Which speaker for a Blackface Vibro/Dumble clone?

[dr.barlo]

Guys,

Am gonna be going into getting myself a 35W (with 2 6L6's) Dumble ODS clone, that will be built by a buddy of mine with high quality parts. Its clean channel should sound like a Blackface Vibro, because after all it is a Blackface mod.

Am checking some speakers... Of course, having moved I cannot hope to score a JBL D120. Too much trouble to get it shipped to Istanbul...

The ones I am considering are Weber's California 12 Ceramic (50W should be fine), or Jensen C12K...

Having read the info on Weber's site, I might actually go with a Weber Chicago 12, because on the webpage for CA12 it says:"Favorite for Twin Reverb, or any amp required an extremely clean tone. Does not sound right with any overdrive generally. If you are considering the California, and want clean AND overdrive tones, check out the Ceramic Chicago."

:dunno:

Here is the link:

https://taweber.powweb.com/weber/cali12f.htm

Any suggestions?

Want a clean blackface speaker, with no excessive highs (can't take them! ) strong bass, mid scoop, that does not have early breakup. Yet, it should not sound horrible with a TS type of overdrive, or on the drive channel of the amp.

Best,

B

 

[the guy who invented fire]

Re: Which speaker for a Blackface Vibro/Dumble clone?

Most Dumble users use either EV's or G12-65 Celestions...if the 2 I'd likely go for the EV's but thats me...

If you do with the Cali's be sure to get a paper or cloth dust cap...Dumbles tend to be rather toppy (after all they are Fenders under it all) and the aluminum dust cap's tend to be rather fizzy and toppy in the treble range...thats a bad combo!

 

[dr.barlo]

Re: Which speaker for a Blackface Vibro/Dumble clone?

Was gonna be sending you a PM, indicating this thread!

Thanks C!

:yourock:

So you say G12-65 is fine? Then that's what I am gonna be getting. Am letting go of my Peavey C30 with a V30 inside...

Also will be checking EV's. They are a bit pricey though. I guess you think they are worth it, no?

B

 

[the guy who invented fire]

Re: Which speaker for a Blackface Vibro/Dumble clone?

Robben Ford uses G12-65's as do many other Dumble users...I find them to be a bit too smooth most of the time BUT like I said above we are dealing with a BF Fender at it's core PLUS smooth is the name of the game with a Dumble...

As far as the EV's I used them for a while, they were stock in my MK I Boogie and I dogf them for a while but after I started trying other things I noticed how CLEAN they are and I started looking for something withmore cone crunch so I ditched the EV's...think loud, big bottom and hard to kill. Joe Bonamassa uses EVM12L's with his live rig and gets a GREAT sound but for me I find them to be a little too loud and they are heavy as all get out.

If I were gonna use a Dumble style amp I'd start with G12-65's myself...if Celestions are out of reach (they often are!) Scumback makes a great clone and Weber does them as well.

 

[TwilightOdyssey]

Re: Which speaker for a Blackface Vibro/Dumble clone?

There is a Scumback that is voiced for Dumble style amps ... but I cannot remember which one it is for the life of me! You can drop Jim @ Scumback an email and he'll write back to you within the hour most times.

And believe it or not, TAD is supposed to have a 6L6 that works wonders in Dumble amps. (I don't believe it)

 

[the guy who invented fire]

Re: Which speaker for a Blackface Vibro/Dumble clone?

There is a Scumback that is voiced for Dumble style amps ... but I cannot remember which one it is for the life of me! You can drop Jim @ Scumback an email and he'll write back to you within the hour most times.

And believe it or not, TAD is supposed to have a 6L6 that works wonders in Dumble amps. (I don't believe it)

I know this is about speakrs but on the issue of tubes I can't try hard enough to talk anyone out of buying TAD tubes...I'll never buy them again. Total garbage and worst customr support i've ever delt with.

 

[Gr8Scott]

Re: Which speaker for a Blackface Vibro/Dumble clone?

G12H30's seem like a nice idea as well. My blackface bassman LOVES these speakers and I'll bet the Dumble will like them as well.

 

[the guy who invented fire]

Re: Which speaker for a Blackface Vibro/Dumble clone?

G12H30's seem like a nice idea as well. My blackface bassman LOVES these speakers and I'll bet the Dumble will like them as well.

Maybe...Dumble clones tend to be a little sharper on top than a Bassman and are sort of congested in the midrange...there is a good chance that at even modest volumes it could be a tad muddy or just undefined.

 

[TwilightOdyssey]

Re: Which speaker for a Blackface Vibro/Dumble clone?

I know this is about speakrs but on the issue of tubes I can't try hard enough to talk anyone out of buying TAD tubes...I'll never buy them again. Total garbage and worst customr support i've ever delt with.

+ 1 Billion. They are G A R B A G E.

 

[newking70]

Re: Which speaker for a Blackface Vibro/Dumble clone?

I know this is about speakrs but on the issue of tubes I can't try hard enough to talk anyone out of buying TAD tubes...I'll never buy them again. Total garbage and worst customr support i've ever delt with.

that sucks, i wanted to try their kt66s.

 

[aleclee]

Re: Which speaker for a Blackface Vibro/Dumble clone?

I really liked CL80s with the Two Rock I used to own. Just the right amount of color (as opposed to EVs) while letting the amp shine through.

 

[the guy who invented fire]

Re: Which speaker for a Blackface Vibro/Dumble clone?

+ 1 Billion. They are G A R B A G E.

Thats too funny...thus far I've been looked at like I was nuts for saying that but I'll never give those people another penny of my money!

 

[the guy who invented fire]

Re: Which speaker for a Blackface Vibro/Dumble clone?

that sucks, i wanted to try their kt66s.

I would put my money elsewhere but you might have better luck that I did...

 

[the guy who invented fire]

Re: Which speaker for a Blackface Vibro/Dumble clone?

I really liked CL80s with the Two Rock I used to own. Just the right amount of color (as opposed to EVs) while letting the amp shine through.

Thats a decent option...very clean and smooth but with a little more "english" character than an EV.

Good call!

 

[Stratman]

Re: Which speaker for a Blackface Vibro/Dumble clone?

I would put my money elsewhere but you might have better luck that I did...

TAD's KT-66 are not true GEC KT-66 tubes, but instead CHEAP COPIES, if you could call those ripped off tubes copies.

GEC KT-66 tubes have a rich, complex tonal quality to them that is not matched by other tube types.

But, the CHEAP copies out on the market totally lack that special tone.

 

[the guy who invented fire]

Re: Which speaker for a Blackface Vibro/Dumble clone?

TAD's KT-66 are not true GEC KT-66 tubes, but instead CHEAP COPIES, if you could call those ripped off tubes copies.
GEC KT-66 tubes have a rich, complex tonal quality to them that is not matched by other tube types.
But, the CHEAP copies out on the market totally lack that special tone.

TAD KT66's are real KT66's, they are just not GEC's...real GEC tubes have all but dried up and cost FAR money than they are worth.

It doesn't have to be a GEC to be a real KT66.

Thats like saying all 6L6's that are not blackplatre RCA's are CHEEP COPIES...it's just a close minded statement.

Back to The Good Dr's speakers...

 

[TwilightOdyssey]

Re: Which speaker for a Blackface Vibro/Dumble clone?

Thats too funny...thus far I've been looked at like I was nuts for saying that but I'll never give those people another penny of my money!

Dude, my Bumbox came loaded with a deadly Tung Sol/TAD combo. It was messy and sloppy in comparison to what I put in there now: Tonegrinder/Sylvania/GE/JJ in the preamp and =C= in the power section. Tightened the amp up tremendously. In fact, it revoiced the amp so much that I have begun to change my opinion on the Celection V30 in some circumstances (I still think the V30 is a terrible match with the Splawn, however).

Sorry, I know this is waaay off topic!

 

[dr.barlo]

Re: Which speaker for a Blackface Vibro/Dumble clone?

Thanks guys!

Then, G12-65 is what I am gonna be getting.

:yourock:

Am thinking of using SED 6L6's (or JJ's to save some money). Would have loved the idea of a KT66 but the bad thing is that the power t gets really expensive. Am gonna be going with a Hammond 290CEX (325-0-325V 207mA; and 6.3V 4A). With KT66's I need more amper for the 6.3V side, but then getting high plate voltage levels like 425V or so, calls for getting quite an expensive PT.

:banghead:

Other than that, 370HX is a great one, but for lower plate Vs... 275-0-275K at 200mA, but 6.3V at 6A (if I am not mistaken).

Anyways, I decided to go with the vibro PT and OT.

B :friday:

 

[the guy who invented fire]

Re: Which speaker for a Blackface Vibro/Dumble clone?

Thanks guys!
Then, G12-65 is what I am gonna be getting.
:yourock:
Am thinking of using SED 6L6's (or JJ's to save some money). Would have loved the idea of a KT66 but the bad thing is that the power t gets really expensive. Am gonna be going with a Hammond 290CEX (325-0-325V 207mA; and 6.3V 4A). With KT66's I need more amper for the 6.3V side, but then getting high plate voltage levels like 425V or so, calls for getting quite an expensive PT.
:banghead:
Other than that, 370HX is a great one, but for lower plate Vs... 275-0-275K at 200mA, but 6.3V at 6A (if I am not mistaken).
Anyways, I decided to go with the vibro PT and OT.
B :friday:

Sounds like a plan Doc!

If you can get the WInged SED's I vot for those...they are the best new 6L6's i've used so far. I like the Tung Sol reissues as well but I like those more for a brown, tweed like break up. The Winged C's are great for a tight smooth sound with great defination.

 

[dr.barlo]

Re: Which speaker for a Blackface Vibro/Dumble clone?

Exactly! Was talking about them SED 6L6 Winged C's, especially because I'd have quite a high plate V, like 425V and all.

The build quality of JJ's 6L6GC's are quite cool as well. Could not AB them against SED's though. Like them JJ's in my JTM30 (which by the way I think as g12-65's inside ).

C, did you get across such a comparison (I mean SED winged C 6L6's and JJ 6L6GC's)?

B