New Speaker Day: Rec Pro Audio Tweed Deluxe Speed Shop A12Q

I have been wanting to try out a new speaker in my 5e3 clone for a little while, and I just received my Rec Pro Audio Tweed Deluxe Speed Shop A12Q from Weber (the assembler of the Speed Shop design). Most of the information I've seen on this speaker is from YouTube videos that Ron (Speed Shop) has on his 5e3s and on these speakers or on TGP. Not as much information here on TDPRI, and not a whole lot of information or reviews in general.

It's going to take a while to get this thing broken in, so I'll continue to report on this thread as I hear it change.

Rondo makes the dust covers himself, as the old-style Jensen covers with paper and felt in the middle are no longer made. He also sources the voice coils himself. Other than that, the cone looks to be identical to the cone Weber uses on the 12A125S -- the "early 60s 8 rib pulp cone that replaced the curved seam cone" (https://www.tedweber.com/12a125-s) I assume the magnet weight is also 11 oz. It has a 1.25" voice coil, and it is rated at 20W. There is no doping at all, either on the front or the back of the cone (in browsing Weber's 12" alnicos, it looks like you can no longer order Weber speakers with "no dope," but this comes without).

I'd love to hear any impressions others who own this speaker have of it as a clone of a P12Q--especially in a 5e3.

Here are some pics:

 

Thanks, King Fan!

I'm very impressed with it so far, and it's not broken in yet. I think that Rondo has put together the perfect EQ for a 5E3. Wonderful harmonics, and the mids are just right. Not too high, not too low. The high end is still quite bright, but that's to be expected on a brand-new speaker. And I like bright, anyway. I've had a few speakers with no dope: a re-coned P12P, a Weber Sig 12S, and now the A12Q. I tend to like them. Really responsive. And this speaker is a great combination of tonality and loudness. Not too loud, not too inefficient. Just right.

I'll report back as I know more.

 

Played a 5e3 through this speaker some more. Here is what I think: this speaker *rocks.* It has the P12Q tonality but instead of resisting breakup (like many of the old Jensens seem to do) or getting flubby at higher volumes, it tightens up and gives you Marshall-like distortion with harmonics galore.

Do you:
- Want a modern speaker with the clean tonality of a vintage P12Q? - get an A12Q
- Want a speaker that will make you want to keep playing your 5e3 at high volumes, pulling out whatever rock riffs you know? - get an A12Q
- Want a speaker that offers singing sustain and an abundance of harmonics when pushed? - get an A12Q
- Want a speaker that will interact with your 5e3 to give you gorgeous Marshall-like distortion? - get an A12Q

More as I know more, and I'll see about getting some clips up at some point.

 

I've played through this speaker now long enough to get it broken in just a bit. I gigged with it this weekend. In my opinion, this is the ultimate 5e3 speaker. Really. Everything is perfect. I'll see if I can get some short clips recorded this week.

 

Here's a chord progression that gives you a good sense of the basic tonality of the speaker with a Tele and a 5e3 on bright channel vol. 6, tone 7.5. Playing neck, then middle, then bridge. Neck pickup is SD SSL-5 Strat, bridge pickup is Cavalier Nashville Lion. Recorded directly to mini SD card on Zoom H2N condenser mics.

More sound clips to come.

 

Here's another one. Same setup, but this time bright vol. on 9, tone on 10. Gives you an idea of something bluesy and twangy and lo-fi sounding:

 

And here's the last one with Cavalier Nashville Lion bridge pickup only. Distortion is au naturel.

 

I just got an alnico Sig 12S not too long ago, and I tried it out in my 5e3 and really liked it. It is more "old-school" sounding. It's under-powered, and it doesn't give a lot of bass (which I liked, actually). It's even less efficient than the A12Q, but it breaks up a little later. The voice coil on the alnico 12S is 1/4" smaller, the cone is different (curved and seamed, like the 60's style), and the dust cap is different as well. But it's a really nice, authentic tone for home playing. I don't think it would keep up with a band.

The A12Q is louder (though not crazy loud like some Webers), fuller, and also tighter, with slightly earlier breakup. It has a more modern distortion sound. It translates the distortion characteristics of the 5e3, but it doesn't flub out. Ever.

 

I completely agree. And I like the fact that it's not doped. It's a great speaker. 5e3 tones without blowing the lid off.

 

Update: I am totally settled with the sound of my 5e3 now. The Tweed Deluxe Speed Shop A12Q capped everything off for me. What a fantastic speaker.

I finally got the sense to run my 6g2 brown Princeton clone through it with my P-90 Les Paul. IT WILL MAKE YOU WEEP. This is not just a tweed Deluxe speaker. It turns a healthy brown Princeton into a little fire-breather. Not spiky in the highs, not harsh in the mids, holds together really well, and drives like a Marshall. HOLY MOLEY.

 

I think they're awfully expensive, but they sure do sound good!