Altec 417 8h equivalent

[Bill Duncan]

Is there a modern equivalent to an Altec 417 8h?

[Tim Whitlock]

I had an Altec 418b in my Twin Reverb for many years until I couldn't lug it around anymore. I recently commissioned a tweed Tremolux clone with a Weber Neomag 12. To me it sounds nearly identical to the Altec. Lovely, smooth, addictive top end and sweet complex midrange!

[Bill Duncan]

Thanks for your information Tim. I spoke with Mojotone and they were very knowledgeable about the 417 8h Altec, and they have a speaker called Greyhound, at $139.00. For that price it is worth a try.

[Dave Grafe]

I am curious to hear your assessment of the Greyhound speaker, as there is sadly no known equivalent for the sweet sounding and highly efficient Altec 417/418 speakers, which are increasingly hard to come by.

[Bill Duncan]

I received and installed the Mojotone 12" 8 ohm speaker. I installed it in a Valveking 112 50 watt tube amp powered by 6L6GC JJ tubes. I have done biasing and added a 17 inch 3 spring Mojotone reverb tank. I have been using a JBL D123 8 ohm speaker I did not like the green Valveking original to the amp. I decided on this Valveking 112 because of it's compact size and portability. I also got it cheap.

I have tried several other speakers and had plans to get a Altec 417 8. Which could still happen. I like Altecs and use 15" Altecs in my other amps.

After playing the Greyhound alone and with a band I am having good results. The Greyhound tends to round off the highs and bring out the bottom more. I am using the onboard bass, mids, and treble controls. I am using amp reverb and a small amount of delay. As of now I have the bass at about 3, the mids at 6, and treble at 7. The numbers are on a 1 to 10 scale I have not noticed any distortion.

I am NOT recommending the speaker or anything else. I am just giving MY thoughts and opinions. Of course yours my vary.

Admittedly, the Greyhound is aimed at guitar (rock) and not pedal steel. I do like it and it appears to be well made and does what Mojotone says. At $129.00 I thought it would be cheap enough and worth a try.

As I stated earlier, I am NOT recommending anything to anyone.

[Bill Hatcher]

you might try the weber alnico California. supposed to be JBL like.

the altec 417 and 418 series are incomparable to anything made today.


https://www.tedweber.com/cali12a/

[Bill Duncan]

[quote="Bill Hatcher"]you might try the weber alnico California. supposed to be JBL like.

the altec 417 and 418 series are incomparable to anything made today.

Bill, you are right.