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Post subject: silverface bassman/speaker wattage
Posted: Thu Jan 20, 2011 2:24 am
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Hey guys. There seems to be a lot of knowledgeable folks posting on the site here so I thought I would pose a question. I got a 67/68 dripedge Bassman head with the big 2x12 cab a few months back. I'm thinking of replacing the speakers with some alnico drivers like the Jensen re-issues. These drivers seem to be relatively low powered though (25-50 watts) and I'm wondering what the combined wattage should be as not to blow the speakers. I heard that the speakers should be more than twice the wattage of the head but I don't play at maxed out levels and usually use an attenuator. Feel free to offer any other wisdom regarding this type of amp.


Last edited by s3mamill on Thu Jan 20, 2011 3:13 am, edited 1 time in total.

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Post subject: Re: silverface bassman/speaker wattage
Posted: Thu Jan 20, 2011 2:35 am
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What speakers are currently in your cabinet?

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: silverface bassman/speaker wattage
Posted: Thu Jan 20, 2011 3:05 am
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Eminence BETA-12A-2 8 ohm 250 (!?!) watt. Looks like these are PA and Bass speakers.

http://www.eminence.com/pdf/Beta_12A.pdf


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Post subject: Re: silverface bassman/speaker wattage
Posted: Thu Jan 20, 2011 10:16 am
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Indeed, those Eminence BETA's wouldn't be my first choice for a guitar speaker. The OEM speakers for your Bassman could've been the Oxford 12T8, a very forgettable Utah bass driver, or the JBL D120F.

If you're into modern rock guitar tones, any of the new-generation ceramic Eminence speakers (Swamp Thang, Ramrod, etc) will make your amp sing. They're very punchy and efficient -- thus you'll note an immediate increase in overall volume.

For a more classic (ie: bluesy) tone, I'd recommend the Weber alnico 12A150. These produce a warmer, more organic vibe -- nuanced and articulate, very reminescent of a vintage Jensen C12P or C12Q. They'll need an adequate break-in period to deliver their best.

For "jack of all trades" speaker you cannot go wrong with a pair of Celestion V30's. Most Bassmans love these drivers. You'll need to carefully remove four speaker screws from your baffle board for each of these as Celestion frames have only four mounting holes in their flanges.

I LOATHE THE IMPORT JENSEN RE-ISSUES AND NEVER RECOMMEND THEM.

Best of luck, HTH

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: silverface bassman/speaker wattage
Posted: Thu Jan 20, 2011 7:01 pm
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Thanks for the advice. I have heard poor reviews of the Jensens too. I play more bluesy sort of stuff. In checking out the Weber's, I see they come in 25 and 50 watt versions. Could I get away with a pair of 25 watters, or would it be safer to go with the 50 watt drivers? I have also looked into greenbacks, but they are only 25 watts, and I'm not sure two would be enough to handle the head. What would be your recommendation for overall wattage of the cab? Thanks.


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Post subject: Re: silverface bassman/speaker wattage
Posted: Thu Jan 20, 2011 7:11 pm
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I favor overkill when it comes to a speaker system's power-handling capability. Thus, I'd go with a pair of favored 50-watt drivers. The Greenbacks would probably be a safe bet but I don't think they sound quite as ballsy as the V30's. I have a '66 Bandmaster that I use to push a pair of these in a home-cloned Showman cab and they make for an outrageously aggressive tone.

HTH

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: silverface bassman/speaker wattage
Posted: Thu Jan 20, 2011 7:36 pm
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I have heard that mixing speakers can sound good. What do you think of a Weber 12a150 and a V30? Would they be too different (one too mellow and one too aggressive) or balance each other out?

In checking out some of the other forums I see that these sorts of cabs have insulation or something in them. Mine doesn't have that inside. Can it help the tone as well?


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Post subject: Re: silverface bassman/speaker wattage
Posted: Thu Jan 20, 2011 7:49 pm
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Fender used fiberglass damping sheets in their bass-reflex enclosures to artificially limit the cone excursion (how far out and in the paper diaphram moves) to tighten up the bass response and to prevent damage to the speaker when reproducing extreme LF tones. This damping is not really required if the cab is used for guitar though it's possible to help tune out unwanted resonances when necessary.

Personally I never mix speakers but I know many guitarists who do. If you do, be sure to match the power-handling specs as closely as practical. Dual speakers are like flying a twin-engined aircraft......if one fan goes "tango uniform" the other powerplant better be adequate to sustain flight lest the journey be a short one (or the crew does not mind a "nylon let-down").

:mrgreen:

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: silverface bassman/speaker wattage
Posted: Sun Mar 06, 2011 9:50 pm
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Arjay, "Nylon Let Down"...great reference, but proves you jumped out of too damn many airplanes that were not about to crash...for that we thank you... but this AF cat thinks you were also just a bit nuts :!:

T2

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Post subject: Re: silverface bassman/speaker wattage
Posted: Sun Mar 06, 2011 10:25 pm
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You're prolly right, Tango Two-Sierra.

But I can't help myself. I relish walking with kings......

Image

:mrgreen:

Arjay

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"Here's why reliability is job one: A great sounding amp that breaks down goes from being a favorite piece of gear to a useless piece of crap in less time than it takes to read this sentence." -- BRUCE ZINKY


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Post subject: Re: silverface bassman/speaker wattage
Posted: Mon Mar 07, 2011 6:30 am
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T2Stratman wrote:
Arjay, "Nylon Let Down"...great reference, but proves you jumped out of too damn many airplanes that were not about to crash...for that we thank you... but this AF cat thinks you were also just a bit nuts :!:

T2

:mrgreen:

:lol: at least you didn't use the tired old phrase,"a perfectly good airplane". :lol:


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Post subject: Re: silverface bassman/speaker wattage
Posted: Mon Mar 07, 2011 2:13 pm
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Rebelsoul wrote:
:lol: at least you didn't use the tired old phrase,"a perfectly good airplane". :lol:


There's no such thing!

A trained eye can always spot an errant hydraulic leak, a stripped Dzus fastener, or a worn-beyond-spec tire.

:mrgreen:

Arjay

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