Model 14s Refurb

[fatfloyd]

Hi guys,

I recently acquired by dads old Altec and see that one of the woofers is original (or at least it seems to be without removing it, plus he doesn't recall ever messing with it), but the other has been re-coned with a different kind of cone, it has ridges and its shiny.

I would like to either match the different cone to a similar/original cone or just replace both to make it even.

I have found these 2 "kits" that seem fine, but one of them is shiny (I prefer the non-shiny) and the other doesn't really say much.

https://reconingspeakers.com/products-page/altec-12-model-14-aftermarket-recone-kit/

https://qsr.net.au/shop/speaker-recone-kits/altec-recone-kits/altec-lansing-mod14-recone-kit/

Other stuff in the books is to refinish the cabinet and do a crossover recap with Solens.

What about replacing the insulation material?

I have heard making sure the Horn gasket is fully sealing is a must, where could i buy a pair of new ones?

Any tips or recommendations? I am not interested in bypassing the overload test circuit.

Also, I'm not sure if the crossovers are even functioning, I can barely notice a difference when dialing the knobs, maybe too old caps. They are probably originals since the day my dad bought them brand new from a dealer.

Pictures Attached and thank you!

 

[bowtie427ss]

I would like to either match the different cone to a similar/original cone or just replace both to make it even.

Great Plains Audio will have correct parts.

and do a crossover recap with Solens.

You'll really want to be sure the HF L-pads are working. IMO, Solens are a bit too strident on Altec horns.

I can barely notice a difference when dialing the knobs,

It could be as simple as L-pads needing cleaning.

 

[fatfloyd]

Great Plains Audio will have correct parts.

You'll really want to be sure the HF L-pads are working. IMO, Solens are a bit too strident on Altec horns.

It could be as simple as L-pads needing cleaning.

Thanks for the reply!

I plan on cleaning the pots/lpads once I disassemble the speakers to refurbish the cones.

In your opinion what do you recommend instead of Solens?

 

[fatfloyd]

Some updates on my speakers...

Had to remove and throw away the fiberglass, it was full of mice poop and urine. Contemplating using 1 inch acoustical foam instead of new fiberglass.

Cabinet have been stripped and bleached. Some veneer needs to be replaced/fixed.

Replacing caps is on hold right now.

Unfortunately GPA doesn't sells recone kits anymore, I spoke with Bill over the phone and while he repairs them, he doesn't sell the kit directly to consumers

I bought a kit from speaker exchange but I don't really like the quality compared to the originals, they feel cheap and I might return them.

Does anyone have experience with Queensland?

 

[damacman]

I admire your dedication. David Miller at Speakerworks in Tulsa may be able to help.

 

[fatfloyd]

I admire your dedication. David Miller at Speakerworks in Tulsa may be able to help.

Thank you, I will try to contact him. I also sent an email to Gary Fischer (a guy that works restoring vintage Altec Lansings with very good reputation) and hope he answers.

These were the first speakers my dad saved money and bought brand new 40ish years ago, after first experiencing HiFi sound at a store in LA. And I have memories of them of my dad using them and me dancing around as a kid (he later upgraded and they went into storage and he is the one stripping the speakers in the photos).

I just serviced my MAC1700 and decided to refurbish these as they are a great match with the amp. I tried them for a couple of weeks and was blown away vs my NHT 1.4 bookshelfs (obviously judging just by the size)

Altecs M14 are best at 50w from my understanding and the MAC1700 is 40w RMS. Loudness sounds great when listening at a low volume.

 

[Sam Cogley]

Some updates on my speakers...

Had to remove and throw away the fiberglass, it was full of mice poop and urine. Contemplating using 1 inch acoustical foam instead of new fiberglass.

Cabinet have been stripped and bleached. Some veneer needs to be replaced/fixed.

Replacing caps is on hold right now.

Unfortunately GPA doesn't sells recone kits anymore, I spoke with Bill over the phone and while he repairs them, he doesn't sell the kit directly to consumers

I bought a kit from speaker exchange but I don't really like the quality compared to the originals, they feel cheap and I might return them.

Does anyone have experience with Queensland?

Why not just send the woofers to GPA for rebuilding? They'll come back factory-new.

 

[fatfloyd]

Why not just send the woofers to GPA for rebuilding? They'll come back factory-new.

I'm on the west coast and Bill refered me to Anaheim Speaker Pros, I called but only a voicemail picked up, i need to call again, but I would prefer to buy a Kit and have my speaker technician repair them.

 

[Sam Cogley]

I'm on the west coast and Bill refered me to Anaheim Speaker Pros, I called but only a voicemail picked up, i need to call again, but I would prefer to buy a Kit and have my speaker technician repair them.

I think they will sell parts to professional rebuilders. If he referred you to that shop, he'll probably sell them the recone kits. Worst case scenario, the shipping to OKC shouldn't be too awful.

 

[mcheinstein]

If you're near anaheim, speaker repair pro's work directly with Bill to source the cones and get them from him. I got my 605's reconed by them with GPA cones and they did an excellent job.

 

[Deep South]

Just finished rebuilding my 14's. Voice coils, cones and foams were provided by GPA to my local repair shop. Mine were recapped using Dayton's a few years (only 2 caps per) and all other parts were OEM. My insulation was still in good condition but several pieces were missing and I just cut new batt insulation. Amplification is tricky with these to avoid listening fatigue. Nothing has sounded better to date than the Harman Kardon Twin series and the Harman Kardon A-402 @ 40 watts.

 

[BillWojo]

@Deep South , Altecs are very reveiling of whats being fed to them. You should get some tubes feeding those speakers. Unless your really cranking them they only need a few watts.

BillWojo

 

[Deep South]

Went through several tube setups (HH Scott, TAD 60) but prefer the bottom end on solid state amplification.

 

[fatfloyd]

I have been busy traveling with work and haven't paid much attention to this thread.

If you're near anaheim, speaker repair pro's work directly with Bill to source the cones and get them from him. I got my 605's reconed by them with GPA cones and they did an excellent job.

Yes, I was able to speak over the phone with Anaheim Speaker repair pros and they gave me a rough quote of 150ish per cone. That will be on hold for now while I save some money to do a trip there, but will definitely be going to them in the near future. Thanks, guys.

Some other updates on the project:

1. Damaged veneer has been replaced on the cabinets with new walnut, luckily only the front edges were damaged and the body is in good shape. They have been stripped of the old varnish. Will try do some some light stain that looks natural on the walnut. The original veneer on the altecs is really high quality and pretty thick, so its easy to work with them.
   
   
2. New base will be made from solid wood.
   
   
3. Will paint the black face with a new coat of Flat Black paint. Using rustoleum high performance enamel spray can. https://www.rustoleum.com/product-c...ormance-enamel-spray?ls=7578838&lc=Flat Black
   
   
4. Considering adding some rubber casters for easier mobility. I have this in mind inside the new base https://www.harborfreight.com/3-inch-x-7-8-eighth-inch-rubber-rigid-caster-66363.html
   
   
5. All the fiberglass has been removed and the cabinets have been cleaned on the inside.
   
   
6. Bought 1" Acoustic foam (sonic barrier) from parts express, this is the product I'm using https://www.parts-express.com/Sonic-Barrier-1-Acoustic-Foam-w-PSA-18-x-24-260-525. I'm a little conflicted about replacing Fiberglass with Foam, but willing to give it a try due to health hazards (I know about wrapping the fiberglass to prevent particles from flying off the ported cabinets, but working with the foam is cleaner and easier).
   
   
7. Considering using some kind of acoustic paint on the insides of the cabinet, but worried that I will be altering the original specs of the cabinet now, especially since I will already be using Foam instead of fiberglass. https://www.amazon.com/Acousti-Coat-Sound-Deadening-Gallon/dp/B01AB1S1QW?th=1
   
   
8. Capacitors have been repaced with Solens on the crossover, still debating if I want to bypass or not the protection circuit.
   
   
9. Considering dissasemblying the Lpads to clean them real good, but I already did one and feel they are kinda flimsy, so I might just spray De-oxit on the opening hole of the back of them. Pending to replace the Lpads ceramic resistor with a Dayton. https://www.parts-express.com/Dayto...recision-Audio-Grade-Resis-004-7.5?quantity=1
   
   
10. I will keep my old aftermarket woofers for now, with a pending recone from Anaheim Speaker Pros (using GPA cones). You can see one of my woofer was a reproduction but its cracked/busted, so that one has been patched for now. The other one is a complete different woofer, and while it sounds nice, I prefer having 2 of the same woofers, preferreably reproductions. Can someone clarify a question? Were the original woofer surrounds butyl or foam? what about the dustcap? I always tought the one I had was an original reproduction but I am not sure now, I think original surrounds were foam.

Im open to hear all your suggestions guys! Speakers should be live in the next 1 or 2 weeks.​