Best replacement for a jensen C12N??

[jmv]

Okay, so my '66 bassman halfstack has original, un-reconed Jensen C12Ns in it. I'm pretty sure they're going out, as much as that sucks. I'm considering replacement options, and i think i would like to go with new speakers and box the jensens in their current state rather than recone, just so i still have all the original parts of the amp (the rest of the amp is all original, and is in absolutely pristine condition.... i figure having the original speakers even in their current condition might be good for the value).

What would you guys recommend as a replacement for these?? I've read a few good things about the Weber 12F150's. Supposed to be basically a clone of the C12N. I know jensen makes a re-issue C12N as well. Can anyone tell me what the best replica speaker for the actual vintage jensens is??

Then of course, there is always the idea of going with a different type of speaker.... i figure since the bassman has a bit of a different character from your typical fender amp, perhaps a speaker thats a bit of a mix between classic fender and brit sounds could be cool??

Anyway, if anyone has any answers to my questions or any thoughts/input in general, feel free to throw it out there!!

Thanks,
Jason


EDIT: for those not familiar with the amplifier, the cab is a closed back 2X12. I'm still very happy with the breakup characteristics of the amp, however there is a general lack of cajones.....

 

[jmv]

Re: Best replacement for a jensen C12N??

bump, anyone??

 

[jeremy]

Re: Best replacement for a jensen C12N??

your plan of boxing the old ones is a good idea.

i have one of the new jensens and it isnt a bad speaker at all. not as good as the old ones maybe but still pretty good. fairly fendery and a little louder than a greenback with more top and bottom. webers speakers are great and probably an upgrade from the ri jensen. some people think they are a little dark but i havent found that to be the case.

when you say its lacks cajones do you mean volume or ???

 

[jmv]

Re: Best replacement for a jensen C12N??

i'm mostly referring to the low end. I hadn't played the amp in quite a while to be honest, i picked up my moms jimmy vuahgn strat and plugged into her silverface vibrochamp, noodled around some, and then decided to go and pull out the bassman and mess with it some.... the vibrochamp actually seemed to have more bass than the bassman!! I can get the bass to be felt and heard when the amp is loud enough to be fairly dirty, but at that point its pretty 'flabby'. As far as clean tones, theres almost no low end there.... for instance, hitting a low E drone under some chordal stuff on the vibrochamp would be felt with a great presence, on the bassman you can hear it but its like.... i dunno how to explain it, it can be heard but not felt and definitely sounds as though its 'in the background'.

The amp had the capacitors replaced shortly before i got it (~ 4 years ago). I also just ordered a pair of winged C 6L6GC's for it to make sure thats not the issue. I guess the problem is, the amp sounds so good cranked, thats how i normally play it, and i'm sure thats very hard on 40+ year old speakers.

And, thank you for the input on the different speakers. I think something slightly on the darker side might be what i'm looking for. the weber would probably be the choice for me, unless the jensen RI are alot cheaper...

 

[jeremy]

Re: Best replacement for a jensen C12N??

they are cheaper but its worth the extra $ to get the weber.

couple things. bass takes a long time to develop so if you are close to your amp you may not hear what the amp actually sounds like. the smaller speaker and open back cab of the champ may contribute to the perception that its bassier.

how high do you have the bass and treble controls? part of the thing with those amps is there is no mid range control. there is a resistor in there, probably 6800, that is sorta like a mid control at 4 or something like that.

which channel do you use?

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: Best replacement for a jensen C12N??

I'd say call Ted Weber and ask him to make you his version of a '66 Jensen C12N but with the cone of a C12Q. It'll sound more like a vintage C12N...looser and more highs.

Personally, I'd go with a Celestion G12H30. I have some old '66 Jensen C12N's and much prefer the G12H30's.

Lew

 

[jmv]

Re: Best replacement for a jensen C12N??

thanks for the input lew, i know you certainly speak from experience.

Jeremy... I have played both sitting right in front of the amp, as well as sitting in the next room over (because of the volume when cranked....) i don't think thats the issue, but i will definitely experiment with that some when i'm home for the holidays (i'm at school and the amp stays at home).

Off the top of my head, i would say that i tend towards about 4 for the bass and little higher, near 6, for the treble. Obviously this would give it a treble bias, however i usually feel that if i turn the bass up much more it just gets muddy and farty.

My preference is for the bass channel, switching on the 'deep' switch for some more gain. I do also use the normal channel, however i rarely use the bright switch when using that channel. On the bright channel, i roll the treble control down a little bit, because the character of that channel has clearer more articulate highs i think than the bass channel.

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: Best replacement for a jensen C12N??

thanks for the input lew, i know you certainly speak from experience.

Thanks! Since you mentioned a speaker that might combine Brit with American tones, the Celestion G12-80 Classic Lead is a nice one. The Vintage 30 sounds killer in a sealed cab like yours. And the G12h-30 is my very fave. You could find some used Vintage 30's on Ebay easily.

 

[jmv]

Re: Best replacement for a jensen C12N??

i dunno, i wish i had a cab like mine with C12Ns or similar in it, and a cab with brit-ish speakers in it that i could A/B. I'll have to hit up some of the local gear guys i know and see if anyone has something that could help me compare.

 

[Robert Delahunt]

Re: Best replacement for a jensen C12N??

I've played a blackface reissue of the Fender Twin Reverb which supposedly has something very close to this in it. I played it at a Battle of the Bands. It's good but I think it gets a bit raunchy at higher volumes. I'm not sure really if that was the amp or the speakers.

My 1972 Fender Twin Reverb silver face had after market Celestion Modern Leads from the 80s in it. I had to replace them so I called Celestion and they said the Classic Leads are the same thing, so I got them. I like their tone a lot more, but then again it could be my amp (since mine's a silver face).

There are several stacks now, it seems, and combo amps that have Celestion Vintage 30s in them: I'd try them out, too.

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: Best replacement for a jensen C12N??

I've played a blackface reissue of the Fender Twin Reverb which supposedly has something very close to this in it. I played it at a Battle of the Bands. It's good but I think it gets a bit raunchy at higher volumes. I'm not sure really if that was the amp or the speakers.

My 1972 Fender Twin Reverb silver face had after market Celestion Modern Leads from the 80s in it. I had to replace them so I called Celestion and they said the Classic Leads are the same thing, so I got them. I like their tone a lot more, but then again it could be my amp (since mine's a silver face).

There are several stacks now, it seems, and combo amps that have Celestion Vintage 30s in them: I'd try them out, too.

The G12M-70 is the "Modern Lead"...the G12-80 is the "Classic Lead". They sound different, and in my opinion the Classic Lead is a better sounding speaker.

 

[YEM]

Re: Best replacement for a jensen C12N??

I actually like the Jensens these days. I have the stock C10 alnicos in my super reverb & they sound great. the 12 in the deluxe sounds **** solid to me too.