Neodymium guitar amp speakers

**mangotango** · 07-22-2010, 09:13 AM

The other evening, I played through a Gallien-Krueger bass amp with 2 10" Neodymium speakers. Apart from giving a great clean sound, I couldn't believe how light it was for what was overall not a particularly tiny combo.

So, since I've been contemplating a new amp as the onset of middle age has made my Vox Valvetronix less attractive due to weight.....will a lighter Neo speaker give me the portability back without affecting the sound too much? Are there any characteristics of this kind of speaker of which I should be aware?

**Bill C** · 07-22-2010, 09:34 AM

I've also found a Neo speaker gives a great clean jazz sound for the "maturing" player!

**Little Jay** · 07-22-2010, 10:58 AM

I am also considering to replace the Jensens in my Twin for Neodyniums. That would knock about 6kg off it's weigh!
Haven't dared to do so yet, I am also looking for experiences from others.

**derek** · 07-22-2010, 11:06 AM

Yeah, neos have been ubiquitous for a while now, especially with bass players who are paying too much to chiropractors. Only issue is, they are a bit more pricey, but I have yet to hear one I didn't like.

**mangotango** · 07-22-2010, 11:48 AM

Well, the GK amp gave a fantastic clean, if a little bright sound (speakers unknown). And there's an Eminence Lil' Texas Neo speaker available over here - have heard good things, Not cheap, but if it saves my back, and means that I get my amp back........and it's cheaper than buying a new amp.

The only disadvantage I've read on forums on the Net apart from the cost is that they take longer than normal speakers to "break in". So I'd have to play my guitar a lot through my amp to work it in? - not too much of an issue, really.

Unless you guys know otherwise?

**BigDaddyLoveHandles** · 07-22-2010, 11:58 AM

Weber has neo speakers, too:

10" - $140
12" - $160
15" - $180

**randyc** · 07-22-2010, 01:42 PM

Replaced the 8 inch speaker in my little Fender Champ with a 10 inch Jensen neodymium with excellent results - very little breakup, louder and lighter. The only disadvantage that I noted was a tendancy to be a little "shrill" which was corrected by installing a baffle, covering most of the back opening of the cabinet (gotta' leave a little room for air circulation although a Champ doesn't get real warm).

I determined the dimensions of the baffle empirically by clamping various widths of wood scrap across the back until the sound was correct to my ears. Then made a baffle to suit the configuration that produced the most pleasing sound. Fifteen minutes of messing around, five minutes to make the baffle.

I'm considering replacing the ancient 12 inch Jensen in my Ampeg Reverberocket with a Jensen neodymium. The Ampeg has only a single tone control and has always been too bassy with humbuckers (sounds great with Fender guitars, though). The neo speaker would bring out the highs I believe.

Cheers,
Randy

**Little Jay** · 07-22-2010, 03:07 PM

Hmm, glad to hear this positive sounds! I think I'll order a pair of neo's for the Twin.......

**randyc** · 07-22-2010, 09:04 PM

FWIW, when I was researching the cost of 4 ohm 15 inch speakers a couple of months ago, I noticed that Carvin prices were 1/2 the norm (Weber, Eminence, Jensen) with excellent specifications. (I recall having a hard time with their website finding the speakers, however ...) I believe that they offer several 12 inch neodymium models.

Cheers,
Randy

**BigDaddyLoveHandles** · 07-22-2010, 09:40 PM

Here's the Carvin page: Carvin.com - Guitars, Amplifiers & Pro Audio: Sales & Specials

They're listing a sale!

**Little Jay** · 07-23-2010, 04:27 AM

Too bad, but Carvin doesn't offer a 12" Neodynium: CarvinWorld.com - Guitars, Amplifiers & Pro Audio
(at least not when you state you're from the Netherlands)

**mangotango** · 07-23-2010, 04:43 AM

Originally Posted by Little Jay

Too bad, but Carvin doesn't offer a 12" Neodynium: CarvinWorld.com - Guitars, Amplifiers & Pro Audio
(at least not when you state you're from the Netherlands)

Nor the UK sadly. In fact when I input "Great Britain", not only would the site not sell me a speaker but it asked me why I let Al-Megrahi go and what I was going to do about cleaning up the Gulf............

ok I made up that last bit.

**BigDaddyLoveHandles** · 07-23-2010, 10:58 AM

Carvin != Obama

**randyc** · 07-23-2010, 11:21 AM

On the link that BDLH provided, an entire line of neodymium speakers is listed, from 6 inch up to 18 inch. Is that page not available in Europe? If there is an interest in procuring these devices, I can order them and have them shipped wherever .... I guess you'll still get stuck with the VAT, though.

**BigDaddyLoveHandles** · 07-23-2010, 02:15 PM

I have a question about the Carvin 15" neo: it is listed as a woofer with a response up to 3kHz -- is that too low for a guitar speaker? What would be a good range?

**randyc** · 07-23-2010, 02:21 PM

That's why jazz guitarists love 15 inch speakers, because they filter out a lot of the "squeaky" and undesirable harmonic sounds. Guitar frequency range is about 80 Hz to 1300 Hz. If the amplifier/speaker combination is capable of reproducing the second and third harmonics, most of the "timbre" of the instrument is audible. 3 kHz would be perfect for jazz in my opinion. If the speaker you're referring to is their 4 ohm model, it is also appropriate for an open-back enclosure. That's usually not true of 15 inch speakers, they normally require a closed-back cabinet to flatten frequency response.

**BigDaddyLoveHandles** · 07-23-2010, 02:27 PM

Then it sounds like a great deal, Randy. BTW, I see J Hale is selling a 1963 Showman head with a closed 2X15" cab (JBLs). 1963 Fender Blackface Showman Amp w/ 2 X 15 Cab - Blond - eBay (item 300447047710 end time Aug-15-10 13:49:06 PDT)

$5,000

**randyc** · 07-23-2010, 04:23 PM

I paid $200 for mine - about the same vintage - in 1974. Amplifier + cabinet with dual JBLs. Still have the amplifier but the two JBLs went into PA cabinets.

**jzucker** · 01-09-2014, 07:00 PM

Originally Posted by randyc

That's why jazz guitarists love 15 inch speakers, because they filter out a lot of the "squeaky" and undesirable harmonic sounds. Guitar frequency range is about 80 Hz to 1300 Hz. If the amplifier/speaker combination is capable of reproducing the second and third harmonics, most of the "timbre" of the instrument is audible. 3 kHz would be perfect for jazz in my opinion. If the speaker you're referring to is their 4 ohm model, it is also appropriate for an open-back enclosure. That's usually not true of 15 inch speakers, they normally require a closed-back cabinet to flatten frequency response.

INCORRECT! Electric Guitar ranges up to 4.5k-5k. A 3k top end will be dark.

**jorgemg1984** · 01-09-2014, 07:21 PM

I believe he meant fundamentals. With harmonics you go up to 5k.

**Jimmy Mack** · 01-09-2014, 08:08 PM

I chose the Eminence Tonkerlite for my Peavey Classic 30. I wanted a little brighter spkr., than the one in it, and a reduction in weight, for transport ease. I love the spkr. and .....

it sounded great right out of the box!!! It's broken in now, but I didn't worry how it sounded then vs. now. I didn't want a Jensen type of sound, going for a more British tone. THere are quite a few to choose from. I Hear great things about the Jensen 12in. Neos, flat response, and high wattage handling

You will realize a relief from weight more with a multi- spkr. amp, obviously, but if your single spkr. amp is already heavy, a Neo will only knock off a few pounds. My Peavey is now only slightly (but appreciated) lighter.

I use a small foldable hand-truck.

**D.G.** · 01-09-2014, 10:30 PM

Originally Posted by Little Jay

I am also considering to replace the Jensens in my Twin for Neodyniums. That would knock about 6kg off it's weigh!
Haven't dared to do so yet, I am also looking for experiences from others.

I've done it. I put a Texas Heat and a Lil' Tonker in my TRRI. It makes it moveable. Tonewise, by the time I need the power the Twin provides I don't care about tone, only volume

**Little Jay** · 01-10-2014, 07:55 AM

Wow, this is an old thread

Meanwhile I can post my personal experience. Since my post in 2010 I too did put two Jensen Neo 12-100s in my Twin and they did a good job. They made the amp a bit darker sounding, actually a bit too dark as my Twin was rather dark sounding (later it turned out that amp had some issues that have since been resolved) so when I came across a cheap pair of 80ies Fender Blue-labeled Pyle speakers I put those in the Twin and I liked those better, although they made the amp a bit heavier again (but not as heavy as the C12Ks that were in before). After fixing the Twin (turned out a previous owner had replaced some caps and resistors that made it darker sounding) I still liked the Pyles so much I kept them in there.

But the Jensen Neos happily found their way into two of my other amps: a '93 Fender Blues Deluxe and an 80ies Session Rockette:30 solid state amp. They sound great in those amps, a real improvement! So they stay in those amps. I do find the Jensen Neo 12-100 speakers a wee bit darker voiced than your average ceramic speaker and I think they are great for taming amps that have a bit too much top end brightness. I read the other Jensen Neo type (Tornado I believe) is better in preserving the Fender 'sparkle' or 'chime'.

Btw, those Pyles get bashed on the net for being the absolute worst speakers for a Twin, but they sound gorgeous! (Mine are old but in good condition, really broken-in I guess.) I estimate they have a power rating of 70 watts or so which means the ceramic magnets are not that big and the 'oval-hole-Swiss-cheese-baskets are also lighter, so they are not too heavy and definetely help keeping the Twin transportable.

**jzucker** · 01-10-2014, 08:21 AM

Originally Posted by jorgemg1984

I believe he meant fundamentals. With harmonics you go up to 5k.

Not even harmonics. The guitar is itself has a wider range than that. Plug your guitar into a board and attenuate everything above 3k. Then move the attenuation up to 5k. HUGE difference.