Alessandro GA-SC64 Advice

[Milspec]

I am torn here and need a nudge.

I have a Fender 2x12 Bandmaster cabinet in need of speakers. I presently have an Avatar 2x12 with Vintage 30's and a Pine 1x12 with a vintage Altec 417-8C....both of which I do like, but always wonders if there is a better option?

I have a spare Altec salvaged from another cabinet and a re-coned Oxford 12T6 sitting in a box to play around with which gives me options.

1. I could install the 2 Altecs into the Fender Cab and put the Oxford in the 1x12 to use with a Brownface Princeton clone head.
2. Locate a 2nd Oxford and load the new cabinet with those?
3. Order up a pair of new speakers for the cabinet

Option 3 would be either the Eminence Governor or else the Alessandro GA-SC64...both sound really good in video clips and around the same price. I am mainly a clean player with just a little dirt, but most sound clips are always a very driven tone so it is hard to judge. I have read that the SC64 sounds a LOT like the old Oxford 12T6 so maybe I could pair one with the Oxford that I already have?

Decisions, decisions, decisions....

 

[68goldtop]

Hi!

I am torn here and need a nudge.

I have a Fender 2x12 Bandmaster cabinet in need of speakers...

Decisions, decisions, decisions....

A nice cab!
I´m not familiar with the Altecs or the Oxford T´s (it´s been a while since I owned an sf Twin...) - but the GA is a very nice-sounding speaker. Both clean and overdriven.
I had one and I kick myself (a little bit...) for letting it go
I think it would make a nice team with your old Oxford!

cheers - 68.

 

[schmee]

The closed back BM cab effects the sound some. More compressesd and possibly a bit warmer. Hmmmm....

I love the GA SC in an open back cab. You don't say what you are driving it with...? Beware these are not high wattage speakers, (35 watt?) however, I have driven one plenty hard for a couple years of gigging in a Deluxe without issue.

-I might be tempted to try a GA SC64 along with your Oxford T. You can always buy another speaker later, either to match the T more, or the GA SC more. The GA SC has plenty of low end though. That could help along with the T, or it could be too much in the closed back.
-An Emi 1258 might be good in the BM cab. Big low end also though. Too much?
-Maybe a couple regular 'rock n roll' Legend 1218's would be better? That will handle 300 watts and not be heavy! (probably a match for your Oxford T)
-Vintage 30?
-Two Greenbacks if 50 watts is enough! (Marshall !)

Bottom line.... I'd be tempted to try one or two 1218's in there...

 

[KC]

You're generally better off putting matched speakers in a cab, just because of differences in efficiency. If one of the speakers is 3 dB less efficient, nobody will ever hear it, and it might as well not be there. If the Altecs match, I would first try that set-up and see how you like it. You're not out any $$$ if it turns out not to be to your taste. If no good, a pair of the modern speakers would be my next step, probably the Alessandros just because of reputation, haven't played through either.

 

[ndcaster]

my Alessandro and a vintage V30 2x12 gives a really full Fendery sound

 

[Milspec]

The closed back BM cab effects the sound some. More compressesd and possibly a bit warmer. Hmmmm....

I love the GA SC in an open back cab. You don't say what you are driving it with...? Beware these are not high wattage speakers, (35 watt?) however, I have driven one plenty hard for a couple years of gigging in a Deluxe without issue.

-I might be tempted to try a GA SC64 along with your Oxford T. You can always buy another speaker later, either to match the T more, or the GA SC more. The GA SC has plenty of low end though. That could help along with the T, or it could be too much in the closed back.
-An Emi 1258 might be good in the BM cab. Big low end also though. Too much?
-Maybe a couple regular 'rock n roll' Legend 1218's would be better? That will handle 300 watts and not be heavy! (probably a match for your Oxford T)
-Vintage 30?
-Two Greenbacks if 50 watts is enough! (Marshall !)

Bottom line.... I'd be tempted to try one or two 1218's in there...

I have considered the 1218's as well as the Weber 12F150...both of which I have used in the past and enjoyed.

Speakers just create such a worm hole of decisions that unless you have a roomful of them, you just never know what path to take. It has been that vapor lock that has left this cabinet empty for so long. Hell, I picked it up months ago!!

 

[68goldtop]

Haha!

... Speakers just create such a worm hole of decisions that unless you have a roomful of them, you just never know what path to take...

Even IF you have a roomful of them - the "worm hole"-bit doesn't go away

cheers - 68.

 

[Bob M]

I’ve commented on this topic before. I had a 2 x 10 open back cab made and put a couple of 10” sc 64s in it. I initially was using a BF Tremolux to power it but now I’m using a quilter 101 reverb with it. Very nice focused sound. Certainly stands up against vintage Oxfords.

 

[Milspec]

I just made it more complicated. I found a really good deal on a Weber 12F150 50W speaker and have it on the way.

I think I will have to get one of the SC64 speakers as well and just start testing them against each other in the 1x12. It is an open back, but at least I will see how much difference there really are and if any of them stand out above the others.

I was afraid this was going to happen when I found that 2x12 cabinet, I guess it will be my winter project now.

 

[Wally]

What year is the Oxford 12T6? 1966 and later it is a very low efficiency speaker…even when reconed. Therefore, it is tricky to match with another speaker. And…the 12T6 is nothing like an Alessandro unless it is a pre-66. Then side by side would tell you what the two speakers might have in common.
I say put the two Altecs together and get a hand truck to move it around. or…get a matched Oxford for the 12T6 and put it in that cab.

 

[Milspec]

What year is the Oxford 12T6? 1966 and later it is a very low efficiency speaker…even when reconed. Therefore, it is tricky to match with another speaker. And…the 12T6 is nothing like an Alessandro unless it is a pre-66. Then side by side would tell you what the two speakers might have in common.
I say put the two Altecs together and get a hand truck to move it around. or…get a matched Oxford for the 12T6 and put it in that cab.

To be honest, I don't know what year that Oxford is, never checked the code. It came out of a 4x12 that fell out of a Dodge Ram on the interstate. Three speakers were destroyed, but one looked untouched albeit for a small tear in the cone. I sent it out to a pro shop in Minnesota to get re-coned. It just sat in the parts closet since then. I paid $10 for the badly damaged cabinet right there at the scene of the tumble. I was hoping to salvage more than just one speaker, but not so lucky with that cheap cabinet.

After a bike ride, I was leaning towards using the 2 Altecs as well since they were a matched pair with original cones. It would be heavy, sound good, and the cab would help protect the speakers from damage. I will audition the Oxford and Weber in the 1x12 to see which is better suited.

At least that is how I am thinking presently....who knows what tomorrow brings.

 

[adjason]

weber 12f150's are good speakers- I had some in a 68 bandmaster cabinet for a while but I went back to the original utahs that it came with. That big cabinet had way too much bass with the hemp cone speakers I tried

 

[gridlock]

I’ve had GASC64’s in two vintage BF Deluxe Reverbs and in a SF Deluxe Reverb. I’ve also had the 10” versions in a Drip Edge Vibrolux Reverb and in a ‘63 Vibroverb RI. I’m also planning on installing two GASC64’s in my ‘71 Pro Reverb.

The Deluxe Reverbs sounded amazing with the Alessandro’s. I’ve had so many raving complements on my tone, with my Deluxe Reverbs, and by really good guitarist. The Alessandro’s sound good right out of the box and even better once they break in.

Needless to say, I am a fan.

 

[Milspec]

What year is the Oxford 12T6? 1966 and later it is a very low efficiency speaker…even when reconed. Therefore, it is tricky to match with another speaker. And…the 12T6 is nothing like an Alessandro unless it is a pre-66. Then side by side would tell you what the two speakers might have in common.
I say put the two Altecs together and get a hand truck to move it around. or…get a matched Oxford for the 12T6 and put it in that cab.

I just pulled it out of the box, definitely a '70's speaker by the label. No date codes, must be hidden beneath the Fender label. Has what I believe to be the code for the cone, but it means nothing to me. At least they did a good job with it.

Edit: Maybe it is a late '60's speaker? The label is clearly post '65, but the basket has the oval cut-outs instead of the circles like in the '70's that I have seen. Without the code, I have no idea for certain, but possibly a late '60's example.

 

[Wally]

Yes…..the numbers are under that label. When I am curious, I carefully peel that label back enough to read the EIA date code...and then use a dab of white glue to glue the label back down.

 

[Wally]

I will audition the Oxford and Weber in the 1x12 to see which is better suited.

if that Weber is twice as loud as the Oxford, you will know you have a 1966 or later Oxford.

 

[Scottcurry13]

I just made it more complicated. I found a really good deal on a Weber 12F150 50W speaker and have it on the way.

I think I will have to get one of the SC64 speakers as well and just start testing them against each other in the 1x12. It is an open back, but at least I will see how much difference there really are and if any of them stand out above the others.

I was afraid this was going to happen when I found that 2x12 cabinet, I guess it will be my winter project now.

I’ve just done this comparison this week! I’ve got a 1x12 open back cab for my 5F6-A Bassman with 6V6 power tubes (~18 watts). I compared the Weber 12F150 50w, 12A150 50w and the GA-SC64, which is 40w. The 12F150 is the brightest, followed by the 12A150 then the SC64. They all have tight bottom ends. The SC64 sounds warmer with a bit more mid to upper mids to me both clean and with OD. It also seems to breakup a little smoother. The are all really nice speakers, but I’m leaning towards keeping the SC64 in the cab. We all have different ears though.

 

[Milspec]

I’ve just done this comparison this week! I’ve got a 1x12 open back cab for my 5F6-A Bassman with 6V6 power tubes (~18 watts). I compared the Weber 12F150 50w, 12A150 50w and the GA-SC64, which is 40w. The 12F150 is the brightest, followed by the 12A150 then the SC64. They all have tight bottom ends. The SC64 sounds warmer with a bit more mid to upper mids to me both clean and with OD. It also seems to breakup a little smoother. The are all really nice speakers, but I’m leaning towards keeping the SC64 in the cab. We all have different ears though.

Thanks for that information, I do like a warm speaker as long as it doesn't lose all of the top end in the process. I might have to order a GA-SC64 now just to find out.

 

[schmee]

Thanks for that information, I do like a warm speaker as long as it doesn't lose all of the top end in the process. I might have to order a GA-SC64 now just to find out.

I have 3 SC64's none of them I would call warm on the top end in Fender amps. Warm mids though I'm thinkin. Everyone's ears are different I guess!

 

[Scottcurry13]

I have 3 SC64's none of them I would call warm on the top end in Fender amps. Warm mids though I'm thinkin. Everyone's ears are different I guess!

Agree. By warm I mean a tad less sharpness at the high end than the 12F150. I also have a Weber AlNiCo Blue Dog, which is Vox voiced. I like the SC64 a lot better for my Bassman than the Blue Dog.