New Celestions for my Hiwatt?

[SonicBlue61]

Hey guys,

Currently I run my Hiwatt with Weber FC12s which are clones of old Fane Crescendo speakers, the David Gilmour speaker.

I'm pleased with the clean tones but I would like something maybe a tad "softer" sounding with overdrive. With the amp cranked I have to turn the treble way down and the bass almost all the way up with the mids too to get something that won't tare your head off.

I'm thinking it may be because this speaker has an aluminum dust cap that it may not be the friendliest speaker with the amps distortion. It seems to handle cleans and clean amp + pedals fine.

Now I have given it time for the speaker to break in. I've had these for about 2 years and they've been played at loud volumes often. The sound isn't bad by any means but I'm looking for something a little more "woody" and "smooth."

I was thinking about trying Celestion G12-65s. These are kind of expensive so I wanted to ask you guy's opinions before I give this a whirl. Anyone have experience with these and a Hiwatt? The Hiwatt is plenty articulate and the G12-65s have a rep for being smooth so I thought this may be a good combination.

Let me know what you think. Thanks!

[Frankee]

Blasphemy.

[ROKY]

Try the Reeves Purple or Eminence Tonker[s]

[ianblond]

I use my DR-504 with Cele V30 or ScumbackH75.Presence almost full , treble at 9 o`clock.

[Laced Senses]

I haven't tried that particular model (G12-65), but Celestion speakers tend to sound too bright with Hiwatts amps. I do have a cab loaded with Celestion G12K-100 speakers and they are great for low end riffing w/ drop C tunings, but sound to bright and harsh for upper mids and treble. I've tried Celestion Greenbacks too, and they are a terrible match for Hiwatts.

In my experience, the best sounding speakers for Hiwatt are the new HI-TONE DR-F speakers that are clones of the original Hiwatt Fane speaker model # 125161 that were only built for a year or so in 1978. Among all the vintage Hiwatt Fane models, the 155161 drivers were always the favorite at the annual Vintage Hiwatt Convention, so the VHR guys decided to clone these with help from Eminence.
http://www.vintagehiwattrestorations.com/shop/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=14&products_id=109
Unfortunately, one can only buy these speakers in a loaded 2x12 or 4x12 cab. The good news is that they will break in the speakers before shipping.

Reeves' Vintage Purples are very decent, but they are also not sold individually unless found on the used market. I believe the VPs are clones of the old Hiwatt Fanes model 122231 with stamped steel frames.

Of course, you could always search for the real thing. A full quad of Vintage Hiwatt speakers in good condition are somewhat difficult to find. The Hiwatt Fane models 122142, 122231, 125161, 125155, 125114 all sound great in their own way when driven hard.

[SonicBlue61]

I haven't tried that particular model (G12-65), but Celestion speakers tend to sound too bright with Hiwatts amps.

Ya I know thats the rep... But thats why I was asking about the g12-65s specifically. They are supposedly good for knocking off some top end... So IWould think they should be better than for example, greenbacks, w/ a Hiwatt in principle. At least that's why I'm asking to see if that's true.

Thanks for the VHR recommendation. I want to go with just speakers though since I have a cab already. The eminence lych super v12 where on my radar too.

Blasphemy.

Why? You can do whatever you want with your guitar rig. When everyone does the same thing it's boring

[FFTT]

I'm quite happy with my Fane AXA12.
Tight low end, strong detailed mids and a sparkling top end.

For something smoother, you might consider a Scumnico blended with
your other Webers.

[Frankee]

Why? You can do whatever you want with your guitar rig. When everyone does the same thing it's boring

Just goofin'.....


Are you running a 2x12 or a 4x12?

[SonicBlue61]

Just goofin'.....


Are you running a 2x12 or a 4x12?

It's cool dude... I guess I was just waiting for everyone to tell me I "had to have Fanes... " I didn't mean to sound like I was jumpin' on ya... It's all good :aok

My cab's a ported Swanson Hylight style 2x12...

[Lance]

Are you running an 8ohm @ 8ohms? Or 16 @ 16? I don't think Hiwatt's have a 16 ohm tap, so you are probably running 8 @ 8, right? Try running the 8 ohm into a 4 ohm tap. Just try it once. It should push the mids up, and taper off the highs & lows. You should be able to compensate with the tone stack to find something more to your liking. It may work perfectly with that combo, but I haven't tried those exact ones.

[redtoploader]

Fane Crescendos are a much different beast than the cast frame type fanes you find in alot of 60's brit amps. I would have went with Weber Thames, but thats just me...the crescendos are going to be tighter, harder sounding, less colored..

12-65's are a little rolled off in the high end, sound great with a gained up amp. Would only use them in a closed back cab though, as I think the low end gets too mushy in an open back(with a hiwatt anyway)....expect them to be quieter too(could be a good or bad thing).

[mcdyas]

with my dr103 i have a 4x12 with:

2 scumback m75 65 watt
1 scumback h75 100 watt
1 celestion g12-65

this has worked best for me based on several different combinations i tried.

i've tried the reeves purple and dr. f hi-tone speakers and i found for the way i play that they don't appreciate too much dirt pedal out front. i think that what i really found is that i don't particularly like any high-efficiency (100db) speaker that i have tried.

[Frankee]

It's cool dude... I guess I was just waiting for everyone to tell me I "had to have Fanes... " I didn't mean to sound like I was jumpin' on ya... It's all good :aok

My cab's a ported Swanson Hylight style 2x12...

I think you actually might like a Fane speaker....just not the Crescendos.

The Fane Medusa speakers are definitely smoother.....still pricey, though.

[FFTT]

While you're thinking about new speakers, you also might want to try and see
what kind of tones you get with the Mid control OFF or very low.

It may be the mids are making your tone too harsh.

Are you running single channel or using a jumper to run both channels blended?

[Laced Senses]

Ya I know thats the rep... But thats why I was asking about the g12-65s specifically. They are supposedly good for knocking off some top end... So IWould think they should be better than for example, greenbacks, w/ a Hiwatt in principle. At least that's why I'm asking to see if that's true.
Please let us know the results if you try the G12-65s speakers. :JAM

My cab's a ported Swanson Hylight style 2x12...

It's possible that your FC12 speakers would sound better in a larger, oversized 2x12 cab. They may be somewhat suffocated in a Hiwatt size 2x12. Gilmour used Crescendos in WEM 4x12 cabs in part because they were 16" deep instead of 13" like the old Hiwatt 4x12 and 2x12 cabs.

Is your amp a DR504 or a DR103? The DR103s push about 250 peak watts when cranked according to the old Hiwatt manuals, so be sure that the chosen speakers can handle the power if that's the amp you're using.


....I don't think Hiwatt's have a 16 ohm tap, so you are probably running 8 @ 8, right?....

Every unmodified vintage Hiwatt amp I've seen has a 16 ohm tap. Also, all of the old Hiwatt cabs are rated at 16 ohms.

http://i347.photobucket.com/albums/p480/PeacefulMusician/Hiwatt%20restorations/78Hiwattohms.jpg

http://i347.photobucket.com/albums/p480/PeacefulMusician/Hiwatt%20restorations/DR405rear1.jpg