Jensen C12 K anyone?

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ohm-men
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Jensen C12 K anyone?

Post by ohm-men » Mon Nov 09, 2020 10:12 pm

Hi All,

I can get slightly used pair of Jensen C12 K speakers for a good price.
Does anyone has any expirience with these?

These are 100 Watt speakers that were used mostly in Fender Ri amps in 2000's

I want to use these speakers in a closed back BF Bassman 2x12" cabinet and with various amps (18 Watt's to 135 Watt amps) all driven at 4 Ohm.
I would mainly use this speaker configuration with a Bass VI, but also with guitars . I'd like to know if the speakers are up to it.

I currently have a set of old 12" HH speakers from the 90's in this cab, not bad, but I'm hoping the Jensen's will be better to get a less mid-ranged tone.
Accourding to Jensen's spec sheet on the C12 K the have tight lows, agressive mids and nice top end.

The C12K is not a vintage based speaker, but it came in Ri twin reverb's and is supposedly a 100 W version of the C12Q?

Any input would be nice ;)

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Re: Jensen C12 K anyone?

Post by burgrluv » Wed Nov 11, 2020 8:44 am

I had a DRRI that I used to gig with for a while which came with the C12K, it's quite a nice speaker despite the bad rep Italian Jensens tend to get. Nice bottom end heft that can handle big lows without getting flubby, would probably be a decent fit for a bass VI. Also has the typical American Jensen aggressive mids and a smooth top end as well as being a pretty efficient speaker.

From what I've heard its supposed to be a more robust version of the C12N with a slight high end roll off to tame some harsher frequencies and any potential ice pick, still very chimey in my experience though.

I'd normally suggest getting a Weber if you're buying new, but if the Jensen's a good price I'd say go for it, you can always sell it for the same price (or more) if you don't end up liking it.

Also keep in mind this speaker is notorious for needing a long break in time. if the speaker's seen little use I'd suggest playing a good week or two before you make any final judgements.
Last edited by burgrluv on Wed Nov 11, 2020 8:50 am, edited 1 time in total.

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Re: Jensen C12 K anyone?

Post by Pepe Silvia » Wed Nov 11, 2020 8:50 am

I have a c12n (50 watt) paired with an old oxford in an open back 2x12 and have no complaints.

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Re: Jensen C12 K anyone?

Post by øøøøøøø » Wed Nov 11, 2020 4:38 pm

I quite like that speaker

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Re: Jensen C12 K anyone?

Post by Telliot » Wed Nov 11, 2020 4:40 pm

Me too. :)
The cool thing about fretless is you can hit a note...and then renegotiate.

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Re: Jensen C12 K anyone?

Post by ohm-men » Fri Nov 13, 2020 11:24 pm

Thanks all for your comments and input.
I'm gonna give these a try. :) Just waiting on the seller to hear back from him.

I used to have a pair of the 90's 12" Chicago Series Jensens in a Tremolux cab. Sounded good, but a bit too sharp in the upper regions for my taste.
But again these were just 35w speakers in a small cab. So hopefully the C12 K will deliver as described

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Re: Jensen C12 K anyone?

Post by ohm-men » Sun Nov 15, 2020 10:01 am

Well, I picked the speakers up this afternoon and they turned out to be as good as new (they even came their original cardboard Jensen boxes)
Seller was so kind to almost deliver them at my door and saving me a trip to Brussels.
Seamed they were mounted only for a very short period by the previous owner.
I put them in a BF Bassman cab and I have to say, they sound really, really nice (even with the Bass VI).
Although I think they need a bit of breaking in. But they are certainly very powerful.
So thanks again for the advice! I'm pretty happy how this cab sounds and they certainly sound much better then the old mid 90's HH Laney speakers that used to sit in this cab. I'm amazed how different my amps sound with these speakers. :)

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Re: Jensen C12 K anyone?

Post by Pepe Silvia » Sun Nov 15, 2020 10:10 am

My C12N was kind of brittle and shrill sounding until I broke it in.

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Re: Jensen C12 K anyone?

Post by Nudger » Sun Dec 06, 2020 6:53 am

Broke in a pair of Jensen p10Q by running them through a hifi for 48 hours. (very impatient)
The difference was night and day..I luv em.
New Jensens need time.

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Re: Jensen C12 K anyone?

Post by musicmatty » Thu Aug 05, 2021 5:58 pm

I love these speakers. I use them in my Blues deluxe re-issue and Hot Rod Deville 212. It’s my understanding these are ceramic rather than Alnico which tend to give a warmer tone which is nice for single coils such as a telecaster and jazzmaster which I play.
One thing I noticed right away after installing the speakers, was the EQ on these amps were suddenly usable which it really wasn’t with the original stock speakers to be honest. I should also note, that I substituted two of the preamp valves for lower gain values which I also believe complemented these amp overall. 12aY7 in V1, 12aT7 in V3 for the phase inverter. Just changing the speakers and the preamp tube lineup, yields a beautiful sounding amp that otherwise gets a bad rap.



https://youtu.be/7tFgOK6cveo



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Last edited by musicmatty on Tue Aug 17, 2021 7:08 pm, edited 1 time in total.

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Re: Jensen C12 K anyone?

Post by Larsongs » Sat Aug 07, 2021 10:08 pm

My 65 DRRI has a few hundred hours on it & should be well broken in yet it sounds very harsh to me. I was going to upgrade the Speaker but am thinking more about upgrading the Amp.. Maybe the 68 model? But would prefer an all original spec vintage 60’s or early 70’s… But they’re pricey & hard to find all original spec….

I play my 65 PRRI, Twin Reverb or Vox Amps most of the time.. All sound much better than my 65 DRRI…. Unfortunately… as DRRI’s are about the perfect size for everything..

Glad yours are working for you though….

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Re: Jensen C12 K anyone?

Post by musicmatty » Sat Aug 07, 2021 11:41 pm

Did you buy your 65 DRRI new? Maybe there is something else wrong with it. There are endless videos on YouTube featuring this amp that you could use as a reference to compare. Taste and sound/tone is purely subjective. However, harsh just doesn’t seem like it would even apply to this speaker. Keep me posted on your findings… I’m interested :)

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Re: Jensen C12 K anyone?

Post by Larsongs » Sun Aug 08, 2021 7:22 am

musicmatty wrote:
Sat Aug 07, 2021 11:41 pm
Did you buy your 65 DRRI new? Maybe there is something else wrong with it. There are endless videos on YouTube featuring this amp that you could use as a reference to compare. Taste and sound/tone is purely subjective. However, harsh just doesn’t seem like it would even apply to this speaker. Keep me posted on your findings… I’m interested :)
It’s my experience with every one I’ve played. Either friends who own them or new ones in Stores.. These Reissues sound nothing like true vintage 60’s Deluxe Reverbs IMO.. I have friends who own mint condition, original Spec. Black & Silverface mix 60’s & early 70’s vintage Deluxe Reverbs… I’m going by the comparison of theirs, my & other recent or new 65 DRRI’s…

After hearing the difference it’s not working for me. I’m looking for something else.. Preferably vintage. But, I’m glad if they’re working for you…

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