Thoughts on Jensen in a 1x12 cab?

[Gainzilla]

Hi all,

Looking to build a 1x12 or two and wondered if any of you've had good experiences with any of the newer Jensen speakers. I currently have Marshall flavored amps, and am looking to continue the trend. Im still debating between a thiele cab or the AX84 1x12. I'm leaning towards the AX84 due to the fact that it seems like it was designed to work well with a range of speakers, whereas the thiele are all pretty much optimized for EV style.

I honestly haven't heard much about the new jensens. Are there any viable Brittish-voiced speakers that would work? How about the Mod series? I thought Timbo's cab thread said they worked in a thiele. Not sure if I misread that, but if not, I'd love to hear some more detailed thoughts. The price is definitely right. For tonal reference, I'm looking for a balanced tone, with tight bass, and light on the ice-pick.

Cheers!

- Bryce

[Gainzilla]

Bump

I see the speaker/cab area is where threads go to die. Lol

Anyone with Jensen experience, I'd really love to hear about it.

Cheers!

[Ed_Chambley]

Sorry, but I have not tried the newer Jensens.  I have heard they have a more modern performance and enhanced mids, but I cannot say.  I do have a lot of experience with speakers and cabs.  I will say for a Marshall sound I use Birch for the cab/ 3/4 and 3/8 for the Baffle.  Only put 1 inch foam in the corner of the cabs.

I have built all kind of cabs, but my favorite fro Marshall is a Replica size of a Fender Bassman with the center panel, still made of birch with removable port on the bottom of each section and the back in 3 sections where I can have completely closed, 1/3rd open, 2/3rds open or completely open.  Also porting on each.  I make the cabinet deeper though.  11.5 inches deep.

On this type of cap with 12's the ports will be 2 on each side which are 2.5 high x 13.5" wide and 7" deep along the bottom.  This adds to the height.  I do not know the measurements off the top of my head, but if you are interested I can make measurements.

My speakers of choice are Altec 413's, but today are very expensive.  The only reason I have not tried Jensens is I don't know where to get parts to recone and I like speakers that generally are expensive.  For instance, I have a few Celestion Blues.

I do have the same cabinet with 2 Celestion Golds I use with my 50 Watt Plexi.  I run it ported and closed back and it kills, but remember with birch in a 1 12 or 1 12 you really need some sort of cab filler.  Even good old fiberglass insulation works.  I have simply sprayed adhesive and glued it to the corners inside.

I do the same with pine cabs in closed back, but it is not as necessary.  To get the real chest pounding Marshall crunch, IMO birch is the only way to go.  If you make you ports that you can close the cab will be more usable in a smaller room.

really the old Jensens were economy speakers, but I just do not feel the work Marshall and Jensen go together and I am really not a fan of the older Jensens except for the ceramics they used is some of the early Super Reverbs, but even them I prefer Weber 10A125.

[Gainzilla]

Hi Ed, thanks for the reply! I hear you about the Jensens. I think I was looking for a cheap option for a thiele cab, but like always, it sounds like you get what you pay for.

Id love to see your cab measurements if you have time to grab them! Sounds like a great sounding, versatile can. I totally agree about the pine, btw.

Cheers!

[jojokeo]

I have not tried all of the newer Jensens either but do have & heard sound samples. But these are all relative too and not very good at helping to make a decision.

You are not listing the speakers which you are thinking of which also makes things hard to know what to comment about. I have tried what's considered "newer" Jensens vintage alnico P & Q's made in Italy (that just caused me to think of the saying "mind your P's & Q's  ) - and in all honesty I didn't break them in - they really sounded grainy, bright, and edgey - sort of like nails on a chalkboard feeling. I've liked the vintage ceramics (yellow & red labeled speakers) much better along with the Mod's too. I've also wanted to try the Jet Series but mostly the Black Bird alnico. From what I've heard in samples the Black Bird really shines like their pinnacle speaker in pretty much any situation and compares favorably to all the other top of the line speakers by the other major makers out there. I believe the Jet series is their modern production that most competes with everyone else's British line like Celestion, Emminence, and WGS?

[Ed_Chambley]

Hi Ed, thanks for the reply! I hear you about the Jensens. I think I was looking for a cheap option for a thiele cab, but like always, it sounds like you get what you pay for.

Id love to see your cab measurements if you have time to grab them! Sounds like a great sounding, versatile can. I totally agree about the pine, btw.

Cheers!

Sure, 23.5″ x 32″ x 11½ is usual.  The std Bassman Cab is 21″ x 32″ x 11½.  Notice the first measurement is 2.5 inches taller which allows for the port.  I use a biscuit joiner to install a "U" channel port (has no bottom as I use the cab bottom) with the inside dimensions 2.5 x 13 wide and 7 inches deep.  These are joined and glued to the bottom.  I build the baffle short and this allows for filler strips which are henged and a sliding hook to hold them closed.  These need to be trimmed in fabric and I actually use a padded synthetic that feels like felt but much more durable.

My favorite one is 13.5 inches deep, but the cost, gluing and plane of the boards doesn't make enough difference to make the deeper worth the trouble IMO.  If it did I would have more than one.

Another cab I really like has the speaker mounted with the cone facing to the rear.  This is my small club cabinet.  It is a single 12. 21 inches tall and ported left and right.  It is birch and inside it is build like a folded horn.  Very similar to a EV cab.  You will get no icepick at all, but it takes some getting use to.  With this as my main cab and a 15 watt amp I can crank, get great tone and have been told to turn up.  Imagine that?  I always play with 2 amps, one for my main tone and another wet amp.  If I need more volume I will swap cabs then they tell me to turn down.

[Gainzilla]

Thanks for the words of wisdom Jojokeo. While it sounds like there may be a few good ones, There is likely no free lunch. I guess I was hoping one of the Mods would be a sleeper pick for a thiele cab. Bummer.😎

Thanks for the cool cab measurements, Ed! I'll see if it can't draw up the plans and make sure I'm getting it right.

Cheers!

- Bryce