Amp Speaker Recommendation

[Kublai]

What speaker should I get for low wattage (5-20W) amp heads. I can't get loud where I live. The cabs I am looking at have either the Celestion V30, or the Celestion Alnico Blue. The Blue costs quite a lot more, but I am ok with that if it is the better choice.

 

[MN_JDTele]

Well, I just ordered Weber Blue Dogs for the amp I am building.  Less expensive than the Celestions, and hand built in the states.  The amp I built is a 1.5W class A tube amp

 

[bagman67]

I can't speak to wattage, but in any case, you should consider what you want to sound like - consider the breakup characteristics of the speaker - some are more high-fidelity, replicating the signal from the amp without imparting much character of their own, while others sound REALLY different from what the amp signal would be by itself.  Stuff to think about.


Bagman

 

[Patrick from Davis]

Celestions seems to be the benchmark, but more expensive than needed.  Warehouse Guitar Speakers are very nice replicas/knock offs of the Celestions.  Webers are modern takes on vintage speakers, Celestions, JBL's, and Jensons.  Webers also tend to be a reasonable deal.  Scumbacks, used to be cheap, not really any more, are designed around the Pre Rola Celestion Marshall speakers.  More than anything, you have to find out what kind of sound you are after, then you can find the appropriate model and get the brand that fits the cost benefit analysis the best.  For comparison, the Alnico's tend to be chimey, the vintage greens tend to be warm and break up easy.  Most everything else is in between somewhere.
Patrick

 

[Kublai]

Yea, chimey cleans is what I want mostly, so the alnico would probably be the way to go. I will do a bit more research as far as manufacturers.

Thanks for the replies.

 

[AutoBat]

Weber speakers have a great reputation (and are made about an hour north of where I live)
http://www.tedweber.com/ <----  If you're not sure about what would be a good fit and don't like the descriptions on the speakers on-site, call 'em up and chat. I'd imagine they're good at describing and/or knowing what you're after.

 

[B3Guy]

I can't speak to wattage, but in any case, you should consider what you want to sound like - consider the breakup characteristics of the speaker - some are more high-fidelity, replicating the signal from the amp without imparting much character of their own, while others sound REALLY different from what the amp signal would be by itself.  Stuff to think about.


Bagman

the amp signal by itself is silent. you need a speaker in order to hear it. all sound is relative.

 

[MN_JDTele]

Weber speakers have a great reputation (and are made about an hour north of where I live)
http://www.tedweber.com/ <----  If you're not sure about what would be a good fit and don't like the descriptions on the speakers on-site, call 'em up and chat. I'd imagine they're good at describing and/or knowing what you're after.

That is what I did.  Sent them an email describing my setup and the tone I wanted. 

 

[Superlizard]

Yea, chimey cleans is what I want mostly

- Weber Alnico Blue Dog
- Celestion Blue
- Celestion Alnico Gold (essentially a 50w-capable Celestion Blue)

I've owned a Blue Dog and currently own an Alnico Gold... CHIME on both.

 

[Superlizard]

BTW, if you want exceptional chime, mate one of those recommendations I gave ya to an EL84-equipped amp.

 

[JamesL]

Personally I'm an Eminence guy, But my second favorite is Jensen.

 

[JamesL]

Here's another option, buying an empty cab from these guys..
http://www.lopoline.com/home.html


And putting your own, more appropriate speaker in yourself. I can speak for their quality, It's top notch!  :icon_thumright:

 

[jackthehack]

If you can't find a vintage JBL D120; my answer to any speaker related question will always be a Celestion Vintage 30...

 

[Funky Phil]

IMO the Celestion Blue has the tone...just wish they didn't charge so much for them

 

[Kostas]

A versatile alnico speaker is the Jensen Blackbird. For clean, low & high gain http://jensentone.com/jp12-100bb.php
100 watts so one speaker handles most amps.