The Steel Guitar Forum

Hey guys/gals. Just wanted to make everyone aware of a new speaker I'm developing with our friends at Eminence. Many of you are aware of the EPS-12C speaker, and the matching 15" from the same family. These are excellent speakers, but myself, and quite a few other people don't care for these too much, as compared to a Peavey 1201-8. They have a very "zingy" top end, which is appropriate for what some players are looking for, but not so much for me. The 1201-8 has been my speaker of choice for some time now, but it has some disadvantages. Anyway, I am working with Eminence on a new speaker that's basically a clone (with a few tweaks) of a 1201-8, except it's a Neo magnet version. It'll be very light, and have the same basic tonal characteristics as the Peavey. Several of the first samples are being built right now, and I'll be starting the testing phase very soon. Once that is good, we'll be moving on to doing the same thing with the 1501. Another factor to this whole thing...word on the street is Peavey is halting production on the 1501, and shifting quite a bit, if not all of their remaining speaker production overseas. I believe these Eminence speakers will be filling a void in the marketplace when the Peavey speakers become scarce, and I think they'll ultimately be a better product anyway. The EPS-12C and 15 will continue to be made, but will possibly be relabeled as more of a "classic" steel tone speaker, as opposed to the more "modern" sounding speaker we're working on now. Both great options, but just different tonal profiles really.

Just wanted to share this directly with everyone here, and hope that this is as exciting to you as it is me. They're gonna be awesome speakers, and what a lot of guys are looking for right now. I'll update as new info becomes available. Cheers!

I'd be interested to try one when its done

Great news Travis,

I've had a pair of Peavey 1203-8 BW for years and always liked them. The 1203-4 ohm had a sizzley top end but the 8 ohm version did not. Interesting. Hmmm

I'm so glad your doing this. Lookin forward to hearing them.

Sounds great Travis keep us posted
Dale

This is great news Travis. I use the 1201-8 with the Walker SS Combo and LOVE them. If Eminence is going to make a speaker that is made in Kentucky that has that 1201-8 tone I'm in. Keep us up to date. JM

Kerry Johnson wrote:Great news Travis,

I've had a pair of Peavey 1203-8 BW for years and always liked them. The 1203-4 ohm had a sizzley top end but the 8 ohm version did not. Interesting. Hmmm

I'm so glad your doing this. Lookin forward to hearing them.

Yeah Kerry, the 1203 line sounds considerably different than the 1201-8. Even the 1201-4 sounds quite different than the 1201-8. It's a unique speaker for sure. That's why we're copying it.

Looking forward to hearing (and lifting) one of these!

I recently got my hands on an Eminence 12 inch, 8 ohm, no label, designed-for-steel speaker. I was told by the seller it was made for TC Furlong. If your's sounds as good as that one, you've got a winner!

Peavey halting production? Maybe I'm wrong but doesn't Eminence make those speakers to Peavey's specs?

Jay Ganz wrote:Peavey halting production? Maybe I'm wrong but doesn't Eminence make those speakers to Peavey's specs?

What speakers?

Well, like the 1501' or 1201's.....are those made in Peavey's own production facility?
I thought I heard somewhere that
Eminence made those for them...but maybe I heard wrong(?)

Jay Ganz wrote:Well, like the 1501' or 1201's.....are those made in Peavey's own production facility?
I thought I heard somewhere that
Eminence made those for them...but maybe I heard wrong(?)

That is incorrect. Those speakers are/were manufactured by Peavey.

Now I gotta find out who's spreading that misinformation!
Nice to have yet another possible speaker option!

Jay

Could it be you heard it was the Blue Marvel speaker, used in the NV112, that was made by Eminence?

Oh...OK, that's probably where I heard it.

Nice, when is Eminence plan to sell it?

How about making a clone to the speaker used in the 1988 Model Sessons 400 Limited or the Vegas 400 or some of the silver corner Nashville 400. I think these were 1502-4 or 1501-4 ribbed cones and also know as the deep throat. I compared the newer Peaveys in the Nashville 400 and Nashville 1000 and to me the older ones have that sweeter tone. I know, totally subjective, but in my applications I like the tone better. Keep us posted. Thanks,

Excellent. Can't wait to hear how they sound (and get my hands on some).

Count me in when they become available. Do you have an ETA ?

Travis, will these only be in 8-ohm or will there be a 4-ohm version, as well?

Have them make`em with an aluminum dust cap!

MIchael Bean wrote:Travis, will these only be in 8-ohm or will there be a 4-ohm version, as well?

It will be a 4-ohm speaker. I believe that serves most of us the best.

Bob, there is not a set ETA. The first batch of samples are being built right now, and I should be testing them soon. Hoping no more than a few months at most.

You should check out the Telonics speakers before you get too carried away Travis -- Eminence build those to Dave Beaty's specs already and they are outstanding steel guitar speakers -- they offer a 12" in both 4 ohm and 8ohm too

Paddy Long wrote:You should check out the Telonics speakers before you get too carried away Travis -- Eminence build those to Dave Beaty's specs already and they are outstanding steel guitar speakers -- they offer a 12" in both 4 ohm and 8ohm too

Paddy, I am very aware of the Telonics speakers. They are good speakers. They sound nothing like a 1201-8.

Now if someone would only build an accurate reproduction JBL D-120/130 the universe would be in harmony.