GPA Closing?

HI All,
It's been a long time since I posted here. That said, the funny thing is I think about all the info and folks I met here quite a bit. The many expert notes from helpful members really made a difference in my Altec speaker -life the past 25 years or so.
I've still got my Altec speakers in use everyday. And from time to time I send things out to Bill for repair.
When I called today I heard from Bill they are closing. I'm wondering if there is any news anyone might know as to somone picking up the repairs and manufacturing of old Altec speakers.
Thanks so much. I'm still kinda in shock.

-Jim

It doesn't look good. From what i've seen. We all hope someone reputable would buy the tooling.
The shysters that talked Bill into letting them in the door should be in jail.

I'm so bummed to hear this. I feel so out of it because if I'd known earlier, I'd have sent Bill about 8 drivers and made an order for multiple diaphragms. Thinking beyond myself, I think about all the dedicated Altec users all over the world.

Did Bill give a time frame of when he plans to close or is he already done ? I haven't spoke to him in awhile will have to call there tomorrow. The writing was on the wall for me when they started charging $1200 for woofers and almost a thousand for 802-902 HF drivers. That put them out of my comfortable range ! :frown2:

I was down at GPA a few weeks ago picking up a couple of 802s and 416As I had him rebuild for our church. He has sold GPA, and is moving his stuff out of the location. I have also been in touch with the salesman for the company that bought GPA. He assures me that they WILL keep it open, that they are building a new facility for GPA to be housed in (no idea where), and that parts and products WILL be available through them when everything is in place.

Thanks so much for that update, Todd. Please let us know what might be in store when you know.
For twenty five years Bill has been a great person to do business with. He's also been a wonderful guy personally. Over the years I'd call and, more often than not, he'd take time to have an extended conversation. Even though I've never met him IRL I felt like he was this reliable presence. Pretty rare. I'm assuming it has been true for many Altec users all over.
Looking forward to a future being able to having my gear repaired when needed.

I’ll just agree with Phil here.
i wouldn’t hold my breath waiting for Troy Audio to help the small fry’s.

I haven’t logged in a little bit. This is the first I’ve heard of this. But from what we’ve been hearing since Troy audio took over, it doesn’t surprise me. We knew it wasn’t going to last forever.

At least at this time we still have some other old school recone shops that can rebuild our drivers if need be. I know I wouldn’t hesitate to send my Altecs to GordonW from AudioKarma.

At some point people will stop caring about Altec gear. It will be the same as radios from the 1930’s. I’m just waiting for that to happen so I can make some sweet scores :D

I also post in the Vintage JBL/Altec/TAD group on Facebook. Folks there are saying GPA is no longer reconing speakers.

They’ll probably just sell drivers and diaphragms now. No more repair services at all.

Who will build them ? Has anny one been trained ?

The guys in Mexico….

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Originally Posted by Elitopus1

The guys in Mexico….

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Same guys who build JBL soeakers in Mexico?

I believe he meant the new owners. Altec built along side JBL? That would be blasphemy.

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Originally Posted by LICORNE

Who will build them ? Has any one been trained ?

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I'm sure Troy Audio had someone trained before Bill left.

There's a few 399 for sale on E Bay . At Great Plains Audio . He probably doesn't spend much time there anny more .

I’m assuming they’ll close down the shop in OKC and just manufacture everything in Mexico. They probably switched the manufacturing over to Mexico at some point in the past, and only the repair work was still done in OKC.

Imagine all the old parts and spares that Bill probably has stashed away at the OKC shop.

Maybe they hired some cartel members? ������

Maybe they’ll start stamping gang signs on the back of the cones :D

Dayum.
:(

Attachment 4556

Top post from GPA’s Facebook page. Some “changes” coming. New image. Haha

from the new owners

Great Plains Audio
Admin

Top contributor

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We are working hard to unveil GPA's new image in a few weeks. This will include a new website, a new social media presence, improved customer service, and a substantial inventory of all models. In a few days, our transformation will be complete.

from facedbook

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Originally Posted by Elitopus1

I know I wouldn’t hesitate to send my Altecs to GordonW from AudioKarma.

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Me too, a local that's done work for me and others I've sent his way.

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Originally Posted by GM

Me too, a local that's done work for me and others I've sent his way.

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You're lucky to have him so close. Shipping is killer expensive nowadays

Well, they changed the name to “Great Plains Acoustics”

Attachment 4557

- - - Updated - - -

I wish I could upload better quality pictures…

I drove to their new warehouse yesterday, and spoke with Santi. The warehouse is in Norco, Ca. Shipping from OKC was killing them. Now they ship directly from Ontario Intl to cut costs. New speakers are mfg in El Paso. Repairs will be done in Norco after they get set up. Bill will build just tweeters. European customers will be repaired in Spain. There will also be repairs done in Tokyo for Japanese consumers.

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Originally Posted by Big2Bird

I drove to their new warehouse yesterday, and spoke with Santi. The warehouse is in Norco, Ca. Shipping from OKC was killing them. Now they ship directly from Ontario Intl to cut costs. New speakers are mfg in El Paso. Repairs will be done in Norco after they get set up. Bill will build just tweeters. European customers will be repaired in Spain. There will also be repairs done in Tokyo for Japanese consumers.

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Thanks for the info ! What happened to all the tooling Bill had to make diaphragms ? Is Bill still doing those or are they making them in California at Norco ? I'm still a bit confused of what they are doing. Thanks !

I'll wait till I see the results.

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Originally Posted by Altec Best

Thanks for the info ! What happened to all the tooling Bill had to make diaphragms ? Is Bill still doing those or are they making them in California at Norco ? I'm still a bit confused of what they are doing. Thanks !

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Norco is warehouse and repairs only. He had a case of diaphragms there. I imagine El Paso is where they are made, but that is a guess.

OK Thanks ! :Thumbs up:

I just checked out the new site and one welcome change as mentioned before in the thread is that the shipping cost has decreased, radically for us that lives in Europe!
I'm just about to order a pair of 34647 Diaphragm to my 604, but even though I trust GPA and have done several business with them and Bill before, can I still rely on that the diaphragms actually are made with original tools etc. and not manufactured by some 3:rd party company somewhere?
Because GPA is still expensive, and alternatives like Radian for example are available everywhere for less money. But If posssible I would like original, or next to original (GPA), IF they still do them as they used to.

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Originally Posted by quaramon

I'm just about to order a pair of 34647 Diaphragm to my 604, but even though I trust GPA and have done several business with them and Bill before, can I still rely on that the diaphragms actually are made with original tools etc. and not manufactured by some 3:rd party company somewhere?

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From Todd's earlier post he said that Bill sold GPA. So that would mean the tooling as well. They have always stand by their products and I don't see any reason to worry. If they look suspect and you made them aware. I'm sure they would refund your money on a return. The shipping to Europe has decreased because they are now shipping from Spain for Europe purchases. Clearly states on their website 100% Guaranteed for a full refund if returned within 30 days.

Yes, thanks for quick reply.
As I wrote, I've had a lot of respect for GPA and previously had personal contact with Bill (and Todd too, long time ago, by all means), and I've bought for several thousand dollars from them over the years (despite shipping costs and VAT to Sweden...).I just wanted to hear a secondary opinion, so to speak.

So I guess I push the button then and buy a pair of HF-diaphragms to my 604 for total $378 (which is half the price before they opened a Europe reseller!).

I would want to measure the performance after installing.
I hope you give us some feedback when you get them.

Which drivers are you installing these in?

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Originally Posted by quaramon

Yes, thanks for quick reply.

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Your Welcome ! Please let us know how you make out Thanks !