Alnico 10" Speakers: Eminence 1028K vs Celestion Gold vs Eminence Red Fang

[gridlock]

I owned ‘63 Vibroverb RI with Eminence Legend 1028k’s and was a great sounding amp.

I also owned a Fender Vibro King with Celestion Golds. It was the first Fender amp that I’ve owned with Celestion speakers. That amp also really sounded nice.

 

[Axis29]

I own a '63 Vibroverb Ri also. For a long time, I ran a Jensen (Recoton) C10R and P10R. It was a great combo. I liked it a lot, never any complaints.

But, I had a pair of Weber P10Q's laying around. Their current equivalent is, I believe, the 10A125 or 10a100. They had been reconed by Weber and sitting around for a year or so doing nothing but collecting dust. So, I decided, what the heck. I threw them both in and I liked what I heard. Definitely a little later break up than the Jensens. Maybe a touch more efficient? The two alnico speakers are a great sounding! I have very little interest in doing any more speaker chasing with them. However, they were blown when used with a '69 Vibrolux Reverb. I am hesitant to run the Vibroverb at high volumes with these speakers installed. But, then, I rarely push it anyways. So, figure I should be okay.

I've used 12" Alnico Golds. I loved the speaker at higher volume. But, at low volumes, I found it mushy and dark (might have also been the 5e3 circuit it was installed in?). I am not sure of the 10" version is the same... or even if that is really indicative of that speaker.

I've got a Celestion G12M65 and absolutely love it! I replaced it with a Neo Creamback and love that speaker too. I'm actually really psyched to see what the 10" Creamback is like!

 

[tubedood]

Not to side track this fine thread but I want to add to the 10" alnico discussion. When I was searching for an affordable speaker solution for my lil 5F2-A build I found a seller that was wanting to get new speakers for his old Fender Super so he was eager to sell the existing ones. They were old Fender/Eminence blue frame alnico's model 036457 from 1993. The paper former limits how hard you can drive the speaker but man for a little 5F2-A I haven't heard a finer speaker.

I would highly recommend these old speakers. I see them pop up quite often.

 

[63 vibroverb]

Are the 1028K's stout enough for loud gigging? Can they do loud cleans?

 

[JustABluesGuy]

Are the 1028K's stout enough for loud gigging? Can they do loud cleans?

I’m haven’t tried gig loud cleans with mine, now I’m interested myself. I haven’t noticed any breakup at moderate volumes.

They’re rated at 35 watts.

 

[Axis29]

Are the 1028K's stout enough for loud gigging? Can they do loud cleans?

I have a pair in my Bassman (mixed with a pair of Jensen P10Rs) and they have stood up to that amp... I also had one in a 2x10 cab I used with an older Bassman 50. It was paired with a C10N or C10K, I can't recall which. It stood up to that amp and a few gigs, and loud practices. But, I wouldn't say I was pounding any of them full wattage all the time... More like, mid volume and every now and then hitting them hard.

I think in the VVRi, they give a lot more efficiency and so much better tone than the stock Oxfarts. But, I am not sure how they would compare to the Webers, directly. I imagine the Webers might be slightly more efficient (although Weber doesn't publish that info).

 

[63 vibroverb]

Thanks guys, guess I'll just pick one at this point

 

[bigben55]

Totally agree re: the 1028Ks I have 4 of the older, paper former blueframes in my Super Reverb. I keep the bright switch off and treble at 5, and since the SR has lots of low end(my bass is at 4) it's a non issue. IMO, THE perfect speaker for this amp!

1028K- Kind of a vintage Jensen P10r, but sweeter than the Jensen reissues. Bright with minimal low end until pushed real hard.

So it depends on what you are trying to add to the other speaker you are using. If the Weber has big low end (which it may) then a crisp speaker with minimal lows may balance out the sound well.

 

[bigben55]

I have 4 of the older 20 watt ALP blueframes in my 66 Super Reverb, and its TOO LOUD to gig! For me at least!

Are the 1028K's stout enough for loud gigging? Can they do loud cleans?

 

[theprofessor]

Are the 1028K's stout enough for loud gigging? Can they do loud cleans?

I think they're plenty stout to gig loud and proud. Where they break up on the dial will depend on your particular setup.

 

[dannyh]

I’ve been running 1028Ks in a VVRI for several years. They hold up fine. The tubes break up before they do.

 

[FerruleCat]

I just put a 1028k in my Super Champ X2, and it's exactly what I was looking for. Very clear and articulate, and bright without being harsh. It holds up when cranked (15w). Really great classic Fender tone. I almost took a gamble on the Alessandro, but I'm glad I didn't. A beautiful speaker, and a bargain at the price. I'm stoked!

 

[coolrene]

I tried several speakers: Alnico Blue, too harsh, Greenback: nasal and trebly but great for ‘70s tones, EMI 1028K: ideal for me, great mids no harsh treble, tight bass, late breakup until you really warm up those tubes.
Maybe a tad less articulate than Celestion Golds, but that depends on the type of music you play. Overall, a great workhorse, very versatile and built like a tank.

 

[Hoodster]

No experience with the other two, but the 1028 ended my approximately 20 year quest for the best 10 inch speaker to go with a blackface fender. I tried several Weber and Jensen Alnico tens and much prefer the 1028.

 

[ETMusic777]

I have 2 sets of the 1028Ps "Fender Blue Frames" and they are outstanding speakers.

 

[NoTeleBob]

FWIW, the Red Fang is no longer available new. Don't ask my why, it was a wildly popular (and much less expensive) version of the Celestion Blue AlNiCo. Corporate logic, I guess.

Eminence has some other ceramic based speakers with similar efficiency and response curves. Red Fang was very bright, designated "British" voiced. In the 12", the comparable now is the Wizard... I forget the 10" that best matched to that curve.

As @coolrene noted, they can be harsh in the wrong amp. I don't think you want that kind of response in a mid-scooped amp that has a lot of treble (most Fender). They are great in amps with a flatter or mid-boosted response.

I like the 1058 in a 10" for a Fender sort of EQ. I haven't done a back to back with a 1028. Based on the curves, the 1028 looks like it's low on treble- an almost flat response. 1058 still has significant highs, but seems to match Fender amps well. I wouldn't use a 1028 if you're big on "chime"... but if anyone has found differently, I'm all ears as to the amp and the results you got.

 

[schmee]

Interestingly, I didn't find the Red Fang alnico that bright compared with many Alnicos. As I mentioned in this thread a few years ago (Zombie thread!) I liked the Fang, and I generally dont like Alnicos. My Fang had a huge alnico magnet more like the coveted EV coffee can Alnico, although not quite that huge a magnet!. I always assumed that's what they were trying to emulate , not the Blue... the Blue magnet is 30 oz. The Fang magnet is nearly 2.2 lb!

 

[telenacious]

I’ve owned and used all three….the only one I just plain didn’t like was the Red Fang….the Gold is the biggest sounding with the most clarity and detail….a 1028 is kinda just ok in the amps I’ve used it in…..my current favorite 10 is a Weber A125-O 20 watt….it also is the best speaker for the money I’ve encountered…

 

[uriah1]

I like 2 year old threads.
I might have answered to
Yes for blue gold and new cream.
Although if 2x10 application I prefer ceramic and alnico

 

[coolrene]

I like the 1058 in a 10" for a Fender sort of EQ. I haven't done a back to back with a 1028. Based on the curves, the 1028 looks like it's low on treble- an almost flat response. 1058 still has significant highs, but seems to match Fender amps well. I wouldn't use a 1028 if you're big on "chime"... but if anyone has found differently, I'm all ears as to the amp and the results you got.

You’re perfectly right @NoTeleBlob
I compared both and chose to go with the 1028, for it gave more body to the tone I was looking for.
The 1058 is a bit more chimey and is right if you’re looking for a VOXy Kind of sound.
I combine the 1028 with a Greenback in a Marshall cab when I want a ‘70s crunchy kind of vibe.