Brighter speaker recommendations

[dbroekema]

Hey all, looking for opinions on 12" speakers that get more high end. Right now I've got a Weber British 1225 in an AC15 build and it sounds a bit dull to me. Typically I like Greenbacks with AC30's, and I thought the 1225 was meant to emulate a Greenback, but I need more sparkle. Any thoughts on brighter 12" speakers? Thanks in advance.

[SILVERGUN]

I have had some good results with the G12H-30 speaker, as my bright choice
I remember specifically noting that this speaker had a good amount of sizzle and reminded me of a decent, early Jimmy Page type of tone coloring...if that means anything to you.
30W rating is still low enough to move under 15W output.. 100db sensitivity imparts an "in your face" attack

http://celestion.com/product/17/g12h/

[sluckey]

Celestion Blue is a good choice for that AC-15.

[Ed_Chambley]

Plus 1 opn the blue. Even the weber blue dog is darker. If too expensive, look at running 10s. Weber 10 alnicos have shimmer and chime.
A blue needs closed or mostly closed back.

[Willabe]

Weber 10 alnicos have shimmer and chime.

Which Weber 10"? They have a few, yes? 

A blue needs closed or mostly closed back.

I trust your ear but why? 

[dbroekema]

Thanks for the replies, guys. I was thinking Celestion might be a destination. I thought that's what I was getting with the Weber (only better?) but it's a bit flat to my ears, and this amp should sound pretty bright the way its voiced. This is an open-backed combo cab, so closing it up is not an option. Any knowledge on how a Greenback (G-12M) compares to the G-12H?

[Ed_Chambley]

Weber 10 alnicos have shimmer and chime.

Which Weber 10"? They have a few, yes? 

A blue needs closed or mostly closed back.

I trust your ear but why? 

10a125 and 10a150 webers. I run the alnico in the 2 top position of a supre reverb. The the 10a150 is great alone in  little higher watt.
 
Sorry, i missed this. The blue was a radio speaker originally. Used in larger radio. The 12 inch radio speaker had a large cabinet and was designed to be against a wall. This enhancce the bass. Celestion was asked to make an instrument speaker and since their 12 radio speaker had more than the necessary range as it was a full range speker, they never changed it much.


To give you a comparison, Altec Lancing came later with their machined full range 12. The iron basket made it difficult formthe voice coil to move side to side which causes breakup distortion. The Altec and JBL speakers were designed to create a sound stage, so they had to be moved away from a wall. They also were working with high fidelity, whereas the celestion blue never needed to do this. The blue has a sound that i mid to high and is weak in the lows, but most 15 watt speakers are since they distort.


It was Fender introducing JBL speakers in the Showman and then the twin that made players notice. This was a fairly new thing and the blue was not a new speaker.


Since the impact of hifi needed to have bass, speakers were starting to be considered woofers even in 10s.


Webers attempt at copying the blue with the blue dog is not the same. The blue dog is darker.


Over the years I have had friends buy Celestion Blues and be dissappointed badly after putting one in a tweed deluxe. If you do, you may want to consider making the back like a vox where it is not near as open baked. The speaker was designed to be in a large cabinet and still hear voices on radio cleanly. The blue was designed for this and if you consider a vox tone the amp is very much in vocal range and I never really hear a thunderous sound related to a vox.


Like Brian May. His tone is a long way from a Les Paul through a Plexi with a 4, 12 with greenbacks. You never hear that lower mid chug that Bad Company did so well.

[Ed_Chambley]

And on the webers. I don't really like any with a letter at the end. Different cones and all sound brighter to me.


Except the letter A as Tubeswell mentioned. This is AlNiCo magnets and the 12A125a, 30 watt and no dope. These have a very nice compresed high and never harsh. Very vintage and more balaned than any ceramic celestion.


I just got a warehouse veteran that is broken in well. Said to be like a Vintage 30, but I disagree. Put it in my Deluxe Reverb and it sounds more like an old Rola or Scumback. Has more gurth and does not have a distinct breakup point. It slowly moves into breakup. Great value.

[tubeswell]

The Weber 12A125A (30W version) would be another great choice. Nice bandwidth - including the high end, and plenty of zest