Originally Posted by Old Guy
I couldn't agree more with you guys. The fact that all of this vintage Altec gear is no longer being manufactured combined with the fact that it is (IMHO) some of the best audio gear ever manufactured, makes this stuff precious. To hoard as much of it as possible and never use much of it is really a waste--if enough people do that it makes it much more difficult for people who'd like to own and use some great vintage Altec gear to find/afford it (since excessive hoarding by enough people can make this stuff harder to find which can make prices high for what is out there for sale--supply/demand). I have a feeling the people on this message board who own tons of this gear actually use much of it or are in the process of using it for future projects etc. and probably sell most of the stuff they know for a fact they'll never use (which in my opinion, means they are not hoarders). They are part of the solution, and not the problem since they no doubt also promote this gear/GPA (which keeps much of this gear "alive") not only through this forum (and possibly other online forums) but through interaction with friends etc.
My Q was inspired by a guitar "collector" I know... dozens of vintage Strats and Les Pauls just gathering dust, and the guy can't even play. All those voices silenced in the name of "collectability"...
I currently own three pair of vintage Altecs--in three different rooms of the house, and use all of them. I have a pair of Heathkit AS-101's in my living room for my stereo and tv/dvd etc. (which were manufactured "stock" with Valencia drivers in Heathkit cabinets), a pair of Model 19's in my (finished basement) rec. room for my downstairs stereo/tv/dvd etc. (man-cave--gives the wife a break when my friends and I listen/hang out down there), and a pair of Valencias in my recording studio/rehearsal studio for my (rock) band (finished basement-biggest room). All three pair of these speakers are used multiple times pretty much every week. I'm happy to say I'm following in the footsteps of the two people I quoted above--I have always sold gear once I knew I'd never use it again. For example, last fall, when I bought my model 19's, I sold a pair of PA speakers (various Altec VOTT drivers/crossovers in home made cabs), and a pair of Altec Model 9's to a local musician/audio enthusiast through craigslist who was thrilled to acquire them after stopping by to audition them and hearing how great this vintage Altec gear sounded. I've also sold all my various amplification etc. that I no longer use such as a Dynaco PAS-3X, Dynaco Stereo 70 (both tube), Dynaco Stereo 120 and 150, Phase Linear 4000 (auto-correlation preamp) and Phase Linear 400 Power Amp, Crown preamp (years ago--gold in color--forgot model #), etc. not to mention various guitars, keyboards, basses through the years (Fender Acoustic and electrics & Precision Bass, Gibsons (SG, etc.), Martin acoustic, Takamine Acoustics, Ibanez Electrics, Yamaha DX7, Ensoniq Samplers, etc, etc. I think my keyboard is running out of ink......)
Additional food for thought. When Hoarders comes on, flip over to History Channel's American Pickers for a 180 POV... Trash or treasure is certainly in the eye of the beholder.
I like Hoarders. I also watch the TLC version. I hope you aren't keeping adult diapers, and letting the goats eat a hole in your house, bfish.
Audio_by_Goodwill
Michigan, USA
I personally don't buy stuff to collect dust I'm using every set of horns I have right now except a pair of 511B's and the 311-60's but I continually swap out horns to try others and to enjoy them for awhile then give a listen to another set.But I still have 3 rooms in my home to do yet.There is still alot of Altec stuff available it just costs alot if you can afford it there is plenty of horns,drivers,etc... especially now that the economy was bad alot of folks need the extra cash so they are cleaning out closets and such and dusting off alot of stuff.If I could take off work and drive around the country I could come home with just about anything,just found a pair of 511E's about 50 miles from my home that I'll be going to look at next week,I thought I would never find them.They are there you have to really look hard to find exactly what you want though.
I never met a pair of Altec horns I didn't Like !!!
A game called musical horns....when the record stops you change horns?
Your neighbors called. They like your music.
After a few months or find a permanet use for them.They each have their own qualities or application.
Uhhmmm, no diapers, or other trash for that matter. Just lots of projects and parts for projects, which themselves would be manageable if I hadn't drug home a couple U-haul trailers full of family "keepsakes" when my Mom died. Now there's no room to work on anything.
"[I]We're going all the way, till the wheels fall off and burn[/I]!"
Bob Dylan, from [I]Brownsville Girl[/I]
[I]"Time wounds all heels"[/I]
John Lennon, referring to the Nixon/Hoover deportation fiasco.
I'm in a horn holding pattern. Once I get my new place finished, I'll have a chance to listen to everything, decide what works and what I should keep, and then pass along the rest....
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
Analog Addict - Jack of all Trades, Master of None
Searching for Sonic Nirvana...
Hope that didn't sound crtical, was an attempt at humor
Your neighbors called. They like your music.
Damn how did you know
I'm giving some away over on the classifieds.
Somebody come rescue them, their too big to fail!
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