Newbie with what looks like some A7's

**Conrad55** · October 19th, 2011, 11:50 AM

Hey folks just found this forum.

Also new to Altec Lansing stuff. Here is how I came about these A7s.(actually 1208 B's)

I answered a craigs list add for a peavey xr 400 mixing amp, and some speakers for $150.00
I was looking for something to drive my electronic drum set.

I decide to buy and go pick these things up.
I ended up with
2 A7 828b cabinets (home made)
2 421-85 series II 15" woofers
2 808A horn drivers (one didnt work) Easily fixed with a quick solder job
2 511B Horns
2 N809-8A Crossovers
he also threw in 2 vintage JBL d140 15" speakers (one works)
and the Peavey Mixing amp, ALL for $150 bucks!!!!!

Of course he didnt know what he had, and neither did I till I started researching a bit.

The cabinets are in ok shape, gonna wood fill all the dings and staple holes add some eggcrate foam to the insides to dampen, and repaint.

What have you guys used for paint on these? I want to have them looking really nice but dont want them to easily scratch.

Would spray on truck bedliner work decent?? Thinking it may dampen as well.

Edited to add the 511B horns.

**juniper** · October 19th, 2011, 01:08 PM

Welcome to the Altec club!!!!! I found my first altecs by accident also, when I was in high school, still have them, the previous owner preferred bose 901's, he also didn't know what he had and neither did I. There is a recent thread by a young gentlemen, who restored some Altec theatre speakers I 'am sure you can find it. Show some pictures if you can and welcome too this forum!!!!!!!!

**voice of the theater** · October 19th, 2011, 02:02 PM

Welcome aboard!! You've come to the right place. You got a great deal on some potentially great speakers. How is the quality of the cab construction? What condition are the woofers, h.f. drivers in? Here's the thread that juniper was referring to in the previous post.

http://www.hostboard.com/forums/f700...ct-thread.html

Lots of great info and pics there. If you have any photos those are always helpful if you'd like any advice etc. With some mods and "tweaking", you can have some amazing sounding speakers.....

**Panomaniac** · October 19th, 2011, 03:07 PM

Welcome to the board. Next to free, that's the best deal on A7s I've even seen. Bravo. You should certainly keep them, they will be your friends forever.

**Altec Best** · October 19th, 2011, 03:08 PM

Welcome Conrad55 to the board ! You got a fabulous deal on those speakers ! WRT the egg crate it isn't the best choice to dampen the inside of the cabs.Fiberglass Insulation is the best/cheapest option IMHO. Most speaker manufactures use it because it works great and is inexpensive. For paint you can use a gray enamel paint the more coats the more durable the finish.I think the bed liner may eventually peel off as adhesion to wood maybe a problem.If you sand the surface with 80 grit then apply,you may have better adhesion.I never used bed liner on cabs so maybe someone else can chime in who has ! Good Luck with your project and again "WELCOME TO THE ALTEC USER BOARD" !!!!

**Conrad55** · October 19th, 2011, 03:16 PM

Vott,

The cabinets seem like they are very sturdy and decently built, the woofers and drivers are in great shape, all of the parts seem to work well together.

**VolvoHeretic** · October 19th, 2011, 03:34 PM

Hey Conrad, welcome from a fellow newbie. Are these going to be for home or road use? Spray-on bedliner isn't going to be all that pretty, but if it doesn't matter, it should stick with a good base primer and cured enamel top coat just like on a pick-up bed. They also make epoxy floor coatings that come in flat and gloss finishes (sprinkel flakes optional), and the more you spend, the better it lasts.