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Ampeg SB-12 Replacement Speaker Options?

Discussion in 'Amps and Cabs [BG]' started by Paris1871, Apr 19, 2012.

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  1. Apr 19, 2012 #1
    Paris1871

    Paris1871

    Apr 19, 2012
    Greeting All!

    I recently picked up a 1968/1969 Ampeg SB-12 and have absolutely fallen in love with it. The combo still has the original Jensen C12N speaker in it. The combo works great at 1/4 volume or less (the first tick mark). However, I am noticing that it tends to bottom out when I raise the volume beyond this point or when I dig hard into the strings (especially in the lower register).

    I first contacted Weber speakers about a recone(as I have read on these boards). However, I was instructed that because the speaker was originally intended for guitar even after the recone the speaker may still bottom out when digging in hard. Therefore, I have been looking at 2 speaker options I see highly recommended on these boards...the Eminence Beta and the Eminence Delta 12.

    What sound am I looking for? In general, I am looking to preserve that mellow and warm yet focused tone that the SB-12 has now. However, I would like a speaker that has more of a robust low end and can project at higher volumes w/o bottoming out or any kind of distortion. In your experience, which of these Eminence speakers would fit my needs? In addition, if you know of any other speakers that would fit the bill please inform me.

    Thank You,

    -Greg
     
  2. Apr 19, 2012 #2
    JimmyM

    JimmyM Supporting Member

    Apr 11, 2005
    Apopka, FL
    Endorsing: Yamaha, Ampeg, Line 6, EMG
    Beta 12. Or Delta, but Beta's cheaper and it will work just as well or better in an SB-12. But Weber is exactly right about the Jensen. Just remember that it's a 112 made in the 60's, and it's never going to sound like a 410HLF no matter what you do ;) But if you want the proper tone for it, Beta or Delta.
     
  3. Apr 19, 2012 #3
    nysbob

    nysbob

    Sep 14, 2003
    Cincinnati OH
    I have an EV in mine - it's beefy enough for bass and still plenty responsive. Love, love love it....best studio amp imaginable.
     
  4. Apr 19, 2012 #4
    Lo-E

    Lo-E

    Dec 19, 2009
    Brooklyn, NY
    The folks at Fliptops.net suggest the Beta.

    Lots of SB-12s around that have had EV or JBL drivers installed over the years. Good choices, both. The nice thing about an SB-12 is that it's gonna sound like an SB-12 unless you put something really zany in there.
     
  5. Apr 19, 2012 #5
    Paris1871

    Paris1871

    Apr 19, 2012
    Just received an email back from Weber. They are recommending their Bass 12. Does anyone have any experience with this speaker? Thoughts?

    Thanks,

    Greg
     
  6. Apr 19, 2012 #6
    RutherfordBrave

    RutherfordBrave

    Jan 24, 2010
    Ellicott City, MD
    Greg and I have been emailing back and forth, but now that he has my old SB-12 I might as well answer him here :)

    I actually had a Weber Signature 12B for a little while that I used in a Musicmaster bass amp. Tried it briefly in the SB-12, and it did sound good. However, this was long before I did the recap, so there was no option of cranking it without a huge crackly noise floor from the amp itself. It is important to note that Weber does their power handling ratings a bit different than other speaker vendors, so when they say 50w it might mean something different than what Eminence says is 50w... The downfall of Weber is that they don't advertise sensitivity ratings, so you just have to kind of go with what they say (which, actually, tends to be pretty good advise...).
     
  7. Apr 19, 2012 #7
    Paris1871

    Paris1871

    Apr 19, 2012
    When I'm comparing the Weber to the Eminence I am noticing the Weber is a bit more expensive. Now, I'm not averse to spending a little more for quality. And I never intend to sell this combo either so I want to invest wisely. What do you all think about the difference in quality and durability between the Weber and the Eminence?

    -Greg
     
  8. Apr 19, 2012 #8
    RutherfordBrave

    RutherfordBrave

    Jan 24, 2010
    Ellicott City, MD
    A lot of people are very happy with the Eminence, not many have tried the Weber bass 12. Those are actually pretty new speakers for Weber (only in the last year, I believe). Not much info out there from what I can find.

    In any case, I will let others chime in here. I know Fuzzy Beard has an Eminence in his, and sounds to be very happy with it.
     
  9. Apr 19, 2012 #9
    Lo-E

    Lo-E

    Dec 19, 2009
    Brooklyn, NY
    Weber makes very, very nice guitar speakers, and it's where their expertise lies (IMO).
    Personally, while I think very highly of Weber as a company, I would probably go with the company that has a lot more experience making bass speakers. That would be Eminence.
     
  10. Apr 19, 2012 #10
    Paris1871

    Paris1871

    Apr 19, 2012
    Eminence Beta it is. Thanks for all the replies!

    -Greg
     
  11. Apr 19, 2012 #11
    Paris1871

    Paris1871

    Apr 19, 2012
  12. Apr 19, 2012 #12
    RutherfordBrave

    RutherfordBrave

    Jan 24, 2010
    Ellicott City, MD
    Beta 12A. Fliptops has about as good of a price as you'll find:
    Fliptops
     
  13. Apr 19, 2012 #13
    Paris1871

    Paris1871

    Apr 19, 2012
    Ordered. :)
     
  14. Apr 19, 2012 #14
    Paris1871

    Paris1871

    Apr 19, 2012
    I wanted to thank you guys for all the replies. Your input helped me make an informed decision and for that I am very grateful.

    Much respect to RutherfordBrave. He has really gone the extra mile for me in terms of assistance and just an awesome guy in my book. Thanks again brother.

    I will keep you all posted as to impressions when I get the speaker installed.

    -Greg
     
  15. Apr 20, 2012 #15
    fuzzy beard

    fuzzy beard

    Mar 8, 2011
    Aurora, Indiana


    Very happy with the eminence!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    Sorry i am late to the party!
     
  16. Apr 20, 2012 #16
    John D

    John D Guest

    Dec 27, 2009
    Late to the party also, but I put a DELTA 12A in mine and have no complaints. You will need to break it in.
     
  17. Apr 21, 2012 #17
    Paris1871

    Paris1871

    Apr 19, 2012
    John D...you read my mind! I was just wondering if the speakers need to be broken in!

    What is the proper break in procedure and how long does it normally take?

    Thanks Again,

    -Greg
     
  18. Apr 21, 2012 #18
    JimmyM

    JimmyM Supporting Member

    Apr 11, 2005
    Apopka, FL
    Endorsing: Yamaha, Ampeg, Line 6, EMG
    Just play through it for a few days and crank the head some. It'll break in on its own. You can spend hours running test tones through it, but holy cow, how boring!
     
  19. Apr 21, 2012 #19
    John D

    John D Guest

    Dec 27, 2009
    Jimmy has the right idea. I just played mine for a while, and it slowly gets better in the bottom end. I was more or less letting you know that the out-of-box tone isn't exactly what you will eventually hear, and not as good either, IMO.
     
  20. Apr 21, 2012 #20
    Paris1871

    Paris1871

    Apr 19, 2012
    Thanks for the advice guys. I was just a little concerned if I cranked it up a little too soon, I might damage the speaker. Then again, that's hard to imagine as the the speaker can take 250 watts and the amp produces ~25.

    However, I'm always a stickler for doing things...THE RIGHT WAY. So start at low volume then gradually increase it to what...around 50%?
     
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