Clean breakup cab schemes

[Clint 55]

Do you think it would be possible to build a cab for clean breakup at low volumes out of maybe a cheap combo and a small and/or low wattage speaker? My Peavey amp on 5 watts sounds really good through my 8" Vox practice amp with a replacement speaker. But it still has to be kind of loud since the speaker has some headroom to it. Do you think the size of the speaker or the wattage would be more important to get breakup? Or both? The problem is most replacement speakers that I've seen that seem good are rated around 20 watts. Maybe I could run a 5" cab in tandem with my 8" or 10". I'm not necessarily going to go through with this project, I just wanted to hear your guys' thoughts or experiences.

 

[TVFV]

Re: Clean breakup cab schemes

I think it has to do the wattage. I have no problem getting an AC15 to breakup. A JC120 is damn near impossible to break up on the other hand.

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[Demanic]

Re: Clean breakup cab schemes

Just get a Microcube.

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[NegativeEase]

Re: Clean breakup cab schemes

I think it has to do the wattage. I have no problem getting an AC15 breakup. A JC120 is damn near impossible to break up on the other hand.

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If you can get a JC120 to Break up, then it's time to Break up with that JC120 :lmao:

 

[Demanic]

Re: Clean breakup cab schemes

If you can get a JC120 to Break up, then it's time to Break up with that JC120 :lmao:

METAL \m/ \m/!!!

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[Clint 55]

Re: Clean breakup cab schemes

^ Ya that thing on 10 with a hard hitting bridge pup would probably break up lol!

I think it has to do the wattage. I have no problem getting an AC15 to breakup. A JC120 is damn near impossible to break up on the other hand.

I think so. I just have no idea where I'd get a quality low wattage replacement speaker.

Just get a Microcube.

If I knew that cab had a solid speaker in it I would be all over it. 5" 2 watt speaker?! Yas. It's probably just referring to the amp tho. I have no idea how much headroom the speaker has.

 

[JamesPaul]

Re: Clean breakup cab schemes

If you are searching for speaker cone breakup, I think it will be a bit of an experiment.

Power ratings could have more to do with where the speaker will fail due to voicecoil excursion or overheating.

Speaker cone breakup is more likely a function of the cone material and construction. So as you approach the rated limit of a lower wattage speaker the cone still may breakup in a musical way, or instead it may have a harsh or approaching mechanical failure tone.

I have a JSX MC and a VK Royal 8 which are both 5W. I have never really attempted to get a good clean breakup tone from them. For that I usually go with my C30 clean channel, but I admit the C30 is well beyond the levels you are interested in. I'll try my 5 watters and see how they do. If they do well I might be able track down the speakers in those for some specifications help.

 

[PFDarkside]

Re: Clean breakup cab schemes

You are looking for speaker breakup at low volumes? Probably start scavenging old, cheap combo speakers. Or are you looking for a speaker that will stay low in volume while the amp breaks up? For that you are looking at low sensitivity speakers. Correct me if I’m wrong, but I think 96dB is about the lowest now. You could try a 10” Greenback, it won’t be quiet but it’ll sound good.

 

[Coma]

Re: Clean breakup cab schemes

Pardon my ignorance, but I thought speaker breakup was basically what happens when it overloads, at which point you risk causing permanent damage to it? Isn't the general rule that you want your amp to go into overload while the speakers stay clean?

 

[dystrust]

Re: Clean breakup cab schemes

You are looking for speaker breakup at low volumes? Probably start scavenging old, cheap combo speakers. Or are you looking for a speaker that will stay low in volume while the amp breaks up? For that you are looking at low sensitivity speakers. Correct me if I’m wrong, but I think 96dB is about the lowest now. You could try a 10” Greenback, it won’t be quiet but it’ll sound good.

Based on the first post, I think the OP is looking for an amp that'll break up without being overly loud. I don't know if they still make them, but a Z.Vex Nano is 1/2 watt which should work well for that. Maybe one of the 1-watt Marshalls? In addition to keeping the wattage as low as possible, you'd also want the least efficient speaker you can find.

 

[JamesPaul]

Re: Clean breakup cab schemes

The OP's amp will go down to 1W, but the OP might not be satisfied with something on that setting. The ZVex Nano is a great suggestion!

 

[Clint 55]

Re: Clean breakup cab schemes

Based on the first post, I think the OP is looking for an amp that'll break up without being overly loud. I don't know if they still make them, but a Z.Vex Nano is 1/2 watt which should work well for that. Maybe one of the 1-watt Marshalls? In addition to keeping the wattage as low as possible, you'd also want the least efficient speaker you can find.

Yap. I really like my Peavey on 1 or 5 watts thru my 8" Jensen speaker. It's sort of loud though. That Zvex Nano looks pretty sweet. I was just wondering if it would be possible to slap together a combo cab plus an inefficient speaker that also has good tone. Because it would only be like an $100 investment if I could find the right speaker.

 

[JamesPaul]

Re: Clean breakup cab schemes

I realized my VKRL8 has an EL844 in it, and my daughter took my JSX MC back to FL with her.

I think it would be interesting to see what a Weber CS8 (https://www.tedweber.com/8sigf) would sound like. It is a custom Weber in the JSX MC but I can't shake it down right now.

 

[Clint 55]

Re: Clean breakup cab schemes

Damn son!

 

[JamesPaul]

Re: Clean breakup cab schemes

You're going to have to sell me your C20MH for cheap if you are going Zvex. ...or maybe just swap me for my Triple XXX Half Stack I have not been able to sell. :lmao:

 

[Clint 55]

Re: Clean breakup cab schemes

Ok!

 

[JamesPaul]

Re: Clean breakup cab schemes

Let me know if you are opting for the Triple XXX half. New Mexico always sounds warmer than Cowtown. I might just have to drive it there out bro.

 

[Clint 55]

Re: Clean breakup cab schemes

I got the Nano!

 

[JamesPaul]

Re: Clean breakup cab schemes

Good deal! Let us know if the Nano gets you the tones you have been chasing.

 

[Clint 55]

Re: Clean breakup cab schemes

Sure thing