Are they or aren't they?

**A7fan** · November 19th, 2011, 10:52 PM

FIRST VERSION 1950s Altec Lansing 811 horns for 802-B 802-C Vintage A-7 VOTT | eBay I don't think they are, but I could be wrong. I hope the link works, Doug

**Panomaniac** · November 19th, 2011, 10:56 PM

Looks like the real deal to me. But I've never seen the one piece versions in person.

**Altec Best** · November 19th, 2011, 11:24 PM

+1 They are original 811's.

GM · November 20th, 2011, 01:11 AM

Wow! I've often wondered if they were ever manufactured beyond hand made prototypes! Even these look hand crafted. It will be interesting to see what they fetch.

GM

**A7fan** · November 20th, 2011, 01:26 AM

GM, any thoughts on how these were made? Lost wax sand cast maybe?

GM · November 20th, 2011, 10:04 AM

Right off the 'top of my head', I can't think of another 'easy' way to make them. Another thing I just noticed from looking at a book photo is that the horn 'fits' in the flange like the revised 811 whereas the ebay units mount on the flange like a hand made prototype might be. Ditto general finish. The pictured unit has a very smooth, cast look to it Vs looking like it was hand crafted from sheet stock.

GM

**Panomaniac** · November 20th, 2011, 01:35 PM

Going to be interesting to see what these go for. Don't know if they sound any better than the standard 2 piece horns, but they are a great collectors item.
An extra touch of class for the Altec fan.

GM · November 20th, 2011, 01:59 PM

Agreed. In theory, they should be better damped, ergo less/no audible bell or off axis 'ringing', especially if a true casting, with the trade-off being less off axis HF amplitude same when the welds are cut out/damped of later 811, 511 mouth deflectors.

GM

**Altec Best** · November 20th, 2011, 02:34 PM

There was a pair for sale awhile back that sold for around $1G IIRC.

**voice of the theater** · November 20th, 2011, 03:24 PM

Nice find! I've never seen a pair of the originals before. Really interesting info in this thread about them as well. On a side note, the seller comments that they're very dusty and dirty and says that the original paint is good (underneath all the crud?). If I were selling these, I would have very carefully cleaned them up. He's probably thinking a serious buyer would want to clean them himself (or herself) which may be true. If I were buying them, I'd rather clean them myself than risk having a clueless seller take a brillo pad to them! Not that cleaning them for the auction would necessarily fetch higher bids, but it sure would make for some nicer photos and give potential buyers a much better idea of how the original paint has fared over the years. Just would have been nice to see them without the crud.....