Loudest 10" for PRRI

[markesquire]

I want a 10" for my PRRI that will add a LOT of volume and bass response.

What do you suggest?

How much more volume can I get while sticking with a 10"?

[Groovey Records]

Here is what Jim Campilongo recommends he is a die hard PR fan

enjoy.

AMPLIFICATION

I own many amps but I prefer the weight, portability and sound of Princeton Reverbs. I own two '66 Princeton Reverbs, three 70's, two new reissues, two '70's Vibrolux Reverbs (one has solid state rectifier instead of a tube) and a 70's Vibrochamp (the most amazing vibrato sound ever created).

SPEAKERS

The variety of speakers in my Princeton amps:

a) Celestion G-10 for a throaty "compressed" sound. This speaker isn't too bright so sometimes I'll use it for "jazz" sounds as well.

b) 60's "Gold Back" Jensen C-10 N. My favorite speaker. The more advanced the the Jensen speaker alphabet (as in Q verses N) the less the wattage capacity. The N Jensen C-10 seem to be robust enough to handle maximum volume, de-tuning and whatever else I throw at it. The highs are cutting but still pleasant.

TUBES

I replace all my amps with "new old stock" tubes. Any of the available NOS's are, in my opinion, an improvement over "stock" Russian or Chinese tubes. Also, if you're like me and play 45 year old amps on "10" for six months you should expect to have to replace tubes and speakers more than you'll like. Remember... When it comes to tone, there is no such thing as a "free lunch"!

BIASING HOT

I bias all my amps on the hot side. Princeton amps are normally biased at about 22. My Princetons are biased at 30 - AT LEAST! Sometimes over-biasing can add unwanted overtones, so use your ears. Biasing hot also shortens speaker and tube life, but in my humble opinion, it's great while it lasts. (Hey, that "free lunch" line is around the corner, pal!)

[randysmojo]

The Eminence Red Fang 10" speaker is a 50 watt speaker and rated at 102db which is the most efficient 10" in their line. I don't know about tone, but you can go to their website to check out some sound samples and see what you think.

[DavidP]

... or as its now called --10F150T (I think that's correct). I've had this in my SFPR (Paul C modded) for over 8 years now and its perfect for me. You'd swear there's a 12" in that cab, and I can play clubs with this. I'd buy again in a heartbeat.

[Billm]

The stock speaker has plenty of bass available. All it needs is a better output transformer and a pair of JJ 6V6s. I'm sure you're tired of hearing this from me, but here's what a PRRI owner had to say about it:

I’m absolutely loving my Fender PRRI with the new OT and JJ 6V6 tubes. While you were doing the mods I had ordered a Weber 10F150T ceramic speaker, no dope, to see how sweet a tone I could get in addition to your mods.

I had read in various forums that the stock Jensen was a very weak performer, responsible for flabby, farty bass. Now I know that is not so. I heard the stock speaker after your mods and really loved it. Then I received the Weber and thought things would get even better. Well, I didn’t have the 10F150T in the PRRI for more than a week. After putting it through many paces, I re-installed the stock Jensen. To my ears, the Weber changed the tone, but not in a Fendery way. Now, the stock Jensen tone reminds me of an expensive, sweet acoustic guitar with a low, rich bottom end–without the boominess of overblown bass on the 4th string E note and an anemic 6th string E, which I do not like at all. Now, the 6th string E is the solid bass foundation, with pants-shaking muscle and no flabbiness.

I must indicate that I do not play gigs. I am a living room player and the volume control hovers at around 4 or below, unless it’s a weekend or the landscaper is cutting the lawn. This amp has balls. For OD I use a Keeley-modded Ibanez TubeScreamer with True Bypass–I don’t want any circuitry getting in the way of the killer tone when clean. With the new OT, JJ 6V6s and stock Jensen, I cannot think of any way to improve the PRRI. Seriously.

Mark, if you want more bass with a speaker-only swap, I think it's going to have to be a 12 and a new baffle. Even then, the stock OT will saturate and some of the available bass will never get to the speaker.

[Hoodster]

Any of the Weber high power series, like the California.

[Telenator]

The loudest 10" speaker for a PRRI is a 12"! LOL!

[Groovey Records]

Volume does not equal tone

[JamonHamon]

I trust Billm...I'm going with his mods

[Groovey Records]

glad its a reissue

[leebman]

You'll get a noticeable volume boost and richer bass from any 10" with a larger voice coil and less stiff spider than the jensen. I use an eminence legend its a good cheap option to show you the difference. If you need more bass and volume than that, you'll probably need a different amp.