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Altec 604D LF cone replacement

6

6_floor

New Member
I have nice 604D that I bought from studio in Munich, they spend their life in a studio and some nice records was made with these speakers. Rolling Stones, Deep Purple, etc.
Unfortunetly, LF cones has seen a lot of abuse by driven very hard - suspension has "extra edge" and now looks more like 604E - but it's broken....
so, I'm looking for a pair of 604D cones (maybe some other Altek LF drivers can be used?).
Any one can advice with a source for it?

Thanks!
Mike
 
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Don't know where you are located but I'd send them to Great Plains Audio for a recone, remag and tune-up by a true Altec expert.

These can be incredible speakers and are worth fixing right.
 
Billfort said:
Don't know where you are located but I'd send them to Great Plains Audio for a recone, remag and tune-up by a true Altec expert.

These can be incredible speakers and are worth fixing right.
Click to expand...

I'm in Eastern Europe, so shipping it in and out may be some tack....
Actually, I'm good with a speakers restoring, and will be able to fix it if have a right parts. I know how great these speakers are, and just want to restore it to "like new" condition. Do you know if Great Plains selling cones for 604D?

Thanks!
Mike
 
515/604 cone kits are available, you'll need to contact GPA by telephone. GPA is the only maker of CORRECT parts for your 604's, available from GPA or Altec Pro(out of business as of 1/2008).

Since your 604's show evidence of hard usage, they're probably in need of a complete rebuild which should include cleaning of the gaps, re-centering of the pole pieces if necessary, and the magnets should be re-energized.

This would be an ideal opportunity to step up to 604E or 604-8G cone, surround, and damper for increased power handling and improved LF response.

Just my .02 y'all understand..........................
 
Thanks, bowtie427ss!

I'll defenitely try GPA. Unfortunetely there is no way how I can send it to repair, but overal condition of the 604 are just great, only was driven hard for many years of studio works... Anyway it works just GREAT and I love the Altec sound.

Mike
 
I understand about the impossibility of shipping them to the USA and back, terribly cost prohibitive.

Since you didn't mention any complaints of one playing louder than the other, chances are the magnets are still within acceptable limits. We take recharging magnets here in the states more or less for granted as it's included in the rebuild/recone cost when we send drivers to GPA.

Have you installed a cone kit before, or do you have someone familiar with reconing?

Altecs have a pretty narrow magnetic gap leaving little room for error, patience will be paramount.

One last item of importance, if you install cones with the pleated cloth surround, they require the application of a sealing compound or "dope" to render the surround airtight. The sealing compound is available from GPA, but there may be some problems getting it shipped to you, be sure to inquire about this if it applies to your situation.

Best of luck, 604's are some of the finest speakers made................ enjoy!
 
Thanks a lot!

Yes, both speakers are fine, has equal and very high sensetivity - I run it with 1 watt SET amp, and it's more than loud. Actually, it's a pair, and they never part since 1959, when it was installed in ugly looking "in house made" cabs - but I'll keep it for historical reasons, it has traces from Jaegers horns and Richards hoofs :D

I do have some expirience with repairing speakers, even wound some voice coils in a past, so I think that I'll be able to install a new cones. Thanks for advice with the sealing compoud!

Please advice which cones will be a better chose - original D with paper surrounds or later with pleated cloth?

Thanks!
Mike
 
My best advice would be to consider your musical preferences and also the size of the cabinets you plan to use. The newer style cone systems require a large ~10 ft3 cabinet for good LF extension, i've not heard of anyone using the newer 604's in large boxes wanting to go back to the older style 604 in a smaller box unless space limitations in the listening room were a strict consideration.

Bill at GPA can answer your questions conclusively, and indeed availability may play a part in your decision. I cannot say with certainty that the paper surround cones are available any longer, the cloth surround might be used on all kits by now with the differences being only in the cone and damper.

Using SET's might be a good argument for keeping them as close to original as possible, the stiffer mechanical damping is probably advantageous to your amplification.

This is all of course just my opinion, hopefully others will chime in with their's.
 
I use my 604-8Gs with low power SETs (45, 2A3 & 300B so 1.5w to 7w) and they work extremely well with these amps - I wouldn't be scared off by the newer surrounds.
 
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