Can anyone tell me about these 60's Jensen C12N's?

[fiftynine]

Here's a C12NSA with the Fender label and here's one without.

Is there any difference in the two? Do you think one is an organ pull? If you'd have ordered a Deluxe Reverb in the mid 60's and asked for a 50w Jensen, would you have got one of these NSA's with the smaller basket or a normal C12N?

Most C12N's I've seen have the bigger basket and I read the outer edge of the cone has a different number of folds and the NSA has a slightly shallower cone. Can anyone confirm this?

Can anyone suggest where to get some quality replacement cones from?

Any info appreciated.

[bigdaddy]

One of those web pages has a virus or something that Norton blocked.

So I won't go back there but from what I saw all three were different as so many Jensens are. One was reconed and had a lot of dope on the edge, not good, it looked like the wrong cone was used, I would not buy that speaker at all. The second looks like the original cone but with a different dust cap, maybe original, maybe not. I never saw that on a C12N but Jensen filled a lot of orders for companies. The third looked OK to me but I didn't see the cone.

Some have the shorter hot dog vents and some have the bigger baskets. The cone itself I think is a bit different with each basket, the depth of the cone, the VC is probably similar. I can't see the other parts, I just can't remember the names of everything right now. Any good and original C12N in 8 ohms would be the best choice for a BFDR or similar amp period, IMO.

[Shrapnel]

One of those web pages has a virus or something that Norton blocked.

No blockage (or reason to block) that I can see. If something was there, it's gone now. Unless... Norton is once again showing how it has fallen from being one of the best AV software to practically the worst by issuing false positives.

Here's a C12NSA with the Fender label and here's one without.

Is there any difference in the two? Do you think one is an organ pull? If you'd have ordered a Deluxe Reverb in the mid 60's and asked for a 50w Jensen, would you have got one of these NSA's with the smaller basket or a normal C12N?

Most C12N's I've seen have the bigger basket and I read the outer edge of the cone has a different number of folds and the NSA has a slightly shallower cone. Can anyone confirm this?

Can anyone suggest where to get some quality replacement cones from?

Any info appreciated.

It would seem that there may be some small differences, as I'm sure Leo wanted the speakers to have certain features, such as a low price... As far as reconing, I'm a complete n00b when it comes to more than the concept.

[FYL]

Is there any difference in the two?

Jensen used at least 6 different cones and 4 different dust caps for their C12N series, leading to a complete line, from dedicated woofers to wide range "hifi" drivers. Most vintage speakers have been reconed using third party kits. Fender used what was available at the best price, baskets and sometimes cone assys were different depending on the period.

So your guess is as good as mine...

Can anyone suggest where to get some quality replacement cones from?

Getting cones is one thing, properly reconing narrow gap drivers is another. If the motor and basket are OK, I would send the driver to Weber or another quality reconer. Weber bills $65 for a full recone on a Jensen 12", a DIY recone kit costs $50 or so...

[fiftynine]

Thanks.

So there's 2 basket styles, loads of dust caps and cones to play around with but are we saying the motor, magnet style/size, gap etc are the same for all C12N's?

[FYL]

So there's 2 basket styles, loads of dust caps and cones to play around with but are we saying the motor, magnet style/size, gap etc are the same for all C12N's?

As far as i can tell, very minor production differences asides, yes.

Two of my fave C12Ns are mongrels: one was OEMed for Motorola for their Golden Voice series, where it was used as a center mid/bass; the other was a woofer with a pleated cloth surround and came from a Jensen 3-way hifi speaker. Both were dead when I got them, but the basket/motor/... were in excellent condition, I had them reconed using original C12N parts and they sing happily ever since.

[fiftynine]

FYL, where did the re-cone kits come from? I've seen a few places that sell them but never found anyone willing to state they're really anything like the original OEM parts.

[FYL]

where did the re-cone kits come from?

Cones from my stash, VC, dome and spiders from various suppliers.

Anyway, if you don't have established relationships with a pro reconer, today's best option is to send your speakers to Weber VST, Brian will take care of them.

[fiftynine]

Ta

[bigdaddy]

If you have Weber do it ask them if you can have them break it in for you, even if it coasts a few bucks more. It's worth it.....it takes time for a recone to break in and Weber has a habit of making them tight.

[BrownIsound]

Anyone have real world experience with the power handling of these?

I have what I believe to be the original 1963 date code C12N in my 1963 Leslie 125. I am planning on building a silverface-y 2x6L6 amp for it. If needed, I can include some type of an attenuator with it, which I may do anyways so I can run it with a model 1959 superlead when desired.

This speaker sounds great in the Leslie BTW, but have only been pushing 10-15 or so watts into it so far.

[sluckey]

The newer C12Ns are rated for 50 watts. Don't know about the old ones. I "think" they were used in the Silvertone Twin Twelve (1484) amps.