Celestion Alnico Blue vs Jensen Blackbird 40 for Fender ‘57 Custom Deluxe RI

[TweedToneKing]

Hello All,

I would like to put a new speaker in my Fender Tweed Deluxe RI. Looking for a little more volume before onset of overdrive and a little less low end flub. These are my candidates.

Celestion Alnico Blue 15w 8 ohm
Jensen Blackbird Alnico 40w ohm

Looking for experienced preferences with these two or possibly another speaker suggestion.

Cheers !

 

[uriah1]

The blue has 100db while the blackbird is 96. I think the blue is one of the best speakers on the market. However that said , you may look at ceramics for more early overhead. Imho

 

[TweedToneKing]

I assume 100db is more efficient, so it would be slightly louder ?
Not looking for super clean, just a touch more clean at band volumes. I would love to find the specs on the original Eminence Special Design speaker. Don’t mind spending the dough on the Blue, but want to be sure it’s the right one.

 

[uriah1]

I assume 100db is more efficient, so it would be slightly louder ?
Not looking for super clean, just a touch more clean at band volumes. I would love to find the specs on the original Eminence Special Design speaker. Don’t mind spending the dough on the Blue, but want to be sure it’s the right one.

If cost not an issue the cream alnico not creamback will give you the headroom. Fantastic speaker

 

[2L man]

Both are great speakers but BB40 cost less and is lighter. Blue is louder but I think their volume difference is less than 4db. There are few good BB40 YT samples but it is strange there are only few more Blue samples?

 

[Dacious]

IMO Eminence SC59 would be a better fit for the 57 Tweed. The Blue is a brilliant speaker for Vox esp Topboost. Lots of highs and lows, but not vintage Jensen sounding.

This shoutout is with the SC64 ceramic but the alnico SC59 is similar, bit warmer sounding. 100db spl.

 

[ZackyDog]

I'm a VOX guy, so the Celestion Blue/CB is my first choice.

This guy loved the CB in his Tweed Deluxe.

Tweed Deluxe + Celestion Blue = Sweet

Have had a 1959 Tweed Deluxe for 15+ years that I picked up on a business trip in a little music shop, the kind that GC killed. It had all the character one wants, beer bottle stains, a few minor cig burns on the top, but 100% stock. Caps needed replacement and the blue bell Jensen's cone was...

www.thegearpage.net

 

[LostGonzo85]

Hello All,

I would like to put a new speaker in my Fender Tweed Deluxe RI. Looking for a little more volume before onset of overdrive and a little less low end flub. These are my candidates.

Celestion Alnico Blue 15w 8 ohm
Jensen Blackbird Alnico 40w ohm

Looking for experienced preferences with these two or possibly another speaker suggestion.

Cheers !

Is the Eminence well broken-in? That's a good speaker, allegedly designed by Ted Weber for Eminence, and as far as alnicos go it's pretty efficient.

Other options you might look at for more headroom in an alnico speaker are the Weber California, Chicago or Michigan series.

 

[TweedToneKing]

Thanks for all the feedback. The more demos I listen to and the more I read, the more I like the Celestion Blue. It has a certain quality that just speaks to me.

The original Eminence Special Design speaker that came factory in the Fender ’57 Custom Deluxe sounds great, but I’m looking for a more ‘vowel’ sound and a little more clean volume before onset of overdrive. I also want to keep the low end tight. I will definitely keep the factory ‘Eminence SD’ as well.

As it goes with new speakers for one’s guitar amp, you just never really know if it‘s what you want, until you install and crank it up with the band.
Not to mention allowing for some ‘break in’ time. I once put two old Fender CTS 10” speakers, from a ‘73 Super Reverb into my ‘63 Vibroverb RI which sound absolutely killer. The factory ‘Oxfarts’ just couldn’t cut it.

So, I’ve ordered the Blue. Will post my version of it’s performance once I’ve established a good feel for it… may be a few months, allowing for break in and having a good listen.

I hope it’s what I’m after.

 

[scooter]

If you don't like the blue once it's broken in try a ceramic magnet Celestion. I prefer greenbacks or a blackbacks, but they're only 96db efficiency, so if you want more volume before breakup, try a G12H30 Anniversary or a V30 unless you can find an old organ pull original cone P12 N, P, Q or R somewhere. I have a '58 P12P in a 5E3 and a greenback in a 5C3 - both sound wonderful. I sometimes borrow a 5E3 clone head from a buddy at gigs back home and run it through a 1x12 cab with a UK Vintage 30 and that sounds really great, too. Good luck - I hope the blue works great for you!

 

[Kimsteroids]

Hi!
I’ve tried the blackbird 40 and a celestion gold in my 5e3. Both sound really good in the 5e3! At first I favored the blackbird and put the gold in my deluxe reverb. I was really satisfied with the blackbird. Then after about a year, I tried the gold in the 5e3 again, and it was just great when it was well broken in!!
Sometimes I feel it has to much bass, but then I use a highpass filter pedal, and thats a great way to ”tame” the bass in the 5e3 with a celestion gold! Just be careful not to cut to much, then you loose the magic of the 5e3. That amp really have a lot of it’s sound in the way it handles the bass!
I think you made a great choice with the blue, but it will need some time to break in.

 

[ZackyDog]

I think that you're wise to go with name brand (i.e. Celestion, Emminence, Jensen) rather than an obscure brand. I have tried a couple of Celestion Blue wannabees with unsatisfactory results.

 

[zook]

I think that you're wise to go with name brand (i.e. Celestion, Emminence, Jensen) rather than an obscure brand. I have tried a couple of Celestion Blue wannabees with unsatisfactory results.

Lets not forget these: Weber 12A125A

Weber Blue Dog

 

[Nicko_Lps]

Celestion Alnico Blue 15w 8 ohm
Jensen Blackbird Alnico 40w ohm

Well the Blackbird shown here is the 100watt version, there are more speakers here in this comparison:

The original Eminence Special Design speaker

Is this the speaker you are currently playing on? I have it and comparing it with my Celestion Golds its like.. Nope.
The blue will be a MASSIVE upgrade for you, more transparent Cleans and way better distorted tone when pushed. But you need to push them a little so they can "sing"

 

[ZackyDog]

Lets not forget these: Weber 12A125A
View attachment 1039614

Weber Blue Dog
View attachment 1039615

I don't care for The Weber Blue Dog.

 

[JohnnyCrash]

I’ve got both.

I have a pair of Blues in a 2x12” cab for my Vox AC30 build that I run other amps through.

I also have a pair of Falcon 10”s in my ‘63 Bassman clone. Not the 12”s, so they’re not exactly the same, but maybe it’ll help hearing about them anyway.

If volume is what you’re chasing, the Blues are more efficient (i.e., louder). But the tone on the Falcon 10”s is also interesting.

The Falcons are “warm.” Which means slight roll off of highs. The mids are a little creamy and fat.

The Blues are… well, Blues. Many people love them in tweed Deluxes and I think its lower power rating helps it in this application. When you really shove an AlNiCo, the highs start compressing and get “warm.” When not pushed at quieter passages or volumes they can still be nice and bright.

Like a Greenback, the Falcons are simply characteristically warm.

I’d try the Blue (I haven’t tried my Deluxe through them, I have a Weber 12A125 in it).

 

[TweedToneKing]

Lets not forget these: Weber 12A125A
View attachment 1039614

Weber Blue Dog
View attachment 1039615

It would be nice to try the Weber, but being located in Canada makes that a little difficult. No Weber dealers here and with exchange, customs and duty, the reasonably priced Weber gets pricey.

 

[TweedToneKing]

I’ve got both.

I have a pair of Blues in a 2x12” cab for my Vox AC30 build that I run other amps through.

I also have a pair of Falcon 10”s in my ‘63 Bassman clone. Not the 12”s, so they’re not exactly the same, but maybe it’ll help hearing about them anyway.

If volume is what you’re chasing, the Blues are more efficient (i.e., louder). But the tone on the Falcon 10”s is also interesting.

The Falcons are “warm.” Which means slight roll off of highs. The mids are a little creamy and fat.

The Blues are… well, Blues. Many people love them in tweed Deluxes and I think its lower power rating helps it in this application. When you really shove an AlNiCo, the highs start compressing and get “warm.” When not pushed at quieter passages or volumes they can still be nice and bright.

Like a Greenback, the Falcons are simply characteristically warm.

I’d try the Blue (I haven’t tried my Deluxe through them, I have a Weber 12A125 in it).

The Celestion Blue in the handwired Deluxe RI is divine. Slightly changes the vintage sound of the amp, it becomes almost vintage Marshall like in its tone, with more growl. It’s a little louder than the stock speaker. The Blue needs a little more time to break in, but I’m very happy with this upgrade.
Only concern for some maybe the volume taper. Onset of volume happens very quickly, maybe 1 1/2 to 2, so if you’re expecting to enjoy this at bedroom levels, forget it. This explains the volume taper adjustment Fender makes on ‘The Edge’ version of this amp. It’s not a problem for me, playing with a band. I use an old Champ at home for practicing.

 

[Wally]