4x12 loaded with random organ speakers

[Jimbilly]

For quite a while now, I've wanted to load a cabinet with some of the organ speakers I've collected while tube hunting / scrapping a few junk organs.  A couple of weeks ago an empty old Univox U4044 412 cabinet found it's way to me. I loaded it with: Rola/285, Magnavox/232, Consolidated/145, and Cleveland/433 (all 8ohms, and carefully tested with the 9v battery to make sure I had all the pos/negs right).  I had a low wattage tube head built locally a couple of years ago, a bassman type pre and single octal power section, sort of like what you might imagine a Champ head should/could be (all vintage usa tubes, a GM labeled 6L6 GB for power iirc), which seems perfect for this cabinet.   

  I admit to being biased, I really wanted it to sound good,  -to me it sounds fantastic.  Yesterday two friends happened to come by at different times and tested it out, both have had lots of good amps, and quite a bit of experience, - one a whole lot of global experience.  Both agreed, that is sounds really great, with or without pedals. It was compared to a jcm800 412 loaded with the g1275t's, and also a smaller ported cab with a single V30.  Great pop-metal tones too (my current favorite pedal for that, by a lot, is the tech21 Tri-OD).  With the low wattage head, it's loud enough that I have just a little bit of ear ringing this morning. To be fair, the ear ringing is probably from running both 412s, a '68 Ampeg B25 into the Marshall (which is a great sounding amp for guitar or bass), and an old Electric Mistress to split the signal, it sounds so huge, so good...  Now if only I was a good guitar player, instead of just a passable bass player!  Several Hamers were involved: Proto ii, Cali, Centaura, and SSii, - the SSii is my all time #1 guitar.

If you're tempted to try this, I highly recommend it, collecting organ parts for next to nothing is still possible.  It is also relatively lightweight, due to the little magnets of course.

 

[santellavision]

I have always found that speakers are THE biggest tonal difference in the entire guitar-pedal-amp-cab chain. Changing speakers completely changes so much. Some amps just come alive with the right speaker. 

I love trying difference speakers. Even some of the less popular models from big names!

Here's a few favs I've found. I love old Hiwatt era Fanes.  Super clean JBL/EVs for guitar.  Duane Allman reportedly used both JBLs and Cerwin-Vega ER123 speakers. Love my Tone Tubbies too. 

 

[duncans]

Glad you're enjoying those speakers! I've got a pair from a small Hammond sitting here but no cab. I'll have to change that. I've terrorized a couple Hammonds for different parts and bought several Hammond organ amps for the transformers. One day I'll make a post with the amps I've built with the various parts.

[Cboss]

7 hours ago, duncans said:

Glad you're enjoying those speakers! I've got a pair from a small Hammond sitting here but no cab. I'll have to change that. I've terrorized a couple Hammonds for different parts and bought several Hammond organ amps for the transformers. One day I'll make a post with the amps I've built with the various parts.

Please do that sounds fascinating!

[Brooks]

Years ago I had some alnico 12" from an organ that sounded great, I shoulda kept it.