Choosing 212 Speaker Combo

[ChrisM]

Trying to decide what two speakers I should load into the 212 I am building. I am using this cab http://ampgarage.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=9403

I have a 50W "#124" right now, and plan on building a 100W HRM sometime this year.

I like a fat clean tone with good note articulation with some sparkle on the top end. I play a strat mainly but sometimes I break out a tele.

For the OD I like something that is super smooth and singing. I like lots of big fat bass and mids. Only enough highs so its not muddy or dark. Not a fan of crunch really.


So I did a lot of searching, first thought the ET65 might be a good idea but decided against it. Too many mixed reviews and I wasn't sure I liked it's sound. Checked out some Eminence speakers and think I found some neat combos.

Combo 1:
The Tonker
Red White and Blues

Combo 2:
Tonker Lite
Swamp Thang

Both combos feature a smooth bass, mid emphasized speaker balanced out with another speaker that has a bit more top end.

What do you think? Ideas, opinions?

[JD0x0]

I like Weber speakers. Specificly the "silver bell" alnico mixed with a G12-65 clone. Plenty of smoothness but not dark and a balanced bass thats not too thin or over the top.

Whatever you do i suggest that you DO mix speakers, the different speakers create a much fuller and more "3D sound" and you also have a "choice" of which speaker to mike for different tones.

I like mixing bright but smooth speakers with warmer bassier speakers.

just my 2 cents

[drpastorbob]

I have had good luck with a combination of a vintage Celestion G12-65 and an Eminence Tonker. I also like the Emi 12" Legend speaker which I have in a single-12 cab. I run everything at 8 ohms.

[JD0x0]

IMO 8 ohms is the way to go. just because when you run 2 cabs you get a total of 4 ohms and it gives you that extra 3dB push to drive the cabs a little harder (since when you run two cabs they both get half the power)

[Bob-I]

I haven't tried either of the combo's you listed, but I have 2 great combos that I really like.

1) Tonker and Swamp Thang
2) WGS Veteran and Brittish lead.

All are 16 ohms so the cabs are 8. The first may be a tad brighter but both have solid bottom end and nice mids.

I didn't like the Tonker/RW&B, kinda killed the singing nature of the amps. I also didn't like Celestion G12H80, too thin on the highs.

I also have a great EVM12L in a an open back slant 1x12 that works great as well.

[greiswig]

Here's a combination I like in my Bob Burt V-front: G1265 and a Scumnico 65W, both 8 ohms and wired in series.

I also had tried various combinations of both those speakers with EVM12L, Sugarcone, Weber Blue Dog. Vintage 30...sheesh.

Anyway, for the time being I've settled on this pair. There's something about the mids and treble of the G1265 and the extra oomph and sparkle of the Scumnico. Nice combination.

[David Root]

If you want to know what the amp itself sounds like, put in a pair of Emi Delta Pro 12A. I use four in a slant halfstack to tune my amps. Good price, but heavy (16 lbs each). Relatively uncolored tone.

[doveman]

I'm playing with a new 2x12 cab (side-by-side) and I am considering the following:

• EVM12L/EVM12L - sounds good - my favorite speaker - heavy at 56# cab
• EVM12L/G1265 - 100db EVM out front - 97db G1265 kinda chewy underneath - comes in at 48#

The EVM12L/G1265 sounds pretty good at low volumes but I need to get an opportunity to crank it up. Any opinions of this combo? Seems to be two favorites of OD type amps ... although very different.

New 2x12 on the right obviously:
[IMG:508:402]http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m168 ... CN1081.jpg[/img]

The 1x12 is loaded with the other EVM12L for now and weighs in at 31# - sweet and light.

[benoit]

I haven't tried either of the combo's you listed, but I have 2 great combos that I really like.

1) Tonker and Swamp Thang
2) WGS Veteran and Brittish lead.

What are you experiences with those combinations for other amps?

[Structo]

I tried a pair of the Tonkerlites.
I really wanted to like them because the weight savings were immense.
After the honeymoon, they got replaced by two EVM 12L's.

Best sounding speaker I have owned.

Before the Tonkers I had the WGS V30 and CL80 pair, not bad at all.
In fact I actually went back to that pair before I got the EVM's.

[doveman]

Still nobody with experience pairing an EVM12L with a G1265?

[Structo]

I thought that's what you tried?

Does the EV overpower the 12-65 due to the difference in sensitivity?

[stelligan]

Still nobody with experience pairing an EVM12L with a G1265?

Tried it - didn't thrill me. EVM12L and Classic Lead 80 sounded better as a combo to my ears. 2 x 12L or 2 x G1265 is head and shoulders above most mis-matched pairings that I have tried.

[dobbhill]

Love my pair of Altec 417C's.........
D

[doveman]

I thought that's what you tried? Does the EV overpower the 12-65 due to the difference in sensitivity?

That's what I have in there now ... just no opportunity to play it in the mix ... band mix that is. The EVM is more powerful but in the house I'm not seeing the EVM totally cover the G1265

Tried it - didn't thrill me. EVM12L and Classic Lead 80 sounded better as a combo to my ears. 2 x 12L or 2 x G1265 is head and shoulders above most mis-matched pairings that I have tried.

I think though that my hunch is that I agree with Stelligan ... 2 of either may be better than one of each.