Tone Tubby HE1 or Weber 12A150?

[iim7v7im7]

Hi,

I have two different amps; one that creates a mid-range scooped Fender Black Face sound (based on AB763 Deluxe Reverb) and another that creates darker, midrange rich Fender Tweed sound (based on 5E3 Deluxe) incoming. I play both single coil and humbucker based guitars. So, if you can imagine a neck humbucker into the 12 watt, 5E3 can create a dark sound with a flabby bass if you do not choose the correct speaker. Oppositely, a bridge single coil pickup into the 22 watt, AB763 can produce an incredibly bright and edgy sound if the correct speaker is not selected. From a power dissipation perspective, probably >25 watts is required given the higher output of the AB763.

I have extensively researched via the internet both what the consensus was for the best speaker for both a 5E3 Tweed Deluxe and a AB763 Deluxe Reverb where and I found:

Tweed Deluxe: Folks either stay with a traditional Jenson sound and go with a Weber 12A125-A (20 or 30 watts) or go for a chime rich, smooth British sound with a Celestion Blue (15 watts).

Deluxe Reverb: Players seem to vary a bit more here. Some prefer punchy ceramic speakers in the Jenson flavor of tone like a Weber 12F150 (50 watts) or an Eminence Red, White & Blues (120 watts). Others like that American tone, but prefer the compression of an alnico speaker such as a Weber 12A150 (25 watts). Because of the brightness of the circuit, some other folks seem to prefer smoother, darker sounding speakers with smoother highs such as the Tone Tubby HE1 (40 watts) or the Eminence Cannabis-Rex (75 watts).

I need to pick a speaker that works for both amplifiers with both a bridge single-coil and not bee too ice picky with the Deluxe Reverb and not to flabby or muddy when playing a neck position humbucker into an overdriven Tweed Deluxe.
Based on internet research, and no direct experience, I am thinking that a Weber 12A150 (25 watts with no doping) or a Tone Tubby, Alnico HE1 (40 watts) might be a good choice for my application. I am a bit concerned about the HE1 being too dark sounding when used with a 5E3 but many Tone Tubby reviews may be with the darker H model (difficult to determine).

Which one do you think is a better fit for both amps?

Bob

[Larry F]

I have the ceramic version of the Tone Tubby that I use with a Ceriatone Dumble clone and my Tele with Don Mare pickups. I can't tell much which is contributing to various aspects of the sound. But this is a very responsive rig. Sitting here, I am tapping the back of the neck near the headstock with the strings muted. The sound is very clear. One of the things that I look for in a rig is that kind of responsiveness to detail. In fact, right now I am practicing very slowly to work on suppressing the lower strings when I bend the higher strings.

[Mik]

Weber 12A150-O 25 watts is a great sounding choice for a DR. Not for a narrow panel tweed Deluxe, too dark and inefficient.

[Columbus]

If you want something that's going to sound good with both amps, your best bet is a somewhat neutral speaker since, like you said, 5E3s tend to be kind of dark and DRs are pretty bright.

One speaker you should consider is the Jensen Neo. I have not tried one yet, but I've heard they are fairly neutral and also sound very good. As a bonus they are inexpensive and very light.

[Columbus]

Another thing I should add...

I actually have an AlNiCo TT H1E in my brown Vibrolux and it is a very nice speaker. I have never felt that it lacks high end. I play a Strat into the bright channel and I don't turn the treble control past 6.

Having said that, I wouldn't recommend the H1E for an amp without a bass control. The speaker puts out a lot of low end, so I usually leave the bass control between 3 and 4 on the Vibrolux. In a darker amp it could be too woofy without some low-end attenuation. Maybe this is where people are coming from when they criticize TT speakers for being too dark.

[woodman]

i've used the basic 12A150 in my tweed Deluxe for nearly five years — i like it because i can crank the treble, thus boosting gain in the 5E3 circuit (a good thing in my book). mine's the 50-watt/no doping — a little extra efficiency keeps the bottom end tighter (no fartage). i imagine it would have plenty o' twang and chime in a Deluxe, and it would probably have more clean headroom than the 125. but make no mistake, the 150 will give up the goods when you crank it.

[BarryW]

I've got 10A150s in my 5f4, it is amazing. I have an older weber in my 5e3, and it is also superb. I have 3 TT speakers here waiting for two other projects, I haven't even tried them. Didn't feel a need. I'd say try the webers, you could easily sell weber alnicos if you don't like them. I'm betting you will.