421 question

**scott fitlin** · February 4th, 2003, 12:47 AM

Do you guys think the recones for 421-8LF drivers sound the same as they did in the 80,s when these drivers were being made?

**marcuswilson** · February 4th, 2003, 01:19 AM

The last recones I had (2000) sound fine.

**scott fitlin** · February 4th, 2003, 02:28 AM

well, that is inline with my recones. I am wondering about this as I have been using 421,s for a very long time and I kinda think the recones dont sound quite the same as they used to.

So I am curious to hear others comments.

how long have you been using 421,s?

**Steve Burger** · February 4th, 2003, 02:43 AM

That is a question that must factor in a couple of variables:
#1, who is doing the re-cone.
#2, Are they using original parts
#3, Are you using the same electronics that you did back then.

I would say that if they were sent to Bill Hanuschack at Great Plains Audio they would sound as good or even possibly better!

Otherwise it is anyone's guess, even if original parts were used, and it is unlikely to be the case. Up until Bill bought out the tooling to build this stuff ALTEC was charging an exhorbitant amount for parts. It got to the point where people would buy cheaper and inferior Waldom cones because the originals were so expensive it was not worth doing. Now, however, Bill will do it for a cost that is less than what I was paying 8 years ago for cheaper parts (before I knew any better) and having it done by someone though good, could not compete in terms of quality than what I see coming out of Great Plains. In addition though it is not the case with the mud magnet woofers, if they are vintage alnico they also get re-magnitized in the process. Something that most re-coners do not have the ability to do.

**Charles Chance** · February 4th, 2003, 10:55 AM

I've heard it said before, that Bill H. bought the Altec tooling and die equipment. Could he produce "new" complete Altec drivers?

**marcuswilson** · February 4th, 2003, 11:06 AM

I bought my first 421-8LFs in the mid 70's and used them in A7s for PA work. I still use them in 817s for PA work. Over that period I have acquired about 36 Altec 15s and over 100 JBL 15s. Most of them are still in use. I have had much more trouble with Altec recones than JBL, but the last 4 421s I got were as good as I remember the new drivers. While I do not measure the performance, they are critical to the sound of my PA and I know if they are not performing.

**scott fitlin** · February 4th, 2003, 05:08 PM

Thank you for the answers. I, too, have been using these since the 70,s. They are indeed a critical part of my system! I agree that Bill,s recones are as good, if not better, than original. Lord knows they do look as good as If you had bought em brand new! so, off my drivers go to GPA!

**scott fitlin** · February 4th, 2003, 11:34 PM

So, I put 4 421-8H,s in my cabinets and find I like these alot! I guess Ill have to recone the rest of my 421 drivers to 8H! very lively mid-bass!

**gearjammer** · February 5th, 2003, 06:56 AM

Hi All I had the pleasure of meeting with Bill H. at G.P.A. in mid january and had a tour of the operation. I was very impressed and really enjoyed it. Bill and his staff were first class all the way. I do not know if it was because i was Canadian or??? but he did show me some proto-types for some new drivers and i believe that,s all i could say right now. I do not want to let the cat out of the bag so to speak if you know what i mean. forums