LEAVES,
the D130 or Black widows standing.
If your speaker is the generic cast frame, that Altec used from the 40s to the early 70s theres a good chance it can be reconed with a 418B (100 WATTS )or a 418-8H (150 WATTS ).
Good luck
Lee