Altec Lansing 417-8H - the “Randy speakers”

[Mr. Willy]

Anyone have any experience with these? If so, what did you play them through, and what did you think of them? I’m thinking about picking one up.

 

[Mr. Willy]

These are the speakers Randy Rhoads had loaded in all his cabs.

 

[paulyc]

I wouldn't be so sure about that. The ones you reference are ALNICO magnets, I've read there was a ceramic magnet version and that those are the ones he used. IDK how true it is, but it was in a guitar mag in the 90's I think, and the guy writing the article was a "gear guy", he did amp reviews etc and seemed pretty knowledgeable. I've never seen the ceramic version anywhere, don't even know what to call it. Maybe do some research before plunking down any cash.

 

[Racerxrated]

Anyone have any experience with these? If so, what did you play them through, and what did you think of them? I’m thinking about picking one up.

I would pm Curt(chubtone), he may have some additional info on this subject.....

 

[Mr. Willy]

I’ll check with Chubtone. In the meantime, the 417-8H is what is listed as what he used. The folks that make them say they make them the exact same way they did when the company was Altec Lansing. I’m no expert, hence why I’m asking questions. I could see Randy using Alnico magnets though. The Distortion + he used is a very grating sound. Seems the Alnicos would’ve smoothed that out a bit. Just a thought.

 

[Mr. Willy]

Bumping this for any other comments or insight.

 

[Goat]

Randy talks about his Altec speakers here...

 

[Mr. Willy]

Randy talks about his Altec speakers here...

I’ve listened to that a couple of times before. He talks about the Altecs at the beginning, but he talks about them in a general way. I skipped around, but unless I missed it, he does not say whether or not the magnets are ceramic or Alnico. I may have missed it, but I didn’t hear him talk about it. I know he used AL 417-8H speakers. According to Great Plains Audio, that speaker is Alnico.

 

[Goat]

Randy talks about his Altec speakers here...

I’ve listened to that a couple of times before. He talks about the Altecs at the beginning, but he talks about them in a general way. I skipped around, but unless I missed it, he does not say whether or not the magnets are ceramic or Alnico. I may have missed it, but I didn’t hear him talk about it. I know he used AL 417-8H speakers. According to Great Plains Audio, that speaker is Alnico.

Given how much high-end Randy used, I can see where he would dig the alnico version over the ceramic.

 

[phil b]

Yes, Altecs 417-8H. Randy used them dating back to Quiet Riot. They are Alnico V magnets. At one time I had 2 full stacks loaded with them. Over the years I sold sold 12 and kept just 4 which I still use today. Mesa had an option with that speaker on the Mark 1 combo. They are EXTREMELY bright as their frequency response is 60hz to 8000hz. Add n MXR Distortion plus which was also a little bright and thats Randys sound. The 417B had a different basket design and less power handling. The 417C used the same frame as the H except the H could handle a bit more power. They aint light either. 13lbs 11 ounces. They are rated for 100w but can absolutely handle 150-170w. Hope that helps!

 

[Mr. Willy]

Yes, Altecs 417-8H. Randy used them dating back to Quiet Riot. They are Alnico V magnets. At one time I had 2 full stacks loaded with them. Over the years I sold sold 12 and kept just 4 which I still use today. Mesa had an option with that speaker on the Mark 1 combo. They are EXTREMELY bright as their frequency response is 60hz to 8000hz. Add n MXR Distortion plus which was also a little bright and thats Randys sound. The 417B had a different basket design and less power handling. The 417C used the same frame as the H except the H could handle a bit more power. They aint light either. 13lbs 11 ounces. They are rated for 100w but can absolutely handle 150-170w. Hope that helps!

Edit: The C version is a ceramic magnet btw, but Randy definitely used the H which I confirmed with Kelli, Randys brother back in the 90s.

Thanks for the reply! So, the Alnicos are part of his sound. This is interesting.

 

[phil b]

Yes, Altecs 417-8H. Randy used them dating back to Quiet Riot. They are Alnico V magnets. At one time I had 2 full stacks loaded with them. Over the years I sold sold 12 and kept just 4 which I still use today. Mesa had an option with that speaker on the Mark 1 combo. They are EXTREMELY bright as their frequency response is 60hz to 8000hz. Add n MXR Distortion plus which was also a little bright and thats Randys sound. The 417B had a different basket design and less power handling. The 417C used the same frame as the H except the H could handle a bit more power. They aint light either. 13lbs 11 ounces. They are rated for 100w but can absolutely handle 150-170w. Hope that helps!

Edit: The C version is a ceramic magnet btw, but Randy definitely used the H which I confirmed with Kelli, Randys brother back in the 90s.

Thanks for the reply! So, the Alnicos are part of his sound. This is interesting.

Soon as you put any high gain amp thru these its kind of instant Randy.. LOL This is a clip thru a Peavey S.S. M80 chorus 2x12 with my phone.
https://soundcloud.com/guitarplyr/altec-417-speakers

 

[Mr. Willy]

Yes, Altecs 417-8H. Randy used them dating back to Quiet Riot. They are Alnico V magnets. At one time I had 2 full stacks loaded with them. Over the years I sold sold 12 and kept just 4 which I still use today. Mesa had an option with that speaker on the Mark 1 combo. They are EXTREMELY bright as their frequency response is 60hz to 8000hz. Add n MXR Distortion plus which was also a little bright and thats Randys sound. The 417B had a different basket design and less power handling. The 417C used the same frame as the H except the H could handle a bit more power. They aint light either. 13lbs 11 ounces. They are rated for 100w but can absolutely handle 150-170w. Hope that helps!

Edit: The C version is a ceramic magnet btw, but Randy definitely used the H which I confirmed with Kelli, Randys brother back in the 90s.

Thanks for the reply! So, the Alnicos are part of his sound. This is interesting.

Soon as you put any high gain amp thru these its kind of instant Randy.. LOL This is a clip thru a Peavey S.S. M80 chorus 2x12 with my phone.
https://soundcloud.com/guitarplyr/altec-417-speakers

Dude...that sounds just like his tone. Really close, anyway. Killer playing too. You must be a big Randy fan. You’ve got his nuances down.

I’m thinking about picking one or two up. They’re pricey though. And the extremely bright description is giving me pause. I like brighter amps. That is a very cool sound though.

 

[phil b]

Yes, Altecs 417-8H. Randy used them dating back to Quiet Riot. They are Alnico V magnets. At one time I had 2 full stacks loaded with them. Over the years I sold sold 12 and kept just 4 which I still use today. Mesa had an option with that speaker on the Mark 1 combo. They are EXTREMELY bright as their frequency response is 60hz to 8000hz. Add n MXR Distortion plus which was also a little bright and thats Randys sound. The 417B had a different basket design and less power handling. The 417C used the same frame as the H except the H could handle a bit more power. They aint light either. 13lbs 11 ounces. They are rated for 100w but can absolutely handle 150-170w. Hope that helps!

Edit: The C version is a ceramic magnet btw, but Randy definitely used the H which I confirmed with Kelli, Randys brother back in the 90s.

Thanks for the reply! So, the Alnicos are part of his sound. This is interesting.

Soon as you put any high gain amp thru these its kind of instant Randy.. LOL This is a clip thru a Peavey S.S. M80 chorus 2x12 with my phone.
https://soundcloud.com/guitarplyr/altec-417-speakers

Dude...that sounds just like his tone. Really close, anyway. Killer playing too. You must be a big Randy fan. You’ve got his nuances down.

I’m thinking about picking one or two up. They’re pricey though. And the extremely bright description is giving me pause. I like brighter amps. That is a very cool sound though.

Man, back in the day I worshiped Randy!! Really dug his triple tracking leads and was the first time I ever heard anyone do that. It was a whole new world when I heard that. As far as that clip all it is is just the Fender (I mistakingly said Peavey in my other post) straight in. Thanks for the kind words btw.

I wouldnt be hesitant on picking one up if your just concerned about the high end. You can dial it down but the core characteristic of upper mids/top end will still be there. If ya play scooped then I would run away, but Carlos Santana used that speaker in his early Boogies and it wasnt that brash at all.
If your looking at a new one the ONLY place would be Great Plains Audio. Bill really knows his stuff with these speakers and his reissue sounds identical to an older one. I have done comparisons a few years ago. His recone job is also stellar and as long as he has the original parts to do it, they also sound just as good. I had him recone one of the ones I still own and there is no difference between the new and the old. Thought I would at least have to break it in but it was so close I was fine with it.
As far as price they can be had for a decent price but those dont last too long when they are listed. Guys who are asking high dollar are hoping to find the Randy nuts! LOL. It is an extremely solid speaker and very rarely do they have issues according to Bill. Hell, if ya can find a blown one for cheap ya might be better off picking it up and sending it out. Good luck in your decision. Happy I could help!

 

[Mr. Willy]

Yes, Altecs 417-8H. Randy used them dating back to Quiet Riot. They are Alnico V magnets. At one time I had 2 full stacks loaded with them. Over the years I sold sold 12 and kept just 4 which I still use today. Mesa had an option with that speaker on the Mark 1 combo. They are EXTREMELY bright as their frequency response is 60hz to 8000hz. Add n MXR Distortion plus which was also a little bright and thats Randys sound. The 417B had a different basket design and less power handling. The 417C used the same frame as the H except the H could handle a bit more power. They aint light either. 13lbs 11 ounces. They are rated for 100w but can absolutely handle 150-170w. Hope that helps!

Edit: The C version is a ceramic magnet btw, but Randy definitely used the H which I confirmed with Kelli, Randys brother back in the 90s.

Thanks for the reply! So, the Alnicos are part of his sound. This is interesting.

Soon as you put any high gain amp thru these its kind of instant Randy.. LOL This is a clip thru a Peavey S.S. M80 chorus 2x12 with my phone.
https://soundcloud.com/guitarplyr/altec-417-speakers

Dude...that sounds just like his tone. Really close, anyway. Killer playing too. You must be a big Randy fan. You’ve got his nuances down.

I’m thinking about picking one or two up. They’re pricey though. And the extremely bright description is giving me pause. I like brighter amps. That is a very cool sound though.

Man, back in the day I worshiped Randy!! Really dug his triple tracking leads and was the first time I ever heard anyone do that. It was a whole new world when I heard that. As far as that clip all it is is just the Fender (I mistakingly said Peavey in my other post) straight in. Thanks for the kind words btw.

I wouldnt be hesitant on picking one up if your just concerned about the high end. You can dial it down but the core characteristic of upper mids/top end will still be there. If ya play scooped then I would run away, but Carlos Santana used that speaker in his early Boogies and it wasnt that brash at all.
If your looking at a new one the ONLY place would be Great Plains Audio. Bill really knows his stuff with these speakers and his reissue sounds identical to an older one. I have done comparisons a few years ago. His recone job is also stellar and as long as he has the original parts to do it, they also sound just as good. I had him recone one of the ones I still own and there is no difference between the new and the old. Thought I would at least have to break it in but it was so close I was fine with it.
As far as price they can be had for a decent price but those dont last too long when they are listed. Guys who are asking high dollar are hoping to find the Randy nuts! LOL. It is an extremely solid speaker and very rarely do they have issues according to Bill. Hell, if ya can find a blown one for cheap ya might be better off picking it up and sending it out. Good luck in your decision. Happy I could help!

Man, I’ve listened to your clip several times now. You’re a kick ass guitarist, man. For real. I swear though, that sounds so close to Randy’s tone, I’m convinced now that those speakers are the key. Can’t have or get close to his tone without them. I’ve been listening to a lot of other guys playing through his “signature” stuff - distortion +, reissue head, guitar, etc. but without those speakers, they don’t sound anywhere near as close as yours here.

It’s funny. I was way into Randy many years ago. I guess I kinda overlooked him over the last several years. Had even started to dislike his tone. Then recently I heard some live bootlegs, and his tone was just monsterous - huge, sizzling, kinda 3D - just wicked. I’m mean, his playing? Forget about it. We can debate which Ozzy guitarist was “best,” but to me, none of them ever got close to Randy with the songs he was a part of crafting on those first two albums. Not even close.

It’s cool to me after years and years of thinking you know everything about a favorite player’s tone that you can still learn something new.

 

[Beyond Black]

Yes, Altecs 417-8H. Randy used them dating back to Quiet Riot. They are Alnico V magnets. At one time I had 2 full stacks loaded with them. Over the years I sold sold 12 and kept just 4 which I still use today. Mesa had an option with that speaker on the Mark 1 combo. They are EXTREMELY bright as their frequency response is 60hz to 8000hz. Add n MXR Distortion plus which was also a little bright and thats Randys sound. The 417B had a different basket design and less power handling. The 417C used the same frame as the H except the H could handle a bit more power. They aint light either. 13lbs 11 ounces. They are rated for 100w but can absolutely handle 150-170w. Hope that helps!

Edit: The C version is a ceramic magnet btw, but Randy definitely used the H which I confirmed with Kelli, Randys brother back in the 90s.

Thanks for the reply! So, the Alnicos are part of his sound. This is interesting.

Soon as you put any high gain amp thru these its kind of instant Randy.. LOL This is a clip thru a Peavey S.S. M80 chorus 2x12 with my phone.
https://soundcloud.com/guitarplyr/altec-417-speakers

That was a killer clip. Great playing and tone, man!

 

[Kapo_Polenton]

Yes, Altecs 417-8H. Randy used them dating back to Quiet Riot. They are Alnico V magnets. At one time I had 2 full stacks loaded with them. Over the years I sold sold 12 and kept just 4 which I still use today. Mesa had an option with that speaker on the Mark 1 combo. They are EXTREMELY bright as their frequency response is 60hz to 8000hz. Add n MXR Distortion plus which was also a little bright and thats Randys sound. The 417B had a different basket design and less power handling. The 417C used the same frame as the H except the H could handle a bit more power. They aint light either. 13lbs 11 ounces. They are rated for 100w but can absolutely handle 150-170w. Hope that helps!

Edit: The C version is a ceramic magnet btw, but Randy definitely used the H which I confirmed with Kelli, Randys brother back in the 90s.

Thanks for the reply! So, the Alnicos are part of his sound. This is interesting.

Soon as you put any high gain amp thru these its kind of instant Randy.. LOL This is a clip thru a Peavey S.S. M80 chorus 2x12 with my phone.
https://soundcloud.com/guitarplyr/altec-417-speakers

Dude...that sounds just like his tone. Really close, anyway. Killer playing too. You must be a big Randy fan. You’ve got his nuances down.

I’m thinking about picking one or two up. They’re pricey though. And the extremely bright description is giving me pause. I like brighter amps. That is a very cool sound though.

No kidding! He even nailed the sound of feedback you often hear in the bootlegs. I agree though, those speakers are his sound. Hands aside, that's the cut right there. I hated the sound of it on Blizzard and it was better produced on Diary but I still find those dated a bit in terms of the studio sound live however, diff story. Killer killer live tone and it is huge on the bootlegs. You can tell they over eq'd the highs a bit on Tribute because elsewhere you hear what the audience heard and it is amazingly raw , cutting yet thick enough. Evidence of how key the speakers are, when Bernie Torme played through them, he def. Had that same cut. Usually that isn't the case with two diff guys playing through same rig.

 

[GreatRedDragon]

Yes, Altecs 417-8H. Randy used them dating back to Quiet Riot. They are Alnico V magnets. At one time I had 2 full stacks loaded with them. Over the years I sold sold 12 and kept just 4 which I still use today. Mesa had an option with that speaker on the Mark 1 combo. They are EXTREMELY bright as their frequency response is 60hz to 8000hz. Add n MXR Distortion plus which was also a little bright and thats Randys sound. The 417B had a different basket design and less power handling. The 417C used the same frame as the H except the H could handle a bit more power. They aint light either. 13lbs 11 ounces. They are rated for 100w but can absolutely handle 150-170w. Hope that helps!

Edit: The C version is a ceramic magnet btw, but Randy definitely used the H which I confirmed with Kelli, Randys brother back in the 90s.

Thanks for the reply! So, the Alnicos are part of his sound. This is interesting.

Soon as you put any high gain amp thru these its kind of instant Randy.. LOL This is a clip thru a Peavey S.S. M80 chorus 2x12 with my phone.
https://soundcloud.com/guitarplyr/altec-417-speakers

That is incredible. I never realized how much of Randy's sound was in the speaker.

 

[phil b]

Thanks for the kind words guys. I cant take credit for the revelation though. My Randy quest started when I was about 16 and brought my Marshall to Ken Fischer "who is/was Trainwreck circuits" to have modded when I found out about these speakers and what they sounded like. Unfortunately without an internet and being too young to drive I had no idea where to find these speakers.

That all changed when I was 17 and hooked up with a friend of mine who I had no idea was a Randy nut! He had tracked down a bunch of speakers from a few different states and he had the H,C and B types. After wheeling and dealing I bought a few from him and started to branch out on a few leads I had picked up.
If ya ever wanna kill someone with sound just have them sit directly in front of a cranked 4x12 of these and watch their head cut right off!!

 

[Kapo_Polenton]

Hey Phil B, old thread but your playing here is crazy RR good! I was digging up info on these Altecs as there is a guy selling a white top 1960A cab with 3 80's 75's and and one Altec. What price would you guys put on these things? Seems to me these altecs for for 500$+ these days. This guy said his price would likely be around 1500$ (Canadian) Worth it for that Randy sound or better off rocking IR's? I mean that speaker IS the tone.