Zakk Wylde, speakers, clear low end

[Alex]

I have lately listened a lot to Black Label Society's "Order of the Black". I've always been a fan of Zakk's playing, but for the first time I am amazed at the rhythm guitar sound on one of his albums.

I have somewhat similar gear already and get sounds similar to his. After giving this a lot of thought I've come to the conclusion, that the speakers he uses play a large role in that big, clear and clean open end. In other words, not the amp, not the guitar and not the pickups.

Zakk uses Electro Voice Black Label Speakers, which cost way too much for an amateur musician such as I am.
There are options: The Electro Voice EVM12L, which I cannot get specs on and which still costs a lot, and there are different Eminence speakers.
People say there is an alternative, the Eminence Delta Pro 12, which is really a PA speaker. Also there is the Eminence Commonwealth, which is modelled more on something called JBL speaker (no idea)?

Can anyone give some more insight to this and maybe share experience with speakers which not only handle low bass notes very well, but do so very clear. Most guitar speakers seem to be no use below something like 80Hz and this is where the EV and those Eminence seem to excel; being not strictly just aimed at a guitar market, their frequency range goes lower apparently.

[Pete24v]

I have a 1x12 cab with an EVM12L in it. it's by far the best 12" speaker i've ever had, and my list of previous speakers is a long one!

http://www.electrovoice.com/product.php?id=410

download the 'classic flyer. pdf, specs are at the bottom

[gwEm]

I use EVM12L as well and am very happy, my favourite speakers.

maybe you can ebay a cab with them in. Alternatively, there is as you say an Eminence copy - do a search, it was mentioned on here a while back.

[Alex]

But would you know how close the Eminence one is? If it is 80-90% the same sound, I wouldn't mind, but if it is really only half-way similar, I probably would.

[gwEm]

But would you know how close the Eminence one is? If it is 80-90% the same sound, I wouldn't mind, but if it is really only half-way similar, I probably would.

i seem to remember that old thread was pretty complimentary about the eminence one

[shaman]

+1 on the emi-I have evm12L's and delta pro-cant tell the diff myself-some say delta is a tad bit warmer-its a killer speaker, and you will get exactly what you are searching for

[Transcend]

Its not a copy really but the eminence man o war does a really great zw sort of sound,

The reason that the EV speakers retain that clarity is because of the high wattage so they arent breaking up whatsoever

[MDV]

My ubercab would weigh about 70kg with those in :lol:

[MDV]

Oh, and if youre talking album sound then below 80Hz on guitar is of basically no concern. Its of occasional and slight use; mostly its a pain in the arse. That region is taken up by the bass (well actually all things being equal 80hz is most important for the kick), and the guitars pick up round more like 100-150, or even higher. Listening to BLS albums reveals that this is true of them too; its a well blended bass low end, the guitar is meaty but its far from doing that on its own.

[Alex]

Oh, and if youre talking album sound then below 80Hz on guitar is of basically no concern. Its of occasional and slight use; mostly its a pain in the arse. That region is taken up by the bass (well actually all things being equal 80hz is most important for the kick), and the guitars pick up round more like 100-150, or even higher. Listening to BLS albums reveals that this is true of them too; its a well blended bass low end, the guitar is meaty but its far from doing that on its own.

True, I forgot we guitarists tend to wander off into (frequency) regions we really shouldn't.
My interest was especially how the low end sounded very clear, whereas for example my Eminence Legend tends to compress the sound a lot in the low end; a lot of punch and push, but not a lot of clarity.

[schantist]

True, I forgot we guitarists tend to wander off into (frequency) regions we really shouldn't.
My interest was especially how the low end sounded very clear, whereas for example my Eminence Legend tends to compress the sound a lot in the low end; a lot of punch and push, but not a lot of clarity.

Swamp Thangs are pretty sweet for metal sounds, incredibly stable with slight to no break-up and a sound that reminds me of a rougher, angrier EVM.

[Roobubba]

I use 2 EVM12L black labels and 2 G12K-100s. I know MDV has gone off the G12K-100s somewhat lately, but personally, I really like them! Snarly growly midrange and enough thump. They sparkle on the cleans (keeping the low end in check). I find it's a fantastic combo - I'm sure the non-black version of the EVM12L would also kick ass there too.

Roo

[MDV]

If you want a middier or grindier sound they're good. I grew to find them honky after a while.

[ericsabbath]

best Zakk tones (Pride & Glory and Ozzmosis) came from the hated stock Celestion G12T75's

one of my least favorite famous speakers, but I could nail Pride & Glory stuff with them and the '77 Master Volume JMP I had

[Alex]

I dislike the Ozzmosis sound a lot. It is a badly overproduced guitar sound. I blame the producer for it. The album isn't bad, though.

Once again, it seems I will have to postpone my GAS; i need to finish my current research in order to be ready for a job application, that means no time to build a nice 2x12" cab for me :-(
I had decided on the weekend to free up some time to build a vertical 2x12" with two Eminence Delta Pros. This morning I see a job ad I just cannot pass up - so much for those plans.