I guess the 418 just sounded more open and musical. For an aluminum capped speaker, it really isn’t very harsh at all when pushed with overdrive or even fuzz pedals. I’m now using the Vibrasonic with a 1×12 extension cab loaded with an Eminence Swamp Thang and it’s a very good pairing with the Altec. These amps are incredible.

I got one of these in a trade several years ago, and to be honest, I never used it much because it always sounded anemic, thin and wimpy to me and would fart out when I pushed it. Finally, at one point where I began selling some of my seldom-used amps and guitars, I decided to give this one another chance before I sold it. So, I took it into my trusty old Amp Tech and asked him to go thru it as I had described to him what my opinion of the amp’s sound was like. Two days later I got a call from him that it was ready to be picked up. I played the snot out of it at his shop and could not believe it. It sounded like a brand new amp. He told me that Fender sets the bias on their new tube amps waaaay to cold and they come to the customer working, but not at their full potential. He stepped up the bias a bit, after checking all of my tubes and cleaning all the pots and tube sockets. It sounds like a brand new amp that had just grown tremendous ballz. This amp is a keeper!

I got one of these in a trade several years ago, and to be honest, I never used it much because it always sounded anemic, thin and wimpy to me and would fart out when I pushed it. Finally, at one point where I began selling some of my seldom-used amps and guitars, I decided to give this one another chance before I sold it. So, I took it into my trusty old Amp Tech and asked him to go thru it as I had described to him what my opinion of the amp’s sound was like. Two days later I got a call from him that it was ready to be picked up. I played the snot out of it at his shop and could believe it. It sounded like a brand new amp. He told me that Fender sets the bias on their new tube amps waaaay to cold and they come to the customer working, but not at their full potential. He stepped up the bias a bit, after checking all of my tubes and cleaning all the pots and tube sockets. It sounds like a brand new amp that had just grown tremendous ballz. This amp is a keeper!

What changed when you installed the Altec 418 in this amp? I found one in my local pawn shop a couple months ago. It had been well traveled. It works, but the speaker had a big rip in it and have been meaning to replace it with something else. Any recommendations from those of you who own these amps?

A further update. For anyone who cares! I picked up an Altec 418-8H speaker recently (probably a ’72), 150w, AlNiCo. A really great speaker and a perfect match for the Custom Vibrasonic. The quest is over!