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V-4 4x12" Speaker Replacements
#1
Hi everyone!

I'll make this quick: anyone have any great recommendations for speaker replacements for an Ampeg V-4 cabinet? I play an early 70's V-4 and a V-2 through it and would like to maximize the sound from those amps through it. It's currently loaded with some later 70's Celestions that really limit the tone from these amps. I have another V-4 4x12" cab with the stock Altec 417 speakers that just rip! I'm looking for something similar to the Altecs in flat eq and power, but at a way more affordable price.

Any suggestions? I heard that Weber California's with the paper cones were a suitable match.

Thanks in advance!
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#2
(08-29-2015, 10:24 PM)itsonlyadam Wrote: Hi everyone!

I'll make this quick: anyone have any great recommendations for speaker replacements for an Ampeg V-4 cabinet? I play an early 70's V-4 and a V-2 through it and would like to maximize the sound from those amps through it. It's currently loaded with some later 70's Celestions that really limit the tone from these amps. I have another V-4 4x12" cab with the stock Altec 417 speakers that just rip! I'm looking for something similar to the Altecs in flat eq and power, but at a way more affordable price.

Any suggestions? I heard that Weber California's with the paper cones were a suitable match.

Thanks in advance!

I'm a big fan of the Swamp Thang speakers from Eminence. High power (150 each), very efficient (max clean volume) larger than usual ceramic magnet, 2" voice coil (bigger than most 1.75" guitar, but not 3 or 4" like some other speakers). This means big, extended lows like the Ampeg produces, and clean, but not harsh highs are both present.

For a less hi-fi sound--the Swamp Thang has extended lows and highs, though not harsh highs--the Texas Heat speaker is similar, but uses a 2" voice coil, but a smaller mag for a bit less efficiency, less low lows, and darker highs. Someone did a good youtube a/b with those two.

The Eminence legend EM12 might be a good alternative to those--probably darker, some similar specs, but Eminence doesn't really clone--they do their own thing with any speaker they start with and shoot for something similar to...some spec differences there, but it uses a "Edge wound aluminum voice coil" as does the 417, etc. Larger magnet, somewhat smaller voice coil than the Altec though. The commonwealth seems to be their take on the widely used EV speaker. That's not even touching the British side of their guitar line, or all the other variants. Something in there might do it for you. I like the youtube speaker comparisons Rivera posted a while back--helps get an idea about a few 'common' speakers and the like, with some nasty speaker options in there as well (IMO).

You can't really go wrong with a Weber speaker, but you pay for it, and wait for it...and it's harder to know (IMO) what you'll get. They are more likely to attempt exact clones of stuff (if you know the right dust cap, doping, etc to look for), but if not, Ted always spoke well of Eminence's stuff and it's more affordable.

Have fun finding the right speakers for you!
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#3
I think Liquids has given some really good advice (as usual). Eminence makes some great speakers, and they tend to be pretty reasonably priced. I think I would look at the options eminence for any amp I was putting new speakers in before I considered any other options.

I"ve heard people say good things about the cannabis rex model too
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#4
Hi there. I just picked up a V4 is awesome condition. I am running through a marshall 4x12 that is a sweet slim and light box but the speakers are shit. I will upgrading all 4 speakers next month. I am sure this has already been asked but what should i be looking for in a good speaker for the V4? I am open to anything right now. Even mixing it up with different speakers top and bottom. I am looking for a Mick Taylor sound from 69. I also do some white stripes stuff with a big muff. I have an attenuator that works really well but i don't use it 50% of my practice time. I mainly use it when other people are in the house. the V4 is gnarly loud and i want speakers that can handle it but also can be run clean and quiet.
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#5
(12-23-2015, 04:37 PM)RuckyDigital Wrote: [...]I am looking for a Mick Taylor sound from 69. I also do some white stripes stuff with a big muff. I have an attenuator that works really well but i don't use it 50% of my practice time. I mainly use it when other people are in the house. the V4 is gnarly loud and i want speakers that can handle it but also can be run clean and quiet.

Speakers that can be clean and quiet as well as handle the V4 - Eminence line. Can't speak for what would help yield a Mick Taylor c. 1969 sound.

The Eminence line breaks down into British Style and American style, and "other"...with a LOT of variants in there.

Eminence speakers tend to be really efficient, i.e. things seem "louder" compared to most other speakers all else being equal.

Speaker plots show a lot, and there's some good comparison videos on youtube, soundclips on their website, etc.

Mixing up 2 different pairs of speakers isn't a bad idea in a 4x12--just try to get speakers that have similar dB ratings so one pair don't drown out the others, all speakers are the same impedance, and that each speaker can handle at least 1/4 of the ampeg's power. In a sense, two different type of speaker pairs will be different "volumes" at different frequencies (EQ), which is the idea anyhow, so you'll get a unique sound, or have at least two micing options for live/recording (in a 4x12, you'd arrange the two pairs of speakers in an "X" pattern, probably). As long as one speaker type isn't louder than the other at ALL frequencies, (noteworthy differences in overall efficiency dB), or in power handling capability (a pair of speakers start breaking up way earlier than the other pair) you'll usually be OK...

Celestion and Weber both make some or only great speakers, too, as do some other companies. I'm an Eminence fan, especially for 12" speakers driven by a V4.

While a "true" celestion Greenback might be risky even in a 4x12 configuration, if you crank a 100(+!) watt Ampeg--and that's the one Celestion speaker I'd say "get a Celestion" IMO--you might still be able to get away with it...maybe. There are also Celestion, Eminence, and Weber's speakers that are "based on" the Greenback but will handle higher power and of course each sound different than a greenback and each other. Otherwise, every company offer a wide array of speaker variations worth exploring to get "your sound." And the speakers one uses plays a huge role in tone.

Speaker choices abound--which makes it fun, but also hard to choose unless you know exactly what you want and how to get it.

On the end, very few high-quality speakers would be a bad match with the Ampeg. I will say, a speaker that is bass-shy is a sad match for the Ampeg, though--the Ampeg can pump out massive, clean, low end power in spades. I vastly prefer guitars speakers that don't rob all the lows.

As I mentioned above, I'm a big fan of the Eminence "Swamp Thang", and if you prefer 'British' sounding speakers, the Tonker is the "British" sounding companion to it. the Tonker is Eminence's unique spin on the Celestion 65. A lot of people like the Texas Heat which is comparably more lo-fi / "midrange focused" (less less low end and high end rolloff starts at a lower frequency) than the Swamp Thang speakers (and hence likewise with the Tonker).

Be sure to get and to wire up the new speakers in a way that match at least one of the impedance settings of the V4.

Lots of info out there with frequency plots, specs, etc.

Good luck!
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