Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast
Results 1 to 40 of 51

Thread: What are your favorite 12" speakers?

  1. #1
    Forum Member S. Cane's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2014
    Location
    Ever heard of José Carioca?
    Posts
    4,651

    What are your favorite 12" speakers?

    And furthermore, what speaker/tube combinations do you like best in your amps?

  2. #2
    Forum Member DanTheBluesMan's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2002
    Location
    Southern NH
    Posts
    4,717

    Re: What are your favorite 12" speakers?

    it's weird but I don't have a ton of experience with changing speakers. I usually use what comes with the amp. That said, back when i was going through my Musicmaster bass amp phase, I came into possession of a Weber Blue Dog that I still have. I really like the tone of that speaker. Part of the reason why I bought the Princeton non-reverb was because (being a '69) it had a removable baffle and not the glued-in baffle of the subsequent years of Silver Face Fenders. I even got the 12" baffle to go in the amp. I just never got around to putting it all together.

    Same with the custom cab for my Champ. I traded a Musicmaster Bass amp for a cab that is about 3 inches taller and a couple inches deeper than a champ cab and has a 12" baffle. I have a 4 ohm Jensen C12N waiting for that. That was 5 years ago and I still haven't done it yet.

    The Princeton Reverb limited edition I purchased last year has a 12" Cannabis Rex speaker in it. I probably still haven't quite broken in the speaker yet. I got the amp just as I started getting roommates in the house, first my nephew then my brother and my night owl playing habits precluded using an amp. Then the move into an apartment with thin walls.
    "Live and learn and flip the burns"

  3. #3
    Forum Member phantomman's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2007
    Location
    Ten miles from the Mexican Frontier, in Arizona
    Posts
    7,297

    Re: What are your favorite 12" speakers?

    My all-around and all-time favorite remains the JBL D120F. A close second is the Chicago-made Jensen -- either a C12Q or C12NA (depending on the amp's power output).
    "When injustice becomes law then rebellion becomes duty."

  4. #4
    Forum Member
    Join Date
    Aug 2008
    Location
    SW New Mexico, USA
    Posts
    1,658

    Re: What are your favorite 12" speakers?

    The D120F is a great speaker, but I'm not sure I like it more than the EV SRO. I haven't had an SRO for a while, and would like to find another to reference again. The EVM 12L/12S are also great guitar speakers, but like Roger, I think the older Jensens are really great. (And easier to transport.)

  5. #5
    Forum Member
    Join Date
    Jun 2015
    Location
    At the start.
    Posts
    795

    Re: What are your favorite 12" speakers?

    Yup. Phantomman must be a brother from a different mother...



  6. #6
    Forum Member DanTheBluesMan's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2002
    Location
    Southern NH
    Posts
    4,717

    Re: What are your favorite 12" speakers?

    noice.

    I had a stash of two D-120F and a D-130. Never got to use them in anything, sold them when I got laid off
    "Live and learn and flip the burns"

  7. #7
    Forum Member phantomman's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2007
    Location
    Ten miles from the Mexican Frontier, in Arizona
    Posts
    7,297

    Re: What are your favorite 12" speakers?

    I love me some D130F's!



    "When injustice becomes law then rebellion becomes duty."

  8. #8
    Forum Member DanTheBluesMan's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2002
    Location
    Southern NH
    Posts
    4,717

    Re: What are your favorite 12" speakers?

    is that a factory cab? I've never seen a Deluxe with a 15" speaker before.
    "Live and learn and flip the burns"

  9. #9
    Forum Member blackonblack's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2004
    Location
    point of reason between tacky and tasteless
    Posts
    1,263

    Re: What are your favorite 12" speakers?

    Totally depends on amp circuit. Which amp circuit?
    Mark

  10. #10
    Forum Member phantomman's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2007
    Location
    Ten miles from the Mexican Frontier, in Arizona
    Posts
    7,297

    Re: What are your favorite 12" speakers?

    Quote Originally Posted by DanTheBluesMan View Post
    is that a factory cab? I've never seen a Deluxe with a 15" speaker before.
    One of my custom builds, shown here with a stock '68 Deluxe Reverb for comparison......



    The 15" speaker moves approximately 35% more air than the stock twelve (in this case a JBL D120F).

    This is prototype #2, dressed in drip-edge silverface trim with a 1977 chassis. The first prototype used a DRRI chassis with blonde/wheatstraw cosmetics. I've built four more of these cabinets for clients, all as standard blackface models.

    It's a ballsy sonofabitch for sure.
    "When injustice becomes law then rebellion becomes duty."

  11. #11
    Forum Member S. Cane's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2014
    Location
    Ever heard of José Carioca?
    Posts
    4,651

    Re: What are your favorite 12" speakers?

    Quote Originally Posted by phantomman View Post
    One of my custom builds, shown here with a stock '68 Deluxe Reverb for comparison......



    The 15" speaker moves approximately 35% more air than the stock twelve (in this case a JBL D120F).

    This is prototype #2, dressed in drip-edge silverface trim with a 1977 chassis. The first prototype used a DRRI chassis with blonde/wheatstraw cosmetics. I've built four more of these cabinets for clients, all as standard blackface models.

    It's a ballsy sonofabitch for sure.

    Wow, that beast must turn into a fire breathing dragon when it breaks!

  12. #12
    Forum Member DanTheBluesMan's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2002
    Location
    Southern NH
    Posts
    4,717

    Re: What are your favorite 12" speakers?

    The FAA requires notification when you gig with it
    "Live and learn and flip the burns"

  13. #13
    Forum Member
    Join Date
    Jun 2015
    Location
    At the start.
    Posts
    795

    Re: What are your favorite 12" speakers?

    Everybody should plug their favorite amp through a 15" (particularly a JBL if available).

    It just has something a 12 will never have.

    With some amps it's not so great, but with others (I think particularly tweed circuits) it is eye opening the depth and nuance it brings out.

    My favorite old amp (sold for an engagement ring) was a first year Dual Showman Reverb with 2 2-15 JBL cabs on it.

    You could crack glass with that thing.

    Still have this to get it to overdrive...


  14. #14
    Forum Member DanTheBluesMan's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2002
    Location
    Southern NH
    Posts
    4,717

    Re: What are your favorite 12" speakers?

    Quote Originally Posted by renderit View Post
    Everybody should plug their favorite amp through a 15" (particularly a JBL if available).

    It just has something a 12 will never have.

    With some amps it's not so great, but with others (I think particularly tweed circuits) it is eye opening the depth and nuance it brings out.

    My favorite old amp (sold for an engagement ring) was a first year Dual Showman Reverb with 2 2-15 JBL cabs on it.

    You could crack glass with that thing.

    Still have this to get it to overdrive...

    I think I tried one of those for my Princeton Reverb and it didn't do much of anything. I think you still had to crank the amp to "Turn That Thing Down" levels and you lost the use of the Reverb as well. Was not a win/win scenario.
    "Live and learn and flip the burns"

  15. #15
    Forum Member phantomman's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2007
    Location
    Ten miles from the Mexican Frontier, in Arizona
    Posts
    7,297

    Re: What are your favorite 12" speakers?

    I used an Ice Cube with my AA270 Twin Reverb and it sounded pretty damn good.

    You do lose the reverb function though.
    "When injustice becomes law then rebellion becomes duty."

  16. #16
    Forum Member
    Join Date
    Jun 2015
    Location
    At the start.
    Posts
    795

    Re: What are your favorite 12" speakers?

    Quote Originally Posted by phantomman View Post
    I used an Ice Cube with my AA270 Twin Reverb and it sounded pretty damn good.

    You do lose the reverb function though.

    Yes, but I STILL had to get it cranked up far enough it was generally in LARGE halls. Reverb was pretty much redundant at that point!

  17. #17
    Forum Member DanTheBluesMan's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2002
    Location
    Southern NH
    Posts
    4,717

    Re: What are your favorite 12" speakers?

    true that

    it's funny walking around my completely empty house. It's so echo-y. The showings start Monday. My window to bring gear that and record is all but shut
    "Live and learn and flip the burns"

  18. #18
    Forum Member Don's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2002
    Location
    Massachusetts
    Posts
    11,288

    Re: What are your favorite 12" speakers?

    I've got two Scumback S75-PVC 65 watt alnicos that I use with my Avatar 45, a Scumback SC75 Scumnico 30 watt alnico that I use with my Mesa TA15 (and sometimes risk with my Avatar 45) and a Scumback M75-PVC 65 watt ceramic in my Budda Twinmaster. I'm not saying that these are my favorite 12" speakers, just that they're a great match for these amps. I'm very happy with the Weber 12A125 in my tweed Deluxe clone and the Eminence made Dr. Z Z-12 ceramic speaker in my DR. Z Cure.

    It's not a 12", but one of my favorite speakers is the Celestion G10 alnico. I have one sitting in a box waiting for the right amp (maybe a 1x10" cab for the Mesa TA15?). I'd put it in my Princeton Reverb but that amp has an Eminence GA-SC64 10" in it that I like a lot. Or maybe my new Mesa Mark Five:25 1x10 combo but the Celestion G10 Creamback taht came in it seems "just right". The original Jensens C10Ns in my Vibrolux Reverb are awesome.

    Again, not a 12", but I put a Weber CVA8 in my tweed Champ clone and it made that amp complete!

    I think my speaker needs have been met!

  19. #19
    Forum Member
    Join Date
    Aug 2008
    Location
    SW New Mexico, USA
    Posts
    1,658

    Re: What are your favorite 12" speakers?

    I have a set of late 60's C10N's that I am saving for a 6G16 build.

  20. #20
    Forum Member DanTheBluesMan's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2002
    Location
    Southern NH
    Posts
    4,717

    Re: What are your favorite 12" speakers?

    most amps with a single 10" leave me wanting a little more but the amps with two or more are often amazing. Vibrolux Reverbs are one of my gold standard amps.
    "Live and learn and flip the burns"

  21. #21
    Forum Member Don's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2002
    Location
    Massachusetts
    Posts
    11,288

    Re: What are your favorite 12" speakers?

    Quote Originally Posted by DanTheBluesMan View Post
    most amps with a single 10" leave me wanting a little more but the amps with two or more are often amazing. Vibrolux Reverbs are one of my gold standard amps.
    I agree. Multiples of 10" speakers seems to be my overall favorite.

  22. #22
    TFF Stage Crew
    Moderator
    Cogs's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2002
    Location
    Burpleson AFB
    Posts
    6,992

    Re: What are your favorite 12" speakers?

    Another fan of the JBL D120. My absolute favorite speaker for any & all gtr applications. 2nd would be the Altec 417

  23. #23
    Forum Member CoyotesGator's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2012
    Location
    The Institute for the Very, Very Nervous
    Posts
    847

    Re: What are your favorite 12" speakers?

    Quote Originally Posted by Bill Moore View Post
    I have a set of late 60's C10N's that I am saving for a 6G16 build.
    I’m definitely looking forward to that Bill.



    I bought a pair of Weber CV123 alnico 12” last year.

    Really fantastic speakers.
    What happend?
    Who let the magic smoke out?

  24. #24
    Forum Member DanTheBluesMan's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2002
    Location
    Southern NH
    Posts
    4,717

    Re: What are your favorite 12" speakers?

    Quote Originally Posted by CoyotesGator View Post
    I’m definitely looking forward to that Bill.



    I bought a pair of Weber CV123 alnico 12” last year.

    Really fantastic speakers.
    there some for sale right now, 100 each shipped. 16 ohms. I want a 2x12 cab and there's a cab maker probably in walking distance from me. so tempted but I've been spending lately and have to rein in
    "Live and learn and flip the burns"

  25. #25
    Forum Member phantomman's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2007
    Location
    Ten miles from the Mexican Frontier, in Arizona
    Posts
    7,297

    Re: What are your favorite 12" speakers?

    Quote Originally Posted by DanTheBluesMan View Post
    ...but I've been spending lately and have to rein in
    GAS waits for no paycheck.

    "When injustice becomes law then rebellion becomes duty."

  26. #26
    Forum Member DanTheBluesMan's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2002
    Location
    Southern NH
    Posts
    4,717

    Re: What are your favorite 12" speakers?

    Quote Originally Posted by phantomman View Post
    GAS waits for no paycheck.

    she's a cruel and harsh mistress, she it. Yet we never abandon her.

    just a dumb old glutton for punishment, I guess. Mea Culpa.
    "Live and learn and flip the burns"

  27. #27
    Forum Member
    Join Date
    Jun 2020
    Posts
    20

    Re: What are your favorite 12" speakers?

    I've always liked the C-Rex.

    But what do you guys think of the Tone Tubby Humboldts? Alnico, hemp...what's not to like, right? The one big thing about it is that it's really light. But I've wondering about the impact of using a light speaker like that - surely the magnet's mass must have some impact on tone? or is it just power handling capability?

    Srini
    Last edited by Srini; 06-11-2020 at 06:50 AM.

  28. #28
    Forum Member dirtdog's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2006
    Location
    The Deep North
    Posts
    2,346

    Re: What are your favorite 12" speakers?

    Well, I've only every really futzed around with tubes and speakers in one amp and it starts with the "G" word (Gibson Falcon RVT). I really like the Jensen C12R in this amp. Did a resto-mod on this amp about 6-7 years ago. It's my one keeper since a buddy of mine gifted it to me for my 40th birthday way back when. It was in rough shape. It had a Pyle 12" speaker in it when I obtained it so I sourced a period correct Jensen. Also had a solid state rectifier where the 5Y3GT rectifier tube should have been. I remedied that! Full suite of new (at the time) JJ tubes. It's got two 6V6, a 6EU7, a 7199 and the 5Y3GT. Had a tech tune it up and a cabinet guy retolex it - but couldn't find the original tolex so had to substitute.


  29. #29
    Forum Member DanTheBluesMan's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2002
    Location
    Southern NH
    Posts
    4,717

    Re: What are your favorite 12" speakers?

    aw, shucks, it's the dreaded white dash in a circle no-see-um
    "Live and learn and flip the burns"

  30. #30
    Forum Member dirtdog's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2006
    Location
    The Deep North
    Posts
    2,346

    Re: What are your favorite 12" speakers?

    Quote Originally Posted by DanTheBluesMan View Post
    aw, shucks, it's the dreaded white dash in a circle no-see-um
    Dang - let me try to fix that. I used to be able to embed Google Photos here no problem.

    Edit: apparently one I can see that photo, and only if I'm logged on to Google!

    And looking at the dates on those photos - I did the resto-mod 12 years ago, not 6 or 7. Wow, time flies.

  31. #31
    Forum Member
    Join Date
    Apr 2020
    Posts
    3

    Re: What are your favorite 12" speakers?

    Hey!
    I just put a AVATAR 12” A50 ALNICO 50 WATTS speaker into a vintage but mediocre sounding Fender solid state amp from the 1980s, and the results were astonishing. I own a dozen great amps and this Avatar equipped Fender is now the best sounding amp in the collection. I invited a musician friend to try it, and he says it’s the best amp he’s ever played through. The sound is more like a great tube amp, and the speaker responds to fine little nuances in string attack like no other amp I’ve played through in a long career. My friend, also a veteran musician says the sound reminds him of Clapton and Cream.
    Amazing speaker!!! I will be buying more of these to improve my other amps.
    By the way, I am not affiliated with the company in any way; just sharing the find.

  32. #32
    Forum Member
    Join Date
    Jun 2020
    Posts
    2

    Re: What are your favorite 12" speakers?

    I recently got a ‘68 Twin Reverb and it has wonderful ceramic speakers but there’s no brand name anywhere on them. Nothing on the magnet nor frames either. There’s only a code on the cones but I haven’t been able to track it down: 4512114-1L15608. (I’m pretty sure that’s a zero in the second to last digit). I was told this Twin was once owned by Eric Johnson. I absolutely love how this amp sounds. The power tubes are Winged C’s. Different preamp tubes.

  33. #33
    Forum Member NTBluesGuitar's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2006
    Location
    North Texas
    Posts
    5,820

    Re: What are your favorite 12" speakers?

    In the "Best Bang for Your Buck" category, the Eminence Patriot and RedCoat speakers are really quite good. I've had good luck with them!


    I know, not a 12' but still:



    "...pray do not imagine that those who make the noise are the only inhabitants of the field;
    that, of course, they are many in number; or that, after all, they are other than the little,
    shriveled, meagre, hopping, though loud and troublesome, insects of the hour."

    -Edmund Burke

  34. #34
    Forum Member
    Join Date
    Jun 2020
    Posts
    24

    Re: What are your favorite 12" speakers?

    deleted
    Last edited by MGW-AB; 02-17-2021 at 09:45 AM.

  35. #35
    Forum Member ch willie's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2008
    Location
    Tennessee
    Posts
    8,163

    Re: What are your favorite 12" speakers?

    I'm really digging the Alnico Blue speakers in my AC30.
    If we'd known we were going to be the Beatles, we'd have tried harder.--George Harrison

  36. #36
    Forum Member vinyl's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2020
    Posts
    212

    Re: What are your favorite 12" speakers?

    Quote Originally Posted by ch willie View Post
    I'm really digging the Alnico Blue speakers in my AC30.
    WTF does that mean? Seriously, alnico blue? How about a brand name? or a model number?
    Next to a JBL, I'm inclined to an EV SRO 12, but that's just me. I imagine other people would have different opinions for a FENDER amp.

    This is "The Fender Forums". Not The Vox Forums"

    Again, I have no interest in insulting anyone, but I still think I don't exactly fit in here.

    I only play Fender guitars and amps. For better or worse, that's my only interest.

    Yes, I don't discount Gibson, but I don't own any Gibson equipment. I just think there's any room for discussion here for that.

    Maybe there's the possibillity for discussion on "Vox" or "Gibson" forums of that. I just don't think it's worth discussing here. I'm only interested in Fender Equipment. You might say I'm singled-minded, but that's my opinion.

    JMO,
    Bill

  37. #37
    TFF Stage Crew
    Moderator
    pc's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2002
    Posts
    7,522

    Re: What are your favorite 12" speakers?

    Quote Originally Posted by vinyl View Post
    WTF does that mean? Seriously, alnico blue? How about a brand name? or a model number?
    Next to a JBL, I'm inclined to an EV SRO 12, but that's just me. I imagine other people would have different opinions for a FENDER amp.

    This is "The Fender Forums". Not The Vox Forums"

    Again, I have no interest in insulting anyone, but I still think I don't exactly fit in here.

    I only play Fender guitars and amps. For better or worse, that's my only interest.

    Yes, I don't discount Gibson, but I don't own any Gibson equipment. I just think there's any room for discussion here for that.

    Maybe there's the possibillity for discussion on "Vox" or "Gibson" forums of that. I just don't think it's worth discussing here. I'm only interested in Fender Equipment. You might say I'm singled-minded, but that's my opinion.

    JMO,
    Bill

    Sorry, no. You are insulting people here, and that won't fly.

    If you only play Fender products, good for you. Fender's own forum didn't last, and that's a shame. But here at TFF, people can discuss any gear they want to discuss. This forum is not owned/operated by anyone at Fender, and there is ABSOLUTELY no restriction on what gear people want to talk about.

    We welcome you to stick around, and, maybe, you might consider reading and commenting only on posts that interest you. Ignore the rest.

    If you can't accept that, I apologize, but, you are correct; you will not fit in here.

  38. #38
    Forum Member ch willie's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2008
    Location
    Tennessee
    Posts
    8,163

    Re: What are your favorite 12" speakers?

    Quote Originally Posted by vinyl View Post
    WTF does that mean? Seriously, alnico blue? How about a brand name? or a model number?
    Next to a JBL, I'm inclined to an EV SRO 12, but that's just me. I imagine other people would have different opinions for a FENDER amp.

    This is "The Fender Forums". Not The Vox Forums"

    Again, I have no interest in insulting anyone, but I still think I don't exactly fit in here.

    I only play Fender guitars and amps. For better or worse, that's my only interest.

    Yes, I don't discount Gibson, but I don't own any Gibson equipment. I just think there's any room for discussion here for that.

    Maybe there's the possibillity for discussion on "Vox" or "Gibson" forums of that. I just don't think it's worth discussing here. I'm only interested in Fender Equipment. You might say I'm singled-minded, but that's my opinion.

    JMO,
    Bill

    Bill, we talk about a lot of different pieces of gear here. This is not the Fender corporation, and we don't have to stick totally to the Fender brand.

    The question was what is your favorite 12" speaker. I answered. You're acting like a jerk. In a post on another thread, I told you not to worry, everybody blows off steam. But you know what, you're rude and impatient, and I don't give a shit if you leave for good, you tantrum throwing slug.
    If we'd known we were going to be the Beatles, we'd have tried harder.--George Harrison

  39. #39
    Forum Member vinyl's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2020
    Posts
    212

    Re: What are your favorite 12" speakers?

    Quote Originally Posted by pc View Post
    Sorry, no. You are insulting people here, and that won't fly.

    If you only play Fender products, good for you. Fender's own forum didn't last, and that's a shame. But here at TFF, people can discuss any gear they want to discuss. This forum is not owned/operated by anyone at Fender, and there is ABSOLUTELY no restriction on what gear people want to talk about.

    We welcome you to stick around, and, maybe, you might consider reading and commenting only on posts that interest you. Ignore the rest.

    If you can't accept that, I apologize, but, you are correct; you will not fit in here.
    So I've criticized another member's post here. Duly noted. I don't think I insulted him.

    Quote Originally Posted by ch willie View Post
    you tantrum throwing slug.

    Name calling? Really? That might be construed as "Flaming".

    As I said before, It was not my intention to "insult" anyone.

    I offered my specific recommendations. Granted, they would be expensive, but they were specific.

    The banner at the top of the forum says "THE place for Fender enthusiasts since 2002"

    I frequently criticized Fender on their forum, because they did stupid stuff. Including discontinuing their forum.

  40. #40
    Forum Member S. Cane's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2014
    Location
    Ever heard of José Carioca?
    Posts
    4,651

    Re: What are your favorite 12" speakers?

    Quote Originally Posted by vinyl View Post
    So I've criticized another member's post here. Duly noted. I don't think I insulted him.




    Name calling? Really? That might be construed as "Flaming".

    As I said before, It was not my intention to "insult" anyone.

    I offered my specific recommendations. Granted, they would be expensive, but they were specific.

    The banner at the top of the forum says "THE place for Fender enthusiasts since 2002"

    I frequently criticized Fender on their forum, because they did stupid stuff. Including discontinuing their forum.

    I think you are wasting an awesome opportunity here. This forum is one of the rare internet places where you can find a civilized talk about most anything.

    The mods are civil and polite, there are no trolls and best feature is actually the forum's biggest problem: it's not crowded with clowns and pimple faced teenagers who will talk a load of trash about things they don't have a clue about (yeah, right, we did have one, but he left).

    This is the second time I see you freak out for no reason. Keep in mind that by behaving like that you are insulting people who are potential friends. I myself have made several good friends here, and I mean real friends, not internet chums. And sometimes I do disagree with them, but respectfully.

    By the way, these are hard times for everyone including yourself, try to take it easy.
    Last edited by S. Cane; 07-07-2020 at 04:45 PM.

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •