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Post by rcrecelius on Apr 7, 2014 16:05:23 GMT -7
I now own a 1/10 Ghia...in the past 1 had a head that I ran through various cabs, also had a 1/10 with a Tone Tubby.
Heres what I have ran a Ghia through and my impressions of each setup.
Ghia Head was ran through...
Z Best - not a good fit for the small clubs we played at the time...sounded good out front but I couldnt hear it at all on stage
1/12 - Weber Alnico Blue 30w- while this sounded good it compressed a bit too much to keep up with the loud band I was playing in at that time.
2/12 w G12H30 and Weber Alnico Blue - very nice combo, the Ceramic speaker helped keep up the punch/clarity while the Weber added the compressed sound/feel...very good mix.
2/12 - Celestion Blues - pretty good but had a tendency to sound brittle in some rooms
2/12 - Weber blue/silver ceramic - this was also a nice combo...both were ceramic so I didnt get the Alnico goodness but overall a good combo
1/10 Combo
1/10 - Tone Tubby, dont know which one...I only gigged this setup one time before it got traded off...sounded good overall but at much lower volume than I'm accustomed to
1/10 Red Fang - this is what my current 1/10 combo has in it...awfully loud and I'm hearing some of that brittleness in the higher registers as well as too many lows/low mids...its like the lows are too low and the highs are too high...the highs have no beef and the lows have no treble...if that makes any sense at all!
Now that you've read my impressions of the various speakers I've used in the past...what should do now? I've thought about trying to really break the RF in(cheapest option)but I'm just not sure its going to be my speaker of choice for this amp.
Here is what I am thinking about doing...
Get a 10" Weber Blue Pup Alnico for the Combo...this should give me a good base tone/volume level and if I want/need a little more punch I could add my 1/12 cab which currently has a JBL E120 in it...or ditch the JBL for a G12H30.
Would you think this would be a good setup? Should I consider other 10" speakers before I go this route?
I know John will recommend a Gold, I just wish I could hear that in a Ghia before I drop the coin to do it...I had a 12" Gold in a Mazerati before so I know what it sounded like in that amp, just dont know about that in the little Ghia.
Another thing I should mention...back when I had the Ghia Head, I was mainly using a tele with much stronger pickups than I do now...I feel like this might be contributing to the brittleness I'm hearing vs what I remember a Ghia sounding like.
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Post by Maddog on Apr 7, 2014 17:05:27 GMT -7
If you're down this way Ronnie, bring yer head and we'll hook it up to one of my 1 x 12 Z convertibles with the Gold....Pretty hard to beat IMHO....
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Post by digs57 on Apr 7, 2014 18:44:03 GMT -7
Yeah I think your assessment is right...I know you play teles (your sound bites).I don't have a lot of other speaker experience.I own all mazs right now...and those with a tele...well you know the rest.You cant beat the portability of the 1/10 cab combo +++
For me... I think you dead on...greenback,creamback also.The fang just didn't get it with my teles...now with my les paul it worked and it worked well.
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Post by bluzman on Apr 7, 2014 20:49:06 GMT -7
The Blue Pup is not a very loud speaker.
I like the sound but they are not loud enough for me in a 1x10.
I had a conversation with Ted Weber some years back and he said the Alnico Blue Pup was about 95db according to his own measurements but he went onto say to not compare it to other manufacturers by spec ratings
The C-Gold 10 is noticeably louder than the Blue Pup as are many of the Eminence 10's I have tried. I have tried some Jensen 10's but they were not very efficient. Look into the Eminence Legend maybe... I liked the 10" Ragin Cajun with the Z28 after playing it hard and loud for a while but never tried it with a Ghia.
That all said, after the Red Fang gets played hard, to me it works with the Ghia. At this point for me it's a compromise as I'm all about grab and go with 10" combos or 12" Studio size combos for the last few years, so if you're gonna use the Ghia with a 10" along with an additional 12" speaker at the same time... I got nuthin'!
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Post by Rik on Apr 7, 2014 21:31:15 GMT -7
Break the RF in. JMHO
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Post by segovia17 on Apr 11, 2014 8:22:02 GMT -7
Here's a question. I play a tele through my 25th Anniversary CG into a 1x10 cab with the Red Coat Ramrod. I get a bit too much bite, specifically around 2khz. It's a bit piercing. Can anyone recommend a speaker that will help to subdue that? Or is something like that the nature of the guitar and perhaps I should consider playing on a different guitar?
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Post by John on Apr 11, 2014 11:45:18 GMT -7
I didn't see this thread until now. Yes, I like my 10" gold very much. At least much more than the Fang. It was too loud, and as Ronnie said, we think it has a bit too much of a lower mid push. I wanted the fang to work, but I kept playing and playing when I got the amp (stage volume in a large 100 person meeting room), and it just didn't seem right. Both because the of the volume and the tone. I had heard good things about the 10" gold, so I took the chance. Installed it, went back to the same room, fired up the amp. I played for three seconds...literally three seconds and said "that's, it...that's the sound I wanted." So for me, it was an easy choice. The 10" Eminence Legend speakers only have a 16oz magnet. I would think that might get a little flubby at high volume. But I like the idea of the Ragin Cajun. That could be a winner. It has a larger dust cap...that could help with the brittleness you are hearing. Also, the WGS G10C...they say it's like a Ragin Cajun. It's listed with a lower db rating than the RC...but we shouldn't compare db ratings from different companies. wgs4.com/content/g10c |
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Post by segovia17 on Apr 11, 2014 12:06:16 GMT -7
John, what about the Gold did you particularly like? And what guitar do you use regularly with it?
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Post by rcrecelius on Apr 11, 2014 12:37:45 GMT -7
You know I haven't turn the amp on since that gig... But I've had plenty of time to reflect on my thoughts of the evening as well as the responses I've received here. I mean there were actually some pretty good moments with the red fang particularly doing SRV tunes with the tube screamer on man that was actually a really good sound...the bass kind of stayed together like it was supposed to for that style so all in all was a red fang a total flop? No it wasn't, I just wasn't pleased with the country tone I was getting.
The more I think about this the more I want to try different preamp tube before I rule out the speaker.
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Post by rcrecelius on Apr 18, 2014 8:23:15 GMT -7
ok...TAX REFUND IS HERE!  After a LOT of consideration, I have opted to go all Weber. They are affordable and I have had good experiences using them in the past. For the 1/10 combo - Getting a 10" Blue Pup Alnico. I figure I always liked this speaker in the past(in a 12" that is), it just wasn't loud enough for the band I was in at the time. Having a combo this small, I ultimately would like it to be quieter anyway. AND I'm also getting a Weber Ceramic Blue in 12" for my little ext cab. This cab is just slightly bigger than the 1/10 combo so it'll be a cute little stack I liked the Weber C Blue w the Ghia in the past, its gonna be a little louder than the Alnico version for the times I run it w the Ghia, AND, for those times I want to add an ext cab to my Allen Accomplice, the Weber should work good in that scenario as well to add a bit of British flavor. I have also ordered my PCNS speaker Y cord too Probably gonna get some NOS preamp tubes as well...I always liked the Ghia with 5751's in V1 and V2. So...thats where I ended up...will let ya know in a couple weeks if I feel like I made the right decision or not...thanks again for all the input. |
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Post by John on Apr 18, 2014 14:36:35 GMT -7
ok...TAX REFUND IS HERE! After a LOT of consideration, I have opted to go all Weber. They are affordable and I have had good experiences using them in the past. For the 1/10 combo - Getting a 10" Blue Pup Alnico. I figure I always liked this speaker in the past(in a 12" that is), it just wasn't loud enough for the band I was in at the time. Having a combo this small, I ultimately would like it to be quieter anyway. AND I'm also getting a Weber Ceramic Blue in 12" for my little ext cab. This cab is just slightly bigger than the 1/10 combo so it'll be a cute little stack I liked the Weber C Blue w the Ghia in the past, its gonna be a little louder than the Alnico version for the times I run it w the Ghia, AND, for those times I want to add an ext cab to my Allen Accomplice, the Weber should work good in that scenario as well to add a bit of British flavor. I have also ordered my PCNS speaker Y cord too Probably gonna get some NOS preamp tubes as well...I always liked the Ghia with 5751's in V1 and V2. So...thats where I ended up...will let ya know in a couple weeks if I feel like I made the right decision or not...thanks again for all the input. I thought about you the other day....wondering what decision you had made. Love your comment: Having a combo this small, I ultimately would like it to be quieter anyway. That's my feeling too. A little 1x10 shouldn't be too loud and shouldn't need attenuating. (I have a BL in mine....never use it when gigging.) That's why the Fang had to go. For a long time, I've had the Remedy as my 'big rig'. And now I can rely on the Stangray. (didn't need it: TOTAL frivolous guilty pleasure....but it's SO awesome!) I did consider a Weber 10" ceramic blue pup when I decided to replace the Fang. And I still would like to know what it sounds like. (Especially compared to my 10" gold) But when it's all said and done, that gold is never coming out of my combo. And what is this 'refund' you speak of??? All I ever do is pay.... |
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Post by rcrecelius on Apr 18, 2014 18:14:39 GMT -7
Lol...had to pay last year so the wife and I decided to make some changes to make sure we didn't have to pay this year!
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Post by simpleton on Apr 20, 2014 8:58:11 GMT -7
Let us know your thoughts on those speakers when you get them going. This is a great topic. Every time I see gold's for sale on craigslist I think of John and want to buy them. I've run the Eminence Legends for about a year now....however I've got a 2x10 cab with a head. I'm not sure what a single would sound like but I like the pair. Again I'm playing more of an Indie Rock style, but I love country |
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Post by rcrecelius on Apr 20, 2014 9:28:18 GMT -7
When I think if a Gold in a Ghia I remember back to when the Gold first came out, seems like a lot of folks tried and didn't like them with a Ghia. I had one in a Mazerati combo along w a Hellatone 30 and thought it was wonderful in that combo.
Worth noting...I was ordering thru Speakertone since they show to have the Webers in stock so both speakers were going to be 30 watters...turns out he didn't have them in stock so I requested the 10" Blue to be a 20watt.
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Post by John on Apr 20, 2014 9:35:02 GMT -7
John, what about the Gold did you particularly like? And what guitar do you use regularly with it? I didn't see this until now. I like the fact that the 10" gold sounds like the 12" gold. Celestion did a really good job on it. I'm sure if I was able to A/B them side by side, I'd be able to tell the difference, but the signature tone of the blue/gold is there. I'm playing in a modern country cover band, and I use a tele with vintage (lower) output pickups. And I wanted that blue/gold speaker tone, and that clean with just the edge of breakup amp tone as the basic platform. |
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Post by rcrecelius on May 8, 2014 13:04:56 GMT -7
Well, my speakers just arrived AND, I have a gig this weekend...so I should have a report for y'all after Saturday night.
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Post by rcrecelius on May 8, 2014 17:03:44 GMT -7
Well, just stuck the weber blue pup alnico in a fired it up for just a few minutes...sounds exactly the same, only quieter...ugh, guess I'll try some tubes next and see if I can rid myself of the harshness.
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Post by John on May 8, 2014 18:21:19 GMT -7
Same as what? The Red Fang?
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Post by rcrecelius on May 8, 2014 19:44:23 GMT -7
Yes, it sounds same as the Fang..I mean, there are differences and it's quieter but the sound I'm not liking is still there.
I did pick up some NOS preamp tubes the other day, I'll see if that makes any difference...If it does then I'll be wondering if I should have stuck with the Fang!
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Post by rcrecelius on May 8, 2014 20:29:31 GMT -7
Wow! Just wow!
Pulled the preamp tubes, both were 12ax7's...threw in an RFT 12ax7 and a balanced Jan 5751 into v2 and just wow! Now THATS what a Ghia is supposed to sound like! And w the alnicoweber in there, the volume is significantly reduced. With the amp Vol at 3 o'clock the sound is pleasing and your ears don't get fatigued. Granted, this is not gig volume (unless you play in a very quiet band) but with the cer blue in the ext cab it should give me just enough.
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Post by digs57 on May 8, 2014 20:34:50 GMT -7
Im mainly tele player too and had texas specials at the time I had mine (1/10)...as you said uhg.Changed to nocasters...Got to be a winner some were.
Johns gold suggestion..creamback,greenback.
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Post by John on May 9, 2014 4:49:31 GMT -7
Wow! Just wow! Pulled the preamp tubes, both were 12ax7's...threw in an RFT 12ax7 and a balanced Jan 5751 into v2 and just wow! Now THATS what a Ghia is supposed to sound like! And w the alnicoweber in there, the volume is significantly reduced. With the amp Vol at 3 o'clock the sound is pleasing and your ears don't get fatigued. Granted, this is not gig volume (unless you play in a very quiet band) but with the cer blue in the ext cab it should give me just enough. I think not having a 5751 in V2 was a big problem. Now you like the SOUND of the Weber, but it's not gigging volume. That's ultimately why I didn't go with the Weber, I felt it would be too much of a drop in db. |
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Post by rcrecelius on May 9, 2014 8:28:28 GMT -7
Wow! Just wow! Pulled the preamp tubes, both were 12ax7's...threw in an RFT 12ax7 and a balanced Jan 5751 into v2 and just wow! Now THATS what a Ghia is supposed to sound like! And w the alnicoweber in there, the volume is significantly reduced. With the amp Vol at 3 o'clock the sound is pleasing and your ears don't get fatigued. Granted, this is not gig volume (unless you play in a very quiet band) but with the cer blue in the ext cab it should give me just enough. I think not having a 5751 in V2 was a big problem. Now you like the SOUND of the Weber, but it's not gigging volume. That's ultimately why I didn't go with the Weber, I felt it would be too much of a drop in db. That's why I also bought a 12" Weber Blue ceramic...I'll run that in an ext cab...fired it up later in the evening with the ceramic added and it sounded great! I'll definitely gig it this Sat night...might even leave the pedals at home. I like the idea of the amp being quiet enough to get the great tone/breakup at a lower volume for playing at home...well, at least that's how I feel right now...as we all know, that could change at the drop of a hat! |
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Post by Mark (Basement Enthusiast) on May 9, 2014 11:19:05 GMT -7
Wow! Just wow! Pulled the preamp tubes, both were 12ax7's...threw in an RFT 12ax7 and a balanced Jan 5751 into v2 and just wow! Now THATS what a Ghia is supposed to sound like! Whoa, dude..! Too freaky. That's exactly what I'm doing right now--in fact I should have the RFT & Jan tubes in my mailbox when I get home. (I didn't feel that a JJ ECCS83 in V1 or any 12AX7 in V2 was doing the Ghia proper justice.) I so can't wait to plug 'em in and try them out.. with my G12 Blue speaker. This is exactly why I think my 3rd trial with the Ghia will finally make it a keeper. |
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Post by Mark (Basement Enthusiast) on May 9, 2014 11:21:09 GMT -7
BTW, perhaps with the newly-installed preamp tubes you can try out the Red Fang speaker again... that'll definitely bring the volume level back UP.
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Post by rcrecelius on May 9, 2014 12:44:58 GMT -7
BTW, perhaps with the newly-installed preamp tubes you can try out the Red Fang speaker again... that'll definitely bring the volume level back UP. I'll probably try the Fang again at some point...I just wish I had tried the tubes before I swapped speakers! |
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Post by bluzman on May 9, 2014 22:31:26 GMT -7
So Ronnie, Do you have any great deals on speakers?  |
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Post by rcrecelius on May 10, 2014 4:40:34 GMT -7
So Ronnie, Do you have any great deals on speakers? LOL...might have in the near future ! |
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Post by rcrecelius on May 11, 2014 0:27:06 GMT -7
Well, it's clear to me now that I have underestimated the volume required to get over the drums and bass I couldn't hear well at all tonight, even with the ext cab. Looks like the Fang will be going back in for the next gig! |
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Post by digs57 on May 11, 2014 7:06:34 GMT -7
The fang will level the playing field...I bring a maz studio to local jam and am cranking that thing almost wide open.
I think I might try the ep/boost maybe through the fx/loop.Nothing worse than running out of gas.
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