That JBL Sound

Ron Whitworth · Post by **Ron Whitworth** » 17 Aug 2002 3:36 pm

How many of you have tried other speakers & just can't get used to their sound?? I am talking about those of you who are used to the sound of the JBL D (the D120's or D130's)series in a Fender tube amp!!..I have tried the Peavey Black Widows & Weber California's which both are supposedly built as the JBL copies..They are kinda close but to my ears they just do not have the crystal clear definition that the JBL's do..Does anyone know of any other speaker that comes closer to the sound i am looking for?? Let me hear your suggestions..Thanks Ron

Al Marcus · Post by **Al Marcus** » 17 Aug 2002 3:39 pm

Ron, I agree, I have always been hooked on the D120 and D130's with fender tube amps. I have had them both Twin and Showman.

I haven't heard any speaker to give me the sound I personally like, except JBL's D models.

But too much weight for me now. so, onward and upward?....al

[This message was edited by Al Marcus on 17 August 2002 at 04:42 PM.]

Cartwright Thompson · Post by **Cartwright Thompson** » 17 Aug 2002 5:25 pm

The only speakers that come close, and in some ways sound better than D-120's, are Altec 417's.
D-130's are it for 15's.

Donny Hinson · Post by **Donny Hinson** » 17 Aug 2002 6:04 pm

The new Standels may give you "that sound"...but they're over $400 each. Also, the Celestion G12-Century comes awful close, but they're $250 each!

Now, if you're happy with the JBL's, why are you looking for an alternative?[This message was edited by Donny Hinson on 17 August 2002 at 07:07 PM.]

Ron Whitworth · Post by **Ron Whitworth** » 17 Aug 2002 7:12 pm

Thank to Al; Cartwright & Donny for the answers so far..
Al said "I haven't heard any speaker to give me the sound I personally like, except JBL's D models."... I also feel the same Al.

Cartwright said " The only speakers that come close, and in some ways sound better than D-120's, are Altec 417's."
Are these the ones referred to sa the "coffee can" Altecs??

Donny said "Now, if you're happy with the JBL's, why are you looking for an alternative?"
In my opinion it won't be very long before the JBL D series are up into the Standel
"over $400 each" price range..Just looking for some alternatives Donny; that is all....

Anyone else have any other info on this subject please jump in here..
Thanks Ron

Ken Fox · Post by **Ken Fox** » 17 Aug 2002 8:50 pm

I have tried all the JBL D series and they sound great. I could not hear that they sounded any better than the Peavey 1501-4SB. We have tried both in old Session 400's this year and it seems to be as good or a better speaker to my ear than the JBL! I also compared the 2-12 JBLS in a Twin to a 1501-4 with the Twin, hands down, the 1501-4 was my choice.
I have not compared the 12" Black Widow to a 12" JBL. I do not think there's anything in the line with a voice coil like the 1501-4SB (paper coil). My choice amp for guitar is presently a 1966 Deluxe (non-reverb) with a grayframe D-120F, Fender/JBL Signature Series! I could not ask for a better tone for my Tele!
Of course, I may have a tin ear! All this is just my humble opinion and two cents worth!

Ricky Davis · Post by **Ricky Davis** » 17 Aug 2002 9:45 pm

Ron that is a tuff one pal. I have had every single Speaker known to mankind in my Twin.....and for my ears(I am very very particular)> it has to be a D or K-130 JBL.
I have an original K-130 in it right now and my extension cab...has the D-130 in it...so I'm in heaven and never looking back.
Oh and my Twin is the same weight as a Nashville 400....
Ricky

Bob Hoffnar · Post by **Bob Hoffnar** » 18 Aug 2002 12:28 am

I put a Fane 12" in my old Fender Deluxe that sounds way better than the stock Jensen. I also am very happy with my 2 12" celestion classic 80 speakers I use in my THD rig. Its my favorite and most usable sound so far.

I have an old Standel Custom with a JBL D130 that has its own sound. I gotta admit nothing sounds like that old JBL. For those transparent, feathery highs with no ugly honk in the high mids old JBL's are really nice. I try out gear all the time and I haven't found anything yet that really sounds like the old JBLs.

Bob

Cartwright Thompson · Post by **Cartwright Thompson** » 18 Aug 2002 2:28 am

I think the "coffee can" magnets are on EV SRO speakers. I've heard that they are great and can handle tons of power-maybe another JBL alternative.
I've tried the Standel JBL remake. It sounded great and very close to the original, but for $400?!? There are plenty of original D-130's around for about half that.
Ricky mentioned the K series JBL's- I think they sound (and maybe are-depending on who you talk to) the same as the D series. Sometimes they can be found for reasonable $$.
I guess they use E series kits for re-cones now....anybody know??[This message was edited by Cartwright Thompson on 18 August 2002 at 03:31 AM.]

Joe Smith · Post by **Joe Smith** » 18 Aug 2002 7:23 am

Well,I have a BW 1503 in my Standel. It sounds to my ear a little better than the JBL. I do set the tone controls a little different with the BW. If you ever blow one, all you have to do is replace the basket. That's pretty cool. [This message was edited by Joe Smith on 18 August 2002 at 08:25 AM.]

Ricky Davis · Post by **Ricky Davis** » 18 Aug 2002 9:19 am

Hi Cartwright; I believe the K sounds the same as a D if they are both original and not reconed, to my ears.
And yes all recones are with a E kit...so that's what makes it even tuffer to get a good sounding D or K these days....oh and my K will take more lows than the D before fart-ing.....yeeee haaa.
Ricky

Brad Sarno · Post by **Brad Sarno** » 18 Aug 2002 1:04 pm

The JBL D and K series used the Alnico magnets. Peavey uses ceramic. Alnico seems to have a sweetness and a compression to it. Also the Altec, JBL, Standel, Peavey, etc. use aluminum dust caps. These things ring like a bell and create all kinds of upper harmonic overtones and clarity.

I've been using a Black Widow 1501-4 in my '69 Twin and it's great. The JBL D130 sounded great too but there's something big and tight about the Peavey. For 12" speakers, the old D120s are the deal for me. I've used the Altec 417 and they're cool but the JBL wins out in my amps. Carlos Santana however does great with the Altec.

Brad Sarno
St.Louis, MO

Ricky0ne1 · Post by **Ricky0ne1** » 18 Aug 2002 1:11 pm

I have a pair of D-120's in my twin, one is reconed and the other is a mint original. I isolated each and you can definitely get better lows from the original. But even with a recone on the other, it still sounds better than most other brands I've heard to date.. but, then, I'm a JBL freak.. hahahaha

soon as I get this D-130(mint original) in a tone ring enclosure I just know it's gonna reinforce my feelings about these babies..

it's a taste thing... tasty tasty tasty

Ron Whitworth · Post by **Ron Whitworth** » 18 Aug 2002 5:59 pm

MAN!!! This is some GREAT info here!!..Just think about all the $$$ we could have saved each other thru the years if we would have had this great Steel Forum to communicate between everyone!!
I really appreciate everyone's opinions stated here.I have to laugh(not in a mean way either)at Ricky when he said " I have had every single Speaker known to mankind in my Twin....." I know he really means this too!!..It is amazing to me at how far advanced a musical civilazation we have come in terms of equipment yet some of us are never satisfied until we end up almost exactly where we started-huh Ricky??

Cartwright-Thanks for your update on the new Standel speaker-i feel the same as you about the $$$..What a wealth of knowledge we all have here!!!!.Anyone else have any comments about the great JBL D series speakers??
Let 'er go boys!!! Later Ron

Richard Sinkler · Post by **Richard Sinkler** » 18 Aug 2002 6:20 pm

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR>
Anyone else have any comments about the great JBL D series speakers??
<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Yup! How do we get JBL to start producing the D and K series speakers again?

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Carter D10 9p/10k
Richard Sinkler

Dan Tyack · Post by **Dan Tyack** » 18 Aug 2002 6:44 pm

Richard, all we have to do is let them know that all the steel players dig them and they will realize that they have literally dozens of potential sales. That will do it.

Seriously, nobody is mass producing alnico magnet speakers anymore (or that's what I believe). I believe it's a production cost issue. I personally prefered the sound of the Black Widow to a K-130 in the session 400 (the original), but I'd love to try a d-130 with one of my tube amps.

Ricky Davis · Post by **Ricky Davis** » 18 Aug 2002 7:21 pm

It is amazing to me at how far advanced a musical civilazation we have come in terms of equipment yet some of us are never satisfied until we end up almost exactly where we started-huh Ricky??

Ron; NO True-r words have been spoken pal.
Ricky

Bill Leff · Post by **Bill Leff** » 19 Aug 2002 7:02 am

I'm loving the Weber California (paper dustcap) in my Deluxe Reverb reissue. These spearkers sound better after they've been broken in by the way.

Many years ago I owned a Twin with D-120s but it's been too long to say if that amp sounded better than what I'm currently using.

Joe Smith · Post by **Joe Smith** » 19 Aug 2002 1:22 pm

Bill, you are right about braking in the Webers. Our lead guitar player uses two Webers, and the more he play's through them, the better they sound. He has had them for a few months and they sound a lot better now than they did when he first put them in.

jeff reynolds · Post by **jeff reynolds** » 22 Aug 2002 2:28 pm

What is a JBL M31-4 ????
please read my topic I posted in the Electronics Section about this and please reply.
Thanks,
Jeff

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