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.

 

Edited April 18, 2024 by Jimbilly

[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. 

 

Edited April 18, 2024 by santellavision

[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.