Speakers in a head cab . . .

dean · February 8th, 2006, 01:48 AM

I just finished installing a couple speakers in the head cab of the Bandmaster Reverb I just bought. I think the BMR and the Dual Showman Reverb were the only head units where you could stick in a couple speakers. I stopped by my local amp shop yesterday, and the owner sent me home with a couple speakers to try out - even he was interested in how these would sound. The speakers are old JBL D216 8" speakers - 8-inchers are all that will fit in the cabinet. Here's a shot of the setup:

I can't believe how well these things sound in this amp! They are articulate, and they handle the power very well. I don't know if I'll keep them though - they might be a little pricey, and I'm not sure the amp guy wants to give them up. I may try a couple Jensen P8r's in the thing and there have been some other great suggestions. I plan on building a 1x15 cab for the amp, too.

It's a pretty interesting way to make the head unit into a multi-faceted amp.

Dean

Robin Nahum · February 8th, 2006, 01:58 AM

When I first saw these kinds of heads, I thought that it would be handy to have a built-in speaker so that you could take just the head to a rehearsal or small gig and only wheel out the speaker cab when needed.

Ben Harmless · February 8th, 2006, 01:58 AM

Well, good. Now you can use the empty cabinet as storage space!

People are going to want to know why your head is mic'd though. Tell them that you like to capture your guitar tone more directly than if it went through the speakers.

Ringo · February 8th, 2006, 02:30 AM

I did that several years ago with a BMRV head,I just used some cheap 8" ceramic magnet speakers , it sounded amazingly good. Wish I still had it, used to be able to find the Bandmaster Reverb heads cheap, not anymore.
Have fun

dean · February 9th, 2006, 01:23 AM

Ben sez:

Quote:

Well, good. Now you can use the empty cabinet as storage space!

Actually, I emptied the cab out so my in-laws can live in it for a couple months while their retirement condo is being finished. When they leave, I'll store the sailboat in it.

Dean

David Barnett · February 9th, 2006, 04:47 AM

8" JBLs? Cool! Too bad Fender never offered a JBL option for the Champ.

Professor SourTone · February 9th, 2006, 06:10 AM

I had a BF Champ with one of those in. 8 ohms, but neither the amp or the speaker minded. A 4 ohm jbl would have been something.

February 8th, 2006, 01:48 AM	#1 (permalink)
dean Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Twin Cities, Minnesota Age: 60 Posts: 2,006	Speakers in a head cab . . . I just finished installing a couple speakers in the head cab of the Bandmaster Reverb I just bought. I think the BMR and the Dual Showman Reverb were the only head units where you could stick in a couple speakers. I stopped by my local amp shop yesterday, and the owner sent me home with a couple speakers to try out - even he was interested in how these would sound. The speakers are old JBL D216 8" speakers - 8-inchers are all that will fit in the cabinet. Here's a shot of the setup: I can't believe how well these things sound in this amp! They are articulate, and they handle the power very well. I don't know if I'll keep them though - they might be a little pricey, and I'm not sure the amp guy wants to give them up. I may try a couple Jensen P8r's in the thing and there have been some other great suggestions. I plan on building a 1x15 cab for the amp, too. It's a pretty interesting way to make the head unit into a multi-faceted amp. Dean __________________ "I used to be clueless, but I've turned that situation around 360 degrees."

February 8th, 2006, 01:58 AM	#2 (permalink)
Robin Nahum Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Sydney, Australia Age: 57 Posts: 1,682 13 Photos	Neat idea When I first saw these kinds of heads, I thought that it would be handy to have a built-in speaker so that you could take just the head to a rehearsal or small gig and only wheel out the speaker cab when needed. __________________ RN

February 8th, 2006, 01:58 AM	#3 (permalink)
Ben Harmless Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Albany, NY US of A Posts: 3,244 6 Photos	Well, good. Now you can use the empty cabinet as storage space! People are going to want to know why your head is mic'd though. Tell them that you like to capture your guitar tone more directly than if it went through the speakers. __________________ "I think I'll go for the life of sin, followed by the last-minute, presto-change-o, deathbed repentance." - B. Simpson

February 8th, 2006, 02:30 AM	#4 (permalink)
Ringo Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Memphis TN Posts: 1,913	mini Twin! I did that several years ago with a BMRV head,I just used some cheap 8" ceramic magnet speakers , it sounded amazingly good. Wish I still had it, used to be able to find the Bandmaster Reverb heads cheap, not anymore. Have fun

February 9th, 2006, 04:47 AM	#6 (permalink)
David Barnett Poster Extraordinaire Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: LIttle Rock, AR Age: 52 Posts: 5,411	8" JBLs? Cool! Too bad Fender never offered a JBL option for the Champ.

February 9th, 2006, 06:10 AM	#7 (permalink)
Professor SourTone Tele-Meister Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: London Posts: 258	I had a BF Champ with one of those in. 8 ohms, but neither the amp or the speaker minded. A 4 ohm jbl would have been something.