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Old square-backed cabinets

My straightback sounds a lot better than current SVT cabs. The dimensions are more or less the same, except of course for the top and bottom where the towel bar and wheels go. I am pretty sure it's the speakers.
 
You think SOMEBODY would wake up and start reissuing the alnicos. I, for one, would love to have a quad for my B40 - which is currently populated with Peavey Scorpions.
I have heard that Weber makes an SVT speaker that's supposed to be faithful to the old CTS's. Can't find it on their site, though.
 
I have heard that Weber makes an SVT speaker that's supposed to be faithful to the old CTS's. Can't find it on their site, though.

They are supposed to have an SVT head kit in the works as well as a reporduction cab to go with it. Ted (Weber) said it was supposed to be ready in a month or so (that was a couple of months ago). A few of their speakers are listed as being available in 32 ohms but it's not clear weather they are the SVT repo's or not - can't imagine what else would use a 32 ohm 10" speaker.

JR
 
I have heard that Weber makes an SVT speaker that's supposed to be faithful to the old CTS's. Can't find it on their site, though.

There are a few that are advertised as SVT replacement speakers, but they are not the real deal, being ceramic and of relatively high power handling. That old SVT speaker not only has an Alnico mag, but has a relatively shallow cone, and a large (2"?) voice coil diameter. Actually, the cones themselves are interesting - they aren't ribbed or plain, but instead have a "crosshatched" embossing in the cone paper, and a fabric dustcap. I think all of the above factors combine to produce that fat, warm tone.
 
There are a few that are advertised as SVT replacement speakers, but they are not the real deal, being ceramic and of relatively high power handling. That old SVT speaker not only has an Alnico mag, but has a relatively shallow cone, and a large (2"?) voice coil diameter. Actually, the cones themselves are interesting - they aren't ribbed or plain, but instead have a "crosshatched" embossing in the cone paper, and a fabric dustcap. I think all of the above factors combine to produce that fat, warm tone.
I've heard the Webers are made with alnico magnets and were basically clones of the CTS's. But again, I can't find them on his website so maybe they really don't exist.
 
My Square back svt cab sounds much nicer to me than any of the newer tilt back cabs do.
I find it has more low end clarity, and low mid growl..
I dont know if its the cab shape, the speakers ( of which 3 have been re coned in the 1980s) or the wood that the cab is made from..
I have seen the inside of a few newer cabs and i thought they appeared to be made of some sort of partial board which would mean more glue..
but my older cab is clearly wood.. it was made around 1971..
I don t use it since it is such a pain to move with my back but it sounds great...
 
Yeah, I don't know if it's the square backs as much as it it the stamped frame alnico CTS drivers they used in the 70's. At some point in the mid 70's they beveled the back edges for the wheels and bar handle but kept the same CTS drivers. Those cabs sounded the same - great.
Later (80's?) they went with higher power drivers and upped the power rating and the sound got a little darker in my view.
was there an advantage for the old ampeg 810s having square backs compared to the angled backs of most 810s today? Advantages? Disadvantages? Or is it basically just a preference to aid in moving it?
 
The lower power , way lower Xmax speakers have a different response to power than newer ones...... They have a different set of harmonics when driven hard...........

partly due to paper and cone design, partly due to voice coil vs 'frontplate thickness, etc, etc.......

All the lower power speakers sound significantly different than modern heavier-duty ones. Celestion made lower-power re-issue type speakers, which SLM used, and they really did open up the smaller guitar amps.
 
Are said lower-power, lower Xmax speakers more prone to damage when used with modern amps/basses?
I don't think so. I've cranked my LMII up to its max volume (500w) in my 810 with the CTS's, and didn't hear the least little bit of speaker trouble. Would I do it on a regular basis? No. And even though I've done it with an active bass, I kept the preamp flat. If you plan on putting that much volume through one, I wouldn't go boosting the lows and highs all the way up, but it can take way more wattage than the lowly 250w maximum Ampeg claimed when they first came out. And with the 50w Mods, it should take even a little more, though I haven't tried the Mods (going by their specs).
 
How well does the LM 2 drive the 8x10?
Is it able to bring the cab to its limit?

I don't think so. I've cranked my LMII up to its max volume (500w) in my 810 with the CTS's, and didn't hear the least little bit of speaker trouble. Would I do it on a regular basis? No. And even though I've done it with an active bass, I kept the preamp flat. If you plan on putting that much volume through one, I wouldn't go boosting the lows and highs all the way up, but it can take way more wattage than the lowly 250w maximum Ampeg claimed when they first came out. And with the 50w Mods, it should take even a little more, though I haven't tried the Mods (going by their specs).