Thanks for the welcome guys.
The "Hippie" I referred to was Richard Donaldson, one of the engineering techs that watched the stuff coming off the line. He did a lot (I believe) to help perfect the 9440, working closely with the lab guys up front. He was also a blast to me to work (indirectly) with. Always something enjoyable going on back in that back room.

I knew a lot of the guysin the stockroom too, and I was back there alot needing this or that. Can't say I honestly remember you though Dave. Wish I could say I do. I worked alot with Dick and Bruce Johnson however. Anyone heard anything from any of these guys in years past ? I always wondered what happened to them all.

I was always kind of a hands-on guy when it came to production stuff, whether speakers, drivers, amps, equalizers, etc. I must confess I did not care for the tangerine plug when it came out. Never appeared to have a smooth response when I was testing, where the original all aluminum diaphrams always did. Course they would never stand up to the higher power the symbiotics did. They also were not quite as smooth, at least with a sine-wave sweep.

I do have quite a bit of hands-on with the mics too (if someone has a question and this old brain can still remember). Also worked alot with Bill Hayes, who I had the privilege of meeting up with at his home about 6 months back. Heck of a nice man.

Nough for now. I'll try and touch base with the forum when I can. I'm on the road quite a bit now, so it may be only once every couple weeks. What a loss the old Altec is. Was it 1981 it moved to OK. ? I left in 79.

God Bless y'all !!
Wes