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Bassman cab 2 x 15" speaker replacement , 2226 ?

John Heckler

John Heckler

Guest
May 24, 2016
5
1
#1
I'm about to purchase two JBL 2226 and install them instead of the original D140. I only had one inside, faulty, it makes strange squeaky high pitched sounds on certain freq). Even If I would fix it, there's a small chance to find another one in my neighborhood (eastern Europe). So, mint 2226s at 140$ each appear ok to me. Did anyone have experience with those loudspeakers, placed in typical bass cabinets? Mine is diagonal fender (2x15) along with a Bassman 50 silverface amp.
Any better suggestions, anyone? Is this good or idiotic decision?
Thanks
 
#2
I have a late 60's silverface Bassman and when I got it it had two Eminence 15"s in it and they sound great, plenty of high end if you need it and plenty of clean bottom. I don't know the model number though but I doubt they were very expensive as someone who didn't own the amp blew the originals and bought them as substitutes, this was for a buddy of mine. Remember they only need to handle about 25 watts max each. Also the JBL only goes up to about 2500 hz and Eminence typically go up to 4000 hz.
 
#3
The 2226 is ok, but I really recommend that you listen to them before buying. The response rolls off about an octave earlier (though different slope) that the D-140's. They may be really dark for this purpose.
 
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#4
agedhorse said:
The 2226 is ok, but I really recommend that you listen to them before buying. The response rolls off about an octave earlier (though different slope) that the D-140's. They may be really dark for this purpose.
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Yeap, thats one of my worries...not possible to try em out. Is the fact that I'll be having a slightly overpowered box a problem (1200w !!! Hence each 2226 is 600w AES continuous pink noise) for a 50w amp?!
 
#7
John Heckler said:
Yeap, thats one of my worries...not possible to try em out. Is the fact that I'll be having a slightly overpowered box a problem (1200w !!! Hence each 2226 is 600w AES continuous pink noise) for a 50w amp?!
Click to expand...

Your amp outputs POWER in watts, speakers DO NOT make watts. Speakers are rated for what they can "take" FROM an amp head. The amp could care less if the speakers are rated at 10 watts or 10,000 watts.
 
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#8
Waste of a good (but wrong) speaker in the wrong application. For a low wattage tube amp in an old style cab, you want something really efficient that has a response at LEAST up to 3.5k if not 4 or 5k. The 2226s would probably be great... in a high power 3 way PA cab with maybe an 8 and a horn. And I think they weigh like 25 lbs each. The good news is vintage styled speakers are a lot easier to find and usually cheaper too. Eminence has a bunch that would probably work, and so do other manufacturers. And you could always go on ebay and find a used pair of something that would be good. If you wanted to stick with JBLs, you could try to find the M151s. They don't come up too often, but would be about perfect for your application. Very sensitive (over 100db), and the range goes all the way up to 5k. And they sound really good and can be had for a reasonable price typically. Still pretty heavy, but I think they're closer to 20 lbs.
 
#13
agedhorse said:
I would recone the existing D-140's myself, and for this application a pair of D-130F's would be another possible choice.
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I'd go with reconing those JBL D140's too. That was the sound I always wanted with my '66 black-face Fender Bassman, but it came with two 12's (only year the large cabinet came with the 12's). That's the sound that sent me shopping for a Dual Showman back in '71.
 
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#14
John Heckler said:
I'm about to purchase two JBL 2226 and install them instead of the original D140. I only had one inside, faulty, it makes strange squeaky high pitched sounds on certain freq). Even If I would fix it, there's a small chance to find another one in my neighborhood (eastern Europe). So, mint 2226s at 140$ each appear ok to me. Did anyone have experience with those loudspeakers, placed in typical bass cabinets? Mine is diagonal fender (2x15) along with a Bassman 50 silverface amp.
Any better suggestions, anyone? Is this good or idiotic decision?
Thanks
Click to expand...
How loud do you play? I owned a Bassman 50 in 1971---- it's a great guitar amp but the lack of power forced me to buy an Acoustic 360. Glad to have small, light, high powered rigs these days.
Like the fender tone? Get a TBP1 and a power amp or a Super Bassman.
 
#15
Slevage said:
How loud do you play? I owned a Bassman 50 in 1971---- it's a great guitar amp but the lack of power forced me to buy an Acoustic 360. Glad to have small, light, high powered rigs these days.
Click to expand...

i've gigged with a fender bassman 50 and a 1x15 all over new orleans without any issues. playing with loud organ and drums and percussionists (2). unless you're deaf it should be plenty fine.
 
#17
50w of bassman is enough for me. I just hope the cabinet will have enough highs for bass guitar and eventually organlike keys. For gigs i use Marshall 50W JMP (1969 BASS) and grab whatever cabinet i can find, Bassman rarely ever leaves the house. On parties I plug in my shadowed double bass, keys (organ), or even jazz guitar. D140 did it all before it stared with this squeeetzching defect (I believe i discovered a new word in english). The lack of another speaker (aside from the fact I was running 8ohm speaker with 4ohm amp) leaves the cabinet with a hole which messes up low end. I will fix D140 but Im certain i wont find another one near me. Shipping from US is not an option. I know its awkward of me to insist on turning a style / purpose specific amp into an allarounder, but I''m emotinally tied to that Amp. It's my Dads. So if would play a laser harp some day, I'd plug it into that old Bassman as well.
Any experiences with Celestion FTR15 3070C ?
 
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#19
markjazzbassist said:
Weber makes a jbl 15 clone called California 15 in either Alnico or Ceramic.

In Europe Faital makes the 15pr400.

Celestion made a jbl copy called the g100. But they are rare and will only show up used
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Without specifications (none are available on the website), I don't think this will be even close to the D-140. Wrong cone, wrong surround, wrong VC diameter and magnet flux, wrong dust cap mounting system, and a stamped basket that's WAY deeper (with a way deeper cone) than anything JBL produced the the D/K/E or 2200 series. The cone LOOKS like a D-130 cone but too deep. I wish folks would not advertise something that is not even close to the original. As an old JBL guy (certified JBL service school), it's misleading IMO.

The Faital 15PR400 is nothing like the D-140, TS parameters are WAY wrong. The 15PR400 is a great driver, just not going to sound anything like the D-140. For some folks, it might sound better actually.

I've never seen a Celestion G-100 and can not find factory docs anywhere for it (I have most of the factory docs from my service days), but looking in my recone docs, everything starting with a G is for the guitar market so I would be wary that anything with a G would be ideal for bass guitar. Do you have a copy of the docs? I would be interested to see what it is, might be very interesting. Celestion had some pretty good resources going back a few years.
 
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#20
agedhorse said:
Without specifications (none are available on the website), I don't think this will be even close to the D-140. Wrong cone, wrong surround, wrong VC diameter and magnet flux, wrong dust cap mounting system, and a stamped basket that's WAY deeper (with a way deeper cone) than anything JBL produced the the D/K/E or 2200 series. The cone LOOKS like a D-130 cone but too deep. I wish folks would not advertise something that is not even close to the original. As an old JBL guy (certified JBL service school), it's misleading IMO.

The Faital 15PR400 is nothing like the D-140, TS parameters are WAY wrong. The 15PR400 is a great driver, just not going to sound anything like the D-140. For some folks, it might sound better actually.

I've never seen a Celestion G-100 and can not find factory docs anywhere for it (I have most of the factory docs from my service days), but looking in my recone docs, everything starting with a G is for the guitar market so I would be wary that anything with a G would be ideal for bass guitar. Do you have a copy of the docs? I would be interested to see what it is, might be very interesting. Celestion had some pretty good resources going back a few years.
Click to expand...

Yeah I don't buy the Webber hype either but just wanted to give the poster some options.

Yeah I've just heard the Faital is like a modern jbl, no experience.

No docs on the g100, had one and read a lot of forum talk that's all. Not enough high end for me to be like a d140 but it's European and might be plentiful over there.
 

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