andyt
Junior Member
Posts: 62
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Post by andyt on May 30, 2007 5:22:17 GMT -7
Hi everyone, I'm wondering if I could safely use the KT-45 with a 2x12 cabinet containing Weber speakers, a 25 watt 12F150 and 25 watt 12F150B. I've heard the 45 watt rating of the KT-45 is conservative. Initially I planned this speaker purchase for Fender blackface amps. However I like the KT-45's version of Fender clean. It's open and punchy, a bit more grainy if you will, to my ears at least. I run the KT-45 pretty clean and am not using its full power. I get low-gain overdrive from a pedal. Here's one usage example: last rehearsal the KT-45 was paired with the 2x10 speakers from a Z-28 combo. Very nice sound. Treble and bass controls were at 9 or 10 o'clock and volume at 11 or 12 o'clock. I was told by a tech these Webers will sound better if driven harder so I'd prefer 25W speakers rather than going to two 50W speakers which I know would be safe. Thanks, Andy P.S. I'm new to the forum and Z amps. I recently picked up a KT-45 head and Z-28 combo. Fantastic amps. One reason I'm willing to invest in Z gear is this excellent forum. Great tone, simple designs, and top-notch customer service also help . So here is a VERY BIG thank you to you all!
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Post by JChance on May 30, 2007 6:17:13 GMT -7
Weber speakers are built tough. You'll be fine.
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Post by dock66 on May 30, 2007 7:39:31 GMT -7
Andyt,
Welcome to the forum and congrats on your purchases. Not a bad start,two great amps .
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andyt
Junior Member
Posts: 62
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Post by andyt on May 30, 2007 10:09:27 GMT -7
Dock66, thank you for the welcome. They are great amps indeed. Many voicings are possible with each. Much more versatile than you'd first imagine from a 3-knob amp.
Jayson, thank you for advice on the speakers. I like simple answers! Also appreciate the speedy response.
-Andy
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Post by skydog958 on May 30, 2007 12:08:09 GMT -7
Welcome! It's always nice to see more KT45 guys. We're a rare breed.
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Post by dock66 on May 30, 2007 13:05:49 GMT -7
Dock66, thank you for the welcome. They are great amps indeed. Many voicings are possible with each. Much more versatile than you'd first imagine from a 3-knob amp. Jayson, thank you for advice on the speakers. I like simple answers! Also appreciate the speedy response. -Andy You're welcome Andy. I love my KT45. Have not played it much lately,nevertheless,it is still one of my favorites Z amps.
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andyt
Junior Member
Posts: 62
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Post by andyt on May 30, 2007 13:18:45 GMT -7
Skydog, thank you.
KT-45 came along at the right time for me. For most of my 25+ years playing I wouldn't have wanted its clarity and attack. Now for certain things I'm finding its dynamics are just the ticket. It will be a slow process experimenting with tubes and speakers but I'll enjoy it.
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Post by groovergeorge on May 31, 2007 7:24:23 GMT -7
I too have wanted a KT45. It was actually the first Dr Z i wanted but ended up getting a Maz 38 invasion model then a Ghia for low wattage studio stuff. Because I was really missing the juicy,spongey sparkle of a Fender amp since I sold my 69 vibrolux I finally have replaced that with my just purchased Z-28. I hope it lives up to my expectations. By all accounts I think it will and then some but I'm still jonesing for a KT45. I really think if you have got somewhere to open up this amp and don't mind the volume this amp would in the right hands would be so versatile. Add a few pedals to the front end and this thing could let you cover any style. Myles actually recommended using a 2x12 Jensen/Weber type speaker loaded cab for this amp if I wanted to get an early "Twin" like tone. I think you are on the right track with 2 weber 12a125's at 25 watts each.
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andyt
Junior Member
Posts: 62
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Post by andyt on May 31, 2007 12:26:33 GMT -7
Cool. You have some great amps. And it's nice to know this plan is Myles-approved! The Webers will be 12F150 and 12F150B, per Ted.
I'm not sure I'll be opening up the KT-45 enough and that is one concern. I might miss its sweet spot. But at volumes I've tried so far I'm liking the sound. I have an Airbrake and verdict is still out on how much attenuation I might use if any.
You mention pedals, my selection is not vast but the KT-45 seems to produce all their nuances nicely. Same story with the guitar. The KT-45 presents all its character with excellent dynamics but without too much coloring of the tone. The amp is still new to me and is making me much, much fussier about the rest of my gear. I figure that's a good thing.
I hope you dig the Z-28.
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Post by cashandkerouac on Jun 2, 2007 8:55:17 GMT -7
andy: you're love for the KT-45 will continue to increase as you play it more (sounds like you love it quite a bit already). it also sounds like you're running the amp at good levels for those 25W Webers. people have very mixed opinions about Webers, but i really like them. i am running my KT-45 head through two Celestion G12H Heritage speakers (30W each) and have not had a problem. the Air Brake is a must have accessory for the KT-45 (it is one loud mutha) and it won't kill your tone. using the Air Brake you will easily hit the amp's sweet spot without harming those Webers. one final note/recommendation - if you're KT-45 has the SS rectifier i would swap it out for a GZ34/5AR4. the difference is dramatic to say the least. if you think the KT-45 sounds good with a SS rectifier, then step back and stay seated when you fire it up with the tube rectifier 'casue it takes the amp to a whole other level. enjoy!!!
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andyt
Junior Member
Posts: 62
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Post by andyt on Jun 3, 2007 21:39:07 GMT -7
All very helpful, thank you. I remember your thread where those G12H's were breaking in. Nice to hear it worked out! I still have the solid state rec. Will definitely try tube rectifier at some point but am curious what people like about it. I should re-read the threads on that topic. In general it's supposed to soften the amp a bit, more sag, correct? I don't know if that's the direction I'll want to go. I did order the Webers a couple of days ago. They will arrive later in June and it will be my first time with Webers (my tech likes them -- good to keep him interested in my gear
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Post by cashandkerouac on Jun 4, 2007 23:32:47 GMT -7
tone is so subjective and if you like the SS rectifier then stick with it. i'm sure the webers will sound great. the KT-45 will definitely give them a workout. keep us posted.
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andyt
Junior Member
Posts: 62
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Post by andyt on Jun 5, 2007 4:47:03 GMT -7
Agree, I need to hear the tube rec myself. Sounds like you had a strong reaction to it though. I like hearing about those experiences even if they don't relate directly to me. I will report back on the speakers.
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Post by myles on Jun 22, 2007 10:37:48 GMT -7
Hi everyone, I'm wondering if I could safely use the KT-45 with a 2x12 cabinet containing Weber speakers, a 25 watt 12F150 and 25 watt 12F150B. I've heard the 45 watt rating of the KT-45 is conservative. Initially I planned this speaker purchase for Fender blackface amps. However I like the KT-45's version of Fender clean. It's open and punchy, a bit more grainy if you will, to my ears at least. I run the KT-45 pretty clean and am not using its full power. I get low-gain overdrive from a pedal. Here's one usage example: last rehearsal the KT-45 was paired with the 2x10 speakers from a Z-28 combo. Very nice sound. Treble and bass controls were at 9 or 10 o'clock and volume at 11 or 12 o'clock. I was told by a tech these Webers will sound better if driven harder so I'd prefer 25W speakers rather than going to two 50W speakers which I know would be safe. Thanks, Andy P.S. I'm new to the forum and Z amps. I recently picked up a KT-45 head and Z-28 combo. Fantastic amps. One reason I'm willing to invest in Z gear is this excellent forum. Great tone, simple designs, and top-notch customer service also help . So here is a VERY BIG thank you to you all! Andy, The KT-45 puts out 60-65 watts pretty easily but there are some things about Weber speakers that are not published and Weber does have power handling ratings on their speakers as do everybody else BUT ..... I sort of look at Weber outside of the big three .... Jensen, Emenience, and Celestion. I say that I look at Weber as being outside because the well known big three are high capacity high production speaker companies that have very high overhead and need (and deserve) to make a profit. Now Weber is a different can of meat. Getting a Weber speaker is sort of like getting a custom Harley rather than one off the dealer floor or a custom car rather than one off the showroom floor. You can talk with Ted Weber and work directly with him. You cannot do that with the "big 3". On top of that, Weber offers many models and options so you end up with a speaker that is more dialed in for your requirements and not a generic in the ballpark sort of thing. In multi speaker cabs using one of the Weber ceramic and one of the Weber AlNiCO offerings can yield some pretty amazing results and you CAN get complimentary results because you actually CAN work with Weber. There is more than just speaker efficiency to consider when doing this and Ted Weber himself if THE resource that makes it work. So ... since I went totally off base and did not even answer your question I will say that I think that two 25 watt rated Weber speakers would probably work great as I feel that Weber is also sonservative in their ratings. But ... to be on the safe side I'd just head over to the ask the experts column here and post this directly to Ted Weber!
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andyt
Junior Member
Posts: 62
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Post by andyt on Jun 24, 2007 12:00:32 GMT -7
Thank you, Myles. I will run it by Ted.
It is most definitely because of Ted, Dr. Z, yourself, and this forum that I'm investing in Z gear and Webers. The amount I'm learning is amazing. Thanks to all of you who are willing to listen and are helping folks get dialed in to good tone.
-Andy
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andyt
Junior Member
Posts: 62
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Post by andyt on Jun 29, 2007 18:58:32 GMT -7
Here is Ted's response from Ask the Experts... Most of our speakers are conservatively rated, including those. If you aren't going to dime the amp wtih heavy distortion, that combo will handle the 60-65 watts. Ted These speakers do sound good for vintage blackface tone and to my ears add a little punch. They still need breakin time and I'm on vacation most of July so will spend more time with them in August.
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