NAD 1975 VT-22

[elroy443]

yeah this is the thing, i only end up taking the 2x12 to shows anyway. Even the 4x12 is pretty unnecessary these days, all soundmen seem to do is tell you to turn it down which i completely understand but it'd be nice to hear a bit of natural clipping from the v4 at a show every once in a while.

also, have you got much experience with the vt-40? they must weigh a scary amount

[beedoola]

I've got an old ampeg st-42 4x12 that sounds amazing. It has the Altec 417 speakers in it which aren't everyone's cup of tea, but sound very clear and big. The cab is really solid, but it's so huge I never take it anywhere.

I'll be posting some pictures of it soon.

I had an early 70s vt22 with those Altecs and they sounded great! That's one amp I regret selling.

[Hangman]

The Vt-40 is a little lighter than the VT-22 but not by much. both amps can be rather awkward to move around.

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I'm glad someone else appreciates the altec 417 Beedoola. they really are a great sounding speaker.

[beedoola]

I used a little, yet sturdy, hand cart/dolly thing to move the vt22 around.

[Liquids]

What do the Altec 417s sound like? What are they most similar to, if anything?
What do you like about them?
Do they produce more highs than most guitar speakers?

Apparently they were "they best speaker" one could get at one point...but I'm not familiar with them.

[Hangman]

What do the Altec 417s sound like? What are they most similar to, if anything?
What do you like about them?
Do they produce more highs than most guitar speakers?

Apparently they were "they best speaker" one could get at one point...but I'm not familiar with them.

The 417s are very clear sounding speakers. They don't impart a lot of character to the sound coming out of an amp, which is the reason many people don't like them.

I find the lows to be super big and tight. and the highs to be very clear and crisp. not sparkly like a alnico blue... but pleasant.

as for general frequency response, I think they are pretty flat.

[syscokid]

I picked up my VT-22 about 3 years ago, locally. I think it's a 75', too. I'm not sure how transparent these EV SRO's are because I have no idea what this amp might have sounded like with the original speakers. From some of the docs that came with this amp - these speakers were installed in 1978. And, I'm not kidding on this: This combo weighs 113 lbs!
Nice "rack", huh...

[Liquids]

I picked up my VT-22 about 3 years ago, locally. I think it's a 75', too. I'm not sure how transparent these EV SRO's are because I have no idea what this amp might have sounded like with the original speakers. From some of the docs that came with this amp - these speakers were installed in 1978. And, I'm not kidding on this: This combo weighs 113 lbs!
Nice "rack", huh...

Crazy weight!

That speaker wire looks a little small to me? Maybe I'm mistaken. I'm a big fan of using the heaviest gauge speaker cable/lamp cord you can find. In this case, heavy duty lamp cord may be all you'd need. What you have might be just fine though.

If you ever want to try having something lighter and get more of a wider tonal spread, I love the Eminence Swamp Thang. Dumb name, awesome speaker...if you had one of each, it might be a cool compliment. They have tons of bass. Not light, but I doubt they're as heavy as those.

Dang. You might save a ton of money on future back problems by getting a head cab and a 2x12 (I like the oversized Avatar Cabs that looks a lot like the standard Bogner 2x12 cabs myself). At least you'd have it in two parts. Best of luck to your spine either way!