How do you deal with speaker variation?

[Alan0354]

I designed my amp using the Fender Pro Reverb as a reference as I think the clean sounds very good. I already notice a lot of the magic is in their cheap speakers and the cabinet. I plugged into another cabinet with Celestion G12T-75 which is a much better speaker, the Pro Reverb loss the magic!!!

So far, I have been using one speaker inside the Pro Reverb for my build. It sounded very good both clean and gain. I like it a lot. Soooooooooo finally I have to switch to the other cabinet with the Celestion as I cannot piggy back on the Pro Reverb forever. IT SOUNDED AWFUL.

How do you deal with this? If you design a head, you have no control what speaker people use, they might pair up with a speaker cab that make your amp sound terrible and your name get trashed!!!

Or do you think I did something wrong? Should I start over and stay with a known quality that I can buy now rather going with the Utah speaker that is not existing anymore and get the better sound? How can there be so big a difference? I know it's a stupid question, but I am distressed.

[Ted]

One of the key things that makes a Fender sound "Fenderish" is the speakers. Celestions are one of the things that make a Marshall sound "Marshallish". If you like the sound of a stock Pro Reverb, driving Celestions with it may not be pleasing to you. This isn't an electronic problem.

You don't say what sort of Celestions you used, but don't go running away with the idea that they are a "better" speaker. Celestions were built to a price same as Utahs/Oxfords/whatever Fender could get the best price on that week. (And not all Celestions are equal. A G12M is a very different animal from a Tube 30, and that's reflected in the cost) That said, cheapness is not necessarily a bad thing in a guitar speaker. If a speaker has a really characteristic sound, even if it it's data looks less than ideal, people may love it.

The beauty of heads and cabs is that you CAN try out different combinations. In the last couple of weeks, I've heard great tone from a Selmer T&B 50 driving an old Fender 2 x 15, a 135W Bassman driving a Traynor 4 x 10, and a Twin Reverb head driving a home made 15" Cab. There are no rules. It's what sounds good to you.

[J M Fahey]

Agree and add, if the end user makes a bad choice, it's *his* problem, not yours .

[Alan0354]

What speaker gives me the Fender tone? Something not expensive. I am looking at Weber that is only $42. I think I did mention hear, I think the ones that is mid heavy will work better.

[Alan0354]

Agree and add, if the end user makes a bad choice, it's *his* problem, not yours .

Ha ha, problem is they make bad choice, then they go on the blog and trash you!!!! No win.

[Ted]

I had a pair of Utahs reconed for a 135W twin last year. They sounded pretty good to me. Pretty Fenderish. What have you got against Utahs?

In the last year I've put Jensen C12Ks, Eminence Texas Heat and a variety of Webers into old Fenders. All customers have been happy. I'd love to try some of Webers California Series JBL-alikes, but getting them to this side of the atlantic would be a little costly.

I spent an interesting afternoon trying out different Webers and Jensens in a 68 Deluxe Reverb. After a couple of hours we decided that the stock Fender speaker was the closest to the sound in our heads of how a DR ought to be.

[Alan0354]

I had a pair of Utahs reconed for a 135W twin last year. They sounded pretty good to me. Pretty Fenderish. What have you got against Utahs?

In the last year I've put Jensen C12Ks, Eminence Texas Heat and a variety of Webers into old Fenders. All customers have been happy. I'd love to try some of Webers California Series JBL-alikes, but getting them to this side of the atlantic would be a little costly.

I spent an interesting afternoon trying out different Webers and Jensens in a 68 Deluxe Reverb. After a couple of hours we decided that the stock Fender speaker was the closest to the sound in our heads of how a DR ought to be.

What's wrong with Utah is they no longer exist!!! As I said before, I don't have any plan to market this, but if I design an amp, I would always like to think that I might be selling some. Having a reliable source is utmost important, I can't rely of ebay to buy some 40 years old used speakers!!!

I don't mind buying what fender use, I need a 12" 40W. I don't know what brand. I know they did use Jensen and Eminence, what model Fender use? Any suggestions?

[Leo_Gnardo]

What's wrong with Utah is they no longer exist!!!

Utah became Pyle.

In any case I found Pyle guitar speakers to have a pronounced mid peak making a sort of rrrrrrrr sound out of any note. Never was much of a fan. I don't know if Pyle still exists or they may be sticking to car stereo.

[Alan0354]

Utah became Pyle.

In any case I found Pyle guitar speakers to have a pronounced mid peak making a sort of rrrrrrrr sound out of any note. Never was much of a fan. I don't know if Pyle still exists or they may be sticking to car stereo.

Sadly I don't think they make guitar speaker anymore.

[Alan0354]

I looked at this Weber that supposed to replace Utah and Eminence. Do you guys think this is a good choice?

https://taweber.powweb.com/weber/

Signature Series: Ceramic Signature 12B

5lb (2.27Kg)
12" (30.5cm) diameter 5" (30.48cm) deep.
Ceramic Sig 12B
8 Ohms
$57.00
QTY

General purpose medium power ceramic 12. Economical replacement for Chicago Jensen C12N, C12Q, Oxford, Utah, Eminence, etc.
12", 40oz ceramic magnet, 50 watts, 1-1/2" voice coil, british cone and dustcap.
Later breakup, strong low end with lots of punch and dynamics.

[J M Fahey]

Why go for a british cone speaken in az quest for American sound?

Get an Eminence Legend, the one which has 38mm/1 1/2" voice coil, itīs the over the counter version of what they make for Fender.

*Always* available and consistent.

May need softening/aging a bit , Weber describes how to do it.
I use a 12VAC transformer with crocodile clips, leave the speakers on a table over a folded napkin or something so as to avoid scratching the back.
One hour at least, may go on all day if necessary.
50/60Hz without a cabinet is poorly reproduced so does not get that loud.

The other option is full AC/DC discography, full blast , with the matching head.
But neighbours and cops hate it.

[Alan0354]

I never know what is British or American sound!!! I don't have much knowledge on speakers.

[J M Fahey]

Search for the Youtube "15 speaker comparison by Rivera" and amaze yourself.

rivera 15 speaker comparison - YouTube

Enjoy.

Have some aspirin handy, you will get headache.

[big_teee]

Search for the Youtube "15 speaker comparison by Rivera" and amaze yourself.

rivera 15 speaker comparison - YouTube

Enjoy.

Have some aspirin handy, you will get headache.

I've watched that several times in the past and always learned something from it.
I still like the V-30, pretty well, the best I remember.
T

[J M Fahey]

Thatīs the point.
Speaker choice influences soun 1000 times more than cap colour, tube brand or any other "electronic" component.
Just listen to the **HUGE** variation hears with **SAME** amp, **SAME** guitar, same player and licks of course, going through different speakers.
All "good" by the way