Replacement speaker for Fender deluxe 5e3 clone

[Pieman]

I have a 5e3 clone that was built by the folks at Weber and played in their break room.  They installed a Weber ceramic speaker that does not give up the goods and I am looking to install something that produces more authentic 50s Deluxe tones.  Thoughts?  What’s in your Deluxe?  Years ago Ted Weber reconed a 15 incher that went into an old Ampeg so I appreciate their work. Thanks in advance.

[django49]

I do not exactly have that amp, but based upon fooling with such as the Swart lower watt amps, I would look for a classic type alnico speaker. That would tend to suggest a Jensen P series or a Celestion Alnico.....A Blue would match well, though I like the Cream (90 watt!!!) even with low powered amps. Of course current alnico speakers are pricey.

You could always call Weber (though I did not get a great response when I tried back a ways) to get their expertise.

[Jimbilly]

I would try a speaker out of a vintage organ, I've tried several (I've got a little collection of them), and they sound great to me.  CTS was a common speaker maker, and they're all stamped with the mfg and date codes. 

 If you've never gone 'organ hunting' you should.  Check craigslist, and in the 'free' section, thrift stores sometimes have them for cheap. Broken or working tube organs very likely have good tubes and speakers in them.  The Baldwin Orgasonic (the tube version) is the Holy Grail: they have a pair of CTS 12s, and about 60 good tubes: mostly all 12ax7, 12au7, and a pair of 6L6GCs, I found a beatup Orgasonic at a thrift store for $20, the speakers were dirty but good, and every single tube tested very good.  Make sure to keep the amp parts for any ampbuilder you might know.

[tomteriffic]

1 hour ago, Jimbilly said:

I would try a speaker out of a vintage organ, I've tried several (I've got a little collection of them), and they sound great to me.  CTS was a common speaker maker, and they're all stamped with the mfg and date codes. 

 If you've never gone 'organ hunting' you should.  Check craigslist, and in the 'free' section, thrift stores sometimes have them for cheap. Broken or working tube organs very likely have good tubes and speakers in them.  The Baldwin Orgasonic (the tube version) is the Holy Grail: they have a pair of CTS 12s, and about 60 good tubes: mostly all 12ax7, 12au7, and a pair of 6L6GCs, I found a beatup Orgasonic at a thrift store for $20, the speakers were dirty but good, and every single tube tested very good.  Make sure to keep the amp parts for any ampbuilder you might know.

All of this.  I pulled a Hammond A200 off the curb and it sounded glorious for about 30 seconds until the tonewheel shot craps.  It had a pair of 1962 Rola alnico 12's, intentionally mismatched, one for better bass, the other for better treble.  In the end I salvaged the speakers (they need reconed) a scad of 1962 RCA 12AX's and 12au's, a pair of Amperex EL84's a volume pedal and reverb tank.  If I had been a little smarter then, the amps (main and reverb) are convertible to guitar or straight power amps.

You didn't mention size.  8?  10? 12?  For your purposes I'd think that something a bit midrange-forward/rolled off top and bottom would be what you'd be looking for.  In my Pro Jr. I opted for a bit of extra top end (I can always roll the tone off a bit) and traded for high sensitivity in the form of an Eminence Copperhead 10.  A 10" Eminence Red Coat would probably do nicely too.  That little thing can get loud AF now and stay cleaner longer.  My $0.02.

[Dutchman]

I like several speakers in my 5E3. The Alnico Blue, the Cannibus Rex and the Swamp Thang. They all sound great, just different. If your going for true vintage the Alnico Blue does that wonderfully!

[joshoowah]

Just a general recommendation here... as my Brownface 6G2 Princeton can testify, I'm a big fan of Kendrick's 10". It was a great upgrade from the stock Oxford, and they sound glorious in my 2410 ('59 Bassman replica).

[Jakeboy]

Ok, I have a slew of old 50s and 60s alnicos that will sound killer in a 5e3…I’ll sell one dirt cheap….but, peruse the forums and you’ll see THE speaker for a 5e3 is a Weber 12a125A. Not the 12a125. The 12a125A. It sounds perfect. Old, vintage , and classic.  Buy a 12A125A and you’ll not want to replace it. It is as good in a 5e3 as everyone says. Light dope.  Or buy a real vintage alnico from me for half t( price…but trust me on this, the 12A125A is worth it for that amp.

[hamerican gigolo]

I agree about the Weber 12A125A. I've had one in an amp for years & it sounds great. Only one problem, it's been out of stock at Weber for quite some time. 😞

[JGale]

I have a C12P Jensen Special Design here needs re-coning. It's yours for postage. Picture as soon as I can figure this iPhuck thingy.

[Jakeboy]

Send that Jennie to Weber for a recone!

[Pieman]

On 1/12/2023 at 7:57 AM, hamerican gigolo said:

I agree about the Weber 12A125A. I've had one in an amp for years & it sounds great. Only one problem, it's been out of stock at Weber for quite some time. 😞

Yes.  Seems to be a lack of cones.  Go figure.

[Jakeboy]

OP, I just scored a Rola alnico from an old organ as well as a pair of Cleveland alnicos that look almost new. I also have a Heppner 12 and a second Rola 12 that has a slightly repaired cone. If you cannot get a 12a125a I’ll sell you some old alnico cheap.

[Jimbilly]

17 hours ago, Jakeboy said:

OP, I just scored a Rola alnico from an old organ as well as a pair of Cleveland alnicos that look almost new. I also have a Heppner 12 and a second Rola 12 that has a slightly repaired cone. If you cannot get a 12a125a I’ll sell you some old alnico cheap.

I've got a pair of Clevelands (433?), I like those.  What did the Clevelands come out of?

[Jakeboy]

My Cleveland’s came out of an old organ and are in stupid good shape.

[Jimbilly]

2 hours ago, Jakeboy said:

My Cleveland’s came out of an old organ and are in stupid good shape.

I was trying to remember what brand organ I got mine out of, I think it was the Baldwin Orgasonic, - which btw was powered by a pair or 6L6GCs.  This makes me want to do a bunch of speaker swapping (in all my excess spare time...).

[Jakeboy]

Mine came out of an old Conn.

[Pieman]

Weber has received the paper cones and I have ordered a 12A125A.  Hope to receive it in two weeks.  Will let you know what it sounds like out of the box. Thanks for the guidance.

[Jakeboy]

They will break in the speaker at no cost IIRC. You’re gonna love it in that 5e3!