Champ 12 Owners Speaker Question

[mattpas]

For all who own a Fender Champ 12 and have replaced the stock speaker:
What did you replace it with and how are the results?
I am looking for a great replacement that has a nice balanced tone with great low end without flub and with no sharp, ice-picky highs.

[edward]

I can't help you with your specific amp, but when I replaced my PRII speaker (Fender flubbiness abounded, ugh!), I went to the Emi RedWhite and Blues speaker. This is a GREAT sounding speaker, IMHO. Very smooth top, clear definition in mids, tight "natural" bottom (i.e. it doesn't sound like the speaker accentuates any low freq), and no ice pick! A detailed, well-voiced speaker which I really like in my Fender. Hope this helps you somewhat. :)

Edward

[Darth Tater]

I haven't heard the RWB, but my first thought was an Eminence Legend Alnico.

[michael30]

I have a Fane Classic in my Champ 12. Sounds great but is a bit heavy. I'd recommend a Weber ceramic Blue Dog or maybe a ceramic Signature. Be aware that it's difficult to change speakers in a Champ 12. You have to take out the amp chassis before you're able to get at the speaker.

[mattpas]

thanks guys keep 'em coming

[Tomo]

I have 2 Champ 12s. Eminence Legend 121. More bottom and I love it. Tonker is great! Private Jack(maybe be too bright for you?)

Tomo

[mattpas]

I have 2 Champ 12s. Eminence Legend 121. More bottom and I love it. Tonker is great! Private Jack(maybe be too bright for you?)

Tomo

I like the Swamp Thang and the Texas Heat but they are real close... Damn Eminence for having too many great speakers.

[mattpas]

I haven't heard the RWB, but my first thought was an Eminence Legend Alnico.

Alnico speakers are a bit mushy in these.

[Allthumbs56]

Alnico speakers are a bit mushy in these.

I had a 10" alnico Legend in my 68' Princeton. I built a 12" baffle and put a G12H30 in it. Beautiful! Double the volume - and double the weight!

[Tomo]

I like the Swamp Thang and the Texas Heat but they are real close... Damn Eminence for having too many great speakers.

Those are great too! Yes too many great one. My 6 year old son can swap the speaker now!

Tomo

[mattpas]

Those are great too! Yes too many great one. My 6 year old son can swap the speaker now!

Tomo

Every time I listen to the samples you did I find I like one I didn't before and the one I did before now I don't.
How close to the real thing would you say those clips are?
If I play real big chord rock with some full distortion, do you think the 1218 would be the best choice, that is the one I am leaning towards the most... then I listen to the Swamp Thang and Texas again AAAHHHH!

[mattpas]

bump

[Tomo]

Every time I listen to the samples you did I find I like one I didn't before and the one I did before now I don't.
How close to the real thing would you say those clips are?
If I play real big chord rock with some full distortion, do you think the 1218 would be the best choice, that is the one I am leaning towards the most... then I listen to the Swamp Thang and Texas again AAAHHHH!

I did as much as I could. You can imagine with your amp, your guitar and your touch. Hope you can get something you like. I love 121 for one of my Champ12. Texas Heat has nice bottom, but the ST you can get more woody bottom end. Wizard is another great choice. All depends how you pick, how you hear it.

Tomo

[edward]

Every time I listen to the samples you did I find I like one I didn't before and the one I did before now I don't.
How close to the real thing would you say those clips are?
... AAAHHHH!

If I may chime in ... :)

I'd say take the clips with many grains of salt. My actual experience was that I had found the RWB cheap used, had read a good review of it from ToneQuest, and so picked it up immediately. THEN I discovered Emi's sound clips and became a bit disappointed with the RWB, a spkr I didn't even have yet. Within a few days, my RWB arrived, loaded her up in my Fender, and WOW ...loved it! It sounded and responded just as ToneQuest had written, and I was completly blown away with it.

But still that nagging "dang, that SwampThang sure did seem to sound a lot better on the sound clips" thought kept digging at me. So I ended up finding a ST on ebay at a good price, then loaded that up. Very nice, indeed.

But after much A/B-ing, and almost "wanting" to prefer the ST, I ended up truly preferring the RWB
(in my combo, anyway, as I could easily see the ST sounding "better" in a larger cab). But of course, the RWB is the speaker I was initially *disappointed* in based on the clips.

The moral of the story is just as Tomo said: use the clips as a reference tool. But ultimately, there is no way you can tell which you prefer until you load it and play. Think of guitar strings or amp tubes: recommendations on tone are a coarse guide, but only your ears can make the final decision on what sounds good, let alone great. Sorry for being long-winded, but I thought I would share my experience as you sounded a bit frustrated :) And FWIW, I sold the ST in a heartbeat w/o losing a penny.

And to Tomo,
Thanks again for even doing what you did ...no one else even comes close to the time and effort in which you and Emi had gone for us gear heads ...not to mention your personal responses on this board! THANKS, man!!!

Edward

[mattpas]

If I may chime in ... :)

I'd say take the clips with many grains of salt. My actual experience was that I had found the RWB cheap used, had read a good review of it from ToneQuest, and so picked it up immediately. THEN I discovered Emi's sound clips and became a bit disappointed with the RWB, a spkr I didn't even have yet. Within a few days, my RWB arrived, loaded her up in my Fender, and WOW ...loved it! It sounded and responded just as ToneQuest had written, and I was completly blown away with it.

But still that nagging "dang, that SwampThang sure did seem to sound a lot better on the sound clips" thought kept digging at me. So I ended up finding a ST on ebay at a good price, then loaded that up. Very nice, indeed.

But after much A/B-ing, and almost "wanting" to prefer the ST, I ended up truly preferring the RWB
(in my combo, anyway, as I could easily see the ST sounding "better" in a larger cab). But of course, the RWB is the speaker I was initially *disappointed* in based on the clips.

The moral of the story is just as Tomo said: use the clips as a reference tool. But ultimately, there is no way you can tell which you prefer until you load it and play. Think of guitar strings or amp tubes: recommendations on tone are a coarse guide, but only your ears can make the final decision on what sounds good, let alone great. Sorry for being long-winded, but I thought I would share my experience as you sounded a bit frustrated :) And FWIW, I sold the ST in a heartbeat w/o losing a penny.

And to Tomo,
Thanks again for even doing what you did ...no one else even comes close to the time and effort in which you and Emi had gone for us gear heads ...not to mention your personal responses on this board! THANKS, man!!!

Edward

Thanks Edward,
I know what you mean and it is frustrating. Everytime I listen to the clips I like one I didn't before. It's tough when you can't just try a bunch.
What Fender amp did you put the RWB in?

From the clips and advice given I am stuck between the Legend 1218, Swamp Thang, Texas Heat, Cannabis Rex, Private Jack, Tonespotter, Tonkerlite and Tonker.

[edward]

I put the RWB in my Princeton Reverb II (that's the so-called "Rivera" fender).

As I had mentioned (in such a long-winded fashion), it's hard to judge from clips alone. You just gotta get it as close as you can from advice and reading up ...then commit. The worst that could happen is you hate it, turn it around on ebay, and get another one. You won't lose much dough, if any. Some lost time, yes, but experimenting is part of the satisfaction when you finally "find" the tone you want ...it really helps you bond with your amo, IMHO :)

FWIW, a Champ 12 is a small-ish cab size: I would not go with the Swamp Thang ...too "brutish" a speaker, IMHO, for a small cab, but I suspect would sound much better in a larger combo or a multi-spkr cab.

I know of a few that run TexHeats in Fender PRs and absolutely love them. And a well-known boutique amp builder uses the RWB as his "standard" speaker ...FWThat'sWorth ...but given that he "could" choose anything he wants...
I would definitely recommend trying either the TexHeat or the RWB. I can't comment on your other options as I have not heard those personally. Best of luck to ya :)

Edward

[Tomo]

If I may chime in ... :)

I'd say take the clips with many grains of salt. My actual experience was that I had found the RWB cheap used, had read a good review of it from ToneQuest, and so picked it up immediately. THEN I discovered Emi's sound clips and became a bit disappointed with the RWB, a spkr I didn't even have yet. Within a few days, my RWB arrived, loaded her up in my Fender, and WOW ...loved it! It sounded and responded just as ToneQuest had written, and I was completly blown away with it.

But still that nagging "dang, that SwampThang sure did seem to sound a lot better on the sound clips" thought kept digging at me. So I ended up finding a ST on ebay at a good price, then loaded that up. Very nice, indeed.

But after much A/B-ing, and almost "wanting" to prefer the ST, I ended up truly preferring the RWB
(in my combo, anyway, as I could easily see the ST sounding "better" in a larger cab). But of course, the RWB is the speaker I was initially *disappointed* in based on the clips.

The moral of the story is just as Tomo said: use the clips as a reference tool. But ultimately, there is no way you can tell which you prefer until you load it and play. Think of guitar strings or amp tubes: recommendations on tone are a coarse guide, but only your ears can make the final decision on what sounds good, let alone great. Sorry for being long-winded, but I thought I would share my experience as you sounded a bit frustrated :) And FWIW, I sold the ST in a heartbeat w/o losing a penny.

And to Tomo,
Thanks again for even doing what you did ...no one else even comes close to the time and effort in which you and Emi had gone for us gear heads ...not to mention your personal responses on this board! THANKS, man!!!

Edward



Hi Edward,

Thanks for your comments. I love speakers, tubes for amp. Very lucky for me to meet Eminence speakers. They are great people as well as the speakers. You're welcome! Thanks for your input too.

It's hard to decide which speakers to choose. Just like to choose what to eat from menu... Actually each one is good.... and when you compare them.. like the ST seems great (because BIG sound like a huge steak!)), but depends on your amp, tubes, guitar, picking... maybe too much? First I ordered the ST and the Tonker. I love them.. but I found out other choices too. First I didn't like the RW & B ... compare to the ST... but later I loved it. Now one of my amp has the RW&B. My favorite! Others are...Tonespotters, Tonespotter & Wizard, Governor & Wizard, Red Fangs... Red Ryders... I like the Private Jack or screaming Eagle for my Champ 12 (it's bright than ones) I use my Champ 12 for practice reason so I would like to hear everything really bright and clean. I even use my rear pickup for practicing. This way I can hear all my noises... unwanted left fingers pressure, picking nuances... sorry too long message! Less is better.


Tomo

[Tomo]

I have 2 Champ 12s. Eminence Legend 121. More bottom and I love it. Tonker is great! Private Jack(maybe be too bright for you?)

Tomo

Now I have Champ 12 #2 with Tonespotter! I like it.

Anyone is selling a Champ 12. Please let me know. Very honest practice amp ever.


Tomo