| Author |
Topic: SICA 15-4 speaker opinions, please. |
George Kimery
From:
Limestone, TN, USA
|
Posted 8 Oct 2014 8:01 am |
|
I am still going in circles trying to decide what speaker to get for my Evans FET 500 LV. This is a very bright sounding amp, so I do not want a speaker that is too bright. I am considering a Telonics, an Eminence EPS 15c, or the Sica 15-4. I want a neo speaker to cut down on weight.
Since the Sica was designed as a bass speaker, I am thinking it might be the less bright of the three, but I don't want a speaker that is too "dark" either.
As I mentioned on another post, I am on the fence on whether to get a 12 inch or a 15 inch speaker. |
|
|
|
Jack Stoner
From:
Kansas City, MO
|
Posted 8 Oct 2014 8:26 am
|
|
I have some comparison sound samples on my web site when I was testing the Eminence EPS-15C and a 15" SICA. Both of the speakers were new and not broke in, and from my tests there wasn't much difference.
I sold the SICA and kept the Eminence but I could have just as easily kept the SICA and sold the Eminence.
http://www.gulfcoaststeelguitar.com/sptest.htm |
|
|
|
Tim Marcus
From:
San Francisco, CA
|
Posted 8 Oct 2014 8:32 am
|
|
the SICA is the least bright sounding speaker out of the options listed
I think the Telonics or EPS15 would be the way to go if you have a naturally warm sounding amplifier. They are not bright speakers - they have a very nice sounding top end (especially the Telonics). If you are trying to nuke top end, SICA is the way to go!
_________________
Milkmansound.com |
|
|
|
Lee Baucum
From:
McAllen, Texas (Extreme South) The Final Frontier
|
Posted 8 Oct 2014 9:34 am
|
|
The Sarno FreeLoader can work wonders when the highs are just too bright. You can turn the knob back to tame the offending high-frequencies, yet, the wound strings will still have a certain amount of crispness.
_________________
Lee, from South Texas - Down On The Rio Grande
There are only two options as I see it.
Either I'm right, or there is a sinister conspiracy to conceal the fact that I'm right.
Williams Keyless S-10, BMI S-10, Evans FET-500LV, Fender Steel King, 2 Roland Cube 80XL's,
Sarno FreeLoader, Goodrich Passive Volume Pedals, Vintage ACE Pack-A-Seat |
|
|
|
Lane Gray
From:
Topeka, KS
|
Posted 8 Oct 2014 12:07 pm
|
|
I bought one from Tim Marcus. Excellent speaker. I have it in a Huff closed-back cab, and all my others are in opens, so I can't give an honest comparison.
But mine has me happy.
_________________
2 pedal steels, a lapStrat, and an 8-string Dobro (and 3 ukes)
More amps than guitars, and not many effects |
|
|
|
Douglas Schuch
From:
Valencia, Philippines
|
Posted 8 Oct 2014 6:02 pm
|
|
I have one in an open back cab, and a BW (non-neo) - Both always run with a GK MB200.. Originally I preferred the BW as the Sica seemed a bit too dark and lacked clear, crisp highs. Then I bought a Li'l Izzy, and discovered one day that with it I preferred the Sica. The Izzy totally cleaned up the mids and highs of the Sica, yet let the deep bass continue to punch through. I was very surprised at how one small change in my rig could totally change my speaker preferences (of a limited selection).
The obvious conclusion is that there are so many things that affect the tone that it is hard take anyone's advice who does not run the same rig. Of course, I'd pay close attention to what Tim M. says - he no doubt has done very extensive speaker tests. But the amps he is testing them with are far different than yours. I would comment that I have not heard anyone who disliked the Telonics speaker, and have not seen them listed here on the forum for sale used - people buying them are keeping them! So that is a logical choice.
BTW,the Sica uses a different bolt pattern than most speakers (15" anyway - that's what I have) so it is not a simple swap-out. That might influence your decision.
Doug
_________________
Bringing steel guitar to the bukid of Negros Oriental! |
|
|
|
George Kimery
From:
Limestone, TN, USA
|
Posted 8 Oct 2014 7:22 pm SICA 15-4 Speaker opinions, please.
|
|
As you have probably read in my other post about 12 inch vs. 15 inch speakers, I am really on cloud nine right now with the 12 inch Eminence EPS 12c in my Evans FET 500. So for the time being, and after I do some wood shedding on the bandstand, I may just stick with the 12 inch EPS and not get a 15 inch speaker at all.
Things may change after using it in a few gigs. If I am not happy with it, I will probably get the Sica 15-4. I value the opinions of everybody, especially Tim Marcus and I know that Ken Fox used the Sica's in his amps.
I fear that with the already really bright sounding Evans amp, the Telonic's or Eminence might be too bright and I will not be able to use my Lil Izzy. With the bright amp, my black box, and Lil Izzy, I am pretty sure I can pull adequate highs out of the Sica. Plus, it should have great low end because it was designed for bass.
So now, you have the latest.....subject to change. |
|
|
|
Fred Thompson
From:
Zephyrhills, FL
|
Posted 10 Oct 2014 2:39 pm
|
|
I put a Sica 15-4 in my Steel King. Besides lightening it up a bunch, it sounds better. Other steel players like the tone, and if Ronnie Miller (Charlie Pride's steel man) liked it when he played through it, that's good enough for me! 
Fred
_________________
The difference between a musician and a savings bond is eventually the bond will mature and earn money. |
|
|
|
