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Best Speaker Replacement for Deluxe Reverb

Bluesman1956

Member
Joined
Jul 21, 2019
Messages
48
Looking for a replacement speaker for a Fender Deluxe Reverb. I’d like one that doesn’t break up as early as the original and let’s me crank the amp with more headroom if possible. I know the amps know for early breakup but would like more cleaner tone until that point. Is it the characteristic of the amp or is the sound I’m looking for possible? Any recommendations?
 

renderit

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Joined
Jan 19, 2009
Messages
10,951
JBLs
32654799168_1377ed6533_4k.jpg

46475953422_3a9004c24f_4k.jpg
 

corpse

Well-known member
Joined
Jun 9, 2007
Messages
4,876
I think a much more reliable mod is to change the tube on the input channel you use to a 12ay7- 12au7 or a 12at7- they all gradually drop in gain and have a wonderful impact on the tone in your amp. As far as speakers go I used a Warehouse C12 on mine and they are cleaner as they are more efficient. This is fun the search- it is how we all learn!
 

tonar8353

Member
Joined
Oct 16, 2007
Messages
490
I tried several different speakers in a 68 deluxe and the JBL was the ticket for me. I think Ren is hording, maybe you can talk him out of one of those 120's.
 

marshall1987

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 30, 2005
Messages
3,278
JBL D-140...I think it's the 12 inch model. There is no finer guitar loudspeaker IMO.
 

bern1

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Joined
Nov 23, 2004
Messages
1,275
It’s characteristic of the amp. It is built “lightly”, with a smallish OT. I’ve never been happy chasing power with speakers. Done it even after I should have learned. It’s a dilemma. But it’s a pretty big step in power from 6v6 to 6l6. Then comes the “right” attenuator or the “right” boost pedal. On and on it goes!

My go to ”Fender” amp is an Allen Encore, which is a Vibrolux Reverb based amp. I’ve put 6v6’s and a 5u4GB rectifier in it, so it’s now basically a beefier Deluxe with the heavier iron. Does the trick for me.
 

Wally

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Joined
Feb 27, 2003
Messages
3,535
A Weber 12F150 will pump out some volume...very efficient. I like the Eminence Allesandro a DR.
If I wanted to carry weight, I would choose an EV ...or an Altec with a dust cover that was other than metal. I know of no guitar amp that needs to have the high end emphasis that a metal dust cover brings to the equation.
 

Big Al

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 24, 2002
Messages
14,537
I have no use for aluminium dust caps and agree fully with Wally. Cerwin Vega also made a killer 12. EV 12L, Altec, D or K series JBL with cloth caps. Eminence makes some excellent high power 12s.
Also, Corpse suggestion about lower gain higher current preamp tubes, V1, V2 with 12AY7 etc can be real helpful. Works great for me. I'd stick with a 12AT7 pi too.

Why would some knuckleheads post about a higher power alternate amp in this thread? How is that an answer to the op?
 

corpse

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Jun 9, 2007
Messages
4,876
Also, Corpse suggestion about lower gain higher current preamp tubes, V1, V2 with 12AY7 etc can be real helpful. Works great for me. I'd stick with a 12AT7 pi too.

Straight from the Al P school of amp knowledge... I never realized how many of those I actually had...good NOS RCA ones...
 

Stef

New member
Joined
Feb 6, 2017
Messages
11
If you have a Deluxe Reverb RI, try C-Rex for later breakup.
I have had C-Rex before with good results, now I have a Tone Tubby red alnico in my DRRI
 

skippbyerley

New member
Joined
Apr 18, 2022
Messages
1
As the owner of such a model, can you say that it is better not to choose it initially? I don't understand much about it myself, but I need to buy something good than regret later that I saved money and now I'm left with nothing. I read a lot of articles about speakers on thehifiguide.com, but it's still difficult for me to decide what exactly suits me to strengthen some of the speaker's parameters later. If someone could help me here, I would be very grateful and glad for your help. I hope that someone will hear me; thank you in advance
 
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Wilko

All Access/Backstage Pass
Joined
Mar 11, 2002
Messages
20,854
Great amp. While most of what you chasing can come playing technique, there is some free power that is being pissed away by the stock speaker. A more efficient speaker will give you several dBs. I love the Celestion blue as it is 100+ dBs. The stock speaker is likely around 96 dB.
The more efficient speaker also makes the amp even more tough sensitive if you can believe it. Really comes alive.
 

ADP

Well-known member
Joined
Jul 16, 2015
Messages
682
All of the Celestion Blue speakers I own are gritty and rockin! I have never associated them with "clean".

The JBL D120F is my ultimate clean speaker, personally.
5voR0Y7.jpg


I have also tried the new Mojotone Grey Hound speaker - however not with a Fender Deluxe amp - but from what I experienced with it, I would put that near the top of the list for best bang for your buck in modern speakers.

Try to find the JBL, though. Can't beat it.
 

Wilko

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Mar 11, 2002
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The JBL is a great choise. As is the EVM 12 L which is much heavier!
 

Wally

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Feb 27, 2003
Messages
3,535
The JBL is a great choise. As is the EVM 12 L which is much heavier!

But the EV will not chew on the eardrum with those harsh high end frequencies that the metal dust cover on a JBL creates.
(;^).
If one plays low volume cleans, maybe the D120F gets it done without that high end problem….or if one has already lost their high end hearing they do not perceive the problem??? I have witnessed that scenario, too.
 
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