P15N from Organ

[zendragon63]

I have had a couple of original Jensen P15Ns sitting around out of an old Baldwin organ--been a while but I kinda remember that they actually sounded pretty good in the original mounting (a Tone Cab). So is there anyone that have used these as a 1x15 in a combo? maybe a 2x6V6 Bassman/JTM? Thanks in advance for any and all thoughts. Regards

dennis

[sluckey]

I haven't used that particular speaker but I've been a fan of 15" speakers ever since the '60s. I had a new Ampeg Gemini II with a Jensen Concert Series 15" alnico. I recently bought a 15" Big Ben for my Marshall 18W. I really love the bottom end you get from a 15".

[bigsbybender]

I have a C15N in my Valco-made Wards-Airline amp. Sure it's Ceramic and not Alnico but it sounds good, so perhaps the Alnico would sound better.....

[zendragon63]

Hey thanks for the input guys--these two speakers are the smooth cone variety and should be good for 30 watts or better piece. Surely looking for trouble with anything more than a pair of 6V6 class finals. I just keep thinking a 18-20 watt version of a Bassman/JTM or even 6BM8 Little Wing. I digress... They are in good condition that they should be pushing air rather than cluttering up the shelf.

Thanks again--any other thoughts are welcome. Regards

dennis

[Willabe]

I think there's another point or two to consider. That is how old are they? I've read a number of times that old speakers, even ones that were well taken care of, the glue dries out and they then "drop their voice coil" during use.

So are they worth more $$ -now- (still working) to a collector and you buy new speakers of your choice and not worry -- or -- do you shoot the dice and take your chances? I'm not trying to scare you but, if you drop the voice coil after some new use?

You might be able to have them re-coned but, you have to be able to find someone who's got the right re-cone parts kit and knows how to do it right.

Just a few thoughts to bring to the discussion.


           Brad          

[zendragon63]

Willabe, you make a good point--the 'glue and paper' aging issue. It's hell getting old...   and at some point all speakers will likely fail.

I haven't had an issues with the few 40 and 50 year old speakers I have used--yet. However, I recently read that the power ratings of older speakers were probably optimistic when compared to more modern speaker power ratings i.e. even though the N designation of the P15N may have indicated that it was rated for 50 watts, it wasn't necessarily so and putting one in a 30 watt (clean) amp may be just fine until you push 50+ watts of overdriven bliss and it no longer feels so cooperative. This may be wrong--but then there is more than enough misinformation available online.

Again, I appreciate the insights. Regards

dennis

[FYL]

The original P15N was rated at 20 watts by Jensen... New versions use different cone/coil/glues and are rated - quite optimistically IMO - at 50 watts.