speaker recommendations for 2x12 to run Express and/or KF50

[aaronz28]

so i have a new Express coming, and just picked up an original KF50.
very thrilled with its sound through my basketweave, but i built a 2x12 cherry wood cab (same dimensions as the Zbest) but not with the front port.

i've used it both sealed with Cel Blues, and recently with D120s openback and it sounds great... but i've sold the D120s and want to get a pair of speakers that will hold up to a 50watt (roughly) 2xEL34 amp.

i don't ever expect it to sound as good as my 68 Basketweave, but it will be my gigging cab. I likely will always run an airbrake (at least 1 click quieter)

any speaker recommendations that are known to work well with these amps?

i was considering the ToneTubby (san rafaels) but they are rated at 25 watts each, and i'm not sure they'll hold up... also not sure how good of a match these speakers would be... but they are supposed to be in the vein of the original 25watters.

any help would be great...

i'm ok with either alnico or ceramic so long as they will work in a closed back cab (as i plan to run it)

thanks

A

[paulster]

Get a pair of the 65W Scumbacks and you'll be good even without the airbrake.

I like M's (modelled on the pre-Rola G12M) but in a 2x12 closed back you might want to try a combination of an M and an H (G12H style), or look at the new J models which sit somewhere in between.

The Komet demos by Alex Garcia were done using old Celestion G12H speakers and these sound great with the amps (including the Express clip), so there's a bit of flexibility in what you choose depending on your taste.

[JamesHealey]

late 80s g12t75 actually sound good. The new ones don't for sure.

[daydreamer]

no idea about your express, but Weber gets excellent reviews on his alnico range.
it was really enlightening to read on the website about how the different power handling specs affect the tone, the low watt alinicos tend to be bright and chimey, the higher the power rating the smoother and darker the overall sound. I will be trying them out soon.
I can vouch for the higher rating getting nice and warm, I'm running 15watts into a 400 watt cab right now and loving it!!

[Scumback Speakers]

Get a pair of the 65W Scumbacks and you'll be good even without the airbrake.

I like M's (modelled on the pre-Rola G12M) but in a 2x12 closed back you might want to try a combination of an M and an H (G12H style), or look at the new J models which sit somewhere in between.

The Komet demos by Alex Garcia were done using old Celestion G12H speakers and these sound great with the amps (including the Express clip), so there's a bit of flexibility in what you choose depending on your taste.

Appreciate the plug, sir!

An M/H mix would be pretty brutally in your face unless you tweak the EQ to match.

J75's are closer to the M75's, but have a touch more low end, tiny bit more high end, effectively being the equivalent of an M/H mix, but a little less intense.

I still find the M75 65w to be the best choice in a 2x12 closed back cab, especially with this style amp, and it's aggressive tone.

I'm basing this report on using an AM Koncorde clone with NOS glass and my Les Paul w/WCR American Steele pickups plugged straight in.

You'll really want a 100w of power handling with that amp if you're going to the volume over 5-6.

Hope this helps, good luck with whatever you decide to go with.

[HeeBGB]

I've heard REALLY good things about the current Reinhardt G12-65 clones. I really like the Fanes though.

[ontariomaximus]

late 80s g12t75 actually sound good. The new ones don't for sure.

I have a ton of cabs around here, and my FAV is a 2x12 with an older G12T-75 and an Eminence Wizard. Odd.

[gearhead]

Been playing thru a 4x12 loaded with Governors, but have thought of switching down to a 2x12 with Scumback H75s (65w). Jim: is it the M75s that are too bright?

[mclmk8d]

One possibility Weber Silver Bell and Blue Dog
Another: Celestion Gold and Scumback H75

[paulster]

Another: Celestion Gold and Scumback H75

I'm not so sure about this combination because the Golds are so sensitive.

Granted I've only compared mine to M75s, but I believe the H75s are the same sensitivity as the M75s, and my 2x12 of Golds is as sensitive, if not more so, than my 4x12 of M75s.

Whilst I love Golds I would think that a Scumnico would probably work better paired with one of Jim's ceramic magnet speakers because the sensitivity is closer.

[Scumback Speakers]

Been playing thru a 4x12 loaded with Governors, but have thought of switching down to a 2x12 with Scumback H75s (65w). Jim: is it the M75s that are too bright?

No, the M75's are what I use with my Koncorde. An M75/H75 mix is good if you want it more in your face, but two H75's would be brutality, IMO (too much treble/upper mids).

And thanks (again) paulster, but the M75 are around 97db, H75's are around 99db, so while they mix well, the H75's are a bit louder.

[Roe]

haha, I like the brutal H75s

[Scumback Speakers]

haha, I like the brutal H75s

Animal.