5E3 speaker choices

[gearjunkie]

I'm getting to the point in the build where I need to start thinking of what speakers we will order for our 2 new trinity Tweed deluxe 5E3 kits..I'm doing mine a head/cab, and my buddy is staying with the satndard combo version...We both play mostly honky tonk country, older rock and a bit of blues...With so many speakers to choose from its hard to know what to get..I'm Not Sure, but I'm tempted to either go with 2x10's or 2x12" for a custom cab and Keith is thinking straight up single 12"...i've thought about the Alnico Celestion Blue, Eminence Legend, Weber 12A125A light dope in a 12" but it's a real roll of the dice...what do you think ..Thanks
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[No457 Snowy]

I have Eminence Texas Heat speakers in both my 5E3's and it sounds great, very efficient and loud making it great for gigging the amp, touch sensitive, very fat tone, even running flat out the Bass stays solid on shuffle rhythms and the speaker doesn't fart out like some I've heard (mind you some people might like the farting-out Bass sound too!).

As I said it's great for gigging, you might prefer a less efficient speaker for playing primarily at home.


Snowy

[jtmdes]

+1 on the Texas Heat.

That's what I have in mine.

[BobbyZ]

Been using a Weber SigB with my Pile-O-Crap 5e3. I'm very picky with speakers. This speaker was in the cab I put the amp in so I left it there.
I'd like to try an old P12Q but I traded the one I had to my brother.

[gearjunkie]

I play both at home at out also. I tried a swamp thang and found it pretty flabby and flat, maybe not the proper terms but I didn't care for it..i've heard many like the texas heat. I'm playing a 6120 gretsch with buckers along with a tele with single coils .... I've been reading that victoria amps are using the Eminence Legend and they sound pretty nice.. any advantage going with ceramic over alnico ..I know I can buy 3/1 and it sure makes for swapping them out a whole lot easier financially..

[Wileyone]

What about a 1x15"?

[Jcn3]

I'm using a cannabis Rex -- big, full sound, nice chime. Lots of bass off the low e.

If you want to keep the bass tight, the red, white, blues seems to be the way to go. Very respected speaker.

[Jammin'John1]

Weber Blue Dog.

JJ

[gearjunkie]

wileyone: I'm surprised we don't hear more about the 15's as the sure have full boomin tones, as in the Delta Blues and they sound great..Maybe others will chime in..

Q-Components is an Eminence speaker retailer an hour away and the price of the Cannibis Rex is $91 which he said is by far their best selling 12"...i'm liking the reviews on the Webers and primarily the 12A125A, but i'm still on the fence here..

[G-log]

Celestion Blue for me in my home built 5E3 clone!

[gearjunkie]

G-Log, what type of music do you mostly play and with what guitar..I prefer to play with clear tones with the slightest hint of gain...with country I love to get those bass stirngs on certain runs boomin..thats what makes me smile without ice pick highs piercing my ears with prononouced creamy smooth midrange notes..

[gearjunkie]

Notice the Cannabis Major is the Alnico version at $268 compared to the Rex at 1/3 the cost.....sure makes me wonder if it's tonally worth the extra cost..

[Jcn3]

Originally Posted by Ernie R

Notice the Cannabis Major is the Alnico version at $268 compared to the Rex at 1/3 the cost.....sure makes me wonder if it's tonally worth the extra cost..

that's why I went with the crex -- it's hard to do better for the price.

[G-log]

Originally Posted by Ernie R

G-Log, what type of music do you mostly play and with what guitar..I prefer to play with clear tones with the slightest hint of gain...with country I love to get those bass stirngs on certain runs boomin..thats what makes me smile without ice pick highs piercing my ears with prononouced creamy smooth midrange notes..

I am an alternative-post-punk-pre-power pop metal grunge prog jazz lite player....
Mostly a Blondie meets Buzzcocks/Pretenders type of music I guess. Clarity with grit is what I go for tonally which is why I generally use my Teles or my Thinline partscaster with TV Jones pickups. That amp definitely favors lower output single coils, and to be honest I generally take my THD Bivalve with a Blue Dog and a G12h 30 in a 2X12 for most places that have an iffy PA or soundman. Nothing worse for me than to run out of headroom at a gig-makes me nervous!!!!

[guycalleddave]

i haven't been able to test my weber 12a125a in my 5e3, however I have ran it through my valve junior (compared to a ceramic weber blue dog). It's definitely not as loud, but you can absolutely tell the difference between the alnico and ceramic magnets. The alnico just makes it sounds all that more old school. So if you want to sound like an amp from the 50's go with an alnico like the weber 12a125a, if you want a more modern sound i'd go for the ceramic. neither sounded bad, just different. my 2cents a least.

[fezz parka]

If you can't find and original P12Q or P12N, then a Red Fang.

[jchabalk]

i used a weber 12a125a in mine and it sounds great. I haven't done a through speaker comparison, i just went with the weber 12a125a out of the gate and i love the way it sounds.

[Keyser Soze]

A 2x10 configuration often gets overlooked in favor of the more traditional 1x12, but in a full band setting it can provide more cut for both rhythm and lead playing.

If you try that route I'd suggest a pair of Emi 1058s if you playing leans towards cleaner sounds, or 1028s if you like the more heavily compressed tone of the amp dimed.

[Commodore 64]

I've tried two speakers with my 5E3 build, a Jensen Jet 50 Falcon and an Emi from a Blues Jr. (Legend 1258). I thought the my 5e3 was pretty dark especially with P90s and the Jensen, so I tried the Emi and I like it much better.

[Dr. Bill]

Originally Posted by Commodore 64

I've tried two speakers with my 5E3 build, a Jensen Jet 50 Falcon and an Emi from a Blues Jr. (Legend 1258). I thought the my 5e3 was pretty dark especially with P90s and the Jensen, so I tried the Emi and I like it much better.

Good point. The 5E3 circuit tends to be darker than some. For that reason I would stay away from a darker speaker like the Emi Cannabis Rex in that application. The C-Rex kills in blackface Fenders, though.