The perfect Steel guitar speaker??

Dave Seddon · Post by **Dave Seddon** » 26 Jul 2011 12:22 pm

What makes the perfect steel guitar speaker? Every so often someone comes out with "have you tried this new speaker," some of them supposedly are specially voiced for steel guitar. What does that mean? Is it the Magnet size, weight or diameter, is it the cone size, material or thickness, is it the coil size, wire guage number of turns, or is it the frequency span?? In the old days people played through a Fender Twin with stock speakers and sounded great, nowadays it's all about "Blue Marvel" or "Webber" or "Black Widow," It's probably a daft question but is there such a thing as a "STEEL GUITAR SPEAKER," if so what makes it so??
Cheers Dave.

Erv Niehaus · Post by **Erv Niehaus** » 26 Jul 2011 12:31 pm

Some steelers didn't use a Fender Twin with stock speakers. I was advised to order mine with the JBL speakers installed by Fender. So there was even some variety back then in the stone age.

Tommy R. Butler · Post by **Tommy R. Butler** » 26 Jul 2011 9:34 pm

Well there actually is a BEST steel speaker just like theres a BEST country singer. The answer just depends on who you ask...

Erv Niehaus · Post by **Erv Niehaus** » 27 Jul 2011 6:19 am

I think it depends a lot on the amp you are using the speaker with.

Dave Seddon · Post by **Dave Seddon** » 27 Jul 2011 8:02 am

Maybe I should ask a different question. What are the most important features to look for when choosing a speaker for Steel guitar? Or is that a stupid question also??
Dave.

Erv Niehaus · Post by **Erv Niehaus** » 27 Jul 2011 8:16 am

Some speakers are rather "generic" in that they are used in several different models of amps.
Peavey, however, built a speaker that was used specifically and primarily in their steel amps, the Black Widow 1501-4, (4 ohm, 15"). It's hard to go wrong with this speaker. I am looking for a JBL E-130 speaker for my Webb amp. That's sposed to be the cat's meow for that amp.

Dave Seddon · Post by **Dave Seddon** » 27 Jul 2011 8:23 am

Erv, Is there any one important feature e.g., resonance or frequency range or is it a combination of many things?
Dave.

Erv Niehaus · Post by **Erv Niehaus** » 27 Jul 2011 8:36 am

Dave,
Believe me, I'm not an authority on speakers, however, in the case of the Black Widow, I understand that Peavey used a special paper to construct the speaker.
Also, it seems like the speakers made specifically for steel guitar have an aluminum dust cover in the center. It must contribute something to the sound.
Being rather long in the tooth, any expertise I have to do with speakers relates to the older models.
I have no experience with the new designs coming out, but I understand that some of those are quite good.
Their biggest claim to fame, however, seems to be that they weigh less not that they sound better.
They advertise them something like this: "They sound like a JBL". That should tell you something.

Malcolm McMaster · Post by **Malcolm McMaster** » 27 Jul 2011 9:53 am

Dave, I have always had Peavey speakers (Nashville 400 and Nashville 112 amps) I could find little or no difference between the 15 and 12 in these amps(to my ears) but doubtless others will have other ideas.Due to bad back problems I have been looking to lighten up my gear and have decided to try the Gk MB200 and have just received a 12inch 4ohm Sica neo speaker, about to start work on speaker cab and will let you know what I think of it once completed.There is always the option of the 15 Sica for those who like 15s.As far as I know I think I might be first in UK to try this set up, fingers crossed it works well, if not being a bass amp and speaker I can always use it for Bass.

Dave Seddon · Post by **Dave Seddon** » 27 Jul 2011 11:26 am

Hello Malcom, I, like you can not tell the difference between a 12& 15, I know I have a hearing problem now but I've never been able to tell the difference. I don't get out gigging any more so I got myself an old Peavey Backstage Plus (35watt)just to mess about with. It has a 10" speaker in which is not up to much so I am going to build a cab and put in a 12" or maybe a 15" even. This is a great little amp and the only thing that lets it down is the speaker. I'm in no rush so I'll be interested to see what you think of your new speaker.
Cheers for now, Dave.

Bob Cox · Post by **Bob Cox** » 27 Jul 2011 12:03 pm

JBL

Jouney Beyond Limits

Leslie Ehrlich · Post by **Leslie Ehrlich** » 27 Jul 2011 3:11 pm

It all depends on what style(s) of music you want to play.