Quote Originally Posted by bowtie427ss View Post
Is it possible that undocumented changes were made?


Anywho, this fella (Art) was always seeking 802B's for their diaphragms, i'm sure he made some off handed comments about "why" but i never had the awareness to have any depth of interest in that stuff when we were making trips up there. While i'd been exposed to Altec consumer stuff as a child and teenager, and lived with model 17/604-8G from the late 70's into the early 80's, my interest never became passionate until the late 90's when introduced to the internet and ebay.

Maybe his motives were based on ancient urban legend or pure myth, but my recollect is that he wanted 802B's specifically. "The rough paint, they gotta have the rough paint, if they're smooth they're no good" is what i distinctly remember him saying. I wish he were still with us, or my visits more recent.

I have also heard/read others desire and preference for undisturbed 802B's, but never accompanied by an explanation of "why".

Sorry, i can really only add to any mystery.

Altec DID sometimes source from different manufacturers. Perhaps whoever supplied materials? The 802b fram likely was hand assembled with care. Beyond that, no clue. Odd how it works out, the 288G brings a higher price but IMHO the 288H is a better driver...