Twin Reverb Watts question

60sSoul

New member
I would like to change the speakers in my '77 Twin Reverb. I'd like to replace the originals with Celestion G12 M's. They are 8 ohms like the originals but the watts are not marked on the originals. The G12 M's are 65 watts. Is that a problem?
 
Re: Twin Reverb Watts question

I would like to change the speakers in my '77 Twin Reverb. I'd like to replace the originals with Celestion G12 M's. They are 8 ohms like the originals but the watts are not marked on the originals. The G12 M's are 65 watts. Is that a problem?

A Blackface Twin is roughly 85W, while I honestly don't know about SF. At the very most it should put out 100-120W max. If your speakers are G12M Creambacks, that won't be an issue as they'll handle a combined 130W. If they're 25W Greenbacks, you'll need to be VERY careful about volume for risk of blowing them.
 
Re: Twin Reverb Watts question

Wattage is a number based on maximum output. Nobody really turns a Twin Reverb past 3 - 4. Unless you're diming it, don't worry about it.
 
Re: Twin Reverb Watts question

Wattage is a number based on maximum output. Nobody really turns a Twin Reverb past 3 - 4. Unless you're diming it, don't worry about it.

Yeah - that 135 watts is on "10". The windows in your house will blow out from one harmonic.

So speakers in the 50 watt range will likely be fine. Might even sound cool pushed! Unless, as mentioned, you are going to 10 on the volume knob (ouch!). However, speakers in the 35 watt range might be a tad on the weak side, even at 5 on the knob (which is still freaking loud).
 
Re: Twin Reverb Watts question

Yeah - that 135 watts is on "10".

Amps are not linear. On a 100-watt amp, 1 is not 10 watts and 5 is 50 watts. It would be wonderful is that was the case but it isn't. He can get to peak power without putting the amp on 10. I would want more headroom, especially for peaks. That amp is around 220 watts RMS if I recall correctly. Yes, you are correct it would have to be pretty freaking loud to blow the speakers but trust me it can be done. Keep in mind I played a Silverface Twin (Quad) for years and have blown many speakers.
 
Re: Twin Reverb Watts question

The amp is marked 135 RMS. The above ampware link takes you to a "Fender Silverface Twin Reverb" spec page. There is a link there, "Jensen Replacement Speakers". That lists 80 watts for a "Twin Rev Silver '67-'81". I have not had it above 6 (I'm not a "shredder") so I think it will be ok. Playing out next week...I'll let you know. Thanks again for all the input.
 
Re: Twin Reverb Watts question

The amp is marked 135 RMS. The above ampware link takes you to a "Fender Silverface Twin Reverb" spec page. There is a link there, "Jensen Replacement Speakers". That lists 80 watts for a "Twin Rev Silver '67-'81". I have not had it above 6 (I'm not a "shredder") so I think it will be ok. Playing out next week...I'll let you know. Thanks again for all the input.

Cool. My '72 is stamped on the back "220 peak watts RMS". As Ace said you might get some cool speaker break up with the lower rated speakers. Good luck with it.
 
Re: Twin Reverb Watts question

I think I would opt for more headroom, as I never really liked speaker breakup much.
 
Re: Twin Reverb Watts question

I think I would opt for more headroom, as I never really liked speaker breakup much.

Apparently, I tend to agree. My JC120 is 60 watts x 2, and I have 150-watt speakers on each side. Yes, it is a little extreme. However, with a classic clean amp like a Roland or Fender, I do not want the distortion coming from the speakers. I want to control it with the preamp or an outboard effect. I see the ability to get super big crystal cleans as the biggest benefit of owning a Roland or Fender.
 
Re: Twin Reverb Watts question

worth noting that amps wattage ratings are for max wattage before clipping (distortion). As a result with a twin (depending on the model) you can have 85, 100 or even 135 clean watts. If you are winding the volume up on your amp past the point where the amp is distorting in the power section, then you can have considerably more wattage being pushed into the speakers. My 60s twin starts to break up over five on the master and it is really roaring on seven or 8. Yours may be different due to the ultralinear transformer which is probably how it gets 135 watts out of the same amount of tubes. Fender may have simply increased the clean headroom to 135 watts but no necessarily the maximum output.
Still, I cant see too much of a problem running a pair of 65 watters in parallel even though they are rated to 5 watts less than your amp. Most speaker manufacturers tend to understate the wattage rating of their speakers somewhat. Just be aware that you are right on (or slightly outside) of what the manufacturer's specs are on paper.

fwiw, if you have not alreasy bought the celestions, have a look at eminence texas heats. Just spectacular speakers for big twin reverbs and much more suited to oped backed cabs and big open classic fender amp tones than greenback styled speakers, also one speaker alone is rated for 150 watts. A pair of them at 300 watts wont even break a sweat with a twin.
 
Last edited:
Re: Twin Reverb Watts question

Or a Texas Heat paired with a Swamp Thang.

Sent from my MotoE2(4G-LTE) using Tapatalk
 
Re: Twin Reverb Watts question

I have a Twin with basically what your trying to do. It works just fine. I never had a problem cuz I never turned it up past a certain point above 4 is ungodly loud. Contact Kruz Kustom amps as he can mod it to tame the wattage. He is a cool guy. I am gunna have him mod several amps for me including a 4x10 Fender blues deville, and EVH LBX1 and my Fender twin. He basically can throw in an attenuator type switch so it will sound amazing at lower volume as well as tighten up the bottom end for ya on other amps or whatever.
 
Re: Twin Reverb Watts question

Thanks for the additional input. We'll see how it goes at the gig next week. Time will tell.
 
Re: Twin Reverb Watts question

So for the most part the Celestions work ok. I have a Seymour Duncan Pickup Booster pedal that I love but when I use it playing chords it breaks up a bit. Considering Texas Heats or Swamp Thangs as suggested above. Someone suggested one of each. I'm playing Motown and 60's Soul. I'd love some input on which way to go.
 
Re: Twin Reverb Watts question

Put a pair of EV speakers in there! Nothing will sound better, but you'll need a forklift to move it! :)

Bill
 
Re: Twin Reverb Watts question

I love the sound of EVs in a well-designed amp. But yeah, it will be heavy. A Twin is heavy anyway, so that might not be an issue (wheels help).
 
Back
Top