ALTEC-LANSING 600B, Dec. 1950, BLACK, full range, 8-ohms, low wattage, Cipollina

Greetings lookie-loo's!!! The rules of engagement have changed; please read them below. Remember, you can't own this genuine, vintage, 1950, Altec-Lansing 600B full range speaker, just by watching it. And, all offers are entertained. To find other items for sale by myself, please search the following key word = CIPOLLINA.

BEHOLD!!! For sale is a Dec. 1950, Altec-Lansing 600B, full range speaker.  This is a low wattage speaker that was designed to be used with low wattage tube amps to provide a hi-fi sound in a mono, or early stereo, setting.  There is very little info available about this speaker.  However, from all my reading, it sounds like this speaker would work perfectly in a low wattage (below 25W) tweed or BF amp build.  It would also be a great replacement speaker for an amp of similar style.
Original cone.  No tears or voice coil rub.   

Let me know if you have any questions.  I did find the following write-up about the speaker on line:  

"If you're searching for real old world detailed and powerful sound -- with the beauty that vintage audio from the USA has; and you are looking for an affordable 12" then you know how hard it can be hard to select the right thing. These will do very well -- as ALTEC intended -- as a standalone full range speaker. They harken back to some of Jensen's earliest full range products as well as some of the offerings of Lansing iconic series from the early 1940s before being purchased by Altec. With the added twist from Lansing's compression driver experience (ie the WE 594, and 287 of the 1930s) -- a somewhat ahead-of-the time center cap -- the dawn of combining hardened aluminum for better HF response -- In effect, like having a miniature 1" HF driver running right alongside your 12" paper/linen/silken cone. These are the 8 ohm 600B, the 600 is a different ribbed cone. This was the seed of later products from Jim Lansing.  Altec later called this early product line -- the DiaCone series. These early 12" drivers represent a type of product Altec only shortly made ... quickly left past as they moved towards high powered full excursion speakers of the 60s, 70s, and 80s. These are quite early drivers --- rather than have a bi-flex type (dual-cone, which Altec later made many of) these have a high-frequency passive center -- similar to the 603, but lacking the added phenolic multicellular passive horn. The Altec 600 series is an excellent choice if you plan to build a full range single driver system. But far better yet as a two or even three way speaker system. If you're trying to stay with all vintage extremely hi efficiency parts, and using ALTEC for HF, these are excellent for compatibility (the sound goes well with lots of fabulous vintage Altec drivers/horns). You should pick up a nice set of nice 600Bs.  If you use low power tube amps, they are uniquely versatile. Their all original cones have treated edges are still supportive and flexible. This is a much harder treatment than Altec later progressed to....It is unique, but something very similar to what in the 1940s Stephens and Lansing used.  The 600 B is a lower excursion driver – which means it's action will be very fast, crisp and detailed.  They jumped to life, and filled my office with music, with only very low-power. Definitely a full range driver. Still, if using in a closed or ported box, you would be best served to use an excellent midrange driver, perhaps a tweeter too.  They have excellent voicing, and should be great for delicate instruments from lively violin and or clean & clear, silky jazz.  The edge wound aluminum voice coils and powerful alnico V magnet with a tight gap, and extremely rigid cone ensure is that the speakers have great detail – more so than many of this era --- just like you expect from a high-quality, heavy driver of the day. Altec's 600 B was designed as standalone 12 inch driver, and its capabilities lent it to vintage cinema fill in the 1940s and 50s -- and also later as dedicated auditorium sound work. The 600/600 B/603 were made during a brief period of time in the history of USA cinema, whereas the famous Altec 604 saw production for nearly 50 years. Philosophically speaking it's very tough to find a 12 inch driver made by Altec or JBL of the vintage era that covers so many potential applications in the homes of tube oriented, DIY & collector audiophiles. Single ended amps would do very well with these. Give them a try, as the more collectors get to hear these and other such pretty & quite useful old drivers --- prices will continue to climb --- and you'll find them quite useful in your HiFi pursuits."

Please note that there will be a 15% restocking fee on all returned items. There will be absolutely no refunds on items where the negotiated price is different (lower) than the listed price.

Due to a recent flurry of unnecessary returns, I am now having to change the rules of the game a little. I do not sell items with warped necks, loose parts, other defects, or parts that are broken but not shown in the photographs. I am selling items from my personal collection, not items I find in a pawn shop, at estate sales, or at garage sales, unlike some hucksters here. If the item is unusable or unplayable, it is listed and sold as a “PROJECT” for repair or parts.  

I take REVERB Pay as my only form of payment. If you are not signed up for REVERB Pay before attempting to purchase my item, please don’t bid on it. Please be signed up for REVERB Pay before bidding. If you bid before being a REVERB Pay member, I will report you to REVERB so that they will keep an eye on you. Regarding shipping, make sure that your correct and complete address is loaded into your REVERB account. If it is not properly entered, and your item is returned to me, due to your failure to enter your address correctly, I will repost (charge you postage twice) the item at your expense, due to the extra time that YOU stole from MY life.

First time buyers will be dealt with on a case by case basis.

 
Please note again that there will be a 15% restocking fee on all returned items. There will be absolutely no refunds issued for items where the negotiated price is different (lower) than the listed price. If we do agree that the item should be returned, you will be responsible for the shipping costs to return the item to me. After careful examination of the item, a full or partial refund will be returned, minus the restocking fee. In order to receive a full refund, minus the restocking fee, the item must be returned to me in exactly the same condition as it was shipped. That is, the item should look EXACTLY like the photos that are in the listing.

In total, any bid, accepted offer, or payment is a legal contract to purchase the offered item or lot, as is. As such, it binds you as a buyer, to perform the terms of this contract, with no deviation. Your bid, accepted offer, or payment, signifies the offered item or lot, as described and pictured, meets with your complete satisfaction, and is suitable for purchase without reservation or recourse.

This item or lot is in the condition clearly shown in the photographs, and accurately detailed in the written description. Though it may indeed be, or appear as, new, it is not a NEW item. It has been previously owned in some manner or fashion. Therefore it is a USED item, and as such, is sold as is, with no warranty of satisfaction or suitability.

Obviously all the main points of this listing will be understood by competently examining this listing; however, feel free to ask pertinent questions. I will try to address your concerns quickly and accurately BEFORE you bid, offer, or purchase. Since all items are previously owned, I have made a reasonable effort to show flaws or signs of use, handling, storage, or age. No significant flaws are left out of the information; I am trying to do fair and accurate transactions. I repeat, any defects are carefully documented. It is the sole responsibility of a perspective new owner to do the due diligence to conclude, before bidding, the acceptability and suitability of the item for their needs, BEFORE entering into this legally binding purchase contract.

Your bid or accepted offer signifies you fully understand and accept the binding terms of this purchase contract, and agree to refrain from any action involving this item or lot, if there is any factor or issue, known, perceived, or unknown which would make it unsuitable for your needs.

In other words, it is what it is. If you have any problems accepting that fact, DO NOT PLACE A BID, or try to purchase it.  If you bid, your offer is accepted, or pay, the item is then your property, period.

Please note again that there will be a 15% restocking fee on all returned items. There will be absolutely no refunds on items where the negotiated price is different than the listed price.

Continental USA sales only. Local sales OK. If you are a non-Continental USA buyer, please have someone in the USA buy the item for you, and then they can forward the item to you. This is called using a proxy buyer.  

All offers entertained.

Optimism is cowardice.

Malthus was right.