HELP PLEASE...what's your favorite JBL?

John Neff · Post by **John Neff** » 7 Nov 2000 2:47 pm

I have a friend who says he can get me a good deal on JBL speakers, so I'm looking for suggestions on what to try first. I haven't settled on a power amp yet. I've mostly been using smaller(50wt) fender combos, and I'm currently looking for a dual showman head. I also have a Music Man head which has plenty of power, but I'm not sure how I like it's tone. Any input on any brands of speakers (12"s or 15"s) would be appreciated.
John

Donny Hinson · Post by **Donny Hinson** » 7 Nov 2000 4:33 pm

My favorite sound was with an old D130-F. But after reconing it a couple of times, I opted for the EVM-15. Tone wasn't quite as good, but I didn't have to worry about blowing the speaker. The EVM was also quite a bit more efficient, meaning that it was TWICE as loud (at the same volume setting).

A lot also depends on the tone you like. If you like full, fat sounds, go for a 15". If you like the brighter, Emmons type sounds, go for the 12". Any of the big three (Black Widows, JBL's, or EV's) will probably be acceptable. I would only say you should try before you buy, if possible. This is a terribly "subjective" area, and "best" will turn out to be YOUR choice, and NOT someone elses'!

Richard Sinkler · Post by **Richard Sinkler** » 7 Nov 2000 5:04 pm

The D-130F. Second choice would be a K-130. Other choice would be a Black Widow.

I would really like to try a D-140F (bass speaker) and a D-120 or D110 in a single cab to see what it sounds like. I can imagine how sweet that would sound.

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Carter D10 8p/10k
Richard Sinkler BS, www.sinkler.com

[This message was edited by Richard Sinkler on 07 November 2000 at 06:31 PM.]

Len Amaral · Post by **Len Amaral** » 7 Nov 2000 7:19 pm

Jim Smith made a comment awhile back about the EV Force series speakers having a very "musical" response. I picked up a pair of these speakers and I think they sound better at a lower volume than any speaker I have used. They are rated at 150 watts/ea and I use a Peavey DPC1400X power amp with no problems.

Jim Smith · Post by **Jim Smith** » 7 Nov 2000 7:36 pm

Thanks for the plug Len, but that wasn't me that commented on those speakers.

My Stereo Steel came with 4 ohm Black Widows that I traded for 8 ohm JBL K-130's. To be honest, I can't tell any difference in either the sound or the power. Maybe the 8 ohm JBL's are more efficient than the 4 ohm BW's which makes up for the power loss of running at a higher impedance.

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Jim Smith jimsmith94@home.com
-=Dekley D-12 10&12=-
-=Fessenden Ext. E9/U-12 8&5=-
[This message was edited by Jim Smith on 07 November 2000 at 07:42 PM.]

Tele · Post by **Tele** » 7 Nov 2000 8:22 pm

Defintely the D130F !! I use a pair of D120F in a Tweed Twin as well and they sound great.
I'm tempted to use a D140F. Is it so much darker sounding than the D130 ??

Andy

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ShoBud Gallery

Harold Parris · Post by **Harold Parris** » 7 Nov 2000 8:47 pm

I like the D 130 JBL over the other speakers that I have. I have an Eclipse, Black Widow, SRO Ev, and the JBL. The JBl sound cleaner than the others but all are very good speakers. It is probably just a matter of personal preference.

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Sierra Session and MSA Classic Guitars, Nashville 400, Session 400, and Evans FET 500 Amps.
Harold Parris email hparrisal@aol.com

Harold Parris · Post by **Harold Parris** » 7 Nov 2000 8:50 pm

I've noticed that a 12" speaker sounds better and deeper than a 15". That doesn't sound logical but get your amp out and switch between the 15" and 12" with the same settings on the amp and see the results for yourself.

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Sierra Session and MSA Classic Guitars, Nashville 400, Session 400, and Evans FET 500 Amps.
Harold Parris email hparrisal@aol.com

Donny Hinson · Post by **Donny Hinson** » 7 Nov 2000 9:26 pm

Harold said...

I've noticed that a 12" speaker sounds better and deeper than a 15". That doesn't sound logical...

You're right Harold, it doesn't...and it isn't! We'll have to "agree to disagree" on this one!

I have always found that, all other things being equal, the 15" sounds fuller and deeper than the 12". If it didn't, why would people use them in the first place? (They're bigger, heavier, and more expensive.) If a 12" could do what a 15" would do, there'd be no sense in making a 15", and nobody would buy or use them.

p.s. To really hear what a speaker sounds like, test it OUTSIDE the cabinet! I always compare speakers just sitting on a rug on a concrete floor. That way, a bad cabinet doesn't make me "give away" a good speaker.

J D Sauser · Post by **J D Sauser** » 8 Nov 2000 2:25 pm

I have a couple of grey frame D-130 (F) speakers. Some original cone, some re-coned who knows where and 2 re-coned by Woody Woodell to D-130 and one to K-130. He uses the same cone Standell uses in it's D-130 copies. I must say that I like his re-cones better than any other of the remaining speakers I have and I was surprised to find that I liked the K-cone better. A friend of mine found the right description for what we seem to hear: It's got more "meat" on the 1st four string of the E9th-pedal steel set-up.

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The future belongs to culture.

jaydee@bellsouth.net

Jay Ganz · Post by **Jay Ganz** » 8 Nov 2000 3:31 pm

I compared an JBL E-130 to an Electro-Voice
Force 15. The JBL has a tendency to emphasize the frequencies above 1K (or so).
So, if you're looking for that... great!
Some guys think the E-130 is a bit "harsh"
for that reason. The EV's are smoother
all around at any volume without slicing
your ear drums. But, if you wanna "cut
through" in a live situation....go with the E130.

By the way...with the D140's, you're gonna
loose some top end compared to the D130's.
Oh....and JBL's can cost around $200 to
have reconed. The EV can be done for about
$75 (with original recone kits).

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<img src=http://www.geocities.com/ganzpics/EmmonsNeon.jpg>
Got That Steelin' Feelin'

B. Greg Jones · Post by **B. Greg Jones** » 8 Nov 2000 7:48 pm

I personally like the D-130f. I have one in a 59' reissue Fender Bassman. Nice and warm, full sound. On the other hand, Tone is in the ear of the beholder!! I'm wondering though, what a stereo rig would sound like with a D-130 & a D-140? Has anyone tried the two together?

Greg

Jay Ganz · Post by **Jay Ganz** » 9 Nov 2000 8:03 am

So, you mean you're running a reissue Bassman
designed for a 2 ohm load into an 8 ohm load
instead.

B. Greg Jones · Post by **B. Greg Jones** » 9 Nov 2000 3:15 pm

Jay, that is correct. I have used a 4ohm Evans Eclipse in it but the JBL sounds better and seems to be more efficient. At Renfro Valley, the soundman usually has to tell me to turn down. The Bassman is very loud for 45 watts although it is not putting out that much on a 8ohm load. The amp does not break up even on the c6 neck. Real clean and warm. I had a 90's Fender Custom Vibrosonic rated at 100 watts and the Bassman eats it's lunch! I stole the idea from Tom Brumley. He uses 2 Bassmans with D-130's in them. They are LOUD and clean. Tom turns the amps up really hot and doesn't open his volume pedal up that much. I have one of his old ZB's and the pick-up in my Mullen is wound like a ZB. It really works well for my ear. I keep U.S or Russian matched Groove Tubes and take the amp to a tech to make sure it is properly biased. Although I believe the reissue Bassman is suppossed to be self biasing. ( That is what I was told anyway). I have had the amp for 10 years and never had the 1st problem with it.

Greg

Dan Tyack · Post by **Dan Tyack** » 9 Nov 2000 8:07 pm

Just to be contrary, I like the E-120 or E130 in a high watt amp setup. I used a Peavey labeled D (or K) 130 in a Session 400, and the Black Widow sounded a lot better at louder sound levels.

I like the E-120 a lot, in a good cabinet (not too small).

I have never tried a D-130 with any of my tube amps, I need to do that.

Jay Ganz · Post by **Jay Ganz** » 10 Nov 2000 8:16 am

Bassman amps are fixed bias, not cathode
(or self) biased amps. I've got an old
original '59-er here....I'll have to hook
it up to a single 15" speaker & check it out!

Lefty · Post by **Lefty** » 13 Nov 2000 5:33 pm

I know that Doug Jernnigen used a D-130 in his Sho-Bud amp back in the 80's but had to reduce the output of the amp from about 240w to 125 watts because he kept blowing them. The D-130 is a sweet sounding speaker but with todays 200watt plus steel amps you are pushing (over) the envelope. The EVM's are nice and can handle the power but have a stiffer sound. The Peavy Black Widow is a good all around speaker and handle the power.
Lefty

Al Marcus · Post by **Al Marcus** » 14 Nov 2000 10:25 pm

I still like the sound of the JBL D130 for Steel best of all.
I had one in my old Showman and had D120's in my Twin. Both great.
But I think the 15inch had a fuller more rounded clear tone.....I wish I could get something like that again.
My Carter is so hot that My little Crate Amp just can't handle it. When I hit those big fat chords, it just wants to break up......al