421 question - (maybe crazy!)

[cclark65]

I have several 421A and 421-8LF drivers, some in need of reconing.
I have a horn loaded PA system.

Everybody says 515's are better in horn loaded cabinets than 421's. Can the 421 frames be reconed with 515-8G cones? Will they sound right? will they even fit? I am thinking if this is possible, I can turn all my 421's into 515's, or at least the 421-8LF's, which appear to have the same type of 16" frame that the 515's have.
Am I crazy, or can it even be done? Or would I just be better off with the 421's?

[Steve Burger]

I remember Jim D saying that it can be re-coned to something similar.

[dennis gilliam]

I've done up a bunch of these, just as you propose. Seems bass guitar guys blow 'em up right & left! They go for a little as $20 here....

We have an authorized (by the old regime, I think) Altec service center here in Phoenix, and they still do great work. For them to load a 515 kit into an old 421 is easy, and the big mud magnet really gives it a lot of power handling capacity.

I'd send yours to GPA and have it done without any trepidation!

DG

[cclark65]

Actually I hope to source the kits and do it myself. I have rebuilt a few speakers, including a couple of my 421A's that are still rocking fine, and I have a couple of 6048G's here to recone someday that I picked up for $90 bucks at an auction. They came from a DJ service, somebody had put their knee into the cones while carrying them around. How sad. Eventually they will be in my home recording studio that I am slowly putting together!
As for sending them to GPA, I have no problems with that, but I just like to work on stuff myself. If it doesn't work out, I will send them in, or run them down there myself. It would be worth the 10 hour drive if I could meet Mr. Hanuschak and tour his facility!

[AllanCT]

I would go with a 421-8LF myself.

I have both the 515-8LF and the 421's that came in my 1208B's ie. A7 in the music line.

Both work well but the 421 plays much louder should that be a concern.

Just my .02 from what I remember, haven't used them lately, I went with 411's for lower tuning point on the bass.