Change out a speaker?

[jamonrob]

I often use an older GK MB150-E combo amp, which has a 12" GK speaker. I have a second GK cab that has the same speaker as the amp, and sometimes I use that as an extension cab.
I have a couple raw frame speakers that I wonder one of which might be as good or better than the stock GK speaker.
One is an EVM-12l 8 ohm. Other is a JBL E-120 8 ohm.
Your thoughts are appreciated. Thank you in advance.

 

[ardgedee]

Probably not. Bass cabinets are designed specifically for the speakers in them. You can't swap them around like guitar speakers.

What kind of improvements are you hoping for?

 

[Wasnex]

Pretty sure the GK MB uses a special driver that is designed to produce extended bass in the tiny enclosure. The trade off is low efficiency and limited treble response.

The EV and JBL will be more efficient and have nicer mids and highs. But they won't produce very much low end or handle very much power. I suspect they are probably too deep to even fit.

 

[eniac]

It would help if the OP explained what improvements he's after, tone-wise, volume-wise, and so on.

In many cases a speaker "upgrade" is not the most forward-looking solution, and can even reduce an amp's (or cab's) worth on the used market.

The characteristics of either the JBL or the EV might be a poor match to the remaining stock speaker, giving a less satisfactory result (tone and volume) than what you have now.

 

[meisi]

Probably not as stated but if you already have the gear and free time plug them in and see what you like. Be modest with the volume knob.

You’re likely to waste a day convincing yourself you like it better before switching it back but hey that’s what free time and experimenting is for.

Ports incorrectly tuned will make the woofer fart and over extend and blow. Be realistic in what you’re hearing. You probably won’t still have the full power handling claimed on the sticker if a poor match.

The right way to do it is match a cab with the woofer but twiddling is ok as long as you don’t start any fires, imo, ymmv, etc

 

[agedhorse]

IIRC, that’s a small sealed enclosure that used a very unique high compliance driver. Most drivers available are very different and won’t sound very good, with almost no low end. Neither of the drivers you have are good choices imo.

You might give GK a call and see what they suggest.

 

[Wasnex]

IIRC, that’s a small sealed enclosure that used a very unique high compliance driver. Most drivers available are very different and won’t sound very good, with almost no low end. Neither of the drivers you have are good choices imo.

You might give GK a call and see what they suggest.

It appears they still offer a factory driver.

 

[Snert]

One is an EVM-12l 8 ohm. Other is a JBL E-120 8 ohm.

Both make better guitar speakers, the EVM is a ripper when used as I own one for that purpose and the E120 is popular for the same. If mi good condition, both will have good resale so maybe they could be moved on to someone else who'll use them for guitar and use the $ to fund a more bass applicable project.

 

[DavyR]

I often use an older GK MB150-E combo amp, which has a 12" GK speaker. I have a second GK cab that has the same speaker as the amp, and sometimes I use that as an extension cab.
I have a couple raw frame speakers that I wonder one of which might be as good or better than the stock GK speaker.
One is an EVM-12l 8 ohm. Other is a JBL E-120 8 ohm.
Your thoughts are appreciated. Thank you in advance.

If you mean the GK MB150E-112, the 12" speaker is connected to the back of the metal cab with a screw that passes through a 'rubber' washer/ grommet that resides on the back of the speaker. I suspect that this helps create a bit of more bass, etc. So, if that connection isn't made by a different speaker I'm not so sure the design will produce what was intended.