Value of old Altec VOTTs -- Tar-filled horns, etc

**David Yost** · September 7th, 2011, 11:44 AM

Hello, All

I was picking up a 606A cabinet recently and was looking around the seller's warehouse, when I saw a huge VOTT with a 1505 perched on top. I asked the guy about it and he didn't know much except that there were 3 more of them "in back." Sure enough there were.

All 4 horns are slightly rusty tar-filled 1505s with 288Bs on dual throats. These were perched on what look like 210 dual woofer cabinets and loaded with what appear to be 515 woofers with paper surrounds. Crossovers and all hardware is there too. These are being sold on consignment along with 3 old Altec amplifiers and a WE pre-amp of unknown ID.

At this point, I am curious if you guys have a ball park price range for this stuff as I haven't followed the vintage market in quite a while.

I will let you know what the electronics are when I find out.

Thanks in advance,
David

**Altec Best** · September 7th, 2011, 11:58 AM

1505 tar-filleds figure $3000 -----> and up.Only problem is the dual throats, single throat 30166's are very hard to come by.

**David Yost** · September 7th, 2011, 12:13 PM

Is that $3000 each or for all 4?

**Panomaniac** · September 7th, 2011, 12:51 PM

Pairs of the non tar filled go for $1500, but with the single driver throat. I'd remember ever seeing a 1505 tar filled in person. If I had listed it, I would remember! Would LOVE to have a pair, too rich for me, tho.
I say get them if you can.

**David Yost** · September 7th, 2011, 01:15 PM

He isn't exactly giving them away--at least at his asking price. I'm just trying to determine if I can make a reasonable profit. I have all of the old Altec gear I can ever use, so this would likely be a flip.

Are the single driver throats more desirable? If so, please explain.

**Panomaniac** · September 7th, 2011, 01:50 PM

The seem to be sought after for Hi-Fi. Thus their value.

**Altec Best** · September 7th, 2011, 05:21 PM

Originally Posted by David Yost

Is that $3000 each or for all 4?

Pair ! Last pair of 1505's Tar-filled's sold for $3750 IIRC and they had single Brass throats which are more desirable.

Originally Posted by David Yost

Are the single driver throats more desirable? If so, please explain.

Yes for Home use ! You don't need 4 288's in your living room you would need 10-12 15" woofers to sound good.otherwise it will be all HF.Which would need to be padded down quite a bit. Even one 288 needs dual woofers to sound balanced IMHO or has to be padded down with a single woofer.The dual throats are really only needed for large theaters, auditoriums,etc...

**Old Guy** · September 7th, 2011, 06:44 PM

There is prolly 10 grand in speakers alone there...more if any tube amps. To be more accurate would need pics and numbers.

To get that kind of dough you will have to offer overseas shipment.

**David Yost** · September 7th, 2011, 06:50 PM

Thanks, Old Guy, that is about what I thought. Are the cabinets and crossovers worth anything?

I'll try to get amp info tomorrow.

I'm still not clear about the single throat thing, unless it is just that you can get by with fewer drivers -- don't you still have to pad down the HF to match the LF section no matter how many HF drivers are used?

**Old Guy** · September 7th, 2011, 06:57 PM

Originally Posted by David Yost

Are the cabinets and crossovers worth anything?

I'll try to get amp info tomorrow.

I'm still not clear about the single throat thing, unless it is just that you can get by with fewer drivers -- don't you still have to pad down the HF to match the LF section no matter how many HF drivers are used?

Cabs are iffy many were destroyed due to no buyers...but have started selling again.

Crossovers yes depends on model and condition.

Dual throats are considered less desirable by buyers. If we are talking about selling them, that's end of discussion.

Don't confuse selling with quality. Lots of crap is sold every day while good companies go bankrupt.