Altec santana 879A -Europe

Hi all,

I'm posting that thread from Belgium, Europe, where altec information are hard to find.
I own altec 879A speakers, in orginal condition. Original means sometimes bad condition. In my case, i would like to repare used elements by more decent ones.
Could someone help me by giving me all possible information about those speakers: orginal brochure, technical specs, catalogue, article, comments, spare parts information,...

Thanks a lot for the support you will give me.

François

Appologies for my language style, but my mother language is french.;)

The Santana is described in a number the early 70's catalogs here:

http://www.lansingheritage.org/html/.../altec-cat.htm

The detailed parts numbers can be found here:

http://www.lansingheritage.org/image...ers/page07.jpg

The 420 bass driver used in that system cannot be repaired so the only option is to find a used replacement.

Hi Francois, I'm in Belgium too, precious few sources of this stuff here, I would be interested to know where you got these from. I only know one source for Lansing stuff, but he's clearly a JBL guy, much less Altec (I have JBL).

Hi guys,

Thanks for the information Don McRitchie, it's already a good begining.

Scorpio, I sent you a reply by mail

François

The first thing i will say is the 420 bi flex cones are no longer available, but these do pop up on Ebay, there is one right now I think!

Most likely this will be your only option if you have a blown 420, buy from Ebay, have it shipped to you, and hope it is packed properly!

And then, there is the possibility of emailing Bill Hanuschak at Great Plains Audio, and finding out if another Altec 15in woofer would be suitable in your cabinet!

Bill can recone the 420 as a 416 as an option. However, you will then have to look into another driver to handle the mids since the small CTS tweeter will not go low enough to meet the 416.

P.S. Scott - Look's like you've made a new friend on the Altec Board. Some idiots, no matter how long you club them over the head with a 2x4, never see the light.

I just got going, and then it didnt stop! :D I was having a bit of fun beating on him too!


:eek:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...738219631&rd=1

5 hours left to this auction, I would win these and have em shipped to you!

That auction ended, with the reserve not being met! So they will probably be relisted, and I would attempt to win these and get em during the next auction for them!

Hello,

Thank you Scott.

The woofers are still quiet ok (only one center aluminium cap cracked but still sounds good).

However, i think that tweeters are out (or it's maybe the filter).

I will check on ebay after work to have an idea of the market price of such an element + shipping + doll.

bye

François

Hi François

I am from Paris France. I am a fan of the santana first generation.
I had 4 pairs that I sold. If your enclosure is bad you can make an enclosure bigger than the santana. It will be better.
If you want tweeters I have some.
But you can find a pair of EV T35 or ST350, it will be better.

You have three kind of 420.
The 420-8a with white frame
the 420-8b with black frame from the 416 and the magnet in ticonal
the 420-8c with the frame of the 416-8B and the magnet in alnico.

You can contact me directly in french it will be better for me.

I am searching also recone kit for the 420.

Patrick

Bonjour Francois

Please Find Attachment Specs.

I am in the USA and I might be able to furnish the recone kit you're looking for.

phil

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by pat_altec

Hi François

I am from Paris France. I am a fan of the santana first generation.
I had 4 pairs that I sold. If your enclosure is bad you can make an enclosure bigger than the santana. It will be better.
If you want tweeters I have some.
But you can find a pair of EV T35 or ST350, it will be better.

You have three kind of 420.
The 420-8a with white frame
the 420-8b with black frame from the 416 and the magnet in ticonal
the 420-8c with the frame of the 416-8B and the magnet in alnico.

You can contact me directly in french it will be better for me.

I am searching also recone kit for the 420.

Patrick

---

Would you please elaborate on why the 420's cannot be repaired? Are these on 416 frames? Will a 416 or 421 kit work?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Don McRitchie

The Santana is described in a number the early 70's catalogs here:

http://www.lansingheritage.org/html/.../altec-cat.htm

The detailed parts numbers can be found here:

http://www.lansingheritage.org/image...ers/page07.jpg

The 420 bass driver used in that system cannot be repaired so the only option is to find a used replacement.

---

well, Don McRitchie's & CONVERGENCE's posts have not only given me valuable technical info but I would really like to hear some of you long time ALTEC affectionatos opinions on a near mint set of 879A Santana I's and a 890C Bolero first edition set that I inherited last year from my father - in - law for the price of moving them out of his basement. I am also waiting to get the Altec Power Amp that drove his quadraphonic system from 1975 and a nice Otari reel to reel 1/4 inch machine. Any idea on how versital these would be if amped correctly for a digital recording studio from a high end pre amp settup to a Mac? Any info is appreciated and any value on such a quartet of speakers is cool too!
I dig this board very much.
jvan