It is currently Mon Mar 16, 2020 6:43 pm

All times are UTC - 7 hours



Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 21 posts ]  Go to page 1, 2  Next
Go to page 1, 2  Next
Author Message
Post subject: Vintage 12" External Speaker in a wood cabinet -Thoughts?
Posted: Wed Mar 30, 2011 4:49 am
Offline
Aspiring Musician
Aspiring Musician

Joined: Wed Nov 14, 2007 1:29 pm
Posts: 614
Location: SW Ohio
This little wood cabinet with a 12" quam speaker is up for auction at shopgoodwill.com. Anyone have any thoughts about the possible age and maker?

Image

edit - I think it dates from the late 40's - early 50's, just wondering about the maker and thoughts on the Quam speaker. Thanks.


Top
Profile
Fender Play Winter Sale 2020
Post subject: Re: Vintage 12" External Speaker in a wood cabinet -Thoughts
Posted: Wed Mar 30, 2011 6:44 am
Offline
Rock Icon
Rock Icon
User avatar

Joined: Tue Jun 29, 2010 1:20 pm
Posts: 9640
Location: Indiana
Wow, cool cabinet! It looks brand new, even the speaker. It does have that 40s-50s look, but is there something that indicates that it is from that time period, besides the looks? I don't think that permanent magnets were used on speakers until the mid 50s though. :idea:

_________________
---> "The amp should be SWITCHED OFF AND UNPLUGGED before you do this!" <---

Por favor, disculpe mi español, no se llega a la práctica con mucha frecuencia.


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Vintage 12" External Speaker in a wood cabinet -Thoughts
Posted: Wed Mar 30, 2011 6:54 am
Offline
Aspiring Musician
Aspiring Musician

Joined: Wed Nov 14, 2007 1:29 pm
Posts: 614
Location: SW Ohio
I wonder if the cabinet is vintage and the speaker is new? If this is from the 40's/50's, I am thinking the speaker would be either a Rola or a Jensen.

I might bid - just for the cabinet.


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Vintage 12" External Speaker in a wood cabinet -Thoughts
Posted: Wed Mar 30, 2011 7:04 am
Offline
Rock Icon
Rock Icon
User avatar

Joined: Tue Jun 29, 2010 1:20 pm
Posts: 9640
Location: Indiana
Yes, I was thinking of the same thing, but I won't bid, although it is tempting. I did find that Quam has been around since 1930. But it just looks too new to me, to be that old. Cool as heck if it is old, or even if not. 8)

http://www.quamspeakers.com/#

_________________
---> "The amp should be SWITCHED OFF AND UNPLUGGED before you do this!" <---

Por favor, disculpe mi español, no se llega a la práctica con mucha frecuencia.


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Vintage 12" External Speaker in a wood cabinet -Thoughts
Posted: Wed Mar 30, 2011 4:53 pm
Offline
Rock Star
Rock Star
User avatar

Joined: Sat Jul 03, 2010 2:18 pm
Posts: 6544
That is a really cool looking cab. Reminds me of old Leilani's.


http://www.dennysguitars.com/MaggieBlue ... ndle1.html


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Vintage 12" External Speaker in a wood cabinet -Thoughts
Posted: Wed Mar 30, 2011 4:59 pm
Offline
Aspiring Musician
Aspiring Musician

Joined: Wed Nov 14, 2007 1:29 pm
Posts: 614
Location: SW Ohio
Stopped by the local shop (Centerville Music) - the Owner is a vintage amp guy. I showed him the auction posting..... he was intrigued.

He thinks the date is right (40's/50's) for the cabinet. He thought it was probably a speaker cabinet that a school/church/so on would have that could be connected to the projector. This might explain the Quam speaker. Of course, it could still be a replacement - but it would explain why someone might have put a Quam in the cab rather than a speaker we would put into it.

He gave me his thoughts on the value of the cabinet by itself..... now I just have to decide if I think its something I would want to add to the collection.

Oh...BTW .... read the History for Centerville Music Very entertaining


Last edited by phansford on Wed Mar 30, 2011 5:53 pm, edited 1 time in total.

Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Vintage 12" External Speaker in a wood cabinet -Thoughts
Posted: Wed Mar 30, 2011 4:59 pm
Offline
Aspiring Musician
Aspiring Musician

Joined: Wed Nov 14, 2007 1:29 pm
Posts: 614
Location: SW Ohio
BMW2002Ti wrote:
That is a really cool looking cab. Reminds me of old Leilani's.


http://www.dennysguitars.com/MaggieBlue ... ndle1.html


Sweet.


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Vintage 12" External Speaker in a wood cabinet -Thoughts
Posted: Wed Mar 30, 2011 6:13 pm
Offline
Professional Musician
Professional Musician
User avatar

Joined: Sat Sep 08, 2007 9:46 pm
Posts: 2041
Very interesting. And the bids keep going up...

_________________
Dennis in CR
Rockin' since 1963


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Vintage 12" External Speaker in a wood cabinet -Thoughts
Posted: Thu Mar 31, 2011 4:49 am
Offline
Aspiring Musician
Aspiring Musician

Joined: Wed Nov 14, 2007 1:29 pm
Posts: 614
Location: SW Ohio
I think (as does the owner of C'ville Music) the cabinet is worth about $100 by itself. I would pull and replace the speaker - then hope I can get a few bucks for the Quam.

So if I bid.... I might not be in the running too long. :lol: The problem with auctions is some people will bid crazy money for junk. Therefore, its rare for me to bid as I typically don't enter bidding until the last 5 minutes of the auction.


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Vintage 12" External Speaker in a wood cabinet -Thoughts
Posted: Thu Mar 31, 2011 12:24 pm
Offline
Aspiring Musician
Aspiring Musician

Joined: Wed Nov 14, 2007 1:29 pm
Posts: 614
Location: SW Ohio
Well - I won the auction. Now what? :lol:

I am going to replace the speaker (I'll sell the Quam on CL).

I am thinking either a Weber AINiCo Signature 12 or a Weber Ceramic Signature 12. I want to get that early 50's Tweed Tone with early breakup and crunch. I am thinking I can run this off my Vintage 47 Oahu Suitcase - which actually has a separate jack for an 8 ohm external.

Anyway... any speaker recommendations would be appreciated as this is my first go at doing something like this. If I'm looking at the wrong speaker.... feel free to comment and make suggestions.


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Vintage 12" External Speaker in a wood cabinet -Thoughts
Posted: Thu Mar 31, 2011 12:34 pm
Offline
Rock Icon
Rock Icon
User avatar

Joined: Wed Mar 31, 2010 12:48 am
Posts: 26417
Location: Tombstone Territory
For some authentic sonic vibe, try a vintage Jensen P12P.

I've seen a few on the bay recently.

HTH

Arjay

_________________
"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


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Vintage 12" External Speaker in a wood cabinet -Thoughts
Posted: Mon Apr 04, 2011 5:03 am
Offline
Aspiring Musician
Aspiring Musician

Joined: Wed Nov 14, 2007 1:29 pm
Posts: 614
Location: SW Ohio
Retroverbial wrote:
For some authentic sonic vibe, try a vintage Jensen P12P.

I've seen a few on the bay recently.

HTH

Arjay


I've been looking at the Jensens also..... Of course I am cheap SOB so I am looking at new speakers rather than a vintage. :lol:

I am thinking about a new Jensen P12R.... I like the sound sample of the C12R also. (seems a touch less trebley and able to get a bit more crunchy- am I hearing correctly :lol: )

I want to use this with my Vintage47 Oahu Suitcase Amp (Valco repro).... so I want to keep that darker tone - or early 50's tweed. I think I am headed in the right direction with either the P12R or C12R.


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Vintage 12" External Speaker in a wood cabinet -Thoughts
Posted: Mon Apr 04, 2011 11:49 am
Offline
Aspiring Musician
Aspiring Musician

Joined: Wed Nov 14, 2007 1:29 pm
Posts: 614
Location: SW Ohio
I emailed the maker of my Oahu Suitcase Amp concerning this little box.... and was questioning the proper speaker replacement.... after getting his reply..... I am more than stoked about this purchase...

"Good Morning Patrick,

That speaker is an excellent find! You scored big time on that jewel. I'm not sure you actually realize what you found there?

In case you did not know, Quam, although it sounds like a foriegn name is everything but, it is one of the old Chicago speaker companies from back in the day when amp circuits like your Valco Oahu was a new item, Valco used Rola because they were cheaper, Gibson used Utah which was also cheaper than Quam. Quam is still in business today, they just specialize in built in intercom speakers and have dropped all their cool speakers.

That metal magnet frame on your Quam is a carry over from the fieldcoil that previously sat in the frame, like the metal box on the back of the Jensen Alnico model speakers, that metal is just an artifact of the first Alnico magnets being subbed for the fieldcoil, they serve no other useful service and have been abandonned on modern Alnico speakers.

That magnet in there is the old formula better Alnico type like would be found in pre 1960's speakers. Due to a nuclear regulitory rules set in place, in I believe 1962, the Alnico formula was changed and the Colbalt was subbed with a differrent metal, but they kept the 'CO' elemental symbol for colbalt (al'ni'CO in the name to not draw attention to the change of magnets component materials.

I would not sell that speaker but rather hook that puppy up and give it a whirl, there is no Alnico speaker today that can give you that old tone (that is why 1956 Jensens are so revered, they had the old formula alnico).

And don't let the small size of the magnet scare you off, under the can on a Weber or Jensen that is all there is, those are so powerful per size that I would guess that one you have is rated at at least 25 watts. Also one of those that clean is almost impossible to find.

Play it and I do belive you will be quite happy with the result, it will sound different than Weber or Jensen, but as soon as you retune your ear away from that familiar programmed tone we have become accoustom to, you should be able to appreciate the unique signature old school tone it has to offer. That cabinet is just a cool added extra, the speaker is the real find here.

Let me know how it sounds, and send me a clip it you have something to record with, I'd love to hear it."

Just goes to show you.... you learn something new everyday.


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Vintage 12" External Speaker in a wood cabinet -Thoughts
Posted: Mon Apr 04, 2011 12:01 pm
Offline
Rock Icon
Rock Icon
User avatar

Joined: Tue Jun 29, 2010 1:20 pm
Posts: 9640
Location: Indiana
That is just as cool as can be! Congrats on the great purchase. :)

_________________
---> "The amp should be SWITCHED OFF AND UNPLUGGED before you do this!" <---

Por favor, disculpe mi español, no se llega a la práctica con mucha frecuencia.


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Vintage 12" External Speaker in a wood cabinet -Thoughts
Posted: Mon Apr 04, 2011 12:08 pm
Offline
Rock Icon
Rock Icon
User avatar

Joined: Wed Mar 31, 2010 12:48 am
Posts: 26417
Location: Tombstone Territory
shimmilou wrote:
That is just as cool as can be! Congrats on the great purchase. :)


+1

Fire that puppy up and see how it "barks"!

8)

Arjay

_________________
"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


Top
Profile
Display posts from previous:  Sort by  
Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 21 posts ]  Go to page 1, 2  Next
Go to page 1, 2  Next

All times are UTC - 7 hours

Fender Play Winter Sale 2020

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 2 guests


You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum

Search for:
Jump to: