15" speaker for guitar

SpiderM69 · 4th September 2007

I have a bit of an odd question. Will a 15" speaker sound OK for guitar? I imagine it would, but dunno if the highs might be buried. I'm playing a gig where I'm offered a Showman head (I like that part) but with a 15" in a cab, and I'm too cheap to rent another cab.

Thanks,

gtichy · 5th September 2007

I LOVE 15" speakers for guitar. Back in the day (way back) a 15 was in all of the top of the line amps: The Fender Pro, Vibroverb, Showman, etc...The Standel 25L15...Magnatone 150, 180...and others that I can't think of. These were all the most expensive amps by those brands. You won't notice a loss of highs (especially if its a JBL) and the lows won't distort at all. That's why steel players love them too.

FFTT · 5th September 2007

15's are great if you're teamed up with the right amp to push them.

As long as you're using a full range 15" you should notice a much more defined
bottom and very little loss in the high end.

Great set-up for slide guitar.

SpiderM69 · 5th September 2007

Thanks, guys. It is a Showman head, I beleive late 60's, so I don't know the wattage, will have to find out. But I know will be very schweet. I did find out the speaker is quite old (but well treated), so is well broken in, am happy about that. I'm sure the setup will sound fine, and will stick with a Strat, so high-end shouldn't be a prob.

Bob Ross · 5th September 2007

30-some-odd years ago I owned a Fender Dual Showman cabinet that came loaded with a pair of JBL D-Series 15" drivers. Used it with a Fender Bassman 50 head.

I'm not sure I've ever gotten as clean, rich, beautifully full sounding a guitar tone since.

gtichy · 5th September 2007

even hendrix used a dual showman head and cab, which had 2x15" JBL's.

the dual showman head was a showman with a 4ohm output transformer for the "dual" jbls.

bike guy · 10th September 2007

It's hard to talk speaker tone without bringing up the Weber VST website. You can learn a lot about the many variables that affect tone (cone, magnet, voice coil type and size, surround, etc).

I picked up their 15" 15F150 about three years ago and have been very happy. It's got gobs of Fender/Jensen tone but with bigger magnet and 1-1/2" voice coil which brings it into Celestion territory. For a 15" it's got all the high end sizzle you could want.

GPl · 10th September 2007

I still got a k130(1975?) jbl alnico 15" that I keep going back to. Really sounds great.

FFTT · 10th September 2007

If you want cleans, it's hard to beat a 15", however you're getting loud if you
want it to break up and that's where the Showmans came in.

4th September 2007	#1
SpiderM69 Gear addict Joined: May 2005 Posts: 423 Thread Starter	15" speaker for guitar I have a bit of an odd question. Will a 15" speaker sound OK for guitar? I imagine it would, but dunno if the highs might be buried. I'm playing a gig where I'm offered a Showman head (I like that part) but with a 15" in a cab, and I'm too cheap to rent another cab. Thanks, __________________ - Steve It is the essential nature of man to play - Plato

5th September 2007	#3
FFTT Lives for gear Joined: Dec 2005 Location: A stoned throw from ground zero Posts: 5,763	15's are great if you're teamed up with the right amp to push them. As long as you're using a full range 15" you should notice a much more defined bottom and very little loss in the high end. Great set-up for slide guitar. __________________ Don't look at me in that tone of voice Put music in your heart and heart in your music

10th September 2007	#8
GPl Lives for gear Joined: Jul 2004 Location: Ottawa Posts: 1,511	I still got a k130(1975?) jbl alnico 15" that I keep going back to. Really sounds great. __________________ Michael Scott --------------------------------------------- "Two degrees in bebop, a PHD in swing, he's the master of rhythm, he's a rock and roll king" -Lowell George- "In my reality it is important that people who use these tools go into them with both eyes wide fvcking open and evaluate them in the context of their work rather than from the perspective of trying to "keep up with the herd" mentality. Peace." -Fletcher-

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5th September 2007	#2
gtichy Gear nut Joined: Jun 2006 Posts: 134	I LOVE 15" speakers for guitar. Back in the day (way back) a 15 was in all of the top of the line amps: The Fender Pro, Vibroverb, Showman, etc...The Standel 25L15...Magnatone 150, 180...and others that I can't think of. These were all the most expensive amps by those brands. You won't notice a loss of highs (especially if its a JBL) and the lows won't distort at all. That's why steel players love them too.

5th September 2007	#5
Bob Ross Lives for gear Joined: Mar 2005 Location: NYC Posts: 2,638	30-some-odd years ago I owned a Fender Dual Showman cabinet that came loaded with a pair of JBL D-Series 15" drivers. Used it with a Fender Bassman 50 head. I'm not sure I've ever gotten as clean, rich, beautifully full sounding a guitar tone since.

10th September 2007	#7
bike guy Gear Head Joined: Jul 2007 Location: Ca - SF Bay Area Posts: 42	It's hard to talk speaker tone without bringing up the Weber VST website. You can learn a lot about the many variables that affect tone (cone, magnet, voice coil type and size, surround, etc). I picked up their 15" 15F150 about three years ago and have been very happy. It's got gobs of Fender/Jensen tone but with bigger magnet and 1-1/2" voice coil which brings it into Celestion territory. For a 15" it's got all the high end sizzle you could want.