Deluxe Reverb speaker shoot-out

[Xpensive Wino]

What is the best speaker for a Deluxe Reverb?

A friend of Zac's recently asked about doing an episode on this topic, and added that he should give it some added weightiness by finding out what the pros he knows use.

So he queried Brent Mason, John Leventhal, Tom Bukovac, Duke Levine, Luke McQeary, JD Simo, Guthrie Trapp, Redd Volkaert, Steve Wariner, James Pennebaker, Jeff King, Jerry McPherson, Rob McNelley, Jedd Hughes, Stuie French, Ryan Wariner, Andy Reiss, Derek Wells, and Kenny Vaughan to find out what they prefer in their Deluxe Reverb.

He thought he would have a huge variety of speakers, but surprisingly, it really came down to 3 types.

He compares those 3 varieties, and looks at their strengths and weaknesses. He also looked at the stock speakers that were shipped with vintage (1963-1967) BF Deluxe Reverb amps, and why most players don't use them.

 

[mikeslub]

Really hard to discern anything from that video.

 

[Señor Verde]

I could tell a bit of difference between them, but my big surprise... In this video I liked the ET65 best. I've had a couple ET65 and tried them in a variety of amps but didn't like them at all. Guess I'll give one a whirl in my Vintage Sound 22.

 

[Wilko]

I haven't watched it yet and have some views I'll share first, then see how it compares.

First, my personal fave in my 1964 no-logo DR is a gold/brown label Jensen "special design" C12N from 1968. Right between the two main different tones that speakers make in most amps, particularly single-speaker combos.

The two main type of speaker sounds that I've played with is extra efficient speakers or poorly efficient speakers as I find that makes the most difference to the character.

IMNSHO, a very efficient speaker gets the most dynamic range as the amp can produce a clean to tone without mush effort at all allowing for a very touch sensitive response. A speaker with less efficiency makes the amp work harder for the same dBs. This really comes into play for dirtier playing.

A Celestion Alnico Blue is 100dB+ making for a very bright/clean jangly very touch sensitive amp.

Cheapo Utahs or Oxfords common in the DR are 98db or less, Great for low volume tube overdrive and breakup.

I find the C12N is right in the middle making for a nicely balanced sound for all playing.

Now I gotta watch the video and see what these guys say.

 

[Deus91]

Although I don’t own a Deluxe Reverb, I would agree with @Wilco and his
thought that the C12N would be an excellent choice. I have a 1966 Pro Reverb that came with JBL speakers,
but I was lucky enough to find a pair of Jensen’s from 1966 and they are fantastic sounding speakers but I should
also add the JBLs are freakin’ awesome as well. They sound HUGE!

 

[Any Name You Wish]

SC-64 in mine (DRRI) and love it. Put them in my SRRI and also love it. I will say however that it depends on how loud you are playing. In a band setting, with the DRRI cranked to 7 and above, the stock Jensen actually performed very well. I like the SC-64 better overall since most of the time I've got it at 4. An efficient speaker will do that.

 

[latestarter]

Agree with the consensus - the ET65 was, to my ears, through reasonable headphones, the better.

 

[Patrick Ginnaty]

SC-64 in mine (DRRI) and love it. Put them in my SRRI and also love it. I will say however that it depends on how loud you are playing. In a band setting, with the DRRI cranked to 7 and above, the stock Jensen actually performed very well. I like the SC-64 better overall since most of the time I've got it at 4. An efficient speaker will do that.

Th SC-64 is louder?

 

[Any Name You Wish]

The SC-64 is more efficient, so yes but between the stock Jensen and the SC-64 I don't recall loudness being the stand-out improvement. It is more of a frequency and dynamics improvement (the Jensen being too flat). Clarity and touch sensitivity are improved especially at lower volumes. As far as when the speaker starts to break up, I would say the SC-64 breaks up a tick or so later than the stock Jensen. However, I can set the bias so the amp breaks up sooner (hot) or later (cold) with either speaker. So there is that too.