Peavey Minx 110 + tweeter?

Patman27 · #1 12-09-2010, 11:28 PM

Hello all,
I have a Peavey Minx 110 (newest model) which I use for practicing with my jazz band, around home, etc.
The only problem is that, although I think the one sealed 10" speaker sounds great alone, I sometimes find myself wishing there was a tweeter to add a bit of brightness to my sound. Also, whenever hooking up an mp3 player to the amp (to play a recording for the band) i need that extra high end. There have even been times that our drummer has needed my practice amp for his electronic drum set (practice space only, of course!

) and I've had to haul out my Goliath Jr. III along with my 600w Carvin head just because of the Goliath's tweeter. Not fun...

So, my question is this:

Does it make sense to install a crossover (in the case of a tweeter) and a high-frequency driver of some sort, and if so, what type should it be? Bear in mind the amp is rated at 50w when paired with an external 8Ω cab. Due to the limited real-estate on the front baffle, it needs to be relatively small.
(p.s. an external potentiometer/pad switch is essential)

Let me know what you guys think!
Thanks in advance

bassmanrocke · #2 12-10-2010, 10:55 AM

I think it would make more sense to by a small used pa speaker with a ten and a horn and plug it into the extension jack. The mods you are talking about would have to be too compromised to be affective, and probably not cost effective on an amp that typically goes for about $80 used. You can freguently pick up old PV pa speakers for under $80 at local pawnshops that could solve your problems without all the questionable work.

Patman27 · #3 12-10-2010, 03:16 PM

Thanks for the idea. However:
If I wanted to resort to an external speaker, I could simply bring my Goliath with me. Adding another speaker would mean a few things. First, more equipment to carry for just a little high end. Second, the ten would change the overall tone of the setup. Assuming I'm using an inexpensive (thus probably cheap) PA speaker, this may not be a good thing.
Also, I live in Puerto Rico. Pawn shops here aren't exactly the best thing since sliced bread, you know.

Patman27 · #4 12-10-2010, 10:08 PM

Bump?

will33 · #5 12-11-2010, 09:14 AM

Add a little piezo to it.

http://www.parts-express.com/wizards...AT&srchCat=998

Cheap, easy, no crossover required although it's good policy to put a little resistor in front of it, 4ohm, 5-10 watts. That'll add about $1 to the whole cost. One, at most 2, will add some sparkle to a single 10. It's a practice amp, I wouldn't spend a bunch on hf drivers, crossovers, etc.

gregoire1 · #6 12-11-2010, 09:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by will33

Add a little piezo to it.

http://www.parts-express.com/wizards...AT&srchCat=998

Cheap, easy, no crossover required although it's good policy to put a little resistor in front of it, 4ohm, 5-10 watts. That'll add about $1 to the whole cost. One, at most 2, will add some sparkle to a single 10. It's a practice amp, I wouldn't spend a bunch on hf drivers, crossovers, etc.

You could wire it in (temporarily) to see how it sounds before commiting to a permanent mod. You might have to trim the piezos flange to fit it on the baffle but I'd try it.

Patman27 · #7 12-11-2010, 10:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gregoire1

You could wire it in (temporarily) to see how it sounds before commiting to a permanent mod. You might have to trim the piezos flange to fit it on the baffle but I'd try it.

Sounds like a plan

. The minx has a .5" wide raised edge around the whole ininside edge of the baffle to serve as support for the grille. If I can't trim the piezo horn, i'll probably just use a hole saw or Dremel to cut some of the edge away.

My only concern is that I've heard piezo tweeters sound rather tinny.

(Bonus: By the way, how is it that a piezo tweeter requires no crossover? I know what a piezo element is, but does anybody know why, exactly? )

will33 · #8 12-11-2010, 02:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Patman27

By the way, how is it that a piezo tweeter requires no crossover? I know what a piezo element is, but does anybody know why, exactly? )

Their impedance is so high in the lower frequencies they won't accept little if any power down there. Might be able to squeeze this one in a top corner of your cab. http://www.parts-express.com/pe/show...number=270-011 It's the smallest one there.

MNAirHead · #9 12-11-2010, 02:14 PM

Really sounds like you want a different amp

gregoire1 · #10 12-11-2010, 02:42 PM

Look at the tweeters under car-audio, there are some tiny ones. I've no idea if they'd work but they sure are small.

Patman27 · #11 12-11-2010, 02:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MNAirHead

Really sounds like you want a different amp

Actually, I really like this little amp. It's a bit on the heavy side (MDF = blech), but it can cover multiple bases at once; as a practice amp and a small (i.e. jazz) gig/club amp. As long as the drummer isn't pounding his heart out, it can hold out pretty well.

Patman27 · #12 12-11-2010, 02:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by will33

Their impedance is so high in the lower frequencies they won't accept little if any power down there.

Of course! I forgot about that...

MNAirHead · #13 12-11-2010, 02:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Patman27

Actually, I really like this little amp. It's a bit on the heavy side (MDF = blech), but it can cover multiple bases at once; as a practice amp and a small (i.e. jazz) gig/club amp. As long as the drummer isn't pounding his heart out, it can hold out pretty well.

I never had a problem with them....

I'm not confident adding a low cost tweet will accomplish your goal.

Tim