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Topic: JBL or Re-Issue Commonwealth |
Mark Hershey
From:
New York, USA
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Posted 21 Mar 2016 2:18 pm |
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I'm torn between going the vintage route vs. new.
Any input on the Commonwealth? I've read good things about them but a lot of reviewers say they don't measure up to the real thing.
Any pointers on the best place to score a good set of old JBLs? Ebay? Any recommended shops that sell vintage speakers in great condition?
Open to any other suggestions as well. |
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John Dowden
From:
Louisiana, USA
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Posted 22 Mar 2016 1:20 pm
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| It would help a lot if you explained which JBL series speaker and size you're looking for, as the D,E,K series were totally different sound wise and produced in different eras, thus making a reliable K series speaker easier to obtain than a pristine or properly reconed D speaker. |
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Jon Light (deceased)
From:
Saugerties, NY
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Posted 22 Mar 2016 1:43 pm
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| Hey Mark--what are you putting it in? That has to be factored in. The Commonwealth handles lots of watts, something that the JBL does not. |
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Mark Hershey
From:
New York, USA
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Posted 22 Mar 2016 5:04 pm
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Running into silver face pro reverb that 2 x 12s in it.
Not sure I know the differences, definitely want the smooth cone, aluminum cap and ceramic magnet. I've heard some K's before and thought they sound good. I think the d's and e's are the highly sought after ones correct? |
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Paul Sutherland
From:
Placerville, California
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Posted 22 Mar 2016 5:54 pm
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The D and K series JBLs have alnico magnets. They are the good one. I believe the E series has ceramic magnets. They don't sound as good, but they can take a lot more watts.
A Pro Reverb puts out from 45 to 70 watts depending on what year it is. A pair of Ds or Ks would sound great and easily handle the power of the amp.
I have located several good JBLs, one D120f and several K120s, from my local Craigslist. I got one good K120 off Ebay, but another I bought was blown when it arrived (totally contrary to what was advertised) I had to demand my money back. Fortunately I paid with Paypal and Ebay supported me. I got my money back.
I don't know anything about Commonwealth speakers.
_________________
It don't mean a thing if it ain't got that swing. |
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Dave Zirbel
From:
Sebastopol, CA USA
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Posted 22 Mar 2016 6:30 pm
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I like the Commonwealth. It doesn't sound exactly like a JBL but in the ballpark. Maybe warmer. Didn't have it very long though. A local amp builder buddy loaned it to me to get my opinion. That Pro would sound great but it would be so heavy that I wouldn't be able to carry it. They are a few pounds more than my jbl k120.......I tried it because I finally managed to blow up my jbl... 
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Dave Zirbel-
Sierra S-10 (Built by Ross Shafer),ZB, Fender 400 guitars, various tube and SS amps |
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Mark Hershey
From:
New York, USA
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Posted 22 Mar 2016 7:01 pm
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| Dave Zirbel wrote: |
| I like the Commonwealth. It doesn't sound exactly like a JBL but in the ballpark. Maybe warmer. Didn't have it very long though. A local amp builder buddy loaned it to me to get my opinion. That Pro would sound great but it would be so heavy that I wouldn't be able to carry it. They are a few pounds more than my jbl k120.......I tried it because I finally managed to blow up my jbl... |
Sorry to hear about the blown speaker, Dave.
Paul's story is exactly the type of hassle I want to avoid, and it seems like for the most part it's a roll of the dice with the vintage ones.
The Commonwealth just seems like the best odds I have for a BS free purchase. |
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Tim Whitlock
From:
Colorado, USA
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Posted 23 Mar 2016 5:53 pm
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Another related speaker to consider is the Altec 418b. Very similar to the JBL D-130F (I prefer the Altec) but will take 100 watts. It has an alnico magnet and aluminum dust cap. Much lighter than the Commonwealth. You would probably even lose a couple of pounds over your 2x12s.
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Olli Haavisto
From:
Jarvenpaa,Finland
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Posted 24 Mar 2016 2:59 am
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I`m a REAL JBL fan, but I`ve been using the Eminence EPS-15 in my live gigging amp for about 5 years now. It doesn`t sound like JBL exactly but it sounds really good weights almost nothing and can take anything the amp can shove at it. Power rating 300w.
Just another option....
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Olli Haavisto
Finland |
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Jon Light (deceased)
From:
Saugerties, NY
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Posted 24 Mar 2016 10:41 am
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| I've used Weber Californias a lot. I've got a house full of them. Hardcore JBL users don't tend to be all that impressed but I consider them to be in the general flavor range of D series JBLs (although the Cali is ceramic). They are not too expensive and they are not too heavy. |
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Mike Neer
From:
NJ
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Posted 24 Mar 2016 10:50 am
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| Jon Light wrote: |
| I've used Weber Californias a lot. I've got a house full of them. Hardcore JBL users don't tend to be all that impressed but I consider them to be in the general flavor range of D series JBLs (although the Cali is ceramic). They are not too expensive and they are not too heavy. |
Jon, I've been using a Cali 12" lately and I can't really get used to the sound. I understand exactly what it is that I don't like about it--the upper midrange is very unyielding. It might work well in a live environment, but I haven't tried it.
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Links to streaming music, websites, YouTube: Links |
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Mark Hershey
From:
New York, USA
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Posted 24 Mar 2016 11:56 am
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| Mike Neer wrote: |
| Jon Light wrote: |
| I've used Weber Californias a lot. I've got a house full of them. Hardcore JBL users don't tend to be all that impressed but I consider them to be in the general flavor range of D series JBLs (although the Cali is ceramic). They are not too expensive and they are not too heavy. |
Jon, I've been using a Cali 12" lately and I can't really get used to the sound. I understand exactly what it is that I don't like about it--the upper midrange is very unyielding. It might work well in a live environment, but I haven't tried it. |
Regarding the Cali's I've read through reviews on various forums (pedal steel/rukind/telecaster forum) and people either swear by them or can't get into them.
Jim Sliff a poster I respect a lot loves the Cali's without the aluminum cap. I'm trying to be risk adverse in my purchase though, without being able to try them out not sure which side I'd fall on.
Also, thanks for all the responses some great responses and I'm looking into the suggestions. I like the altec suggestion a lot. |
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Dave Campbell
From:
Nova Scotia, Canada
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Posted 25 Mar 2016 2:21 am
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| i have an altec 418b that i got with an old standel amp. i use it in both my deluxe and twin and it sounds great. |
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Jim Sliff
From:
Lawndale California, USA
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Posted 26 Mar 2016 10:17 pm
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yep, I much prefer the Weber California with a felt cap.
D130/120's (F's or not) were originally only rated for 25 watts; later they used the ambiguous term "Continuous Program" and rated them at 100 watts, but the original design engineer has spent years explaining how wrong that rating is. MAX clean power handling for a D120 or 130 was 60 watts new, and will have lost anywhere from 30-50% if over 15 years old.
And again, that's CLEAN power. Any dirt in the signal any all will overheat the voice coil. I've sent counter JBL's out for recones because of the power confusion over the years.
_________________
No chops, but great tone
1930's/40's Rickenbacher/Rickenbacker 6&8 string lap steels
1921 Weissenborn Style 2; Hilo&Schireson hollownecks
Appalachian, Regal & Dobro squarenecks
1959 Fender 400 9+2 B6;1960's Fender 800 3+3+2; 1948 Fender Dual-8 Professional |
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