Need a bright sparkle speaker for a 5e3

[giogolf]

Hey all,

I am getting along nicely with my new 5e3 Lil Dawg D'Lux, now its speaker time... I want something bright as for my tastes this chassis has plenty Mids, and bass. So bring on the ice picky/sparkle suggestions.

As for my limited knowledge of speakers, this is what I think maybe bright:
Weber Cali
JBL Aluminum Cone

What can you guys suggest?

[OaklandA]

For "sparkle" I immediately think Eminence Red Fang (or I suppose a Blue or other variant), though I'm not sure how that'd marry with a 5E3.

Weber Cali is articulate and clear but not necessary sparkly...in fact they have a subtle warmth.

If you can hunt down an old Eminence Legend 122 for cheap I'd give that a whirl.

[Hoodster]

Weber Alnico Signature 12S, $45.

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/produ...er-?sku=660021

[JohnnyCrash]

I know it's not "traditional" for a 5E3, but I'd stay away from AlNiCo's in general if you're looking for some "ice."

I love AlNiCo's, so don't get me wrong though ;)

That said, I went with a Jensen C12N reissue ceramic in my own 5E3. Very stiff upper mids, nice and brutally bright top end. The bass is tight and deep.

Let me put it too you this way, with some P90s and single coil Telecasters, I have to plug into the Normal channel and slightly turn down the Tone control.

I have plenty of treble on tap.

It's a great speaker for Rock, but I soon found out it is also incredible for Rockabilly, Country, and all kinds of music that requires snap. If you needed more warmth on top, I woulda recommended an AlNiCo - my current favorite there is a P15N 15" Jensen RI.

[bgood]

I'm pretty happy with the Weber 12F125 I just put in my Mission - Ceramic and similar to what Johnnycrash describes - although not sure how brutal the top end is - haven't really gone there with it yet - ain't my thang. I don't think it quite enters the bright realm you are going for but it is bright, full and has a nice tight bass. It's actually almost too clear for what I was going for. I didn't realize how much the original speaker was breaking up until I put this one in and got WAY more clarity all the way up to 12. The speaker just holds up. You might like it and it won't cost as much as some of the others mentioned here.

[giogolf]

Is anyone familure with the EVM 12L? I hear these have a big following, but have no idea why? Also, how about 15"; this amp is super bassy, maybe when I really crank it a 15" might handle the lows better? However, can a 15" be bright aswell? I di dnot make my cabinet yet so speaker size is still debatable.

[nonvintage]

I've hear the Eminence sound clips and the Screamin Eagle really sounds good. On doing research it seems no one has one. It sounds like it could waken up a dark amp.

[lostpick]

I have a Vox Wharfdale 12" 30 Watter that is
really really bright....I went from max treble
down to 3 after installing it....thinking of selling one....I have 4

[791979]

I have tried any speakers in a 5e3 (yet) so I cannot offer much help here. That said the brightest speaker I have is a G12H, I find it has lots of high end, and a quite a lot of bass too, but not so much in the mids. I guess that may work well with a 5e3 type amp.

[giogolf]

Does anyone know which Jensen would be the brightest:
C12's
Mod's
Neo's ???
Thanks

[Hoodster]

Originally Posted by giogolf

Does anyone know which Jensen would be the brightest:
C12's
Mod's
Neo's ???
Thanks

Unlike the post above, I haven't found the C12N to be a bright speaker at all, at least nowhere close to the P12R (#1) and P12Q (#2) for Jensens.

[giogolf]

Originally Posted by Hoodster

Unlike the post above, I haven't found the C12N to be a bright speaker at all, at least nowhere close to the P12R (#1) and P12Q (#2) for Jensens.

I was under the impression based on the post here and elsewhere on this forum that Alnico's tend to be warmer, compress more?

[Guitarslinger1]

Weber 12A125A

Very musical with plenty of snap and sparkle. Can be downright wicked in a 5E3 with a Tele...

[giogolf]

I forgot to mention my version of the 5e3 is a 35 watt Lil Dawg d'Lux that Jim built for me. So some of the speakers above maybe under powered. I probably need something rated at 50W or higher.

[Scott S]

Originally Posted by giogolf

I forgot to mention my version of the 5e3 is a 35 watt Lil Dawg d'Lux that Jim built for me. So some of the speakers above maybe under powered. I probably need something rated at 50W or higher.

Jeez, yeah that's important. You should probably just refer to it as a "Li'l Dawg" from here on out to avoid confusion...

This might help -- I have a 10W homebrew amp with no tone control. Its response is fairly flat, so most people would consider its sound to be a little dark and middy, like a tweed Champ. It's a great weed-out amp for speakers that aren't at least somewhat bright-sounding. A Weber Blue Pup (which are supposed to be bright and chimy) flunked the test, but the Jensen Neo 10" sounds very clear and tight, and I didn't even need to use my bright swtich. I would imagine the Neo 12" would respond similarly.

- Scott

PS The 10" Neo is rated by Jensen at 100W, but since the Weber version is rated at 75W, that's probably more realistic.

[giogolf]

thanks Scott, the neo's have really caught my eye, I am trying to find out as much as possible before I jump on it.

[Hoodster]

Originally Posted by giogolf

I was under the impression based on the post here and elsewhere on this forum that Alnico's tend to be warmer, compress more?

I have read that too and never understood it-- the four alnico speakers I have owned (Jensen P10R, P12R, P12Q, and Weber Signature Alnico 10S), have all been significantly less warm than their ceramic counterparts. Alnico for me has meant a bright, chimey top end; a thinner than ceramic bass that tends to get flabby when pushed in the case of the Jensens; and a clearer, less present midrange than the ceramics, which is why I think they tend to be a good match for the more mid-centric tweed amps; while ceramic speakers are a better match for the more mid-scooped Blackface amps.

[giogolf]

Would 2 10's be better choice if I wanted a brighter/tighter sound? Stupid question but is there more headroom in 2X10" compared with 1X12" or 1X15"?

[Cassady]

I've tried both an Eminence Red Fang and a Jensen Neo in my Li'l Dawg (the model with the 25 watt output transformer) and I found that I preferred the Red Fang--it was, to me, quite a bit brighter than the Neo. The Neo sounded really good, but I strongly preferred the Red Fang.

So far, I've been very happy with the Red Fang and have no plans to change it.

Also, as an aside, I had my Li'l Dawg, with the stock 5Y3, 6V6 x 2, 12AX7, 12AY7 tube compliment, measured as producing 10 clean watts. I'm sure it can be a lot more after clipping, but thought you might find this of interest.

I'd like to hear what you end up deciding on and how you like it.

Cassady

[giogolf]

Right now I am running NOS GE6l6 and 2 NOS GE 12ay7. All I can say is with the Volume on 2, the paintings shake, and my wife starts yelling at me. Gonna need an attenuator to continue to use it in the house.

[Scott S]

You'll need something -- you can annoy people just as easily with a 5W Champ!

[popthree]

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/produ...ker?sku=660275

i have one of these in a Gibson Discoverer and it has a very clear sparkle, in my opinion. price is really nice too...plus it fits your wattage needs.

[DrewB]

The lower sensitivity of that one would definitely trim off some volume for use at home, but it would still be loud at breakup. It probably would trim off too much for use with a band, but you could always swap speakers in and out to fit the situation. My jam room is in the basement, so I don't have to worry about anyone but myself, so I keep a Cannabis Rex in my 5E3. It has all the top I need.

[JohnnyCrash]

Originally Posted by giogolf

I was under the impression based on the post here and elsewhere on this forum that Alnico's tend to be warmer, compress more?

That is generally true, but not always the case... it's been true in most speakers I've tried/used.

Originally Posted by Scott S

... but the Jensen Neo 10" sounds very clear and tight, and I didn't even need to use my bright swtich. I would imagine the Neo 12" would respond similarly.

- Scott

PS The 10" Neo is rated by Jensen at 100W, but since the Weber version is rated at 75W, that's probably more realistic.

I have a Jensen Neo 12 and it is pretty balanced. The top end is definitely there, but it is a nice flat-responding speaker. Almost "hi-fi."

Most common complaints of neodymium speakers when they were sort of first making headway was that the neodymium mags make the speakers even brighter. I think Celestion's neos are still supposed to be on the bright side (but they are expensive).

The Jensen Neo is pretty balanced as far as neos go.

I am still confused at the comment on the C12N. Mine is brighter than any of the AlNiCo's I've owned (or even tried for that matter). Brighter than my Neo as well... it is hard edged in the upper mids more than in treble, but still brighter than most AlNiCos.

I guess with most stuff about gear, you're relying on opinions and in that case we're always all over the place with those ;)

[woodman]

i got a lot of sparkle out of the old Weber P12NT, which may now be the 12A150-O ... but don't take my word for it, look it up.