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5F1 clone speaker

opa1

opa1

Tenacious
I'm just about finished building my 5F1 clone amp. 6V6, 12AX7 tubes.(low watt single ended amp) I can use any speaker from 8 to 12 inch. I'm going to build a DIY open back cab.
The amp will be used for a CBG, both slide and fretted.
What speaker do you guys think would work for this application? The more efficient the better, high Qts.

Mark
 
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The old Jensen speakers are great mates for the Fender tweed circuit design. P10Q or P10R is the way to go IMO. You might get lucky and find one for under $100.
 
I found a new in box p8r.(ebay) A p10r new for around 110.00. The 5F1 used a 8" driver but, I'm not making a exact copy. I'll keep looking. :)

byoungman1, sending you a pm.

Mark
 
Mark,

I don't know if the P8R/P10R speakers you're referring to are new, or NOS. If new...you may be disappointed with the Italian-made Jensens.
 
Just food for thought. -- I built an 5F1 clone with an old AlNiCo Jensen 8" in it using original cab layout. Later I built a 5E3 (Deluxe) with a 12" cab. I used an old AlNiCo Magnavox driver because I had it handy (and it has a bit of a Jensen lineage :)). I started running the Champ through the larger cab and it's a whole 'nother sound. I much prefer it over the 8" cab. Point being that if you are deviating from the classic amp cabinet/speaker it's going to change the sound somewhat from whatever that vintage champ sound is. So you have a lot of flexibility there to experiment with whatever you can throw in there, doesn't necessarily have to be a '5F1 speaker' as long as you like the results.

The weber drivers have a following :yes:. For a CBG and a Champ clone I'd probably go with the Signature series for the value - I think they are still under $50. But that's just me, I'm a three chord hack.
 
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I'm bidding on a 50's jenson 10" from a Hammond organ. Should know if I get it in a few minutes.

The sig. series are out of stock on 8-10 and 12". They do have the cva's in stock. 15A100A 15"

I'm not worried about the 5F1 original sound. I just built the 6V6 because it was simple for the CBG. And I wanted tubes. :)

Mark

Update: Got out bid! I'll Keep looking. :)
Edit two: Bought a Jenson p12s. 8ohm 12 watt alnico 1957 model in BT. That should do the trick. :thmbsp:
 
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Small update. Still waiting on a few caps for the amp. Time to build the cab.

Mark
 

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I think that will sound great!

I had a 5F1 clone for a while. It came with a newer Italian P12R but I tried several others including an a 1957 Jensen with a whizzer out of a console stereo, an Alnico Weber Silver Bell and a ceramic Weber Blue Dog. Really liked the Blue Dog. Of course, the Blue Dog and Silver Bell quite changed the tone as there's basically zero speaker breakup. I liked that half the time and didn't like that half the time. For quiet jazz use, the Silver Bell was awesome but again, no spank and no speaker breakup.

I quiet enjoyed it but didn't have much use for it so I sold it and added some $$$ and got a used Dr Z Carmen Ghia.

 
Well good news and bad. The speaker I bought made the amp squeal. So a new speaker on the way. Good news the amp is finished. No hum, no problems. This was my first tube amp build. It was not a kit. Prelius helped me by phone and emails to build it.
Cab is coming up.
MK
 

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If you reversed the positive and negative wires going to the speaker does the squeal stop?
Don't give up so quickly on the old Jensen: Could be a pretty easy fix.
 
I didn't try it. I'll give it a shot and see what happens. The polarity isn't marked on the speaker. It could have been wrong.

MK


Edit update: Switched polarity, Didn't make any difference.
 
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Have you run the amp with another speaker without the squeal?
Usually, squealing from a 5f1 means that the negative feedback loop has been turned positive.
I've had this happen a couple of times. If you reverse the wires coming from the output transformer to the output jack--most likely green and black wires--the squeal should go away.
 
Yes. That's how I found the where the squeal was coming from. It works great with a different speaker.
I'm just going to get a new Weber signature series speaker. I'm finding that the vintage parts (not just audio) are a hit or miss deal.
Being I was born the year the this Jensen was made. (1957 :)). I'm not what I used to be either. :D

Mark
 
I was skeptical when I was recommended this speaker, but it was cheap and I decided what the heck...now all my Champs and my 1960 Fender Princeton have them installed...it's the Jensen MOD 8". Killer speaker. I tried a couple of Weber speakers, one alnico and one ceramic. Tried the vintage Jensens. When I dropped in the MOD, my jaw dropped!
It works very, very well with the single ended 6V6 amps.
 
I looked at the MOD's when I started building the amp. I already ordered the Weber ceramic 8". I'll give it a try and see how I like it.
I have the cab finished. Just waiting on the speaker. Updates soon.

Mark
 
Almost done. Waiting on grill cloth and handle.

Mark
 

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