OT: Driver Suggestions for Guitar Amplified-Speaker

[tf1216]

I am helping a friend construct a powered speaker for his electric guitar collection. This entire project is DIY and the intent is to construct a 30W tube amplifier that will power dual 12" drivers. Does anyone have any experience working a project like this?

There are a ton of options for drivers but I was hoping to hear personal experiences. My friend's budget is ~$60 per driver but it's unlike him to spare expense so all recommendations are welcome. I was thinking dual AE 12" drivers would be an interesting path. Any thoughts or suggestions out there?

Thank you

[duanebro]

Re: OT: Driver Suggestions for Guitar Amplified-Speaker

Depends on the sound he wants. I have found that guitar speakers are not close to flat. Look at the frequency response of guitar speakers for an idea of how different they are.

[dthomas]

Re: OT: Driver Suggestions for Guitar Amplified-Speaker

I am helping a friend construct a powered speaker for his electric guitar collection. This entire project is DIY and the intent is to construct a 30W tube amplifier that will power dual 12" drivers. Does anyone have any experience working a project like this?

There are a ton of options for drivers but I was hoping to hear personal experiences. My friend's budget is ~$60 per driver but it's unlike him to spare expense so all recommendations are welcome. I was thinking dual AE 12" drivers would be an interesting path. Any thoughts or suggestions out there?

Thank you

Ted Weber makes very nice drivers for guitar. They also can advise based on what kind of sound he is after.

[clydethecat]

Re: OT: Driver Suggestions for Guitar Amplified-Speaker

Eminence also has a wide range of guitar speakers in their Legend, Redcoat, and Patriot series.

None of them, and none of Weber's, will meet the $60/speaker budget though.

www.avatarspeakers.com has a good selection of Celestions. Celestion is sort of the gold standard for guitar speakers, many of the Weber and Eminence models are copies of Celestions.

[billfitzmaurice]

Re: OT: Driver Suggestions for Guitar Amplified-Speaker

Go here:

http://www.eminence.com/support/tone-guide/

[Dirttracker73]

Re: OT: Driver Suggestions for Guitar Amplified-Speaker

These look pretty good for the price. Made in USA... http://www.parts-express.com/pe/show...number=299-408 . I have used the Goldwood GW-1238 and actually like it. http://www.parts-express.com/pe/show...number=290-392 .

[dustinbagby]

Re: OT: Driver Suggestions for Guitar Amplified-Speaker

Ted Weber makes very nice drivers for guitar. They also can advise based on what kind of sound he is after.

Is this the Ted Weber that owned an amp and speaker building shop in Kokomo, In? Had a few friends that worked there, incredible speakers.

[bark424]

Re: OT: Driver Suggestions for Guitar Amplified-Speaker

Is this the Ted Weber that owned an amp and speaker building shop in Kokomo, In? Had a few friends that worked there, incredible speakers.

it's that what that place is?

[Jeff B.]

Re: OT: Driver Suggestions for Guitar Amplified-Speaker

Is this the Ted Weber that owned an amp and speaker building shop in Kokomo, In? Had a few friends that worked there, incredible speakers.

Yes, he is still in Kokomo.

[Oxbox]

Re: OT: Driver Suggestions for Guitar Amplified-Speaker

Celestion also have a good range of guitar speakers, the "Greenback" is certainly my preference, though relatively expensive at around $180 per driver (from fairly unreliable memory).

Good luck!

[bd59]

Re: OT: Driver Suggestions for Guitar Amplified-Speaker

Sounds like what your friend is trying to build is what is known in guitar circles as a combo amp. I'd recommend not trying to reinvent the wheel, and for him to investigate an amp kit from Weber or Mojotone. If he's looking for about 30 watts of output, I'd recommend either one of Webers 5E3x2 kits( a "double" tweed deluxe) or a 5E7(clone of a Fender '57 Bandmaster). Both kits are available as complete kits with speakers and completely finished cabinets in his choice of tweed or tolex coverings.

[tf1216]

Re: OT: Driver Suggestions for Guitar Amplified-Speaker

Everyone,

Thank you so much for taking part in this thread. My friend is currently thinking about going with an Eminence Swamp Thang and a Texas Heat in his guitar cabinet.

bd59,

If my friend wasn't so successful at his previous DIY projects I would suggest we build a kit first. Both of us have engineering backgrounds so I think taking on the amplifier build from scratch will be fun and a great learning experience.

Here is a picture of his cabinet so far.

[ontariomaximus]

Re: OT: Driver Suggestions for Guitar Amplified-Speaker

Swamp Thang and Tonker is a very nice combination.

The Emi GB12 is very nice.

I have a LOT of experience with guitar speakers.

[Pete Basel]

Re: OT: Driver Suggestions for Guitar Amplified-Speaker

None of them, and none of Weber's, will meet the $60/speaker budget though.

What? The Weber Signature 12" series ranges from $42 to $57, with ALNICO or Ceramic magnets:

https://taweber.powweb.com/weber/csig12.htm

My son uses the Signature 12B

[Pete Basel]

Re: OT: Driver Suggestions for Guitar Amplified-Speaker

Yes, he is still in Kokomo.

Sadly Ted Weber passed on a few years ago, his family still runs the business:

http://www.tedweber.com/ted_weber.htm

http://kokomotribune.com/obituaries/x1896295538/Ted-A-Weber

I've only purchased two drivers from him for my son's amp and spoke to him on
the phone directly about our order. They took a few weeks to fill because they
are handmade to order. My son loves them.

These are much more expensive:

https://taweber.powweb.com/weber/blue12a.htm

A review:

http://www.webervst.com/bt9908.htm