604 and 604B in original cabinet - how do I sell these?

**TerryE** · February 13th, 2011, 05:30 PM

Hi,

I have 2 Altec Speaker Systems. The first is a 604 (serial number 32, date unknown, but must be 1944, right?) and the second is a 604B (serial number 8495, dated 1950). The cabinets are intact but are have scratches and scruffs. The grills are original. The drivers are pristine and sound great. Both were used in a audio research lab so neither was driven hard.

How do I sell these things? They are incredibly heavy and I have no idea how to ship them.

Thanks for an info you can offer.

Terry

**Cal Weldon** · February 13th, 2011, 07:54 PM

eBay or Craigslist?

**Altec Best** · February 13th, 2011, 10:06 PM

Where are you located ? Very Interesting Cabs ! Those look very old indeed. What are you looking to get for them ?

We have a Classified section here as well.

**TerryE** · February 13th, 2011, 10:35 PM

Originally Posted by Altec Best

Where are you located ? Very Interesting Cabs ! Those look very old indeed. What are you looking to get for them ?

We have a Classified section here as well.

Thanks,

I thought I knew what they were worth by watching ebay. But I didn't realize how early the serial number was on the 604. And, actually, I've seen lots of 604Bs for sale on ebay, but never a 604, and only rarely have I seen the drivers, crossovers, and cabinets sold as a single item. Although the cabinets have scratches and a few scruffs, they are structurally solid.

My biggest problem is that I do want to ship them because I do not KNOW how to ship them. Will shipping companies pack items for you?

I'm located in St. Louis. I will be driving to central NY in March, so if you are interested then I could meet you somewhere around there.

Terry

**Old Guy** · February 13th, 2011, 10:46 PM

Actually have seen 604's on eBay a number of times. You probably just weren't watching for them till you got these.

**Steve Schell** · February 14th, 2011, 03:20 AM

TerryE, the 604 replaced the low production 601 field coil Duplex unit sometime in 1944. The earliest 604s up to perhaps #100 or so had a black and white decal. The next 3,000 or so units had a red, white and blue decal. Just before the shift to the 604B in 1947 the decal became dark gray and gold.

If your 604 is indeed #32 is it is an extreme rarity and will command an extraordinary price on the world market (ebay). It should have the black and white decal. A friend of mine has two pre-#100 604s, and he told me that one unit in this class brought something like $7,500 on ebay a few years back, without cabinet.

The cabinet is the correct, original 605 cabinet for the early 604. Before the introduction of the 604B the furniture cabinet was changed to the 605B with the "fish hoops" grill.

Bottom line... your 604 in its 605 cabinet is one of the few remaining Altec Lansing treasures, one of the rarest pieces on earth. Hang tough and get your price. If I were selling it I would take superb pictures and list it on ebay using one of those external listing services for the high res pictures. You may very well receive more than $10k for this system in the current market, which has been yielding record prices for such treasures lately. Do not consider separating the driver from the cabinet, they should stay together.

Your 604B in its 605B cabinet, while still rare is not quite so special. Expect to receive perhaps $3k to $4k for this system.

**bkkthai59** · March 8th, 2011, 01:26 AM

Originally Posted by TerryE

Hi,

I have 2 Altec Speaker Systems. The first is a 604 (serial number 32, date unknown, but must be 1944, right?) and the second is a 604B (serial number 8495, dated 1950). The cabinets are intact but are have scratches and scruffs. The grills are original. The drivers are pristine and sound great. Both were used in a audio research lab so neither was driven hard.

How do I sell these things? They are incredibly heavy and I have no idea how to ship them.

Thanks for an info you can offer.

Terry

Hi Terry
My name is Kim
I have just one 604 in 605 cabinet just like the one you have 1 picture.
Love to have the one you have to match a pair.
If you have not sale it yet.
Would you let me know how much yo want for it.
I am locate in Boulder,Colorado 80302

Thanks
Kim
303-564-3092

**bkkthai59** · March 8th, 2011, 01:29 AM

Hi Terry
My name is Kim
I have just one 604 in 605 cabinet just like the one you have 1 picture.
Love to have the one you have to match a pair.
If you have not sale it yet.
Would you let me know how much yo want for it.
I am locate in Boulder,Colorado 80302
You in St Louis,Mo maybe i can drive.

Thanks
Kim
303-564-3092