Cheap 12" speakers that sound Fendery

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dspiffy

New member
I posted a few days ago about the amp that I bought in 2005, sold, and re-bought yesterday-- Carvin SX200.

Surprisingly loud, good sounding amp for what it is. The clean is live sounding, when it breaks up it sounds tube-like, and it takes pedals better than a lot of tube amps I've used (Twin, for example). Cant speak for using it for gain since I dont do that.

I sold it because I wanted a Twin (couldnt afford one) and it didnt SPARKLE. I replaced it with a Fender FM-212 which comparably sucked but had more "sparkle".

Rebought it yesterday because I wanted a compact, comparably lightweight solid state option. I dont like gigging tube without a backup and my Yahamas are HEAVY.

I like it better than I remember and with careful eqing I can dial in some "sparkle". However I think I wouldnt need to be as careful if I replaced the speakers. They are rebranded Celestion G12T-75s, and I do not care for British voice speakers.

Ideally I'd like to try some Jensen C12N's in it, but I cant justify throwing another $150 at gear right now, especially not knowing if I'll like the result. I hear they are lacking in bass and I dont want to lose bass, just gain sparkle.

Any cheap speakers I should try? Used is fine. The current speakers in it are 16 ohm but it has a switch, I could use 8 ohm speakers instead.
 
Re: Cheap 12" speakers that sound Fendery

So far, these are the options available to me.

I'll preface it by saying that the two stock speakers are Celestion G12T-75s in 16 ohm and the amp is stock set to run at 8 ohm. There is a switch to run it at 4 should you want to add a second cabinet. I am told it will run both cooler and louder at 8 ohms.

1. Buy a pair of 8 ohm C12N's for $80 total, run it at 4 ohms.
2. Use two speakers I already have-- the Crate labeled Eminence Legend pulled out of the Crate and a Fender labled Eminence Legend I grabbed off Craigslist for $20, both 8 ohms. Run it at 4 ohms
3. Buy a used 16 ohm WGS Retro 30 for $50, use it and one of the stock Celestions. Run it at 8 ohms.

Ideally I'd like to find a 16 ohm C12N and run one of those, one of the stock Celestions. Best of both worlds?
 
Re: Cheap 12" speakers that sound Fendery

Trying one old alnico Jensen P12 (too weak for this amp but wanted to hear how it sounded)

 
Re: Cheap 12" speakers that sound Fendery

The Fender Eminence and the Crate Eminence:


The Fender is actually a great speaker for this amp. Not an amazing speaker, but it does exactly what I'd want a cheap American speaker to do. If I could find another one for $20-30 used I'd absolutely go that route.
 
Re: Cheap 12" speakers that sound Fendery

Trying the Fender with a speaker out of one of my 70s Yamaha amps:

 
Re: Cheap 12" speakers that sound Fendery

i would jump on 3, because i am sold on the retro30. Check out vaughn skows vids on youtube. My Wgs g12 c is pure vintage jensen/fender.
 
Re: Cheap 12" speakers that sound Fendery

Some people say the retro 30 is bright and sparkly, but apparently it's a British voiced speaker, so I am confused.
 
Re: Cheap 12" speakers that sound Fendery

cheap and fendery.
SpeakerBack1.jpg

not very good speakers, but definitely cheap and fendery with a bit of sparkle.
 
Re: Cheap 12" speakers that sound Fendery

Seems a shame you are running that gorgeous madcat into a less than stellar amp tho.
 
Re: Cheap 12" speakers that sound Fendery

Do you think it sounds sub par?

Right now I own 7 amps. I just dont see the need to bring the big, heavy, expensive, less reliable (tube) amps to every gig.
 
Re: Cheap 12" speakers that sound Fendery

I think two of the cheap Fender Eminences will get the job done with minimal cost. I need one more:

 
Re: Cheap 12" speakers that sound Fendery

Because I also think I'm going to put one in the Crate. That JBL makes an already heavy amp insane.

 
Re: Cheap 12" speakers that sound Fendery

You keep saying "it sounds super bright", but to my ear via the recording, it sounds very 'Fendery'. :dunno:
 
Re: Cheap 12" speakers that sound Fendery

The two often go hand in hand!

I like bright. However I recognize that most guitar players tend to go too bright, especially if they have a little hearing loss, like me.
 
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