1965 Ampeg Reverberocket II Speaker Suggestions?

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Beau In Space
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Re: 1965 Ampeg Reverberocket II *Pictures Added*

Post by Beau In Space » Sat Feb 01, 2014 10:45 am

Actually, I'll describe what sounds I'm looking for and maybe you guys can suggest some speaker options.

I'd reading like clear and tight bottom end with warm smooth treble. I'm looking for high efficiency that won't break up too soon as I tend to play from ambient to New Wave to surfy. I'd like to saturation to be warm as well with that 60's garage feel.

Any suggestions?

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Re: 1965 Ampeg Reverberocket II Speaker Suggestions?

Post by my bloody television » Sat Feb 01, 2014 1:20 pm

I mentioned it in an earlier post but I think the Eminence Cannabis Rex will give you exactly the sound you're looking for. Tight low end, smooth highs (especially the more you break it in), pronounced mids, 50W power rating.

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Re: 1965 Ampeg Reverberocket II Speaker Suggestions?

Post by Beau In Space » Sat Feb 01, 2014 1:41 pm

Wonderful. They are also quite affordable. I may be able to find a used one already broken in on thegearpage.

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Re: 1965 Ampeg Reverberocket II Speaker Suggestions?

Post by jimboyogi » Sat Feb 01, 2014 2:01 pm

I have used a Cannabis Rex in an amp build I did, that had an output stage comparable to your Ampeg (using 7591s). I think that speaker sounds really good there.
IMO the CR is very polite sounding speaker, it doesn't seem to 'bite' on the treble as much as some other speakers that I've tried with this same output stage, And it is very efficient!

So I'm in agreement with the folks above, that it could fit your description of what you want very well.

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Re: 1965 Ampeg Reverberocket II Speaker Suggestions?

Post by Beau In Space » Sat Feb 01, 2014 2:10 pm

jimboyogi wrote:I have used a Cannabis Rex in an amp build I did, that had an output stage comparable to your Ampeg (using 7591s). I think that speaker sounds really good there.
IMO the CR is very polite sounding speaker, it doesn't seem to 'bite' on the treble as much as some other speakers that I've tried with this same output stage, And it is very efficient!

So I'm in agreement with the folks above, that it could fit your description of what you want very well.
Thanks for the input!

I definitely want smooth and not snarly or biting!

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Re: 1965 Ampeg Reverberocket II Speaker Suggestions?

Post by 46346 » Sun Feb 02, 2014 3:17 am

i do like the Alnico Silver Bell when blended with another, brighter speaker (i have one in a 2x10 cab along with a Blue Pup).

it's definitely smooth, but i'm thinking it may be too dark in a RR2. and, expensive!

haven't tried the Cannabis Rex, but i totally trust jimbo and mbt's take on it. i've got a few other Eminence favorites, they make very good speakers, good value.

keep in mind the RR2 doesn't have the presence or brightness of a Fender amp of the same era (say, a Deluxe Reverb), in general. it also gives plenty of bass with that generous cab.

i put the Brit-coned P12NB Weber (now called 12A150B) to give it a little chimey bump. that one's not cheap, either, but i got it used in good shape for about half price. second-hand non-vintage speakers are a great way to experiment without spending too much, or getting stuck with a blown or dying cone :)
Cat Museum, ACME, Malcolm Mooney, Dream Apes, The Cooling Time, Kind Hearts and Coronets, Quarks

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Re: 1965 Ampeg Reverberocket II Speaker Suggestions?

Post by Beau In Space » Sun Feb 02, 2014 11:42 am

Would you have any affordable suggestions for a speaker to add some brightness?

Is the C-rex not going to be very bright? I see it described as "smokey".

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Re: 1965 Ampeg Reverberocket II Speaker Suggestions?

Post by my bloody television » Mon Feb 03, 2014 7:57 am

I guess it depends what guitar you're using but in my experience I tend to like a brighter tone and even with the CR in my RR2 I keep the treble at about 11 o'clock or lower to avoid it getting too bright. I primarily use a Jaguar though and am a bridge pickup fiend.

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Re: 1965 Ampeg Reverberocket II Speaker Suggestions?

Post by Mil » Mon Feb 03, 2014 9:37 am

C-Rex is a very good speaker for the money and would fit your needs just fine.
I just checked MF to see what they go for new and had to laugh at the description; Great for country, jazz, and classic rock...

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Re: 1965 Ampeg Reverberocket II Speaker Suggestions?

Post by Beau In Space » Mon Feb 03, 2014 11:53 am

I'll be using a Mustang 65 reissue.

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Re: 1965 Ampeg Reverberocket II Speaker Suggestions?

Post by 46346 » Mon Feb 03, 2014 2:20 pm

sounds like a safe bet with a mustang. my main axe is less bright and has complex mids. on my '76 mustang I often end up rolling the treble back.
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Re: 1965 Ampeg Reverberocket II Speaker Suggestions?

Post by Beau In Space » Mon Feb 03, 2014 2:24 pm

Awesome! You guys are great.

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Re: 1965 Ampeg Reverberocket II Speaker Suggestions?

Post by mellotrondon » Mon May 05, 2014 5:57 pm

As much as I understand the quest for a certain quality of distortion at bedroom volume there's a lot to be said for getting the biggest bang for the wattage. I cut the baffle board out on my old blue Reverbrocket and installed a JBL K-130 15" right off the bat. This decision was prompted in no small part by the fact that my buddy that I played guitar with (his name happened to be Buddy) had a larger Gemini which was cut out stock for a 15" and I had two K130s available. The amp begins to break up at about 11:00 on the volume and up to that point it's as "clear as a bell and loud as hell". I would have preferred D-130s just because of the weight difference, but an EVM 15 probably would have been just as loud but just a bit stiffer. The use of a truly efficient speaker with a large voice coil like an EVM12 with a 2 1/2" coil will vastly outdo a factory Jensen or Utah or Eminence with 1 1/2" coil watt for watt - no matter how low the power. I have installed an EVM 12L and a 077 clone bullet tweeter in a Magnatone which uses 6BQ5 outputs (maybe 16 watts RMS?) and that amp will keep up with a 50 watt Marshall through a 212 Celestion-loaded cabinet.
Eminence actually makes a 12" PA speaker with a 3" voice coil and a humungous magnet. The free-air resonance is around 70Hz as I remember. I'd use one of those as a cheap(er) alternative to an Altec Lansing 417a (which Ampeg used to offer as a factory upgrade for those amps) or EVM12L or JBL 120 12".

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Re: 1965 Ampeg Reverberocket II Speaker Suggestions?

Post by doctorock78 » Wed May 16, 2018 2:54 pm

mellotrondon wrote:
Mon May 05, 2014 5:57 pm
As much as I understand the quest for a certain quality of distortion at bedroom volume there's a lot to be said for getting the biggest bang for the wattage. I cut the baffle board out on my old blue Reverbrocket and installed a JBL K-130 15" right off the bat. This decision was prompted in no small part by the fact that my buddy that I played guitar with (his name happened to be Buddy) had a larger Gemini which was cut out stock for a 15" and I had two K130s available. The amp begins to break up at about 11:00 on the volume and up to that point it's as "clear as a bell and loud as hell". I would have preferred D-130s just because of the weight difference, but an EVM 15 probably would have been just as loud but just a bit stiffer. The use of a truly efficient speaker with a large voice coil like an EVM12 with a 2 1/2" coil will vastly outdo a factory Jensen or Utah or Eminence with 1 1/2" coil watt for watt - no matter how low the power. I have installed an EVM 12L and a 077 clone bullet tweeter in a Magnatone which uses 6BQ5 outputs (maybe 16 watts RMS?) and that amp will keep up with a 50 watt Marshall through a 212 Celestion-loaded cabinet.
Eminence actually makes a 12" PA speaker with a 3" voice coil and a humungous magnet. The free-air resonance is around 70Hz as I remember. I'd use one of those as a cheap(er) alternative to an Altec Lansing 417a (which Ampeg used to offer as a factory upgrade for those amps) or EVM12L or JBL 120 12".
I just pictured you cutting a larger hole in a sweet old Ampeg baffle and cringed a little. If anyone is inspired to do this please try and find (or make your own) an aftermarket baffle to mod and save the original for posterity!!!! They aren't making these anymore guys...

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Re: 1965 Ampeg Reverberocket II Speaker Suggestions?

Post by garyfanclub » Wed May 16, 2018 7:21 pm

doctorock78 wrote:
Wed May 16, 2018 2:54 pm
mellotrondon wrote:
Mon May 05, 2014 5:57 pm
As much as I understand the quest for a certain quality of distortion at bedroom volume there's a lot to be said for getting the biggest bang for the wattage. I cut the baffle board out on my old blue Reverbrocket and installed a JBL K-130 15" right off the bat. This decision was prompted in no small part by the fact that my buddy that I played guitar with (his name happened to be Buddy) had a larger Gemini which was cut out stock for a 15" and I had two K130s available. The amp begins to break up at about 11:00 on the volume and up to that point it's as "clear as a bell and loud as hell". I would have preferred D-130s just because of the weight difference, but an EVM 15 probably would have been just as loud but just a bit stiffer. The use of a truly efficient speaker with a large voice coil like an EVM12 with a 2 1/2" coil will vastly outdo a factory Jensen or Utah or Eminence with 1 1/2" coil watt for watt - no matter how low the power. I have installed an EVM 12L and a 077 clone bullet tweeter in a Magnatone which uses 6BQ5 outputs (maybe 16 watts RMS?) and that amp will keep up with a 50 watt Marshall through a 212 Celestion-loaded cabinet.
Eminence actually makes a 12" PA speaker with a 3" voice coil and a humungous magnet. The free-air resonance is around 70Hz as I remember. I'd use one of those as a cheap(er) alternative to an Altec Lansing 417a (which Ampeg used to offer as a factory upgrade for those amps) or EVM12L or JBL 120 12".
I just pictured you cutting a larger hole in a sweet old Ampeg baffle and cringed a little. If anyone is inspired to do this please try and find (or make your own) an aftermarket baffle to mod and save the original for posterity!!!! They aren't making these anymore guys...
One better, if you want a Gemini, buy a Gemini and leave the RR alone! You can never have too many Ampegs.

On topic, I too replaced the tired old vintage radioshack speaker in my 65 RR2 (7591 output) and am very happy with it. Could use some more breaking in, but boy is it loud now. Barks like a champ around 1 o’clock on the volume, especially on the accordion input.

Would probably sound even better with a good cleaning and recap, but thats a lot of trouble for a bedroom amp that never gets turned up, and only played once or twice a week at low volume.

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