The Amp Garage

Over the years I've founding myself mixing different speaker types all the time (except for my single 1x12).
It seems that it usually leans in favour of combining speaker strengths more than combining their weaknesses. Even though I'm often having to pick one speaker to actually mic for FOH on stage, I appreciate the combinations when at home or even just playing near the cabs.

A few of my favourite combos so far have been:

Closed back 2x12 with a G12M-65 Creamback with an Avatar A25 (alnico): I love this with my Liverpool and my Hot Cat
Open Back Combo 2x12: WGS Retro 30 with Celestion Alnico Blue: This has been in my DC30 for years now and nothing else seems to compare (although I might have discovered something yesterday)
Mesa Roadster 4x12 cab (half open/half closed back) with 2x WGS ET-65s and 2x Celestion G12M-65 Creambacks in X pattern: This seems to sound great with everything, but my go-to for Trainwrecks
Closed back 4x12 with 2 Vintage 30s and 2x G12M-65 Creambacks: This is my default for my Hot Cat; nice combination of tight thump and creamyness.

I recently picked up an old JBL E120 and dropped it in my 1x12. It's not bad with my SSS, but tried it in combination with some other cabs, and I think that might be where this speaker could shine. It could bring some extra clarity to a combination with an Alnico or a creamback, but then they could add some creamy compression to the JBL's over-the-top-cleanness.
So, I'm thinking I might actually try dropping it in the Roadster 4x12 in place of one of the ET-65s. Seems a little ridiculous to use 3 different speaker types in 1 cab, but the creambacks being less sensitive at 97dB, I think it might balance out...

How about any of you? Any combination discoveries?

g10 vintage + g10 gold: excellent combo.

g12m+g12h

g12m+v30

v30+g12h

alnico 100+g12h

The times I mixed it was always at low volume and I was left with meh. Now that I'm in a house with no near neighbors this is an area I'd like to explore but with analysis gear see what is hitting a room mic with and without mixed. There is only the minor detail of analysis gear, mic[s] and software. So far new house has eaten all my fun money.

Russ

G12-65 and EV12L

I am fond of my 2x12 Sunn cab loaded with Celestion Heritage G12H-75 lead on top and Celestion Heritage G12H-55 bass on bottom. Nice blend of thick and bright.

I’ve enjoyed researching (practically) how speakers blend and interact. Definitely a rabbit hole. Here’s my current favorites:

- 2x12 with WGS Reaper HP & Invader 50 for my Marshalls

- 2x12 with Fane F-70 & WGS ET-90 for my Hiwatt

- 2x12 with WGS Veteran 30 & ET-90 for my JTM45 build

- 2x12 with Celestion Vintage 30 (March 1986 date code) with Celestion Marshall Vintage (June 1987 date code) for my ODS 183 build; also sounds great with my JTM build

- ‘76 Fender Vibrolux Reverb with WGS C-10 & C/S-10

I run a pair of 2x12 Forte cabs in stereo, each loaded with a Fane Ascension A60 alnico (top) and an Ascension F70 ceramic (bottom).

So it was my intention to try that JBL E120 in the Mesa 4x12 with an ET65 and 2x M65 creambacks.... But the JBL’s frame is so thick that it needs longer bolts (which I have some) but that cab is the type that the bolts are part of the baffle and you unscrew the nuts behind the speaker... So that won't work.
So, I decided to mount it in my open backed Fir/Purple-heart 2x12 cab that I built way back inspired by the tweed bassman (it originally was a 4x10 but I never sprung for alnicos so it never satisfied... But it is a 1/2“ floating baffle still) I think it sounds great with just a single Creamback. It adds so much dynamics and clear muscular character to the more compressed and creamy Creamback. Where the JBL might sound too clinical or sterile and dry on its own, the Creamback brings in more character and interest. It sounds pretty big and full... A little taste of that mixing a big clean amp and gainy amp together. You can be compressed and distorted with alot of attack and punch. It works better than I expected.

I do have another 4x12 that front mounts it's speakers that is currently 2xV30s and 2xCreambacks, so I can still try this JBL in a 4x12 at some point, but I'm really liking how it's bringing this 2x12 to life for now.

Goodmans Audiom 51 (15ohm) paralleled w/ Celestion Ruby (16ohm)
Works w/ my Watkins/WEM DominatorIII build perfectly.