10" speaker for EL84-powered Vibro Champ ?

[GR1950]

Can somebody make a recommendation please ?
This is my first scratch-build, and I'm enjoying it immensely. In fact, it's pretty addictive !
I'm building a VC as my first project as it was recommended to me by a knowledgeable friend as a comparatively easy build.
I already have a couple of 6V6 amps, and wanted an EL84 powered amp. to use for mainly slide guitar playing. I figured that the EL84 would give me the "brashness" that I want.

So far, so good ...... but the question arises, what speaker ??

I don't have any chance here in NZ of auditioning anything, so I have to make an educated choice. Firstly, I need a high efficiency speaker to make the most of the single-ended design. And I need "dirt". I've been considering a Weber 10F125. I have a 10A125 in a Silvertone 1471 that I'm very happy with and a 12" C Blue in a Silvertone 1482. That's the full extent of my speaker experience !

Any help with a recommendation would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you,

Gary.

[Chuck H]

I need a high efficiency speaker to make the most of the single-ended design. And I need "dirt".

Does this mean you want a speaker that a four or five watt amp will distort, or does it mean you want a speaker that makes natural amp distortion sound more refined (ie: top end roll off, upper mid punch, etc). If the latter, what kind of tone do you like? Really bright, muddy/bluesy.?.

Chuck

[GR1950]

Thank you for the reply Chuck.

The latter is what I'm after, and a muddy/bluesy sound is what I'm looking for.

[Chuck H]

I've tried a lot of 10's in different applications. For a really efficient speaker that has the right balance of tone for blues I really like the Mesa Black Shadow. These are made by Eminence, though I don't know the comparable Eminence model I do know Eminence sells it too. It hardly matters since Mesa sells them a lot cheaper on their site. About $50. US. Don't sweat the 50 watt power rating, it has nothing whatever to do with speaker efficiency.

That's my suggestion. You could spend more on a Weber or Tone Tubby that doesn't say "Mesa" on it, if that sort of thing bothers you, but I really don't think you could get a better speaker for your criteria.

Chuck

[GR1950]

Great info. Chuck .... thank you again.

Eminence 50 ?

Mesa Boogie premium black shadow speakers

[GR1950]

Red Fang maybe ?

Eminence - The leader in guitar speaker tone. Upgrades for Celestion, Jensen and Fane.

[Chuck H]

I have tried most of the Eminence 10's and liked them all. Not so much their 12's... Odd. You can listen to their sound clips for comparison too.

If I need a bit of top end roll off, deep bass in a small package and extra efficiency, I like the Mesa Eminence 10. This sounds like your criteria. And Mesa sells it for US $49.00 compared with any of the Eminence branded speakers at around $70.00.

Of course, if your intrigued by alnico or you like the sound of a different Eminence speaker from their sound clips, and the extra $20.00 doesn't bother you, I don't think you can go wrong with any of the Eminence 10's.

Chuck

[GR1950]

Chuck .... thank you again.

I'll try and find that speaker somewhere on the net, and take the plunge.

Gary.