In the never-ending search for the perfect sound, many players often overlook how imperative guitar speaker choice can be. Swapping out amp speakers can be a practical and impressively effective method of experimenting with tone, and is actually far easier than you might think. In this video, we see just how much your speaker choice can be coloring your sound as Joe plays through a Seismic Audio Cab and Dr. Z Remedy head using the Eminence CV-75, Celestion G12H-75 Creamback, and the Hempopotamus HEMP-O Model 30 speakers.
Eminence CV-75
This British-voiced speaker infuses whatever cab you throw it in with classic warm mids and punchy lows you’ve come to expect from British-style amps. The CV-75 Joe uses in this demonstration is a 12”, 75-watt speaker with an 8 ohm impedance, though it comes in a 16 ohm build as well.
Celestion G12H-75
Like the original G12H of the ‘60s, the G12-H75 Creamback utilizes an H-type (heavy) magnet. This modern iteration produces sonic signatures reminiscent of the Creamback G12M-65, but with a slightly tighter low-end, dynamic highs, and a thick body. With 75 watts and an 8-ohm impedance, the G12H-75 matches the specs of the CV-75 but offers up entirely different tone.
Hempopotamus HEMP-O Model-30
Hempopotamus is a unique company, in that they use a special hemp fiber pulp to build the speakers and cones they manufacture, which give them superior mid-range detail and a thick crunch. An in-built frequency extension system gives these speakers a wider response and a much faster transient attack. The Model-30 comes in multiple sizes and at different impedance levels, but the ones in this video use the same specifications as the previous two.
Many musicians have discovered the secret of trading out the speakers in their amps to switch between British and American voicings, rather than buying entirely new cabs or combos. It may seem daunting to those who haven’t taken apart their amps before, but it’s actually very doable even without any advance wiring experience.
Of course, there are tons of instructional materials on the web, but here are some basic directions. You’ll need your new properly-matched speaker, a screw-driver, and something to take notes with so you can keep track of how things are wired up. Unscrew the back of your amp and take a look at its insides, making note of what connections go where. Then, unscrew and remove the old speaker, keeping the mounting hardware close at hand. Replace the old speaker with the new and re-mount it. Finally, place the connectors in the proper configuration back to the speaker terminal. If you want to try it out like this, you can, or you can replace the back panel before you try it out. Either way, you’ll have your newly tweaked speakers in your cab or combo.
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Read more about how different speaker and amp combinations can really give you new and exciting sound with this Dave’s Corner article.