Author Topic: Jensen speakers (Read 2055 times)

sgmypod · « **on:** December 31, 2007, 12:18:09 PM »

Anyone using them and if so how do they compare to celestions

Fourth Feline · « **Reply #1 on:** December 31, 2007, 03:25:04 PM »

Hi Sgmypod,

I have brought a Peavey Classic 20 and another practice amp to life using Jensen Ceramic P10R speakers. I then tried a pair of 12" equivalents in my Fender Twin and a Matamp cab ( driven by the Twin ) to compare.

I would say that they epitomise ( for me ) the tight and 'spanky' sound I like for clean stuff - and stayed tight but smooth under overdriven conditions.

( Bear in mind that mine are not 'broken in' yet) .

I do notice ( and feel it is no coincidence ) - that the voice coil diameter and perimeter corrugations on all my Jensens are small - and the cone itself is made of a very stiff material having an apparently larger surface area than any Celestions I have seen , or the GT 12-75s I have used.

I would read with interest what the real amp techs on here say, but I suspect that Jensens are best leant towards the big , clean, tight 'Fender sound'- and the Celestions towards a variety of softer, woody - or more midrangey tones.

If there is any critism of the Jensens therefore, I could imagine that folks might find them a bit too sterile until broken in. I put my Eminence speakers back in the Fender Twin for now, to warm it up a bit. The Jensens will still be ( in time ) their correct replacements though - as the Jensens make a modern 'Blackface' Twin sound more like the Holy Grail of the 70s 'Silverface' Twin I.M.O.

I found (as usual ) - the descriptions on the Watford Valve website to be accurate to how they sounded 'in the flesh'.

I hope that gets the ball rolling ...
:D

sgmypod · « **Reply #2 on:** December 31, 2007, 03:56:28 PM »

cool have been looking at the c12k

Elliot · « **Reply #3 on:** December 31, 2007, 04:20:51 PM »

I have a 1x12 cab with a C12N in it - I like it, but it is very bright and has a high range spike on bright amps that needs a beam blocker to cure (a 5" diameter circle of thick stiff card taped on the speaker side of the grill cloth is all that is needed - SRV style). It is a nice clean and overdrive speaker.

The dudes on the Fender Discussion Forum all state that this spike is a problem of the lower wattage C12s and it is not present on the C12K - which always seems to get massive praise.

The MOD series is similar but has a bit more growl - Jensen claim it has 'british' tone - not really, it has American tone with growl!

BTW - the Eminence Red, White and Blue is another option - very old skool C12N tone. The Texas Heat is similar with a bit more bass and growl.

Fourth Feline · « **Reply #4 on:** December 31, 2007, 04:26:04 PM »

Hello again, :D

I've just looked at the W.V. website and my own gear to confirm that you are looking at the 100W version of my own C12Ns.

When it says " no flap " - you can bet your sweety bippy there is no 'flap'. The output stage breaks out in a sweat pushing the cone forward - and then the speaker snaps back like a mousetrap 8)

Altough I had not previously thought of it as a 'Metal' speaker ( well not as I use it anyway ) - I can certainly envisage it putting the nails into your Nailbomb, and heaven for your Apaches !

The bottom end does have a nice raunch - and the mid is sweet enough for my uses, but the tight handle it keeps on your sound would ( I imagine ) cause havoc when articulating the output of a high gain ceramic pickup.

Bear in mind that I get 'tight' results even from vintage alnico single coils !

I'll let the others comment now, but I am excited by the prospect of what I think a C12K could do for you - especially considering the fact that to not go with celestions might be considered "the road less travelled".

Cheers !

Ratrod · « **Reply #5 on:** January 01, 2008, 01:55:47 PM »

I have Jensen C12N's in my vintage '69 Bandmaster cab. They're just like Fourth Feline described.

But don't let it's Fenderesque tone put you off, they're great for heavy overdrive too. They don't bark like Celestions but there's plenty of oomph.

JJretroTONEGOD · « **Reply #6 on:** January 01, 2008, 06:03:10 PM »

I used to own a limited edition cream Fender Deluxe, with an Italian Jensen C12N and it sounded amazing with that amp! by far the best sounding speaker I've heard, with a fender valve amp. It may not work so well with other amps though, the C12N was never too harsh or too trebly, yet it still cut through, and had very warm bass, and a bluesy tone. It was awesome when pushed hard, similar to a pearl Jam type sound. I regret selling that amp! It was a tone monster.