The Definitive Bluesbreaker Speaker Thread...

[Brad737]

Hmmm...I wonder how much better they'll sound? The current Scumnicos seem to get rave reviews.

paper voice coils like celestion used in the mid 60s

[Roe]

Hmmm...I wonder how much better they'll sound? The current Scumnicos seem to get rave reviews.

they're available now under the name S75-PVC 20w Alnico: http://www.scumbackspeakers.com/pvc.html

[Brad737]

No returns, no warranty, no exceptions. That doesn't instill much confidence.

Hmmm...I wonder how much better they'll sound? The current Scumnicos seem to get rave reviews.

they're available now under the name S75-PVC 20w Alnico: http://www.scumbackspeakers.com/pvc.html

[Scumback Speakers]

Actually... Scumnicos are here: http://www.scumbackspeakers.com/scumnico.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

They have a warranty.

S75-PVC are here: http://www.scumbackspeakers.com/pvc.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

The S75's and all the paper voice coil models don't have a warranty.

Just to keep this in perspective, when you buy a speaker from the 60's, it has no warranty. When you build a speaker to a 60's low power spec for the tone, that's great. The facts are that you can overpower these and fry/spark/flame them due to the voice coil former material that can burn.

So you have to buy the right amount of speakers for the power you need to handle. I've been blasting a 50w Metro Plexi clone on 9 for several hours into a 4x12 of the M75-PVC 20w with no issues.

If you want to do the BluesBreaker thing, you'll need two, minimum. And you'll need to make sure it's a true BluesBreaker/JTM45 spec, meaning 30-33w clean before break up and no more than 45-50w cranked with on OD pedal in front of it. That's probably about what my JTM 45 clone puts out.

But be advised that they blew speakers in the old days with Rangemaster pedals in front of them due to the speaker power handling vs amp power output, too.

These aren't going to be for everybody, just those who want the tone and know the limits of the speaker.

[Brad737]

My amp is a Metro JTM45 with Martstran trannies. I'm going to mount it in a 212 cabinet. I think I should go with the scummicos to be on the safe side. Do you have a Christmas special?

[Scumback Speakers]

Sorry, no Xmas special. I did make the $20 off sale price the regular retail price two months ago. And lead times on orders is now days, not 8-9 weeks. Best I can do right now.

[908ssp]

I know there is no agreement on what speaker was actually in the fabled Bluesbreaker of the Beano album but I personally think the Scumnico is the one.

[Brad737]

I ordered a pair of the broken in Scumnicos yesterday. Per Jim's advice, I ordered two 8-ohm speakers which I'll wire in Series, and use the 16-ohm setting on the amp. I guess that's how they wired the cabinets back in the 60s.

Here's how to wire the speakers in Series:

http://southbayampworks.com/wiring/2x12series.gif

[Ted B]

I guess that's how they wired the cabinets back in the 60s.

No, the JTM combos had two 16 ohm speakers wired in parallel for an 8-ohm load. This is important for amps that used the RS OT, which had the NFB feed wired directly to the speaker jacks. As such, those amps had less NFB than a standard JTM45 setup run with a 16 ohm load.

[Scumback Speakers]

Huh...908ssp...didn't we go with 8 ohm 30w Scumnicos in your BB combo? Or was it two 16 ohm speakers wired in parallel to 8 ohms?

[SB Monster]

Sorry if it came up earlier in the thread but Jim, how sensitive are the paper voice coil speakers? I'm thinking of one in a conservatively rated 12w 2x 6v6 Savage combo that has a 65W H55 in it right now

[Scumback Speakers]

M75-PVC's are 97db, H75-PVC's are 99db. I could use a different cone/spider/treatment and make them louder...but then they wouldn't have the same tone.

[Brad737]

Well gents, I got a pair of Jim's 16-ohm Scumnicos, wired in parallel, but running the amp at 16 ohms. (From everything I've been able to read, that's how EC did it.) I'll give a better review when I give them a proper workout.

[Ted B]

... wired in parallel, but running the amp at 16 ohms. (From everything I've been able to read, that's how EC did it.)

FWIW, the original combos have two 16 ohm speakers wired in parallel. This is most significant when the amp is fitted with an RS output transformer, with NFB wired to the speaker jack.

[Brad737]

I just realized that I never gave a proper review of my Scumnicos with my Metro JTM-45, so I brought this thread back from the dead. I ordered a pair of 16-ohm, 30-watt Scumnicos with factory break-in. I must admit, I didn't really think the tone sounded all that great at first. The Scummies sounded very "honky" for lack of a better word.

HOWEVER...my Bluesbreaker combo cabinet wasn't wired correctly. That was totally my fault, and I simply didn't give it any thought at all when I connected the speakers. I just removed the speakers that came in my cabinet (I got it used) and connected the Scumnicos exactly like the previous gent had done it.

I wanted two 16-ohm speakers, wired in parallel, since that's the way Marshall did it back in the 60s. I finally pulled up a wiring diagram for a 212 wired in parallel on Scumback's website. It became crystal clear what the problem was. The cab's prior owner had it wired sorta half parallel/ half series. I wired it exactly as pictured, and fired her up.

HOLY COW! That was the sound I'd wanted all along. The Scumnicos absolutely lived up to all the glowing reviews. The tone is fat, a little rude, with smooth, creamy highs, and just wails. I've read where folks use Vintage 30s, Greenbacks, and Celestion Blue or Golds in their Bluesbreakers. Don't. The Scumback Scumnico is THE speaker for the Beano tone.