Best speaker for 5E3?

[spacecaptain21]

Hey fellas-

So I'm still in the contemplating/talking stages, but I'm possibly gonna be getting a 5E3 clone (Li'l Dawg Amps). It comes stock with a Jensen P12R. I'm a speaker noob, so is this a quality speaker/a good one for this amp? Anyone got any suggestions for this type of amp (that won't break the bank)? Thanks much!

 

[spacecaptain21]

Re: Best speaker for 5E3?

Bump?!

 

[Lake Placid Blues]

Re: Best speaker for 5E3?

The P12R is the classic 12" Jensen. It is an alnico magnet speaker that handles (iirc) 40-50 watts. I have an original and it's a great speaker tonewise. Very warm, with a smooth breakup. If the re-issues are anything like the original it is one of the best speakers you could use. They are not as loud, nor as bright as the Celestion Blue.

 

[B Bent]

Re: Best speaker for 5E3?

I have a Weber 12A125 in mine that I am quite pleased with. The Celestion Blue is supposed to be the ultimate though!!

 

[the guy who invented fire]

Re: Best speaker for 5E3?

Ok, a P12R is about a 15-20 watt speaker and is not what would have come stock in a late (5E3) Deluxe. The late 50's Deluxe amps would have gotten a P12Q.

Also, the "reissue" Jensen speakers really are simply not great speakers, thewy have a few models that are OK but most of them are just fair speakers at best IMO.

If you want a better speaker than a reisue Jensen go with a Weber VST, Ted's 10A125 is prtty close to a P12Q and B Bent (from this forum) has a Weber 12A125 in his 5E3 clone and it's a pretty kickin speaker.

If you want more headroom and a more solid clean bass go with a ceramic speaker (like maybe the Weber 12F125, which is the same as the 12A125 but with a ceramic magnet)

If you wanted to go with the early style Jensen P12R the Weber version of that speaker is called a 12A100 and it comes in 2 versions...one with a smooth cone and one with a ribbed cone.

FWIW, IMO the best speaker for a twqeed Deluxe is a Celestion Blue, however those are $270 each right now and thats the best price I have seen on them.

Good luck!

 

[tone4days]

Re: Best speaker for 5E3?

... FWIW, IMO the best speaker for a tweed Deluxe is a Celestion Blue, however those are $270 each right now and thats the best price I have seen on them !

musician's friend and others have the blues online for $249 ... but yeah, that is big coin ...

any advance word on how the new celestion 'golds' will sound? - i think they are due to hit in august ... looks like they will cost $279 (street)

 

[the guy who invented fire]

Re: Best speaker for 5E3?

musician's friend and others have the blues online for $249 ... but yeah, that is big coin ...

any advance word on how the new celestion 'golds' will sound? - i think they are due to hit in august ... looks like they will cost $279 (street)

I forgot Dave at Avatar is selling the Blues at a good price too...I forget what it is but it's still what most guys woudl consider high for a 15-20 watt speaker. As for the Golds, Dave at avatar speakes very highly of them but to be honest I think they Blues are simply great speakers...

 

[spacecaptain21]

Re: Best speaker for 5E3?

Anyone know a place where I can check prices? I need to see how much the Jensen is. Thanks!

 

[the guy who invented fire]

Re: Best speaker for 5E3?

The best place to buy those Jensens is on Ebay...new ones sell all day for around $60 each

The Webers can be bought direct and will run you around $100 give or take.

 

[tone4days]

Re: Best speaker for 5E3?

yeah, i think the golds are really only needed for higher power applications where the blues would be overstressed

 

[jeremy]

Re: Best speaker for 5E3?

and in doing that the tone has to change a little me thinks, cant wait to hear them!!

i use a red fang in my celtic aislinn and just last night i had a couple people waiting for me to get off stage to ask how i got such great tone

 

[OlinMusic]

Re: Best speaker for 5E3?

I heard the Celestion Gold A/B'd with a Blue at the LA Amp Show

I felt it was similar in character, only it was a little more open, more robust, a little more like the 70s Classic Rock version of the Blue. A little meaner and bigger, but very cool and similar. It still compresses and jangles like Blues do (depending on volume), but it is NOT as jangly IMHO.

 

[tone4days]

Re: Best speaker for 5E3?

...and just last night i had a couple people waiting for me to get off stage to ask how i got such great tone

dude, i've heard you play ... you could pick a cigar box, a broom handle, and some rubberbands and you'd have em lined up to ask that same thing ...

is the aislinn a 5E3?

 

[Lake Placid Blues]

Re: Best speaker for 5E3?

I got checking and mine's a P12N, not an R. Mine is not a reissue. I also checked on the wattage ratings of the re-issues. The P12R is rated at 25 watts. The P12N is rated at 50 watts.

 

[jeremy]

Re: Best speaker for 5E3?

thanks, if only my chops could keep up with my tone

yes the aislinn is a 5e3, i believe that it was the first amp scott build. now i have a big aislinn as well. scotts gonna have to come up with a new name for my big one, its confusing to have two amps with the same name

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: Best speaker for 5E3?

IMO, the very best speaker for a 5E3 (Fender Tweed Deluxe or a clone) is the Celestion Alnico Blue. That amp sounds best with a fairly efficient speaker with plenty of highs and lows. :smack: I use old ones from the mid 60's but the Celestion RI Alnico Blue sounds great in a 5E3 too. Personally, I wouldn't be satisfied with anything else. The other speaker I liked alot was a real 58 Jensen P10Q with the original cone. Lew

 

[spacecaptain21]

Re: Best speaker for 5E3?

The Celestion Blue would probably knock the amp price up pretty high. What I'm thinking of doing is getting the amp with the stock Jensen (although, the Weber 12A125 sounds like the best bet if not the P12R...I'm definitely considering that one instead) and then down the line, replacing it with the Alnico Blue when I have some more cash to throw around.

Thanks for all the help guys...but keep the suggestions coming, please!!!! Maybe I'll stumble on something else that'll do what I need for the right price with your help.

 

[Stratman]

Re: Best speaker for 5E3?

and in doing that the tone has to change a little me thinks, cant wait to hear them!!

i use a red fang in my celtic aislinn and just last night i had a couple people waiting for me to get off stage to ask how i got such great tone

That's easy Jeremy, it's from your fingers, coupled with a great Celtic amp.

 

[newking70]

Re: Best speaker for 5E3?

i use a red fang in my celtic aislinn and just last night i had a couple people waiting for me to get off stage to ask how i got such great tone

isn't the red fang based on the alnico blues?

 

[jeremy]

Re: Best speaker for 5E3?

im sure the blues sound great in the amp, but a hundred bucks is alot easier to swallow than two fity especially considering how many 12" speakers i have laying around gathering dust that i cant get rid of cause im saving for some unknown future application
:smack:

the red fang might not be as nice as the blue but it gets some british alnico flavor which i really like with this amp and 30w is safe, 15w is probably safe but i couldnt bare the thought of blowing a blue up.

while were talking about 5e3's, im getting a 5v4 to try in my 5e3 for giggles. has anyone tried this?