15" speaker suggestions for Vibroclone?

Brewbaker · May 10th, 2005, 03:16 AM

Probably been down this road before but what are some recommendations for speakers here? I'm considering the Weber Ceramic Cali, Weber 15F150 and the Eminence Big Ben. I know everyone loves the Cali (or the original JBL) but I'm not sure I want a totally clean speaker.

Wayne Alexander · May 10th, 2005, 04:31 AM

I'd go with a Big Ben, Weber 15F150 or Weber Texas. All have some speaker breakup. If you want a really "American" flavor, the 15F150 may be best.

telel6s · May 10th, 2005, 10:59 AM

I'm not sure I want a totally clean speaker.

That was one of my requirements for a 15" speaker to put in a cabinet with a 5E3 clone. I went with the Chicago ceramic and am very happy. OK, so I only finished it last Thursday and played two gigs over the weekend. But so far, no complaints.

The original cab had a P12Q. That speaker started breaking up almost immediately. With the Chicago, I'm getting more clean headroom, hearing more amp overdrive which is smoother than the speaker, but when I really dig in or hit a boost pedal it's getting a nice rough edge that I attribute to the speaker.

Someplace on the web, I found a site where there are mp3 clips of a good selection of Weber speakers (Chicago, Michican, Cali, P15, etc.). All were similar riffs played through the same amp. If I recall correctly, it was a mid-power silver face Fender. Of course, I don't have it bookmarked and can't find it now. But it was the only resource I found to begin to compare one speaker against the other.

Tele295 · May 10th, 2005, 02:48 PM

I'll second the ceramic Chicago 15. I had a JBL D130F-2 in my Vibroclone, but that speaker sounded amazing - totally unlike any other JBL I had ever played. I think it was reconed and had a paper dustcap. Fat and warm and not sterile-y clean.

KBR · May 10th, 2005, 03:22 PM

Weber 50 watt P15N

8)

Ringo · May 10th, 2005, 11:05 PM

A buddy of mine had a Tweed Pro type amp with a 15" Eminence Big Ben, that was a great sounding amp and speaker, clean and when pushed too.
I'd highly recommend that speaker.

May 10th, 2005, 03:16 AM	#1 (permalink)
Brewbaker Tele-Meister Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Cape Elizabeth, Maine Posts: 258	15" speaker suggestions for Vibroclone? Probably been down this road before but what are some recommendations for speakers here? I'm considering the Weber Ceramic Cali, Weber 15F150 and the Eminence Big Ben. I know everyone loves the Cali (or the original JBL) but I'm not sure I want a totally clean speaker. __________________ http://www.sonicbids.com/davidbrewbaker

May 10th, 2005, 10:59 AM	#3 (permalink)
telel6s Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 1,180 80 Photos	Weber Chicago? I'm not sure I want a totally clean speaker. That was one of my requirements for a 15" speaker to put in a cabinet with a 5E3 clone. I went with the Chicago ceramic and am very happy. OK, so I only finished it last Thursday and played two gigs over the weekend. But so far, no complaints. The original cab had a P12Q. That speaker started breaking up almost immediately. With the Chicago, I'm getting more clean headroom, hearing more amp overdrive which is smoother than the speaker, but when I really dig in or hit a boost pedal it's getting a nice rough edge that I attribute to the speaker. Someplace on the web, I found a site where there are mp3 clips of a good selection of Weber speakers (Chicago, Michican, Cali, P15, etc.). All were similar riffs played through the same amp. If I recall correctly, it was a mid-power silver face Fender. Of course, I don't have it bookmarked and can't find it now. But it was the only resource I found to begin to compare one speaker against the other. __________________ Mama always said, "A little tone is good for the soul."

May 10th, 2005, 02:48 PM	#4 (permalink)
Tele295 Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Haunted Amp, CA Posts: 3,479 14 Photos	I'll second the ceramic Chicago 15. I had a JBL D130F-2 in my Vibroclone, but that speaker sounded amazing - totally unlike any other JBL I had ever played. I think it was reconed and had a paper dustcap. Fat and warm and not sterile-y clean. __________________ "Turn it up and it doesn't need any reverb." - Danny Gatton www.dannygatton.info Tiger Town Aces - Music That Bites Back In Redd we trust! Free Bill Kirchen! If lawyers are disbarred and clergymen defrocked, doesn't it follow that electricians can be delighted, musicians denoted, cowboys deranged, models deposed, tree surgeons debarked, and dry cleaners depressed?

May 10th, 2005, 03:22 PM	#5 (permalink)
KBR Tele-Holic Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 662 10 Photos	yo Weber 50 watt P15N 8) __________________ KBR http://home.earthlink.net/~blueray/

May 10th, 2005, 11:05 PM	#6 (permalink)
Ringo Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Memphis TN Posts: 1,925	Eminence Big Ben A buddy of mine had a Tweed Pro type amp with a 15" Eminence Big Ben, that was a great sounding amp and speaker, clean and when pushed too. I'd highly recommend that speaker.

May 10th, 2005, 04:31 AM	#2 (permalink)
Wayne Alexander Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Los Angeles, CA, USA Posts: 1,083	I'd go with a Big Ben, Weber 15F150 or Weber Texas. All have some speaker breakup. If you want a really "American" flavor, the 15F150 may be best.