Altec 421 original cone or not?

[Turbocharbo]

Any of the Altec 421 experts out there can tell me if this speaker has the original cone or not? There are no markings on the backside of the cone...

Thanks!

 

[agedhorse]

Probably, based on the unique doping Altec used. Those parts are no longer available from Altec.

 

[Turbocharbo]

Thanks @agedhorse, that makes sense to me. Would you say this is a good choice for a '66 single baffle B-15N? I was just listening to some A/Bs of speakers fitted in a Thiele B15 and the Altec sounded fantastic.

 

[agedhorse]

That might have been an option back in the day, Jimmy would know for sure.

 

[Bill Whitehurst]

Altecs were an option on some B15s.
I don't know if they used that exact one, though.

 

[Jim C]

Thanks @agedhorse, that makes sense to me. Would you say this is a good choice for a '66 single baffle B-15N? I was just listening to some A/Bs of speakers fitted in a Thiele B15 and the Altec sounded fantastic.

Here is a cool link that shows specs and options from 1960 - 1980:
A Guide to the Golden Age of the Ampeg B-15: 1960-1980

 

[beans-on-toast]

The Altec-Lansing 421A was an option with the B-15N. It had a doped surround and an aluminum voice coil cover. This is what it looked like.

 

[Turbocharbo]

Correct me if I'm wrong but 421s were available as an option for the 70s black tolex B-15Ns and never for the early 60s blue tolex B-15Ns?

 

[Jeff Scott]

Going by the OP's photos, I take it the A version is when they started using the aluminum dust cap?

 

[jastacey]

Isn't there a place in the Midwest, that still does re-coning of those Altec's, remember reading, they were some former employee's

 

[agedhorse]

I recall Cardinal Sound was an Altec recone shop that was able to source reasonable aftermarket parts. None of the aftermarket parts I have seen are all that close though.

 

[beans-on-toast]

Correct me if I'm wrong but 421s were available as an option for the 70s black tolex B-15Ns and never for the early 60s blue tolex B-15Ns?

The 421A would have been made available when it came out. The 1962/1963 catalog doesn’t mention an Altec-Lansing speaker, the 1965/1965 catalog did. The model number with the Altec was B-15NL. It was expensive, a $135 upcharge for the option. List for the B15N was $355, the B15NL was $489.50.


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[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

Going by the OP's photos, I take it the A version is when they started using the aluminum dust cap?

One change with the 421A was an edge wound aluminium voice coil. The 4218H (see above) had an edge wound copper voice coil. Both spec sheets showed the aluminum dust cover, which helps a little with the higher end sparkle.

 

[Jeff Scott]

Lower power rating on the 421A, also.