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Post by zpilot on Jun 5, 2018 20:39:23 GMT -7
So....Doc states in his recent AMA that the Z-12 was modeled to sound close to a vintage 12" Oxford. I find that interesting. I have a 12" Oxford that came from my 1965 Ampeg Gemini 1 that I have been experimenting with running in my MAZ 8. I'm warming up to the way that combination works. I like it a little better than the Z-12 but the comparison is close. Now I know why. I'm guessing the difference is due to having to make the Z-12 capable to handle 70 watts. Something I won't worry about in my MAZ 8. I've also mostly liked Oxfords over Jensens in Fenders and I know that differs from most folks.
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Post by Ridgeback on Jun 6, 2018 4:38:23 GMT -7
My 62 Bassman cab came with a 63 Oxford 12M6-11 (obviously not original). It's rated at 40 watts and the Bassman is 50 so even though I never crank the Bassman, I put the Oxford into storage. Fender was notorious for using under powered speakers during this period and blowing the originals was pretty common. I'm in the "generally prefer vintage Jensens over Oxfords" camp but it is a nice sounding speaker. I have never had the opportunity to play a Z-12 but it would be kind of fun to try one in the Bassman cab some day if it really captures the original Oxford's vibe and is rated at 70 watts.
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Jun 6, 2018 5:30:12 GMT -7
I really like Z's 12" speaker. I've been using it in the Cure live and I also have one in one of the ISO cabinets at my studio. I have a C Gold 10" in the ISO cab that has a bunch of Brit type amps routed to it and I have the Z-12 in the Demeter ISO cab that has a bunch of American type amps routed to it. I've found it to be a really great speaker.
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Oxford 12
Jun 6, 2018 5:31:03 GMT -7
via mobile
Post by bigben55 on Jun 6, 2018 5:31:03 GMT -7
Wasn't there 2 different Oxfords that Fender used back in the Day? One that earned the name "Oxfart," and another that was considerably better?
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Post by Ridgeback on Jun 6, 2018 5:42:50 GMT -7
When researching the speaker that came in my Bassman cab, I found more than two 12" models were used. I have no idea which one(s) resulted in the Oxfart moniker. Mine held together pretty well but didn't get pushed very often. It's possible that putting under powered speakers in their bigger amps for several years might have been more of the culprit than the speaker itself. Just speculating though. There are certainly flabby speakers out there.
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Post by premiumplus (Dave) on Jun 6, 2018 8:18:41 GMT -7
Once when I visited Maple Heights Doc told me that the cone paper is one of the important factors in the Z-12. As I recall he said that he worked with Eminence to source the same or similar cone paper used back in the 60s. It's a great speaker, I've got one in my Maz 8 and another in a 1x12 open back cab and really like them. Of course they also come stock in the Z-Lux and the Cure.
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Post by zpilot on Jun 6, 2018 9:00:17 GMT -7
My Oxford's frame is stamped 12L6-4 and the cone is ribbed and stamped P4112-5. The ceramic magnet looks to be about 25-30oz. Date code 518. Speaker lore says Oxford widened the voice-coil gap sometime in 1966. This one seems to be fairly efficient so hopefully it came before that. Not as efficient as a Z-12 though. Of course it's magnet is 53 years old.
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Oxford 12
Jun 6, 2018 13:06:19 GMT -7
via mobile
Post by bigben55 on Jun 6, 2018 13:06:19 GMT -7
I copied the following from Fenderguru. Can't vouch for the validity. My only experience with Oxfords was in a 1965 Tremolux cab someone retrofitted with 12" Oxfords. And I thought they sucked. Don't know which ones they were.
"The blackface Pro Reverb came originally with Jensen C12n, Oxford 12L6 or sometimes the Oxford 12T6 which is more often observed in the Twin Reverb. The Oxford 12T6 are exceptionally good speakers, a lot better than the 12L6 found in many Pro Reverbs and Deluxe Reverbs. They’ve got all what it takes, punch and sparkle."
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