73 Twin Reverb, speaker recommendations needed

[Hfan]

I've got a 73 Twin Reverb (100W) with original orange frame JBL D120's. It has sentimental value as it was the amp I used back in the 70's. I refurbed and blackfaced the amp some time ago and it came out well. The JBL's however, have had it. I need recommendations for reasonably priced replacements. Eminence seems to offer quite a few.

 

The JBL's where really clean (too clean for me) I wouldn't mind more grit, but at this output level I suppose I can't expect much breakup at livable volumes. I play blues / funk while aspiring to some jazz. Mostly a home hobbyist.

 

I know some of you guys are amp tinkerers, any recommendations?

 

Thanks in advance

[MuDBoNe]

Check out Ted Webers page. You cant go wrong getting a Weber speaker. There are a lot to chose from. Look over the list and see what suits you.

I have some great sounding speakers from him. The California 12" would suit your needs. Check out the High Power Series

 

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

[Hfan]

Check out Ted Webers page. You cant go wrong getting a Weber speaker. There are a lot to chose from. Look over the list and see what suits you.

I have some great sounding speakers from him. The California 12" would suit your needs. Check out the High Power Series

 

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

 

Thanks, I checked out the site, the California description sounds like the JBLs (clean), the Chicago may be more of what I'm looking for, they are in my price range. I was considering the Eminence due to the fact that Guitar Center carries them and I could pick them up locally but I am leaving my options open.

[kbp810]

Weber also does re-cones, they might be able to bring those JBL's back to life. I think they charge $25 per speaker (+shipping).

 

Otherwise, from the reasonably priced side I've had good luck with both Weber and Warehouse

 

http://wgs4.com/home

[slider313]

Weber does make some great speakers. If it were my amp, I would go with a pair of their 12F150's with a 50 watt voice coil and no speaker doping. These sound like the early 60's Jensen C12N but warmer in tone. The rating (50 watts) is conservative.

 

FYI Weber recones their own speakers for $25 + shipping. Most 12" recones are $65 + shipping. JBL, EV, Gauss and Altec recones are $95 + shipping.

[Hfan]

Weber also does re-cones, they might be able to bring those JBL's back to life. I think they charge $25 per speaker (+shipping).

 

Otherwise, from the reasonably priced side I've had good luck with both Weber and Warehouse

 

http://wgs4.com/home

 

I'll check out warehouse, hadn't heard of them before. Reconing is another option , I would preserve some of the vintage aspect. But those JBL's where really clean and I've been curious how other speakers would sound. Like I said with this amps power, and without using a pedal I may be stuck with the clean tone at any reasonable volume.

[slider313]

If you're looking for earlier break up from the speakers, then go with an alnico. A used pair of 70's Eminence alnico's would work well are are not expensive. Musicman used them in their 212HD. Weber makes a 12A150W but I believe they're $205 ea.

[Hfan]

Weber does make some great speakers. If it were my amp, I would go with a pair of their 12F150's with a 50 watt voice coil and no speaker doping. These sound like the early 60's Jensen C12N but warmer in tone. The rating (50 watts) is conservative.

 

FYI Weber recones their own speakers for $25 + shipping. Most 12" recones are $65 + shipping. JBL, EV, Gauss and Altec recones are $95 + shipping.

 

Thanks Slider, I've heard you described here as the amp whisperer and I've drooled over your vintage amps currently for sale. The 12F150's sound promising, if that is what you would go with then it's good enough for me. Since they are rated 50W would they tend to break up earlier than higher wattage rated speakers? I've been wondering about that concept. There is no way I will ever be able to really crank this thing up anyway.

 

Thanks again for the advise.

[slider313]

Wattage rating is just that; how much a speaker can take without blowing the voice coil. As for a 25 watt speaker breaking up sooner than a 50 watt. No. Cone type, magnet size and material have more to do with how a speaker breaks up. A perfect example would be the late 50's Jensen P12P and P12N. Both have a 1.5" voice coil and basically the same cone type but the P12P has a smaller alnico (horse shoe) magnet than the larger P12N's alnico plug magnet. The P12P breaks up sooner.

[Hfan]

If you're looking for earlier break up from the speakers, then go with an alnico. A used pair of 70's Eminence alnico's would work well are are not expensive. Musicman used them in their 212HD. Weber makes a 12A150W but I believe they're $205 ea.

 

I think I'd like to go with new speakers and was trying to get a pair for around $200, the thought of buying used on e bay leaves me cold.

 

Are the new Eminence any good? They've got quite a few choicesat reasonable $ and Guitar Center sells them, I was thinking I could pick them up locally and save the shipping cost but if you think the Webers are better I'll go that route with the 12F150s.

 

Thanks again for the advise.

[slider313]

The Eminence Red White & Blues would be a good choice also. A friend has one in his '66 Deluxe Reverb and it sounds real nice.

[Hfan]

The Eminence Red White & Blues would be a good choice also. A friend has one in his '66 Deluxe Reverb and it sounds real nice.

 

Actually those are the ones I found recommended for a Twin on another site.

[yoslate]

I have four different Eminence speakers in two amps and a cab. I was able to try a bunch of different speakers, mostly Eminence, with each amp. The amps all responded differently with different speakers. I could make a pretty discreet choice because of the opportunity I had to try all of those speakers. I have a Wizard, Red Fang, Patriot, and Man-O-War in various applications. They all sound terrific. I think Eminence gives good quality for the buck!

[Hfan]

I have four different Eminence speakers in two amps and a cab. I was able to try a bunch of different speakers, mostly Eminence, with each amp. The amps all responded differently with different speakers. I could make a pretty discreet choice because of the opportunity I had to try all of those speakers. I have a Wizard, Red Fang, Patriot, and Man-O-War in various applications. They all sound terrific. I think Eminence gives good quality for the buck!

 

Thanks for the good advise everybody, the Webers sound good but I'll probably go with the Eminence, need to listen to more sound samples on their site but I'm leaning towards the Red White and Blues (I think thats the Patriot). Guitar center is offering free shipping and the speakers are reasonably priced as well.

 

I've also heard about an OD pedal by Barber , the LTD that may be a good match with the Twin.

[212Mavguy]

I got a screaming deal on a pair of vintage Jensen Vibrantos on fleabay a couple years back, the seller didn't know what he had, they weren't even broken in. Some of the Vibrantos produced did not say "Vibranto" on the bell cover. Most of the ones you see are rated for 50 watts apiece. Think that code for those is lm122, 100 watters are lm125. They have gray crinkle paint on the baskets, and screw down terminals instead of the more common spade fittings. They were a top end speaker from Jensen used in Fender amps. Big warm bottom and lower mids, sparkly highs. IMHO gorgeous in Fenders.

[Hfan]

I got a screaming deal on a pair of vintage Jensen Vibrantos on fleabay a couple years back, the seller didn't know what he had, they weren't even broken in. Some of the Vibrantos produced did not say "Vibranto" on the bell cover. Most of the ones you see are rated for 50 watts apiece. Think that code for those is lm122, 100 watters are lm125. They have gray crinkle paint on the baskets, and screw down terminals instead of the more common spade fittings. They were a top end speaker from Jensen used in Fender amps. Big warm bottom and lower mids, sparkly highs. IMHO gorgeous in Fenders.

Thanks Mavguy but I've already ordered Eminence Red White and Blues.

[212Mavguy]

Great! Let us know about how they work for you!

[GuitArtMan]

The Twin Reverb is known as the king of clean. If you want more break up/grit I think you want a different amp. If the speakers truly are blown, I'd have Weber recone them. Those old JBLs are great speakers and yes they are clean, but that's what that amp is known for. Hang on to the amp and find yourself a smaller amp, maybe a Vibrolux Reverb or Deluxe Reverb or some thing like that, some thing that will break up at a much lower volume.

[Hfan]

The Twin Reverb is known as the king of clean. If you want more break up/grit I think you want a different amp. If the speakers truly are blown, I'd have Weber recone them. Those old JBLs are great speakers and yes they are clean, but that's what that amp is known for. Hang on to the amp and find yourself a smaller amp, maybe a Vibrolux Reverb or Deluxe Reverb or some thing like that, some thing that will break up at a much lower volume.

Yes you're right, breakup is not a realistic expectation. I have already ordered the new Eminence speakers, the JBL's are definitely gone. The amp has sentimental value, great for clean sounds and takes a pedal pretty well. I also have a modded Blues Junior. Down the road I want to look into some other low wattage options.

[bwillard]

This was an interesting post for me. I have a late 74 Twin that I purchased new, and installed Altec A8H speakers that make the JBLs seem like wimps. I could never get the amp to break up, and I have also been considering changing the speakers. I no longer use the amp, because it is louder than I even can play any more, and I also mostly use a Blues Jr.

 

I suggest you check out a Tech 21 Blonde pedal if you want to get the Twin to break up. It is an analogue modeling pedal for the Fender sound, and you can dial up distortion gain on both the high and mid ranges, with other controls for high, low and mid, as well as overall volume. I have found that it allows me to dial in a realistic Fender crunch tone at greatly reduced volume levels, when run in front of a Fender tube amp. The effect is much different than the digital modeling pedals, which I do not care for. It produces a wide band of modeling, depending upon how the dials are set. Of course, it is not going to change the speaker break up, and it is not designed to model speakers. Tech 21 makes similar pedals to model Vox, Marshall and Mesa amps, which are also very good, but I prefer the Fender tone. They are not cheap, but I think mine is well worth the money. It also works to produce a Fender tone when run into a PA, recorder or other solid state system, but it sounds best in front of a real Fender amp.

[Hfan]

You're right the Twin especially with JBL's is really heavy, I can lift it into a truck or car (with fingers crossed that I not pull out my back) but stairs are a killer. Then there is the volume issue as well, although for clean Jazz or country tones it's great. The Tech 21 pedal sounds interesting, one day I may check it out. I also heard good things about the Barber LTD Low-Gain OD pedal for use with a Twin. Down the road as I and my back age, the Twin may have to go. Some of the small, adjustable wattage amps recently discussed here sound interesting. Even my modded Blues Junior is often too loud for my purposes, although it is nice and light.

 

I'm waiting for the new Eminence Red White and Blues to arrive. Will give a tone report when the are installed. Had some difficulty removing the JBL's, luckily had some experts in the neighborhood. Their rates are reasonable, they will work for Capri Suns and Mallomars

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[bolero]

I had a '73 twin that I put celestions in & it sounded great

 

the stock utah's werent' bad but the celestions were better ( vintage 30's )

 

also tried a pair of private jack emi's, they were very nice

 

and a pair of cerwin vega's reconed to match duane allman's speaker choice, sounded good too

 

emi speakers are excellent

 

the only speaker I hated was a weber chicago, what a POS that was

 

I have one of his 12F150's in an amp & it is glorious, however

 

FWIW I'm pretty sure Gilmour used a SF twin in the studio on "dark side of the moon", or at least the Time solo...there is footage of them rehearsing/recording & he is plugged into one

[Hfan]

Just nearly had a heart attack, my new Eminence Red white and Blues arrived a few days ago had been on back order from Muscians Friend for weeks, had them in my garage waiting for time to install them. Just walked into my garage and the box is covered with holes, looks like it was shot up. Turns out my 6 year old son thought it was a good idea to poke holes in the defenceless box, all 4 sides. Opened it up, only one hole made it thru one of the the actual Eminence boxs inside, it was right over the paper portion, but luckily did not make it into the speaker. Would this have been covered by warranty?

http://s715.photobuc...current=013.jpg

[Gitfiddler]

Just nearly had a heart attack, my new Eminence Red white and Blues arrived a few days ago had been on back order from Muscians Friend for weeks, had them in my garage waiting for time to install them. Just walked into my garage and the box is covered with holes, looks like it was shot up. Turns out my 6 year old son thought it was a good idea to poke holes in the defenceless box, all 4 sides. Opened it up, only one hole made it thru one of the the actual Eminence boxs inside, it was right over the paper portion, but luckily did not make it into the speaker. Would this have been covered by warranty?

http://s715.photobuc...current=013.jpg

 

 

Hmmm...looks like your son is headed for a career with UPS.

 

Glad nothing happened to the speakers.

[Hfan]

Finally installed the Red White and Blues (after checking again for kid installed holes thru them), I like the results. Although they are not "broken in" yet, there is a grittier quality that I like. Also the amp seems to be a little lighter then with the JBLs installed.

 

I still have a little bit of an issue with what I would describe as a buzz or rattle sound on decay when playing a loud bass note (the low A seems to bring it out especially) occurs on both channels. Don't have the time or inclination to rip out the chassis again and go hunting (my workshop is the kitchen table when the wifey and kids are not around, not condusive to leisurly nonrushed troubleshooting). Although any thoughts from our resident gurus would be welcome, I may rip it apart again at a later time. Will do some pre amp tube swapping first. I did a pretty thorough restoration last summer though I did leave all but one of the old blue Mallory caps installed (coupling caps if I remember right).

 

She does sounds sweet at family room levels though.

 

Thanks for everyone's input on the project.