speakers for 1973 concert bass.

[bradn104]

I am the proud owner of a 1973 concert bass, i have mostly been using it with a david eden xlt 410. I have a 1972 fender bassman 50 cabinet (two 15", same as picture below) which i use with the concert bass also,  which i had one sunn speaker from what i think was from a 200s cabinet (it had brown gasket trim, and the back plate [magnet] was about 4" and  1 Traynor 15" speaker (both 8 ohms) from a 1974 2150 cabinet ( the magnets are huge!). the sunn speaker got ripped at a show I played so i took it out and put in another traynor 15" in. Afterwards i found that when one speaker moved out the other speaker would be sucked in ( this is proably what caused the rip) and i was not getting the full noise responce i was use too when i had the Sunn speaker in. this is all due to i think the cabinet design which is front loaded and and has no ports.

I was wondering what people would suggest for replacement speakers that would accompany the concert bass, i would like to put new ones in this cabinet and not use the traynor ones ( i know from the previous owner they have been put through alot over the years,)

also i know this is on the wrong board but does any one know what type of speakers came in this fender cabinet, for when i bought it it was unloaded. thanks.

       

[Isaac]

First thing I'd do is make sure that the polarity is correct on the drivers. Best way to do that is to apply a DC voltage to the drivers and see that they move in the same direction. If not, reverse the connections on one driver.

However, if you want to replace the drivers, my first choice would be JBL D140F's. Being vintage drivers, they can be rather pricey. There are lots of other low Q bass drivers available that would do as well, or nearly as well. I'm a big JBL fan, so take that into account, but the 2032 works very well in a sealed cabinet, and they're usually available cheap. K140's are nearly the same as the D140's. E140's are similar. If you want more output, and are willing to settle for less bottom, things open up even more. D130's, K130's, E130's, 2225's, 2226's and the very high output 2220 driver are all possible choices. No doubt I'm missing some excellent alternatives.

Other excellent drivers come from Altec and ElectroVoice, but I'm not familiar enough with them to recommend any specific models. Eminence makes more drivers than any other company in the world, and surely has many great choices. I've heard good things about Beyma, Fane and B&C.

Sunn used JBL drivers for a long time, but had stopped by the time the Concert Bass and Lead amps came out. Fender used JBL's as well (that's what the F in D130F and D140F stands for), and it's possible that the bassman originally came with them. I think they also used Jensen drivers, but I could be mistaken. I'm not a Fender historian by any stretch.

[JoeArthur]

There were only a few Fender models that came stock with JBL speakers. The piggy-back Showman and Dual Showman, and the "second generation" of Fender Solid-State offerings (the combo models with (I think it was 4) signs of the zodiac names). Maybe the "Super Showman".

The Solid-State Bassman, the only surviving member from the first generation of solid state, and one that outlasted the second generation offerings (under the "Transistorized Bassman"), came with 3-12" "heavy duty" speakers - but not JBL's as stock.

Of course you could always order a Fender amp upgraded with JBL's at an additional cost (of course!!).

EdBass will disagree, but I think one of the best EV 15" speakers ever made was the "Force 15".

[EdBass]

EdBass will disagree, but I think one of the best EV 15" speakers ever made was the "Force 15".

Quite the contrary Joe, I completely agree that you think the Force 15 is one of the best EV 15" speakers ever made.

All kidding aside, I don't have any practical knowledge of the Force series EV drivers other than in passive 2 way PA enclosures, and very limited with those.
I have noticed that the ceramic EV's that I do have hands on experience with are very similar (i.e. "identical") in basket and motor assemblies, like the D and K series JBL's. I would assume that the Force series shares the basic mechanics of it's siblings, and as such is a fine speaker like it's brethren.
I like the ceramic EV's with tube amps. They seem almost AlNiCo warm and rich, but unlike most AlNiCo drivers, they will also take a big MOSFET pounding and not fart out. Must be that massive 2.5" VC!
Another nice thing about EV's is the availability of factory cones.
The only factory JBL cones available for the venerable D's and K's are the E series and who knows how long they will last? Even with a factory E series cone, I think Mr. Gerst would agree that it isn't the same driver as an original D or K.

[pickinatit]

Afterwards i found that when one speaker moved out the other speaker would be sucked in ( this is proably what caused the rip) and i was not getting the full noise responce i was use too when i had the Sunn speaker in. this is all due to i think the cabinet design which is front loaded and and has no ports.

       

I think this condition sounds like the speakers being "out of phase" .
Do a "google"  of the  terms out of phase speakers and you will get multiple websites that describe the symptoms and solutions to the problem.

[Isaac]

Speaking of JBL 2032 drivers:
http://cgi.ebay.com/JBL-Speaker-Model-2032-15-inch-8-ohm-Raw-Speaker_W0QQitemZ220089177144QQcategoryZ47094QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

[bradn104]

Thanks everyone for your input. I checked the wiring and I did infact wire it wrong when i put in the other traynor speaker in, that being said I am still going to replace the speakers in the cabinet.

I got to the JBL 2032s to late, No one bought them so hopfully he relists them, or maybe i should just email him.

Again, thanks everyone for their input, I love the fact that you all know so much about gear! 

[Isaac]

There is another JBL 2032 on ebay. Seller says he has four.
http://cgi.ebay.com/JBL-15-WOOFER-2032H-MR-SERIES-USED-NO-RESERVE_W0QQitemZ200089196130QQcategoryZ47095QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem