JBL experts:

[doublee]

I just tried a JBL 120F in a DR and it sounds flatter than the Weber 12f150 it (temporarily) replaced. The JBL is a re-cone with I am told 20 something hours on it. It really was nothing special to put it mildly. I have a hard time thinking more time will improve the flatness, or am I wrong? Poor re-cone maybe?

 

[bosstone]

If you are saying flatness as in flat frequency response, you would be correct. It was designed that way. That is not to say that it can't sound great with the right amp...black face Fenders for example. I can't speak for what the recone did for it other than to say that the exact recone kits haven't been available from JBL for quite some time.

 

[doublee]

I am saying flat as in colorless, no sparkle, dull, lack of harmonic complexity. I have read so many positive reviews of it here so I am very surprised. I am not an effects user so I am just trying it straight. I dont love the particular Weber at all and was surprised the JBL wasnt better. It was done circa 2000 I was told, by North East Speaker but their website is a little vague. I tried switching polarity and no change really. A poor re-cone?

 

[CharlieS]

Recones can really kill the tone of a JBL. If you've heard a good original cone JBL, you'd hear a drastic difference. The proper recone kit hasn't been available for a long time. The JBL recone kit is a superseded part.

 

[doublee]

They claim to have used the proper JBL recone kit but who knows...

 

[bosstone]

Weber does a very good recone for JBL's. If it doesn't sound a lot better after some more serious playing, I personally would have Weber recone it. That speaker is very lively and sparkly and is brighter than I like. It is does have a flatter frequency response and a lot less coloration than most musical instrument speakers. I always remove the aluminum dust cap and replace them with paper dust caps to tame the highs down. A pair of original ones in a black face Twin Reverb sound spectacular.

 

[doublee]

Interesting. I had to goose the treble on my DR to get better highs and I usually have to tone them down (tele player). I hate to pay for a re -re- cone...

 

[GuitarsFromMars]

Please make sure that you reverse the polarity from the amp to the speaker.At least check the polarity with a battery and make sure it's correct.A lot of people think JBL's suck because they're hooked up backward.

 

[Robal]

I put a D120F original cone in my Deluxe Reverb and it was just too bright and I did not like the break up. I much prefer the Weber C12N clone in it because it has more warmth and character. If your D120F is dull I don't think it's sounding correct. That's a very efficient, almost hi-fi sounding speaker in its original form -- great for clean and twang. A pair of D120 Fs in a Twin Reverb will take your head off at close range.