I recently acquired a Supro Dual-Tone amp (25 watts) that uses a single 12" custom-designed Eminence speaker. This speaker is somewhat of a cross between a G12 and an ET-65 in that it has a stiff cone that is not doped like the G12 but has a large dust cap with a large magnet structure like the ET, but maybe not quite as big. The amp itself has a very American crunchy sound especially when cranked and overdriven.
The Eminence sounds good on my Strat in the neck and middle position, but the speaker has a very annoying bark when used with the bridge. I had a G12C that I put in the amp just to test, and it cures the bark, but at the expense of being a bit ice-picky. Now I can turn down the single tone control on the Supro, but that takes away a bit of presence that I miss. Note that I also tried an ET-65, but it was a little too scooped. What would be your opinion of G12c/s or a G12A/Blackhawk to add a bit more chime?
I can´t say anything about the Blackhawk for not knowing this speaker. In my opinion there is an audible difference between the G12C and the G12A - but I can´t say if it´s because my G12A being 8Ohm, while my G12C being 16...
To my ears the G12A is slightly darker sounding, sweeter, softer in the top end. Maybe the roll-off is enough to tame the ice-pick, if you like the overall sound? Even more difference is perceived in the midrange, which is quite a bit lower than in the G12C, which makes for an overall bigger sound, more organic.
I would not count the G12A, totally, especially if you can try one before having to buy one...
I have to say, I like them both. The spanky G12C is really great for 112 clean sounds in large cabs.
In my Supro 1624T RI someone installed a Peavey Sheffield for some reason. I know these are made for Peavey (to mimic the Celestion) by Eminence, but looking at something that might sound better. I have been looking at the Reaper 30 or Green Beret 25, and wondering …is there a big difference in the breakup between the two. Obviously the Reaper would have a little more headroom I guess. Can you or anyone elaborate on which way to go? I really like the Reaper tone in the demos above the GB.
Thanks, Don
Hummm … mmcwill, what did you end up going with, and how did it work out?
Donald, tes, the GB will not only break up a little earlier than the Reaper … but … because of it’s more urgent, forward midrange, it will certainly SOUND like it breaks up earlier!
I certainly think the Reaper would sound excellent.
Just now noticed… “In my opinion there is an audible difference between the G12C and the G12A - but I can´t say if it´s because my G12A being 8Ohm, while my G12C being 16…”
YES! That will always make a big difference, especially to a tube amp where the speakers impedance is “reflected” by the output tubes … in essence, a 8-ohm will be WAY louder and bigger sounding than a 16-ohm … unless the amp has an output tranny with separate taps to match both 8 and 16 ohm loads.