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Author Topic:  Alnico Speaker Suggestion
Gary Meixner

 

From:
New York, USA
Post  Posted 10 Jan 2014 11:59 am    
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I would like to try a new speaker in my non-pedal steel guitar amp and am considering an older style alnico 10 or 12 inch. The amp has two 6L6 power tubes and puts out about 30 watts.

I have tried a number of different JBL/Altec alnicos and other brands of ceramics and neo speakers, that have sounded great but I am looking for a different sound. I really like that mid range honk that you hear with so many older recordings. It is kind of low-fi, but also full of character.

From previous discussions on "That Sound", I understand that the older, inefficient, alnico speakers played a big role in creating the sound I am looking for. Can anyone suggest a modern, reissue or vintage speaker model that I should try.

There are always a lot of vintage Jensen's for sale on Ebay, but I am reluctant pay a ton of money for a vintage speaker with an unknown history. Also power ratings seem to be a moving target and a 25 watt speaker is affordable and 50 watt speaker is pushing the limits.

Finally any thoughts about the Celestion Gold series alnicos for my purposes? I am sure they sound good but will have the sound I am looking for? Thanks for the help.

Gary Meixner
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Chris Boyd

 

From:
Leonia,N.J./Charlestown,R.I.
Post  Posted 10 Jan 2014 12:56 pm    
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Gary... I'd suggest a Jensen P12N.. even the reissues sound darn good to me ... a very sweet breakup when cranked up...
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Howard Steinberg


From:
St. Petersburg, Florida , USA
Post  Posted 10 Jan 2014 2:07 pm    
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Eminence had and maybe still has a very good sounding alnico speaker that came in 10" and 12" models with a paper or plastic coil former. They were sold under the names of mojo tone and sovtek (new sensor). I think they also were/are sold under the Eminence name. To me, these sound much better than the current Jensen P-10 R and P-12R. I also think that Weber has some alnico speakers.
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Ken Metcalf


From:
San Antonio Texas USA
Post  Posted 10 Jan 2014 4:20 pm    
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try using the tone control for the low-fi sound
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Stephen Cowell


From:
Round Rock, Texas, USA
Post  Posted 10 Jan 2014 10:11 pm    
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I used to buy the Weber Texas series for what you're talking about... ceramic, but with a felt dust cover.

Weber used to could make you anything you wanted... not too sure about them anymore. Sound like you might like one of their bigger Alnico mag speakers... I have an old 12A125 in a Gibson Falcon that does the old tone right... not enough watts for what you're talking about.

IMO, you're wanting felt dust cover, big Alnico plug, and ribbed cone... the Celestion Gold is supposed to be like the Celestion Blue, but higher watts... I've got a couple of Blues and they're very sensitive and pristine up to soft clip... not sure if that's what you're going for, but a pair of Golds would be a great investment for just about any type of other guitar.
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Eric Philippsen


From:
Central Florida USA
Post  Posted 11 Jan 2014 4:22 am    
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Tone Tubby makes an alnico. They're certainly good sounding, in my opinion. I ran across a 12" in a box at a music store where it had been traded in on a guitar purchase. I bought it right away and never regretted it.
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Lefty


From:
Grayson, Ga.
Post  Posted 11 Jan 2014 5:07 am    
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I have the Celestion Gold G-10" speakers in my 1966 Vibrolux reverb, and really like them. I had a pair of Weber ceramic speakers previously that were good, but these are much warmer. They are pricey though.
Lefty
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