'61 Bassman head, speaker question.......

64Strat · March 15th, 2006, 01:35 PM

For those of you up on the current speaker scene, I have a '61 Bassman head that has not been getting much use because I have not been able to find a suitable original cabinet for it. I've been considering buying a Vibroworld '62 cabinet clone in rough white Tolex with the maroon/oxblood cloth (Link to Vibroworld http://www.vibroworld.com/parts/tech21.html#fendercabs) and then installing some currently available 12's. Since this is a ported cabinet with tone rings(I think), I was wondering what speakers would work best for what I would like to use it for, which is......... Rock, Blues and then some toned down jazzy stuff. For guitars, I use Teles, Strats, P90 Gibsons, HB'er Gibsons, the usual stuff.

I'm certain I need either 25W or 30W individually rated speakers that I can wire in to a nominal of 8 ohms. and I'm also inclined to go with Alnico magnets.

My normal playing setup currently is old Marshalls, so I'm accustomed to the old Celestion characteristics but thought something different would be nice to have available in the sound palette.

What do you think would work best for my project? and why?

Thanks!

Edit: I added the Vibroworld link to the Fender cabs.

Wally · March 16th, 2006, 12:18 PM

'64, those are not tone ring cabs as far as I can tell. The tone ring cabs were single speaker cabs. A 2X12 cab with tone rings would be the size of the Bassman cabs from the late '60's....that is, huge. The tone ring for a 12" speaker has an external opening of 15". Tone ring cabs in effect are ported due to the opening around the ring in the outer baffleboard. The inner baffle is set back about 3-4 inches and is spaced away from the sides. The space between the boards, the side gaps, and the difference in the circumference of the speaker and ring yield a large 'port'.
You might check your output transformer's code. The '61 that used the tone ring cab should have an 8 ohm tranny, #125A5A. The later Bassman 6G6A that used the 4 ohm 2X12 cab used transformer #125A13A.

64Strat · March 16th, 2006, 12:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wally

'64, those are not tone ring cabs as far as I can tell. The tone ring cabs were single speaker cabs. A 2X12 cab with tone rings would be the size of the Bassman cabs from the late '60's....that is, huge. The tone ring for a 12" speaker has an external opening of 15". Tone ring cabs in effect are ported due to the opening around the ring in the outer baffleboard. The inner baffle is set back about 3-4 inches and is spaced away from the sides. The space between the boards, the side gaps, and the difference in the circumference of the speaker and ring yield a large 'port'.
You might check your output transformer's code. The '61 that used the tone ring cab should have an 8 ohm tranny, #125A5A. The later Bassman 6G6A that used the 4 ohm 2X12 cab used transformer #125A13A.

Thanks! yes, my '61 has the 8 ohm #125A5A tranny.

So, back to the question...........
Lets say that the Vibroworld cab is just a straight 2x12 bolt in with no tone rings......... What modern speakers would you consider mating with this '61 head?

I've been looking at the Weber site but there are a lot of choices and I don't know what they will sound like.

And beyond Weber, what are other choices are there?

I'll freely admit, I am not tuned in to the current speaker scene, that is why I am asking for help on what to choose.

Wally · March 16th, 2006, 01:21 PM

I personally would look at 16 ohm speakers.
What sound are you looking for? Early breakup? clean? There are a lot of good choices.

64Strat · March 16th, 2006, 01:31 PM

This is what I posted earlier............

Quote:

I was wondering what speakers would work best for what I would like to use it for, which is......... Rock, Blues and then some toned down jazzy stuff. For guitars, I use Teles, Strats, P90 Gibsons, HB'er Gibsons, the usual stuff.

I'm thinking with all of my old Marshalls + the early YBA-1 and the Laneys, I've got the breakup thing covered. I'm thinking maybe more along the lines of something that compresses the louder it gets, gets a nice aggressive edge on it but hangs in there with some clarity and definition. Like for playing some awesome Blues with. Then when throttled back, is able to play into the Jazz realm nicely too with fullness and clarity.

Does that give you any ideas?

Tim Swartz · March 16th, 2006, 04:29 PM

Have Zack build a correct cab (single 12 w/ tone ring). And put an alnico SRO in it.

I once had that setup, the cab had a Jensen '60 P12L (the alnico magnet was huge!).

JTM45blues · March 16th, 2006, 06:33 PM

I used Weber P12Q's underneath my 61 Bassman, they were a huge improvement over Vintage 30's and the original C12N's that came in the cab.

64Strat · March 16th, 2006, 07:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tim Swartz

Have Zack build a correct cab (single 12 w/ tone ring). And put an alnico SRO in it.

I once had that setup, the cab had a Jensen '60 P12L (the alnico magnet was huge!).

Thanks Tim! So, how would you describe that combination?

64Strat · March 16th, 2006, 08:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JTM45blues

I used Weber P12Q's underneath my 61 Bassman, they were a huge improvement over Vintage 30's and the original C12N's that came in the cab.

Cool! so, if I used these(or one of the Vintage series), I would need 2. That was my original thinking until Tim floated the 1x12 SRO idea.

How would you characterize the tone of 12A125 in combination with the '61 Bassman? and I assume you are plugging into the high gain input of the Bass channel.

Tim Swartz · March 16th, 2006, 11:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 64Strat

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tim Swartz

Have Zack build a correct cab (single 12 w/ tone ring). And put an alnico SRO in it.

I once had that setup, the cab had a Jensen '60 P12L (the alnico magnet was huge!).

Thanks Tim! So, how would you describe that combination?

The SRO is fairly neutral sounding, with a nice smooth/rolled off top (never harsh like ceramic EVs), rich mids and a round, tight/punchy bottom. The Bassman is a very bright amp and this will help smooth things out. I have yet to hear a speaker for guitar that I like better than an SRO.

64Strat · March 16th, 2006, 11:38 PM

Quote:

The SRO is fairly neutral sounding, with a nice smooth/rolled off top (never harsh like ceramic EVs), rich mids and a round, tight/punchy bottom. The Bassman is a very bright amp and this will help smooth things out. I have yet to hear a speaker for guitar that I like better than an SRO.

I guess the next trick is finding a good one for sale.

Tim Swartz · March 17th, 2006, 11:18 AM

If you get a blown one, this guy will make it very right... in fact practically every speaker I send him returns sounding better than it did with the stock cone/parts.

www.circuitshop.com

64Strat · March 17th, 2006, 02:09 PM

Looks like I found a reconed EV SRO 12 for $250. Still waiting to confirm that it is available. Should know later today.

Tim Swartz · March 17th, 2006, 04:06 PM

Man, that seems steep for a recone. I hope it sounds OK.

March 15th, 2006, 01:35 PM	#1 (permalink)
64Strat Tele-Holic Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 656 43 Photos	'61 Bassman head, speaker question....... For those of you up on the current speaker scene, I have a '61 Bassman head that has not been getting much use because I have not been able to find a suitable original cabinet for it. I've been considering buying a Vibroworld '62 cabinet clone in rough white Tolex with the maroon/oxblood cloth (Link to Vibroworld http://www.vibroworld.com/parts/tech21.html#fendercabs) and then installing some currently available 12's. Since this is a ported cabinet with tone rings(I think), I was wondering what speakers would work best for what I would like to use it for, which is......... Rock, Blues and then some toned down jazzy stuff. For guitars, I use Teles, Strats, P90 Gibsons, HB'er Gibsons, the usual stuff. I'm certain I need either 25W or 30W individually rated speakers that I can wire in to a nominal of 8 ohms. and I'm also inclined to go with Alnico magnets. My normal playing setup currently is old Marshalls, so I'm accustomed to the old Celestion characteristics but thought something different would be nice to have available in the sound palette. What do you think would work best for my project? and why? Thanks! Edit: I added the Vibroworld link to the Fender cabs.

March 16th, 2006, 04:29 PM	#6 (permalink)
Tim Swartz Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Michigan - Tweenst the Great Lakes Posts: 1,904	Have Zack build a correct cab (single 12 w/ tone ring). And put an alnico SRO in it. I once had that setup, the cab had a Jensen '60 P12L (the alnico magnet was huge!). __________________

March 17th, 2006, 11:18 AM	#12 (permalink)
Tim Swartz Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Michigan - Tweenst the Great Lakes Posts: 1,904	If you get a blown one, this guy will make it very right... in fact practically every speaker I send him returns sounding better than it did with the stock cone/parts. www.circuitshop.com __________________

March 17th, 2006, 04:06 PM	#14 (permalink)
Tim Swartz Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Michigan - Tweenst the Great Lakes Posts: 1,904	Man, that seems steep for a recone. I hope it sounds OK. __________________

March 16th, 2006, 12:18 PM	#2 (permalink)
Wally Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Lubbock, TX Posts: 4,212	'64, those are not tone ring cabs as far as I can tell. The tone ring cabs were single speaker cabs. A 2X12 cab with tone rings would be the size of the Bassman cabs from the late '60's....that is, huge. The tone ring for a 12" speaker has an external opening of 15". Tone ring cabs in effect are ported due to the opening around the ring in the outer baffleboard. The inner baffle is set back about 3-4 inches and is spaced away from the sides. The space between the boards, the side gaps, and the difference in the circumference of the speaker and ring yield a large 'port'. You might check your output transformer's code. The '61 that used the tone ring cab should have an 8 ohm tranny, #125A5A. The later Bassman 6G6A that used the 4 ohm 2X12 cab used transformer #125A13A.

March 16th, 2006, 01:21 PM	#4 (permalink)
Wally Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Lubbock, TX Posts: 4,212	I personally would look at 16 ohm speakers. What sound are you looking for? Early breakup? clean? There are a lot of good choices.

March 16th, 2006, 06:33 PM	#7 (permalink)
JTM45blues Tele-Meister Join Date: May 2003 Posts: 421	I used Weber P12Q's underneath my 61 Bassman, they were a huge improvement over Vintage 30's and the original C12N's that came in the cab.

March 17th, 2006, 02:09 PM	#13 (permalink)
64Strat Tele-Holic Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 656 43 Photos	Looks like I found a reconed EV SRO 12 for $250. Still waiting to confirm that it is available. Should know later today.