DIY Woody's Altec Valencia-19 project

[Wntrmute2]

I'm the opposite of Woody. I have more time so I build/breadboad most everything first (I've not tried speakers yet).
I like things to be optimized as much as possible before final construction. I have to admire that "just get going" characteristic of Woody.
Last monoblock build on the breadboard.



And in the final build.

 

[Thermionics]

I've never really prototyped anything. It's hosnestly for me a time thing. I can barely make the time to do most of these projects once. I know the second go would be faster, but I just don't. There is a LOT of data out there on Altec stuff, and most of it is here on HFH at this point so it's pretty easy to follow some known formulas.

I kinda think Altecs are like Volkswagen's (Beetles mostly). You can mix-and-match and do all kinds of versions of them... and they have a cult following... but there is still lots of ways to make them your own and end up with a pretty solid result.

In the case of this build it's really just upping the volume to like 620 cabinet size, using a known Model 19 network (Z19) and then subbing the Emilar EH800 horn for the Altec 800mhz horn based on my own experiences with both and much preferring the Bowtie and then subbing the Radian compression driver for the 806/802 Altec CD. That swap is a known commodity too. So, like I said, mix-and-match, aesthetics of your choosing. They're gonna sound good.

- Woody

So...Cal-look Altec? You'll need some Empi parts and BRM wheels for those cabinets.

 

[ICTWoody]

I'm the opposite of Woody. I have more time so I build/breadboad most everything first (I've not tried speakers yet).
I like things to be optimized as much as possible before final construction. I have to admire that "just get going" characteristic of Woody.
Last monoblock build on the breadboard.

View attachment 77299

And in the final build.

View attachment 77300

I’m a Virgo. Those clip leads give me anxiety.

- Woody

 

[ICTWoody]

So...Cal-look Altec? You'll need some Empi parts and BRM wheels for those cabinets.

I’m a dub guy. But not vintage. I had a B5 1.8T Passat, an Audi A3 2.0T and then my current 2018 Passat GT. I love VAG cars. That pretty much covers my vehicles going back 20 years.

- Woody

 

[Thermionics]

I’m a dub guy. But not vintage. I had a B5 1.8T Passat, an Audi A3 2.0T and then my current 2018 Passat GT. I love VAG cars. That pretty much covers my vehicles going back 20 years.

- Woody

View attachment 77317
View attachment 77318

The only VAG groups I've had (since my late teens / early 20s when I had a 1970 and then 1971 Type III Squareback) is a Mk6 Jetta Sportwagen TDI that was bought back by VW due to dieselgate, and then a 2015 Mk7 Golf Sportwagen TDI, which my daughter currently has with her in Pittsburgh. I could never afford doing the Cal-look with my Type IIIs, but the second did end up with a slightly-bored-out Gene Berg motor.

My personal weapon of choice is (older) BMWs - I get the marque loyalty. 👍

 

[ICTWoody]

My personal weapon of choice is (older) BMWs - I get the marque loyalty. 👍

I have dreamt of a 2002 Roundie. Perhaps someday. I do covet many a German auto.

- Woody

 

[S0und Dragon]

Also a Virgo and Audi owner!!!!! Twinsies!!!

 

[Andyman]

Lol, I’m a Virgo too, so I want to get it right before I commit, especially where large pieces of plywood are involved.

 

[ICTWoody]

Lol, I’m a Virgo too, so I want to get it right before I commit, especially where large pieces of plywood are involved.

I feel that.

- Woody

 

[Thermionics]

I have dreamt of a 2002 Roundie. Perhaps someday. I do covet many a German auto.

- Woody

Sadly, I've never had the opportunity to own a 2002. I've had multiple E30s over the years, a brief dalliance with an E36, and have been daily-driving a 2010 128i since May 2017 (about as close as you could get to a Neue Klasse 2002 with recent-vintage BMWs).

 

[Drugolf]

I just saw this post and your build now Woody. I love the idea! You are addressing a couple of the weak aspects of the 19 for sure in what appears will be a more elegant look. As usual your details will take it over the top. Your efforts may help me later when I finally get around to doing something with Marantzfans old set of Model 19 I have in storage that need severe cosmetic help.
Face frames are often awkward and matching grain may be the most important aspect unless you want it to stand out. Color is mostly evened out with toner in the finish phase.

 

[ICTWoody]

Face frames are often awkward and matching grain may be the most important aspect unless you want it to stand out. Color is mostly evened out with toner in the finish phase.

Ha! I'm far from worrying about grain matching. I'm a good designer, and I know enough about Altec gear to be dangerous. Someone with some better woodworking skills could build these and make them beautiful I'm sure. I'm going for more of a "20ft, 20mph" good enough look.

I guess in that respect, these could be considered "nice" prototypes.

- Woody

 

[adnick]

I'm starting this thread now to document my progress of my latest Altec endeavor. This all started with a fairly good deal on some Valencia 846B's... and then Woody's gotta Woody. More pics and details to come. Until then... here is my 95% (I think this is what I'm aiming for) render. Grills are TBD as far as design. This is the most basic option. Might actually do a couple sets — cause why not!

- Woody

View attachment 74406
View attachment 74405

That’s very creative, love the concept, had a similar idea but took the easy way out

Beautiful work btw…

Andy

 

[ICTWoody]

Finally got back down to the shop today to mount the 2nd speaker to it's base. I learned my lesson last time and used a track saw to make the bottom opening on the 846B from the outside before gluing the speaker to the new base. It worked way better and was WAY faster. Live and learn on that one. I did wind up drilling and screwing the top and bottom together on both speakers after the glue up just for extra strength.

You can see in the last couple pics the shitty cutout vs the one I did this morning. I would clean it up, but who cares... it's inside the speaker.

About the last thing I need to do to the cabs before bringing them home to finish is gluing in the cleats for the front baffle to be able to attach. And I need to figure out my binding posts / L-Pad mounting as well.

Little by little.

- Woody

 

[gortnipper]

Looking good!

 

[Fran604g]

Fantastic!

 

[Mr. Bissness]

Very nice 👍🏼!!!

 

[ICTWoody]

Got in the shop for a little bit today. Got most of the cleats in the first speaker. The side cleats still need to be glued in but with the little braces running front to back I needed some different screws to glue and screw them. The cleats are solid oak which should be super solid with the marine screws.

- Woody

 

[Drugolf]

Great! So is the front baffle going to be removable? If so, how do you plan on securing it?

 

[Thermionics]

Great! So is the front baffle going to be removable? If so, how do you plan on securing it?