Mixing Alnico and Ceramics

[zendragon63]

I didn't see anything related in a search so here goes: I built a 2x ECL82 wreck clone combo a while ago and although it sounds plenty good through a a Celestion Blue, I am thinking that a mix tween an alnico and ceramic might give it a little more depth. I have a G10L  (~95 db) and a 10A125 (~95 db) sitting unemployed and was just wondering whether anyone has done such a similar combo with a lower powered (~10W) amp. I have seen that there are those on other forums that have tried this however not with these two speakers. Pretty similar in sensitivity. Just curious--before I start another exercise in baffle and grill work--as to any random thoughts. Many thanks in advance gents. Regards

dennis

[zendragon63]

Hmmm...no thoughts or suggestions anyone?

[John]

Sorry, thought someone else would chime in. Someone just recently mentioned mixing a Weber ceramic with a Weber alnico, said they really liked it. I can't remember who, or what thread though.

[Ed_Chambley]

I mix plenty of speakers, but never in a 10 watter.  What I have found is the ceramic needs to handle a little more wattage or it will overtake the alnico.  For instance, in a super reverb I would use 2, 20 watt Alnicos and 2, 30 watt ceramics having the same spl.

I have a Princeton with a Celestion Gold and a Vintage 30, in 10 inch.  They sound great together, but it is modded with a middle control 25K.

[zendragon63]

John/Ed
Many thanks for the responses. In the meantime, I borrowed a mixed mag 2x10 sealed cab this week from a friend and it does have a Weber mix. The lower mids sounded great. It is, however, a 4 ohm load instead of a my 8 ohm out and I did notice that the effortless harmonic content and touch sensitivity--something that wreck topology is noted for--dropped off just noticeably. I am assuming that the lower load shifted the operating point in the ECL82 enough to effect these. I will need to get under the hood and hook up the 4 ohm tap tomorrow; maybe it the two traits will come all the way back. I can also slap the two candidates in and evaluate (and not have to break out the jig saw and stapler just yet!)

Ed, interesting tidbit on the power rating vs SPL. Makes perfect sense. Will let you all know how it turns out. Thanks again. Regards.

dennis

[zendragon63]

FWIW anyway. Mixing a Weber 10A125 with a Celestion G10L-35 (parallel) IMHO really sounds great--moved the tap to 4 ohm and got some of wreck mojo back. Predictably, 2x10 is louder than the blue but it has the lower mid in the mix and depth that I was hoping for. Interesting to note that I also hooked up a 2x10 Matchless Spitfire 'special mix' of their factory Celestion ceramics but the sound got more middy and shallow. Most noticeable was the clarity with the Strat.

10 watts or so of ECL82s isn't terribly loud but this helps get you from a little practice amp to small venue gigging volume. Just another way to skin a cat. Regards

dennis