"Speakers for a Dumble" Thread

[bjm007]

Well, I thought I'd report back to my earlier post regarding the Red White & Blues....

I read what some of the other posters had written about the need for some extensive break-in and I found that really I like this speaker after all. It's much different than any of the Celestions I have used over the years and that's a GOOD thing with the Fuchs SLX.

I also had Andy bring the amp up to current spec and the combination of the new components in the amp and the broken-in RW&B's....... and this combination really smokes!

The RW&B's have much less grit than the Celestions and that smoothness is just what the Fuchs seems to crave. Very nice...........

[BobW]

Has Anyone else tried the Weber Californias? IMO, The Weber Ceramic California 12's sound as close to the original JBL D120F's than anything else I've ever tried. Also the 10s match the JBL D110Fs for clarity. I use both in a 2 10" and a 2 12" enclosure that are based on the small bf bassman enclosure. I like the 2 12" better with the bassman clone since it provides a better bottom end w/o getting muddy, and prefer to use the 2 10 enclosure with my vibrolux. I am not an endorser for Weber but have given up on Eminence, Jensen, and Celestion now that I own a pair of Weber California 10s and 12s.

[Darkbluemurder]

I use a 1x12'' D style cab with a Jensen Neo 100W with my D clones. My modded Deluxe Reverb II combo has now a Celestion G 100 which replaced the Jensen Neo. The Celestion is definitely fatter sounding and has more low end in the combo cab than the Jensen had but I really like the Jensen Neo in the D style cab.
My Boogie Mark III (unmodified!) has a Black Shadow EV in it. This speaker is way too harsh IMO unless you crank the amp much too loud - so I never use it. I always use a cab for this amp. The EV is dang heavy too.

[llemtt]

..has now a Celestion G 100 which replaced the Jensen Neo. The Celestion is definitely fatter sounding and has more low end..

Do you mean a G12 Century? I have one of those and it's terrible; it has a different sound every time I play it, it seems to depend on "temperature", it also changes after you play it for a while.

Sometimes it's very good on clean but it always has a "strange" sound on OD, I can't understand that speaker...

teo

[Darkbluemurder]

..has now a Celestion G 100 which replaced the Jensen Neo. The Celestion is definitely fatter sounding and has more low end..

Do you mean a G12 Century?
teo

No, it's not a Century. I believe it's called G 100 H (the "Billy Gibbons speaker" as described in Gerald Weber's 2nd book). The Century is as I understand the Celestion Neodym version, but I have never tried one.

[glasman]

I am curious, has anyone tried the Jensen C12N or C12K speakers? Just wondering how they sound. I never hear anyone talking about them one way or another.

Gary

[jelle]

Hi Gary,

Concerning Jensen speakers these are my experiences:

I've been messing with Jensen USA and Italy speakers alot in the past.
The Jensen USA old stock speakers are great. I particularly like the ceramic N Concert series which are rated 50 w. Also the normal non concert series are great but they break up sooner because of the lower power rating.
In my opinion the Italy speakers don't sound great even after a breaking in period.

For a dumble amp I would be cautious to use these speakers because of the power rating of the speaker. But I run a 50w amp with all knobs @ 6-ish! I already blew a 50w concert series Jensen USA in a closed back cab with a 50w amp:-(

Jensens also shine in a 4x10'' config and they handle a lot more power that way. Another cool feature is the option to use P series (ALNICO) speakers.

I hope this answers your question.

I remember using the classic lead 80 in a super 60 red knob fender amp (2x6L6). I was already tweaking my first tube amp rig in '95...
The amp originally had the stock black fender speaker which sounded dull.
After replacing it for the classic lead, the sound was very much present in the large rehearsal room. It really scared me then! Actually a great sound. I'd say: go for it!!

Just my experiences/opinions..
Jelle Welagen,
The Netherlands

[tonelab2]

Has anyone tried the JBL MI 12? I think these were made in the 80's, just wondered how they compare to other 12" JBLs.

[glasman]

Hi Gary,

Concerning Jensen speakers these are my experiences:

In my opinion the Italy speakers don't sound great even after a breaking in period.


Jelle Welagen,
The Netherlands

Well that is kind of what I thought. I need a readily available supply of good quality speakers. So I guess it is Emi, Celestion and Weber for the time being.

Gary

['67_Plexi]

I have a HRM clone. I tried the following speakers:

1. Eminence 'Tonker' - I found this to be a hateful speaker and way too 'hi-fi' for the HRM. It had an overdrive quality that reminded me of plugging a distortion pedal straight into a mixing desk.

2. Celestion G12H30 - Very smooth all round, works well in a 2x12 combo. My personal favourite for a 50W.

3. Celestion Classic Lead 80 - Very similar in tone to the G12H30, but a little tighter and a great compliment to the 100W HRM.

4. Celestion G12T75 - These speakers are about 12 years old and are well worn in. I found them very usable with the HRM. A little more highs and lows than the other two Celestions and a little more mid range scooped out, but certainly not 'nu-metal' territory. I would imagine that these speakers when brand new may be a little bright and have some of the negative qualities I found in the 'Tonkers'.

[Darkbluemurder]

Well, I thought I'd report back to my earlier post regarding the Red White & Blues....

I read what some of the other posters had written about the need for some extensive break-in and I found that really I like this speaker after all. It's much different than any of the Celestions I have used over the years and that's a GOOD thing with the Fuchs SLX.

I also had Andy bring the amp up to current spec and the combination of the new components in the amp and the broken-in RW&B's....... and this combination really smokes!

The RW&B's have much less grit than the Celestions and that smoothness is just what the Fuchs seems to crave. Very nice...........

BJM007,
How is the clean sound of the RWB? I am afraid it may have too many mids. And how much break-in do you feel is needed (i.e. x rehearsals or y gigs)?
Thanks, DBM

[bjm007]

Well, I thought I'd report back to my earlier post regarding the Red White & Blues....

I read what some of the other posters had written about the need for some extensive break-in and I found that really I like this speaker after all. It's much different than any of the Celestions I have used over the years and that's a GOOD thing with the Fuchs SLX.

I also had Andy bring the amp up to current spec and the combination of the new components in the amp and the broken-in RW&B's....... and this combination really smokes!

The RW&B's have much less grit than the Celestions and that smoothness is just what the Fuchs seems to crave. Very nice...........

BJM007,
How is the clean sound of the RWB? I am afraid it may have too many mids. And how much break-in do you feel is needed (i.e. x rehearsals or y gigs)?
Thanks, DBM

The cleans on the RW&B's are sweet. No complaints there.

As far as the mids, yes they've got strong mids. IMO this is in part due to the rolled off highs, so you get an "apparent" bump in the mids which is a little more pronounced.

At first, I thought these speakers relly lacked highs, but as they break in, you begin to hear more emerge in that part of the freq spectrum. AND the highs are smooth, so it is perfect for the type of sound I was after.

For example, the RW&B is a MUCH different speaker than a Celestion Blue or a G12H30. The Celestions have more "edge", and "grit" - whereas the Emi's are smoother.

Last but not least, the Emi's REALLY do require a break in. I would say at least 10 hours before they begin to sound the way they're going to sound over time. AND that's 10 hours played LOUD. Otherwise it might take quite a bit longer than that IMO.

[rutledj]

Just to kinda open this in a different direction, can anyone recommend a 12" for use in a single combo amp (probably driven by a set of 6v6's or el equivalent)?

Also, could someone clue me in on what cone cry sounds like?

Thanks,
Rut

[Wasserockinbluesman]

Ok guys, here's the deal .... I need some smart input!!

I just pulled the trigger on a Fuchs ODS, Bassman Mod/Conversion which I pick up on Saturday. I am seriously considering putting the head into a 2x10" Fender-type cab as a combo.

I have a buddy with 2 (new) Jensen P10R reissues that I could buy for $75/pair which would keep the amp light in weight. Since the Bassman OT is 4ohms, I figured 2x 8ohm speakers was the way to go and also more cone area than 1x12" or 1x15" (assuming I can find something in 4ohms).

Anyone have experience using this speaker/amp combination?

Any other 2x10 speaker suggestions?

Should I consider 1x12" or 1x15" ?

Thanks all !!

[Luthierwnc]

I just break new speakers in with a transformer. Hook a 6 volt radio shack transformer to a two prong wall cord. Attach the secondary taps to the speaker terminals and let it hum for a couple days. It will loosen up. I stick mine in a box with precut foam rubber around it and put it in the finish room so it doesn't drive us crazy.

Weber has a FAQ on this somewhere on his site that includes a formula on how much juice they can take. 6 volts is on the mild side but I'm in no hurry. You could also use a 12v trannie and use one side and the center tap. Just use whichever transformer you would use in the build or a variac.

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