Tag Archives: public address system history

Altec Public-Address in the Seventies

Above: this one caught me by surprise.  Neil Young endorses Altec PA kit in 1971.  We see the Altec 1210A console and 1205A powered speakers.  Apparently Don Ellis and Merle Haggard were also endorsers at the time.  Today: some early … Continue reading

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Heil in the Seventies

From Wikipedia: “Bob Heil (October 5, 1940) is…most well known for creating the template for modern rock sound systems. He founded the company Heil Sound in 1966,which went on to create unique touring sound systems for bands such as The … Continue reading

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Webster-Chicago: Because Shouting Is Outmoded (1939)

Download the 24pp 1939 Webster-Chicago Sound Systems catalog (in two parts due to size) DOWNLOAD PART 1: WebsterChic_1939_1 DOWNLOAD PART 2: WebsterChic_1939_2 Products covered, with text, specs, and photos, include: Wesbter-Chicago Super-Fidelity Mixer W-4004, amplifiers W-4030, W-4070, W-4030; remote mixer … Continue reading

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Out-of-print Book Report: “Professional Rock And Roll” (1967)

Download a six-page excerpt regarding ‘the sound system’ from “Professional Rock And Roll” (Ed. Herbert Wise, Collier, 1967): DOWNLOAD: Professional_Rock_And_Roll_Excerpt Very much along the lines of “Electric Rock” (1971)  and “Starting Your Own Band” (1980), “Professional Rock And Roll” (h.f. … Continue reading

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PA systems of the Seventies

Gibson GPA-100 PA system circa ’73 Seems like ’100 watts’ was the likely answer to all yr PA system needs in the seventies.  I can’t imagine how folks were using SVTs and Twin Reverbs side-by-side with 100 watts for vocal … Continue reading

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Helping you come to terms with the possibility of imminent demise

Download the 1965 and 1968 Altec ‘Airport Sound Systems’ brochures: DOWNLOAD 1965:Altec_Jet_age_sound_systems_1965 DOWNLOAD 1968: Altec_airport_sound_systems_196X What purpose can programmed sound serve in our environment?  Communication of information.  Entertainment.  Marking boundaries of different spaces.  All of this happens in the environment … Continue reading

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RCA PA systems of the 1950s

RCA PA system heads of the 50s/60s are one of the best values in antique tube equipment.  I’ve bought a few on eBay in the $100-range and with a little work you can have a really great studio amp for … Continue reading

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Takin’ em to Church (with Altec)

Download the eight-page 1966 brochure “Altec Sound Systems for Houses of Worship”: DOWNLOAD: Altec_Worship_1966 The text above is taken from page 2 of this royal-purple-colored document.  The logical inference would be “As You Are To God, Your PA System Can … Continue reading

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Carvin Mixing Consoles 1979

Download a fifteen-page scan of the mixing consoles on offer in Carvin’s 1979 Catalog: DOWNLOAD: Carvin_Mixers_1979 Above is the playing-field of the flagship Q1608, a Quadraphonic console with 16 inputs and 8 outputs.  Other mixers on offer: the Carvin S1800, … Continue reading

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Carvin Guitars, Amplifiers, and PA equipment: 1973 Catalog

Download the thirty-two page 1973 Carvin catalog (presented in two sections): DOWNLOAD AMPS, SPEAKERS, AND PA: Carvin_1973_part1 DOWNLOAD GUITARS: Carvin_1973_part2 Products covered, with images, specs, and text, include: Carvin Lead amps LM1000, BL1250, FR1200, LP600, SM450 and TM565; Carvin Bass … Continue reading

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