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Dirty-South Blues Harp forum: wail on! >
Ampeg J-20 Speaker Recommendation
Ampeg J-20 Speaker Recommendation
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Route90
6 posts
Sep 03, 2014
7:09 AM
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I recently purchased an Ampeg J-20. The amp is essentially a 6G3 brown Deluxe, as a frame of reference. What I'm finding with the stock speaker, with my microphones, is a slight scoop in the mids, causing some clarity and subtlety to be lost. The stock speaker is (from what I have been able to dig up about it) a knockoff of a Celestion Blue, rated at 20 watts, with a pretty hefty alnico magnet.
Since the amp has only a tone control, there is no way to adjust the mids. I would like a speaker that emphasizes the mids a tad more. I definitely do not want a speaker that adds any more highs. I have considered British speakers such as the Celestion Gold, G12H30, Greenback, etc., as they tend to be mid-centric and have a good reputation with the 6G3 circuit, but I’m not 100 percent sold. There is a certain “fizz” with the British-style speakers I have played harp through in the past, including the stock speaker in this amp. Maybe it’s my microphones, the way I attack certain notes…who knows.
So, I have narrowed it down to two speakers which I think would work great. I am looking for some feedback (sorry) to help push me over on one of them.
1. Warehouse G12C/S (like a smooth cone Jensen C12N)
2. Eminence Cannabis Rex
Thank you for any advice, insight or opinions!
EDIT: Of course, the problem may be with the amp circuit itself and not necessarily the speaker. Either way, I feel that a speaker swap would be a far easier (for me) remedy in this situation, rather than extensive circuit mods and experimentations. I love the amp. I just want a smidge of "mid bump" from the end product.
Last Edited by Route90 on Sep 03, 2014 7:13 AM
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HawkeyeKane
2600 posts
Sep 03, 2014
7:19 AM
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I too have played on a stock J-20. It's a nice amp...but I definitely agree with you on the scooped mids and highs.
I'd say a C-Rex would definitely fit the bill for you. It's proven itself very harp friendly many times over. Some harp players I know have taken a liking to the Eminence Screamin Eagle as well...but I find it's more pronounced on the highs than the C-Rex. Another possibility (albeit more expensive) would be the Tone Tubby 40/40 ceramic.
Question for you...are you using the Bright or the Normal channel input?
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Hawkeye Kane - Hipbone Sam
Last Edited by HawkeyeKane on Sep 03, 2014 7:24 AM
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Route90
7 posts
Sep 03, 2014
7:33 AM
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Thanks Hawkeye. I've read your posts about your experience with the J-20. I'm using the normal input. The bright channel is too bright for my particular CM mics or my 545. I'm using an Eminence 820H hemp cone 8" in my little 5F2-A clone and it sounds HUGE.
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HawkeyeKane
2601 posts
Sep 03, 2014
8:18 AM
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Yeah....I've used my EV630 (similar to a 545) and my Akai DM13 with the Normal input on the J-20. Both get the job done, but the amp is still a bit bright with the alnico, and probably also with the innate circuitry of the amp. A friend of mine here in town (also a harp player) has an actual 6G3 Deluxe...I'll ask him if he's encountered similar tonal issues with it. That way, we can discern whether the J-20 may or may not have something like a lower value bright cap than the 6G3 in place. Of course, the 6G3 also came with a ceramic Oxford 12K5. That might be another speaker you'd wanna try looking for, or at least some similar current production speaker...maybe a Weber 12F125?
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Hawkeye Kane - Hipbone Sam
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Route90
8 posts
Sep 03, 2014
10:44 AM
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WGS claims that their ET-65 is the closest (in their lineup) to the original Oxford, for a true 6G3 circuit. I'm leaning towards the C-Rex for now. Would be interested to hear your friend's opinion of the Oxford if possible. Thanks again!
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Route90
9 posts
Sep 16, 2014
1:23 PM
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Ended up going with the Eminence Cannabis Rex. Gorgeous tone with this amp. Love it. Very deep, throaty sound with roundness. Using Rick Davis' excellent characterization of speakers, this would be an "Oh" as opposed to an "Ow" sound. The speaker is not sharp or harsh at all, yet it lacks nothing in the way of articulation. The subtlety and nuance are still there; the textures, the rasp, the rip...everything. I was worried that it wouldn’t have enough character or liveliness, but those worries have been put to rest. May not be the right speaker for every application calling for a 12, but for this amp, it is a wonderful combination.
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