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Suggestions for speaker replacement - '68 Bassman Cab

J

JMV

Apr 23, 2019
122
140
La Crosse, WI
#1
I have a '68 Fender Bassman 215 cab and was wondering about a couple things. I really like the tone when driving it with a GK MB-150 (internal speaker off), however have a concern. I hear some "rattling", not sure if it's something in the room or loose hardware in cab or failing original speaker....??? The speakers are the original ones and assume they are Emminence or Fender Special Design, etc... If not already damaged, are they vulnerable to damage because they're old and fragile? Would replacements be recommended and if so, any suggestions to emulate original sound?
 
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#3
The original speakers are likely made by Utah. The original amp for this box was just 50 watts, so the speakers weren't what one would regard as 'robust'; if they've been subjected to much abuse in the past then damage is a definite possibility. Whatever shortcomings this cab had--and they were substantial--at least it was pretty well built, so it seems less likely that the rattle is just something loose inside the box. @Stumbo's suggestion to take it outside is a good one.

Edit: One thing that CAN happen inside the box is that the nuts on the back of the speaker mounting studs can loosen up over the 50+ years since the cab was built. A hollow-shaft nut-driver or deep-well socket is the right tool to re-torque those, but don't get carried away...they're not cylinder-head bolts.
 
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#7
One other thing ... many years ago I gigged with this cab under a 60's/70's Ampeg V-4B head, so it definitely saw some "heavier" use and generally held its own and provided some really nice tone (IMO) with the P-bass and Ric that I played back in the day. Wish I would've known about HPF's back then :D
 
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#8
JMV said:
I have a '68 Fender Bassman 215 cab and was wondering about a couple things. I really like the tone when driving it with a GK MB-150 (internal speaker off), however have a concern. I hear some "rattling", not sure if it's something in the room or loose hardware in cab or failing original speaker....??? The speakers are the original ones and assume they are Emminence or Fender Special Design, etc... If not already damaged, are they vulnerable to damage because they're old and fragile? Would replacements be recommended and if so, any suggestions to emulate original sound?
Click to expand...
Are you sure about the type of speakers? Many of those original bassman cabs had JBL D130f or 140f. You'd need to open it up to find out.
 
#10
BassFishingInAmerica said:
Are you sure about the type of speakers? Many of those original bassman cabs had JBL D130f or 140f. You'd need to open it up to find out.
Click to expand...
I don't remember Bassman's with the JBL's but no doubt some folks used them that way. I do remember (and played through) Dual showman cabinets with JBLs. My fading memory was in the late 60's JBL's got put into everything. (And thrush exhaust systems on their ride).
 
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#11
pbassjbass said:
I don't remember Bassman's with the JBL's but no doubt some folks used them that way. I do remember (and played through) Dual showman cabinets with JBLs. My fading memory was in the late 60's JBL's got put into everything. (And thrush exhaust systems on their ride).
Click to expand...
There are tons of bassman cabs from the 60s with JBLs. I've got one in my garage, which I know is original. I'm pretty sure they either came with Fender speakers or the JBLs. I know that the "F" designation on the JBL was specifically for Fender.
 
#13
Found some rattle sources! First, about 95% was the metal grill from the MB-150 sitting on top of the cabinet. Those old Bassman cab's vibrate and resonate a lot . . . oddly the MB grill doesn't rattle from its internal speaker. Then, once back removed, I discovered nearly all fasteners inside cab were barely finger tight. Plus a a bare speaker mount stud without nut/lockwasher and a couple screws from the back are missing. Off to hardware store to close these gaps. In case anyone's wondering, yes there were fiberglass batts inside that I set to the side and will replace when putting everything back together... and the original grill cloth was dyed black (we used to modify things back when... kinda like the aforementioned Thrush glasspacks on our rides!!).

Didn't remove the speakers, but from parts of cone and surround that are visible it all appears to be in respectable condition for 50+ yrs old.

@biguglyman and @Redbrangus . . . you'd be proud, I didn't tighten these by the torque spec mentioned earlier :roflmao:

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#14
Tighten those speakers carefully. If its too tight on one side can warp the basket.
Those square magnets are just like the ones in my Kustom cabinet.
JBLs were an expensive option for cabs back then and you can usually tell the JBLs by their chrome dust cavers in the speaker centers that shine through the front of the cabinet.

Have fun with your Bassman Cabinet.
 
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#17
Those square magnets remind me of 15inch CTS speakers that were common in bass cabinets in the sixties. Economical, sounded decent, and held up fairly well with the amps of the day; Fender, Ampeg, and Kustom.
 
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