Lil Orphan Ampeg - Page 2

FFTT · 3rd July 2009

As you know I've been pondering replacement speakers for this amp ever since the
original driver failed.

Today I talked at length with Ted's son discussing what drivers I already had and
what I liked and disliked about each one.

I REALLY like the sounds I was getting from the original CTS driver, but thought it was
a bit redundant to buy a similar replacement driver since I'm going ahead and re-coning
the original anyway, adding a stronger 30 watt voice coil.

So, after considerable discussion and very much appreciated input from numerous
qualified experts, I'm going for a Weber AlNiCo Blue Dog 75 watt, light dope, with
break in.

While the original driver had this cool ratty breakup, this Blue Dog should
deliver a smoother more even tone across the spectrum.

This will also be interesting with the RCA - Wurlitzer 7868's in the R12R since they
are essentially fat over spec EL84's

While the C-Rex sounded fantastic as long as you played in the bridge position
or dropped the volume for cleans, it simply was too boomy on the low end
with any of my guitars in the neck position at greater volumes.

The Blue Dog AlNiCo 75 will also make an interesting combination in my 2X12 along
side of the EVM12L with my Hot Cat 100R

The JBL K120 in there now is WAY too bright with the 100R.

I may also try the JBL in the Ampeg just out of curiosity.

I'll also be trying the C-Rex next to the EVM12L and then have to decide
on which speaker will replace the stock Special Design Fender Fart Tone
Eminence in my USA Blues Deluxe.

So the quest continues and I'm learning a lot about how much a simple speaker
change can affect tone and volume.

FFTT · 24th July 2009

I installed the Blue Dog last night and I'm still evaluating the results.

The volume drop compared to the C-Rex was considerable and due to the lower
efficiency, I have to turn the amp up a few notches to get near the same volume.

I can see for clean headroom, the more efficient C-Rex delivers better cleans
keeping the volume at or under 5 on the volume dial.

The break-up is way different between the two drivers as well.

The Blue Dog is smoother on the mids to highs, but the low end doesn't seem
to hold together as good as the C-Rex which was already a bit boomy on the low end.

I'm still sending the original CTS in for re-coning and as mentioned above, plan to do
a bit of speaker swapping this weekend.

I still don't know which drivers will end up where between my 3 amps.

Eric from Viking Amps is bringing over a Fane Ceramic to try in the Ampeg
and we still plan to try the JBL K-120 in there too.

The only speaker I still really want to try is the Scumback M75 HP.

FFTT · 25th July 2009

Oh boy what an evening.

Eric from Viking Amps just left here at 3:30 A.M.

Big Grins from Eric through the Reeves Custom 225 and the SVT 8X10.
We need to repair the jack mounting on the back of the 8X10 and while we were
at it, confirmed my speakers are indeed CTS AlNiCos.

Next we tried the Ampeg with the Blue Dog AlNiCo 75 and while it had a few sweet spots at certain settings, the low end was even more boomy than with the C-Rex and it just didn't grab either of us for this amp.

Eric agreed the Blue Dog 75 needed to see more power and work harder.
So the Blue Dog 75 is now happily along side of my EVM12L for the Bad Cat
and now with that extra power, the Vox like character of the amp shines through.

We both put the Hot Cat 100R through it's paces with the new speaker team in the 2X12 and Eric gets the removed JBL K120 for another project.

So where did that leave poor Lil Orphan Ampeg?

We installed the Fane Axiom 75 12" ceramic in the '64 R12R and now all the issues
with being too dark and sloppy on the low end are gone and the mids and highs just sparkle.
It really is remarkable how the right speaker can make such a huge difference.

Last but not least, we installed the very well broken in C-Rex in my USA Blues Deluxe.

What a transformation!

The fart tone is replaced by some serious rock mojo in both channels and
the headroom is way improved and warmer in the cleans.

The amp is clearly louder too, but in a good way.

I think we matched things up pretty well and now all 4 of my amps sound
the best they ever have.

Unclenny · 26th July 2009

Must be time for some clips.

FFTT · 26th July 2009

I'll try to get some clips up over the next week.

Today was mostly nap day between chores.

FFTT · 26th July 2009

Here's a new clip.

YouTube - '64 Ampeg Reverberocket-March To Whoville

As noted in the video, I knocked the camera out of focus trying to get a take
worth keeping. The reverb is just barely on and the tremelo is off.

This short 40 second clip shows how nice the amp transitions from clean to crunch.
I would have liked to capture a hotter signal, but you'll get the idea.

I'm really happy with the new Fane ceramic driver.

FFTT · 28th July 2009

I played through it last night at about 1/2 volume doing some quieter versions
of some of the stuff I'm working on.

What a sheer pleasure to have so many fine tonal options in such a simple form.

I am stunned that these amps have somehow remained off the radar for all this time.

Just Wow!

FFTT · 30th November 2009

Added a new clip .

YouTube - Ampeg R12R Mood Swing Part II

The Fane has a nice chime and jangle at just under 1/2 volume.
The crunch to clean tone is all in the attack.

Strat Plus is set bright, just one notch up from the bridge PU position.

The C-Rex was warmer and fuller at these low volume with added help of those extra 2 dB of efficiency, but the Fane is crisp and emphasizes the mids more.

So it's a trade off.

This shows clearly why I wish more builders would offer cool amps
like this in a head version.

I've tried several speakers now with this amp and each one
adds a different flavor to this great little wonder.

FFTT · 30th November 2009

It's unfortunate that I'm too software challenged to sync up a good audio and video
recording with a better signal chain.

Even with the air handler off, there's still quite a bit of ambient noise in the background.

At least you guys get a rough idea of how it sounds.

Unclenny · 2nd December 2009

Sounds great.

Serious chime......

FFTT · 2nd December 2009

What's interesting is that this old 2001 Fane ceramic delivered more overall chime
than the Blue Dog AlNiCo 75.

There was also something special about the original Ampeg label CTS.

It was a cheap speaker, but delivered just the right paper cone rattiness
to sound great as it was screaming for mercy with the amp dimed.

3rd July 2009	#31
FFTT Lives for gear Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: A stoned throw from ground zero Posts: 5,577 Thread Starter	As you know I've been pondering replacement speakers for this amp ever since the original driver failed. Today I talked at length with Ted's son discussing what drivers I already had and what I liked and disliked about each one. I REALLY like the sounds I was getting from the original CTS driver, but thought it was a bit redundant to buy a similar replacement driver since I'm going ahead and re-coning the original anyway, adding a stronger 30 watt voice coil. So, after considerable discussion and very much appreciated input from numerous qualified experts, I'm going for a Weber AlNiCo Blue Dog 75 watt, light dope, with break in. While the original driver had this cool ratty breakup, this Blue Dog should deliver a smoother more even tone across the spectrum. This will also be interesting with the RCA - Wurlitzer 7868's in the R12R since they are essentially fat over spec EL84's While the C-Rex sounded fantastic as long as you played in the bridge position or dropped the volume for cleans, it simply was too boomy on the low end with any of my guitars in the neck position at greater volumes. The Blue Dog AlNiCo 75 will also make an interesting combination in my 2X12 along side of the EVM12L with my Hot Cat 100R The JBL K120 in there now is WAY too bright with the 100R. I may also try the JBL in the Ampeg just out of curiosity. I'll also be trying the C-Rex next to the EVM12L and then have to decide on which speaker will replace the stock Special Design Fender Fart Tone Eminence in my USA Blues Deluxe. So the quest continues and I'm learning a lot about how much a simple speaker change can affect tone and volume. __________________ Don't look at me in that tone of voice

26th July 2009	#36
FFTT Lives for gear Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: A stoned throw from ground zero Posts: 5,577 Thread Starter	'64 Ampeg R12R - Fane Axiom 12" 75- Strat Plus Here's a new clip. YouTube - '64 Ampeg Reverberocket-March To Whoville As noted in the video, I knocked the camera out of focus trying to get a take worth keeping. The reverb is just barely on and the tremelo is off. This short 40 second clip shows how nice the amp transitions from clean to crunch. I would have liked to capture a hotter signal, but you'll get the idea. I'm really happy with the new Fane ceramic driver.

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24th July 2009	#32
FFTT Lives for gear Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: A stoned throw from ground zero Posts: 5,577 Thread Starter	I installed the Blue Dog last night and I'm still evaluating the results. The volume drop compared to the C-Rex was considerable and due to the lower efficiency, I have to turn the amp up a few notches to get near the same volume. I can see for clean headroom, the more efficient C-Rex delivers better cleans keeping the volume at or under 5 on the volume dial. The break-up is way different between the two drivers as well. The Blue Dog is smoother on the mids to highs, but the low end doesn't seem to hold together as good as the C-Rex which was already a bit boomy on the low end. I'm still sending the original CTS in for re-coning and as mentioned above, plan to do a bit of speaker swapping this weekend. I still don't know which drivers will end up where between my 3 amps. Eric from Viking Amps is bringing over a Fane Ceramic to try in the Ampeg and we still plan to try the JBL K-120 in there too. The only speaker I still really want to try is the Scumback M75 HP.

25th July 2009	#33
FFTT Lives for gear Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: A stoned throw from ground zero Posts: 5,577 Thread Starter	Oh boy what an evening. Eric from Viking Amps just left here at 3:30 A.M. Big Grins from Eric through the Reeves Custom 225 and the SVT 8X10. We need to repair the jack mounting on the back of the 8X10 and while we were at it, confirmed my speakers are indeed CTS AlNiCos. Next we tried the Ampeg with the Blue Dog AlNiCo 75 and while it had a few sweet spots at certain settings, the low end was even more boomy than with the C-Rex and it just didn't grab either of us for this amp. Eric agreed the Blue Dog 75 needed to see more power and work harder. So the Blue Dog 75 is now happily along side of my EVM12L for the Bad Cat and now with that extra power, the Vox like character of the amp shines through. We both put the Hot Cat 100R through it's paces with the new speaker team in the 2X12 and Eric gets the removed JBL K120 for another project. So where did that leave poor Lil Orphan Ampeg? We installed the Fane Axiom 75 12" ceramic in the '64 R12R and now all the issues with being too dark and sloppy on the low end are gone and the mids and highs just sparkle. It really is remarkable how the right speaker can make such a huge difference. Last but not least, we installed the very well broken in C-Rex in my USA Blues Deluxe. What a transformation! The fart tone is replaced by some serious rock mojo in both channels and the headroom is way improved and warmer in the cleans. The amp is clearly louder too, but in a good way. I think we matched things up pretty well and now all 4 of my amps sound the best they ever have.

26th July 2009	#34
Unclenny Lives for gear Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Terra Firma Posts: 5,955	Must be time for some clips.

28th July 2009	#37
FFTT Lives for gear Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: A stoned throw from ground zero Posts: 5,577 Thread Starter	I played through it last night at about 1/2 volume doing some quieter versions of some of the stuff I'm working on. What a sheer pleasure to have so many fine tonal options in such a simple form. I am stunned that these amps have somehow remained off the radar for all this time. Just Wow!

30th November 2009	#38
FFTT Lives for gear Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: A stoned throw from ground zero Posts: 5,577 Thread Starter	Added a new clip . YouTube - Ampeg R12R Mood Swing Part II The Fane has a nice chime and jangle at just under 1/2 volume. The crunch to clean tone is all in the attack. Strat Plus is set bright, just one notch up from the bridge PU position. The C-Rex was warmer and fuller at these low volume with added help of those extra 2 dB of efficiency, but the Fane is crisp and emphasizes the mids more. So it's a trade off. This shows clearly why I wish more builders would offer cool amps like this in a head version. I've tried several speakers now with this amp and each one adds a different flavor to this great little wonder.

2nd December 2009	#40
Unclenny Lives for gear Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Terra Firma Posts: 5,955	Sounds great. Serious chime......