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Replacement driver frustration

#21
In the original post, the OP never mentioned why he's doing this. Doesn't even mention playing the Ampeg cab. It sounds as if he found a good deal on this cab and immediately went to changing speakers.

My biggest question is.....why?

I could understand if it was blown, or he just plain didn't like the sound of it, or needed something higher spl/higher performance so he doesn't have to carry 2 cabs but none of that is mentioned.

The only thing that is mentioned is the move to 4 ohms, which knowing marketing departments, and thus players, obsession with watts points to "getting all the power out of my amp".

So again...why are you doing this in the first place? The answer to that would point folks in the direction of the proper speaker for your needs.....which just might be...none.
 
#23
will33 said:
In the original post, the OP never mentioned why he's doing this. Doesn't even mention playing the Ampeg cab. It sounds as if he found a good deal on this cab and immediately went to changing speakers.

My biggest question is.....why?

I could understand if it was blown, or he just plain didn't like the sound of it, or needed something higher spl/higher performance so he doesn't have to carry 2 cabs but none of that is mentioned.

The only thing that is mentioned is the move to 4 ohms, which knowing marketing departments, and thus players, obsession with watts points to "getting all the power out of my amp".

So again...why are you doing this in the first place? The answer to that would point folks in the direction of the proper speaker for your needs.....which just might be...none.
Click to expand...

The reason the price of the cab was so inexpensive was that the original driver had a couple holes in the cone. A friend of mine has a small child who got hold of one of his Dads phillips screw drivers and proceeded to poke it through the grill and into the cone. I knew going in that I was going to need to buy a replacement speaker. My current cab is 4 ohms, I never run multiple cabs so I figured I would stay with a 4 ohm driver.

I found a few discussions where people had placed the 15c in this cab and reported good results. Knowing full well that "good" is subjective. I had nothing to lose by ordering this driver. I have a very good relationship with the vendor and if I didn't like how it sounded in this cab then it gets returned and I try a different driver.

The reason for my OP was to figure out what was possibly wrong with the driver, for my own education.
 
#24
giantjerk said:
The reason the price of the cab was so inexpensive was that the original driver had a couple holes in the cone. A friend of mine has a small child who got hold of one of his Dads phillips screw drivers and proceeded to poke it through the grill and into the cone. I knew going in that I was going to need to buy a replacement speaker. My current cab is 4 ohms, I never run multiple cabs so I figured I would stay with a 4 ohm driver.

I found a few discussions where people had placed the 15c in this cab and reported good results. Knowing full well that "good" is subjective. I had nothing to lose by ordering this driver. I have a very good relationship with the vendor and if I didn't like how it sounded in this cab then it gets returned and I try a different driver.

The reason for my OP was to figure out what was possibly wrong with the driver, for my own education.
Click to expand...

That makes a whole lot more sense.

As far as the move to 4ohms, most drivers don't have the excursion (ability to move back and forth, regardless of watt ratings) to make anything of the extra power. A speaker that plays at a higher spl (more sound coming out per watt going in), in combination with good excursion is the way to go.

The kappalite3015 and the Faital mentioned both fit that category. Yes, they're 8ohms, but the spl increase will get you way more than dumping more power into a 4ohm speaker that can't make anything of it.

John_k has cabs with both those speakers. The consensus is, the kappalite for a more "regular" topend you'd expect from a good fullrange 15, the Faital sounding both even louder and also brighter.
 
#27
Downunderwonder said:
Bodgy up the holes?
Click to expand...

Downunderwonder said:
That flappy rattling could be the wires on the back hitting the cone.
Click to expand...

Good points here as well. Depending on the extent of the damage, it could just be patched up. Not hard to do yourself, or at small cost by a pro. The replacements mentioned are both very good speakers, whether or not they're worth it depends on your volume needs, budget, etc.
 
#28
I checked the wires (both the wires inside the cab and the raw wire on the cone) it was definately neither. I have a decent stereo set up in my garage so I switched it to mono, disconnected one speaker and ran the other speaker wire to the driver while it was sitting on my workbench. Same terrible distorted sound.

The vendor I purchased the new driver from does cone repairs at a very reasonable price, but I have a good gig coming up Saturday night so getting this cab up and running was a priority.
 
#29
giantjerk said:
What didn't you like about the Schroeder?
Click to expand...

It's a different sound that I don't particularly care for.
I like my drivers facing forward in a vented cab with clear definition.
The two Schroders I have used were incredibly small, light, and loud, but just didn't have enough low end articulation or a tight, focused mid-range ot top end.

We all want different things though; you could easily hear it differently.
 
#30
If you're sure the stock, good condition, Ampeg driver has a tone you like and the volume you need, a re-cone will be by far the most affordable way to go. If not, either of the drivers mentioned are premium upgrades. Another more affordable ceramic magnet upgrade is the Eminence Legend CB158, or CA154 (4 ohm). Good spl, full, smooth bottom, warm top, maybe not enough top for a lot of slap, but can get away with it once in a while. Can't take the high power thrashing of the premiums, but a goodly amount. Plays pretty loud, close to 1/2 price of the kappalite/faital....friendly towards various box sizes/tunings, also works sealed.

Just more things to consider.
 
#31
If I were you, I'd be inclined to borrow/rent a cab for Saturday's gig and put a little more time/thought into the right solution here to meet your volume/tone/budget needs. You're gonna have this thing for a long time....getting through one gig with a loaner is a small price to pay to end up with something you'll like long term.
 
#32
will33 said:
If I were you, I'd be inclined to borrow/rent a cab for Saturday's gig and put a little more time/thought into the right solution here to meet your volume/tone/budget needs. You're gonna have this thing for a long time....getting through one gig with a loaner is a small price to pay to end up with something you'll like long term.
Click to expand...

+1.

plus, the loaner gives you another speaker to try on the gig as an option that might help you decide which direction you want to go.
 
#34
His 212?....then just use that one more time and don't go jumping to conclusions on this one. Or borrow something else anyway to get another perspective. Just because he got a deal on another cab this week doesn't mean he has to use it this week.......easier said than done, I know.;)
 

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