Orange Amps Launches Tornado Victims Fund-raising ‘Music Aid for Joplin’ Auction

Orange Amplifiers, alongside fellow musicians and other people in the music industry, were so very saddened to hear the news about the worst tornado season in more than fifty years in the USA and would like to offer their support. 153 people have been killed in Joplin, Missouri – home of the Glory Days Music Store - and half the town was destroyed including Glory Days itself and the owner’s home.

Orange Amps have decided after hearing the news to set up a fund-raising ‘Music Aid for Joplin’ auction of very special musical equipment from Orange and a number of other manufacturers. CEO Cliff Cooper will be working with Ted Owen, the auction house Fame Bureau's Managing Director, who is recognised as one of the world's leading experts in music equipment and memorabilia.

Orange Amps will donate a rare and valuable (last one of only twenty made) Union Jack half-stack worth at least $6000! Orange have also helped to coordinate support from other musical instrument manufacturers/suppliers and the auction will include a number of very desirable items which are being added to on a daily basis. The list currently includes:

- Sabian Cymbals money-can’t-buy 14” Paragon Crash personally signed by RUSH’s Neil Peart with the Steampunk logo, personalized with the winner's name

- Sabian leather jacket

- Orange CR50BXT bass amp, signed by RUSH’s Geddy Lee, personalized with the winner’s name

- Yamaha Gigmaker 5pc drum set with hardware and Paiste 101 cymbals

- Yamaha New A Series Acoustic/Electric Guitar

- Sierra Guitars Sierra Sunrise Auditorium Acoustic Guitar

- Shure Microphones Super 55

- Guitar World 12-Month Subscription

David Peterson, owner of Glory Days Music Store, commenting on the auction said, 'On hearing about Orange’s plans to raise proceeds through an auction, I was just floored. I didn’t think for one minute that someone would do something like that for me without asking for it. It’s an incredible gesture.

‘We have seen the heartbreaking tragedy that has taken place in the USA, particularly in Joplin Missouri, ‘ said Cooper, ‘ and we felt that we would like to do something in the spirit of that special relationship that exists between the USA and the UK. The money raised will help the re-establishment of the Glory Days Music Store.

The American Red Cross in Joplin is providing emergency assistance at five separate locations. This includes first aid and emergency health services, mental health services, distribution of bulk items such as recovery kits, toiletries and items needed for the clean-up such as gloves, rakes, masks, and vital water supplies and snacks.

To assist Orange Amps and its fellow manufacturers to help and support the Joplin community please go to Fame Bureau's website and bid on one of the many items available. The auction begins Monday, July 18 at FameBureau.com. Auction ends Wednesday, August 24.

Any companies wishing to donate to this worthy cause can contact Orange Amps or the Fame Bureau direct via their website www.famebureau.com

ESP Guitars Adds AC 20EFM To Line Up

ESP Guitars has added a series of electric accoustic guitars to their line. The AC 20EFM is available in 3 colors. Blue, green and purple.


Specs:

• Set-Neck Construction
• 25.5" Scale
• Sapelle Back & Sides
• Flamed Maple Top
• Mahogany Neck
• Rosewood Fingerboard
• 42mm Standard Nut
• Thin U Neck Contour
• 20 XJ Frets
• Gold Hardware
• ESP Tuners
• Rosewood Bridge
• B-Band Electret Film Transducer p.u.
• B-Band T-35 3-Band Preamp w/ Onboard Tuner
• Finish: STB (See Thru Blue),
      STG (See Thru Green),
      STB (See Thru Blue

More Info at ESP Guitars

Godin Announces 5th Avenue Uptown GT, 5th Avenue Jazz, and More for Summer NAMM

Montreal, Canada (June 15, 2011) -- The ever-popular Godin 5th Avenue series of Canadian made archtop guitars will see a few new additions at this year’s Summer NAMM Show including the 5th Avenue Uptown GT with Bigsby and 5th Avenue Jazz models.

Godin 5th Avenue Uptown GT

This archtop cutaway with Bigsby tremolo features a pair of Custom Godin Humbucker pickups all controlled via a 3-way toggle switch and volume & tone knobs. The “GT” in the name stands for Gloss Top, featured on both Solid Black GT and Trans Red Flame GT finished models. The Gloss Tops are paired with semi-gloss back & sides. Other features include Canadian wild cherry top, back and sides or Flame maple top with Canadian wild cherry core on the Trans Red Flame model. Silver leaf maple neck with rosewood fingerboard, cream binding, contoured high-gloss headstock with high-ratio tuners and a roller saddle adjustable bridge with Tusq base by Graphtech. Also includes the 5th Avenue archtop TRIC case.

Godin 5th Avenue Jazz:

This instrument was made with the jazz player in mind. This upper echelon 5th Avenue Jazz features arched back as well as arched top and comes in two all high-gloss custom polished finishes, including Piano Black HG and Natural Flame HG. The Piano Black model consists of Canadian wild cherry top, back & sides and the Natural Flame model features flame maple top, back & sides with Canadian wild cherry core. Other features include a smooth sounding floating Godin Mini-humbucker jazz pickup in the neck, ebony fingerboard, ebony volume and tone knobs, classic multi-layered binding, high-ratio open geared nickel tuners, engraved floating pickguard, custom tailpiece and adjustable Tusq bridge by Graphtech. Also includes 5th Avenue archtop TRIC case.

Other new additions include the Multiac Encore nylon, the 11-string fretless MultiOud, the menacing & metal minded Godin Redline Nemesis, the full line of Godin Icon series set neck electrics, the Richmond Empire Mahogany HG, as well a number of new offerings from Godin’s acoustic lines such as Seagull and Simon & Patrick. Including the new Seagull Entourage CW EQ in a Rustic Burst GT and Burgundy GT finish. The Simon & Patrick line features the all solid wood S&P Woodland Pro Folk Burst with slotted headstock and the Woodland Pro Parlor Burst guitars. Also at the booth will be the new Italian made SR Technology JAM 100 acoustic amplifiers and Bass Fidelity 10 bass amps distributed in North America by Godin Guitars.

Nemesis
Visit Godin Guitars at Summer NAMM in Booth #827.

More info at Godin Guitars


Press Release

Schecter Announces New Avenged Sevenfold Models

Burbank, CA (June 16, 2011) -- Schecter Guitar Research is adding three models to Avenged Sevenfold’s Synyster Gates and Zacky Vengeance signature series guitar lines.


The Synyster Gates Deluxe features a mahogany body and 3­-piece maple neck with 24 Jumbo frets on a rosewood fingerboard. This guitar is equipped with Duncan Designed HB­108 pickups and a Floyd Rose Special Tremolo System. This model is available in a Gloss Black finish with black hardware and gothic cross inlays.



The Synyster Gates Special features a mahogany body, a 3­-piece mahogany set neck with 24 Jumbo frets on an ebony fingerboard, and mother of pearl gothic cross inlays. This guitar is equipped with Seymour Duncan SH­8 Invaders pickups and an original Floyd Rose Tremolo System. This model is available in Gloss Black and Gothic Black finishes with black hardware.

Both new Synyster Gates models feature the official Synyster “skull ‘n tophat” and signature logo on the back of the headstock. The volume and tone controls also picture the “skull ‘n tophat” logo.


The Zacky Vengeance signature series adds the 6661. This model features a satin black finish with distressed hardware, a 3­piece mahogany set neck with a rosewood fingerboard, and is equipped with Seymour Duncan “JB” SH­4 pickups. The custom inlays are multi­-ply crown with a “ZV Switch Blade” at 12th fret. Also featured are custom pickup rings and jack plate by Creepy Pewter.

Pricing:
Synyster Gates Deluxe: $869 MSRP
Synyster Gates Special: $1,199 MSRP
Zacky Vengeance 6661: $1,279 MSRP

For more info at Schecter Guitar Research

Press Release

Stage Gear’s Latest Microphones

Under its “Stage Gear” series, St. Louis Music has unveiled two new entry-level microphones, the SSH100L Uni-Directional Mic and the SSH300L Cardioid Dynamic Mic. Both are Low Z microphones and come with a 15-foot low-impedance cable.

“These are an excellent addition to our growing Stage Gear line products,” says SLM CEO Mark Ragin. “We understand that quality, entry-level products are important, and we’re hoping musicians and retailers take to them.” He adds that the company will continue to build on St. Louis Music as a brand, and that these mics are just another of the long line of house brands being developed.

The Uni-Directional Mic will have a MSRP of $39.95, and the Cardioid Dynamic Mic will be at $49.95. For more information on placing an order or becoming a dealer, please email info@usbandsupplies.com or call 1-800-727-4512.

Press Release

DBZ Guitars Win It All 2 Has Begun!

Dean B. Zelinsky is at it again! He's giving away an entire collection of DBZ Guitars worth over $10,000 to one lucky winner. You can enter the contest via our Facebook page here: Facebook Contest. Simply click the ENTER CONTEST NOW button, share our page, and fill in your details on Facebook. Easy! Existing DBZ Guitars page members must share the page and fill in their details to be eligible to win. Drawing date is August 12th, 2011. Good Luck! 

Your Guitar Amp “Tone Formula”

Let’s jump right in and continue with part 2 of our discussion: “Your Signature Distortion”

My last article covered the DNA of a speaker and how the materials used factors into your tone.

This month let’s dive deeper and breakdown how a speaker distorts; and is the speaker producing what the amp can deliver?

Distortion is a broad term these days and there is a number of ways to achieve the distorted tone you’re looking for. If you have a tube amplifier you can get distortion from clipping your pre-amp and power amp tubes, not to mention that you can clip your input stage adding a bit of gain and compression right from the input of your amplifier.

Of course you have a plethora of distortion pedals on the market that give you an infinite amount of distortion produced by “fets (field-effect transistor)”, “op amps (operational amplifier IC)”, “leds (light emitting diode)” etc…

And all of these distortion makers fall to the mercy of the speakers; it’s how the speakers interpret this signal will determine your ultimate tone.

What is distortion?

Distortion is the coloration caused by physical resonance in a speaker creating additional sounds resulting from unwanted tones caused by the speaker’s mechanical or electrical operation.

How does a speaker distort?

When a speaker distorts it produces two types of frequencies, the first one is Harmonic distortion: This is heard as additional tones which are multiples of the original note played.

Example: If the original sound produces 100Hz, you would also get 200Hz, 400Hz and so on, even though these tones are not part of the original sound.

(The “Hz” symbol is the electrical abbreviation of Hertz; a SI unit of frequency that equals to one cycle per second)

The second is Non-Harmonic distortion, also known as “Odd Harmonic Distortion” and is often referred to as a buzz or a rattle in the sound.

Example: If the original sound produces 100Hz, the odd harmonic distortion would produce frequencies of 300Hz, 500 Hz, and 700Hz etc…

When setting your tone there are a series of specs you need to consider, starting with your guitar and amplifier.

The signal from a guitar pickup is mostly all midrange and is not rich in harmonics, with practically nothing coming through above 4000Hz. The sixth string “E” tuned to pitch comes through at about 80Hz, two full octaves above the 20Hz low frequency our ears can pick-up. The standard 4-string bass has a range one octave below the guitar with the low E at about 40Hz.

How a typical Fender/ Marshall amplifier is designed also plays into affect on how the speakers will respond. The most obvious difference is that the Marshall circuit lets more signal pass through, and the tone controls offer less frequency range. The higher signal means that the preamp tube stage can overdrive the output tube stage more.

The Marshall circuit has a slight dip in the mid range section almost an octave higher than Fender amps metering in around 700Hz, the Fender’s mid range dip is around 400Hz the bass response on both amplifiers meter in around 10Hz.

Fender's tone controls allow for a higher midrange frequency to pass with the treble response, meaning more dynamic range for that sparkling/ tight sound they're famous for.

To save time I’ll spec out the three most popular speakers associated with Fenders and Marshalls starting with a 25 watt, 12” speaker with a sensitivity rating of 98dB, 1.75” copper voice coil, Ceramic magnet, and a resonance frequency of 75Hz.

Another popular choice is a 30 watt, 12” speaker with a sensitivity rating of 100dB, 1.75” copper voice coil, Ceramic magnet, and a resonance frequency of 85Hz.

The speakers in Fenders are designed to stay clean so they spec out at 100 watts with a sensitivity rating of 99dB and a voice coil inductance of 1 kHz, Ceramic magnet with a resonance frequency of 104Hz.

How does this translate to your guitar tone?

It’s these specs that are directly responsible for your tone, and it’s here where the “disconnect” usually happens for most musicians. We are not trained on how these features translate into the sound we hear, and it’s this knowledge that can serve as a guideline for you to build your own “Tone Formula”.

Here is an example of a classic “Tone Formula”:

Example: 50 watt tube Marshall running through two 25 watt speakers. (100 watts with four 25watt speakers will produce similar results) The Marshall circuit let’s more signal to pass through meaning that the guitar’s input section, the pre-amp, and power section are going to distort. The lower wattage speakers with the smaller magnet and voice coil is going to break-up faster at a lower volume. The voice coil will clip and compress giving you that “Sizzle” in the upper frequency range.

This is by definition the classic “Marshall” tone, but here’s the rub. The lower wattage speaker distorts so fast that the speaker will not be able to produce the lower frequencies (Bass response) that the amp can put out; thus giving you the illusion that the amp has no bottom end. By adding a 30 watt speaker will increase the bass response but cut the level of distortion.

Now if you went to the other end of the spectrum and had a Fender amp that was to clean and brittle sounding, you could add a lower wattage speaker with a smaller magnet and voice coil, and achieve some nice mild distorted tones, changing the magnet to Alnico will add a bump to the mid-range section.

This is of course a very basic analogy of how we achieve our tones, but it’s these basic facts that are the building blocks to dialing in the sound you are looking for, and knowing how these specs affect one another will help you define your signature sound.

Stay tuned for part three in this series, where I’ll explain how cabinet construction affects the overall tone of the speaker, and how the enclosure could be your secret weapon in your “Tone Formula”.

Cheers,

Tony J. Pasko

©2009 - 2010 Fred Russell Publishing, All Rights Reserved. This article can not be used without permission from the Author. To Contact the Author email curt@RockHouseMethod.com

BOSS LAUNCHES LOOP STATION WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP 2

BOSS® Corporation is excited to announce the BOSS Loop Station World Championship 2, the second annual search to find the world’s top looping artist. Guitarists, bassists, beatboxers, vocalists, violinists, drummers, keyboard players, and looping musicians of all sorts are invited to start by submitting a video performance using any BOSS RC-series looping product. The result could be a trip to the U.S. finals in Hollywood, California, where the top looper will earn $3,000 in BOSS gear and a spot in the international championship at Musikmesse 2012 in Frankfurt, Germany.

Open Competition — June 1, 2011 – August 31, 2011

• Upload a live performance video using any BOSS RC-series Loop Station product to Youtube.com (video must be five minutes or less).
• Visit www.BossUS.com/LoopStation and fill out the entry form.
• Entries will be judged and selected by BOSS, who will evaluate the creativity, musicianship, stage presence, and technical skill of the looping performances.

U.S. Finals — October 22, 2011

• The top six entries from the Open Competition will be flown in to compete at the BOSS U.S. Loop Station Finals 2 at the Musicians Institute in Hollywood, CA.
• Performances will be judged by a panel of music industry insiders.
• Prizes include:
  • 1st Prize - $3,000 in BOSS gear; trip to the international championship
  • 2nd Prize - $2,000 in BOSS gear
  • 3rd Prize - $1,000 in BOSS gear

International Championship — Musikmesse Frankfurt, March 2012

• The winner of the U.S. Finals will represent the United States in the BOSS Loop Station World Championship 2 in Frankfurt, Germany, challenging the winners of other Loop Station competitions held around the globe.
• Performances will be judged by a panel of music industry insiders.
• Prizes include:
  • 1st Prize - $3,000 in BOSS gear
  • 2nd Prize - $2,000 in BOSS gear
  • 3rd Prize - $1,000 in BOSS gear

To enter the U.S. division of the BOSS Loop Station World Championship 2, please visit:
www.BossUS.com/LoopStation.

To watch the promotional video, visit:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wMrkdqhueok.

Free Cakewalk SONAR X1 Trial Now Available

Boston, MA (May 31, 2011) — Cakewalk, the world's leading developer of powerful and easy to use products for music creation and recording, announces the availability of a fully –functional 30 day trial version of SONAR X1. Download the SONAR X1 trial at http://www.cakewalk.com/products/sonar/web-trial.aspx

SONAR X1 is the most popular version of SONAR ever! Now you can download the free trial version of SONAR X1 Producer. We want every musician to experience the new Skylight Interface, which completely redefines workflow and allows you to focus on what’s most important - creating music.

The SONAR X1 trial is a fully functional version of SONAR X1 providing the full capability of the award winning SONAR X1 Producer edition including the critically acclaimed Pro Channel console strip. The Pro Channel which provides two types of legendary compression, musical equalization, tube saturation, and the most flexible routing options found in any DAW console strip, are just a few of SONAR X1 Producer exclusives ready to experience in the trial.

What does a fully functional SONAR X1 trial version allow you to do? Well, just about everything including the ability to save projects! There is nothing more frustrating than to create a master piece in a ‘trial version’ or limited software demo and not be allowed to save your creation. The SONAR X1 trial provides you with the complete SONAR experience minus a few synths, processors, and many of the gigabytes of content that ships with SONAR X1. It’s a trial after all. Other superb plug-ins included in the trial are the V-64 Vocal Strip, PX-64 Percussion Strip, and Rapture LE.

The SONAR X1 Trial is a fully functioning version of SONAR X1 that will work for up to 30 days if registered. Download the SONAR X1 experience at http://www.cakewalk.com/products/sonar/web-trial.aspx

About Cakewalk, Inc.
Cakewalk, Inc. is the world's leading developer of powerful, yet easy to use products for music creation and recording:

• Award-winning Digital Audio Workstations and Sequencers
• Integrated Music Hardware and Software Solutions
• Powered Stereo Monitors
• High-quality Digital Audio and MIDI Interfaces
• MIDI Keyboard Controllers
• Innovative Virtual Instruments and Effects
• Entry-level Consumer Products

Millions of musicians around the world choose Cakewalk products to produce audio for the professional music, film, broadcast, and video game industries. These customers include Grammy® and Emmy®-winning producers, composers, sound designers and engineers. We invite you to learn more about our company and products by visiting www.cakewalk.com.

Joe P. Ice Hockey Fundraiser- WE COULD USE YOUR HELP!

Hi all, It;s Joe P. co- owner of Rock House, I am working on a fundraiser for my son Dante's ice hockey team. I wanted to ask if any one out there would like to contribute? I know the economy is tough but any amount would be greatly appreciated. Follow the link to read about these really special athletes. This a chance for you all to really make a difference for the kids! Thank you for considering! Sincerly Joe P.

Raise Money Online

©2009 - 2010 Fred Russell Publishing, All Rights Reserved. This article can not be used without permission from the Author. To Contact the Author email curt@RockHouseMethod.com

FREEKBASS releases new album "Concentrate" ..... for FREE

The Funkiest bass man in the land FREEKBASS has just released his 5th album. This one....for free!

The 10 track album features many of special guests and friends of FB, such as DJ Spooky, Adam Deitch (Pretty Lights/Lettuce), Bootsy Collins, Steve Molitz (Particle/Headtronics) and more.

FREEKBASS states, "When it came time to make this album, just like I do when I play live with the projects mentioned earlier, it felt inspiring to start from that platform of working with other DJs, and electronic-oriented groove machine musicians, and let my bass be the glue between each track. I have always had a pretty unconventional bass sound, and it seems to fit in well with all of the new soundscapes of the electric world. When I am playing and writing both live and in the studio is where I have always felt the most focused, and balanced, which is why the title Concentrate came to mind : ‘to bring or draw to a common center or point of union focus"

Download the entire album at http://freekbass.bandcamp.com/

Learn how to play your bass like FREEKBASS at www.rockhousemethod.com

DEAN GUITARS INTRODUCES THE DEAN USA THOUSAND SERIES!

Dean Guitars unbeatable USA quality guitars are now available at revolutionary prices. The Dean Thousand series gives you the opportunity to own a high-quality, American-made guitar at a price that is less expensive than some competitors import models!

Dean USA Thousand Series highlights include all set-neck construction with rosewood fingerboard, pearl dot inlays, Tune-o-matic bridge, Floyd Rose tremolo options, loaded with Dean USA DMT pickups (or EMG's upon request). The DEAN USA THOUSAND SERIES features Dean classic body styles such as the V, Z, ML as well as hot new models like the Deceiver, Soltero and the Hillsboro bass.

If you dream of owning a USA made guitar, but are feeling the economic crunch like many musicians are, the Dean USA Thousand Series guitars may be just the ticket to turn your dream guitar into a reality. Please ask your local Dean dealer to show you a Dean Thousand Series guitar. If they don't have one, tell them to contact our Sales Director, Derek Badala at Derek@deanguitars.com. Dean Guitars is proudly committed to building the best USA guitars in the business!

http://www.deanguitars.com/usa1000_series.php

Cool Stuff - Gemstone Guitar Picks

Saw these in an email the other day. I've used a few different items as a pick depending on the amount of various beverages I've had for the night, but these cool looking picks caught my eye, a little pricey for one but none the less look good. Tell me about the different kinds of thins you have used for picks in the comments below.

The Gemstone guitar picks renowned for their stony, mellow, unique clear sound, and precision action. They work well with guitars or any stringed instrument that uses a pick, electric or acoustic. Stone Guitar Picks are a positive addition to your guitar gear. The picks are made from a variety of gem materials: Agates, Petrified Wood, Jaspers, Tiger Eye, and Crazy Lace, to mention a few. A stone pick is a unique guitar gift for that guitar player in your life. Available in a wide range of thickness, shapes, and sizes to fit all players. Real Rock maintains the highest standards of craftsmanship every step of the way to assure the guitarist a fine stone plectrum.

Priced at 30 bucks. http://realrock.us/

Drum Channel: Free Live Alien Ant Farm Contest and Exclusive Webcast

Drum Channel is proud to announce that the next Band Concert will be Mike Cosgrove with the original line up of Alien Ant Farm (AAF). The whole band will be in the Drum Channel studios, playing exclusively several songs in a free live broadcast on Thursday 23rd June 2011 at 6:00pm PDT. They will all also take part in a special live interview.

AAF’s original members Mike Cosgrove (Drums), Tye Zamora (Bass), Terry Corso (Guitar) and Dryden Mitchell (Vocals) were reunited in 2010 and are currently working on new material prior to the release of a new album later this year. The critically acclaimed AAF were different from other bands right from the start. They are hard rocking, yet melodic, thunderous but introspective, with rock anthems that were passionate and warmly infectious.

Mike Cosgrove is widely regarded as a ‘drummer’s drummer’ forever seeking to improve his drum technique and his musical prowess. Modern Drummer’s review of their last album TruANT recommended checking out his signature splash accents, shuffles, ghost strokes and Kick drum playing. His visit to Drum Channel with the band will be an exciting opportunity to see Mike’s technique close-up in action, plus you can check out more of Mike’s playing on DrumChannel.com with his side band Mystery Schools and see his splash hi-hat technique on Mike’s Secrets From the Pros Lesson also on the DC website.

To celebrate this incredible exclusive, Drum Channel will be running an exciting competition to win a DW snare drum and double pedal, a copy of the photographic book A Drummer’s Perspective, a set of Remo heads, Zildjian sticks, practice pad and a twelve month Access All Areas pass to Drum Channel. There is also a runner up prize of a selection of five Drum Channel DVD’s. All drummers can enter by uploading a video of themselves playing a cover of one of AAF’s original songs.

The closing date for the competition is June 30, 2011, and all entries will be judged by a panel of professional musicians. To Find out more and enter please go to http://www.drumchannel.com/categories/Drum_Channels_Alien_Ant_Farm_Contest

Guitar Tone: Good Distortion -vs- Bad Distortion

We know that the speakers are responsible for providing more of our tone than we initially thought, and that volume and wattage are not the same. We can begin our discussion on what to listen for in a speaker, what do we need to get out of it, and finally what is good distortion, and bad distortion.

Let’s start out with the understanding that a good guitar tone is subjective and what I might consider the Holy Grail tone might not do it for another player, but understand that all tones good and bad have a purpose and a place and you should know how to achieve the tone you’re looking for.

To do this you need to be realistic about your needs and your function. Ask yourself these questions:

1. How loud do I need to be before the speaker starts to breaking up?
2. What kind of low end response do I need to achieve?
3. How smooth do I need the speaker to be?

This is a very important thing to know about your gear, because this could help you determine if your speakers are efficient enough for your needs or are your speakers to efficient and you have to turn up to loud to get the tone you want.

Keep in mind that all amplifiers and speakers distort, but knowing when that happens is the trick to getting your tone.

Example:

Let’s say you have a 20 watt tube amplifier that breaks-up to fast, and you wished it could stay cleaner at a higher volume, is that the amps fault? Do you need more wattage?

No. It’s the speaker. Before you run out and spend more money than you have too, try changing the speaker first.

But which one is the right choice? What specs should you be looking for?

Tip #1

Power rating does not always determine the amount of break-up.  Break-up is mostly influenced by the cone. Break-up occurs quicker in a thinner, lighter-weight cone, but some speakers have a heavier cone which produces a slower break up.

What you need to compare is the sensitivity or SPL ratings. 

(SPL stands for Sound Pressure Level. It basically relates to how much acoustic energy is in the sound that you hear. SPL is measured in decibels or dB)

Guitar speakers typically achieve 98dB-103dB measured at 1 watt-1 meter. Potentially, 30 watts will achieve 117dB of output on a speaker that has a sensitivity of 98dB (3dB increase for every doubling of power) 

A higher power rating typically means a larger voice coil.  Speakers with a larger voice coil tend to provide a more pronounced low end with less top end extension. But there are other factors to consider.

Tip #2

Alnico –vs- Ceramic magnets, each of course have different magnetic properties and cost. 

Alnico is a composite of aluminum, nickel, and cobalt, and is more expensive.  Alnico is commonly thought to produce “The Vintage Tone”  and has a reputation for sounding compressed. 

Ceramic is cheaper and the most common used material.  If you are comparing speakers that have the same magnetic flux, but generated from different magnet compositions. You probably won't notice a difference in tonality. 

Neodymium seems to be the wave of the future, especially with the reduced weight and overall costs declining.  Neo produces the most magnetic flux per ounce, making it ideal for use in multiple speaker cabinets to maintain performance while reducing handling and overall weight.  The Future is here… Bigger magnets lend more efficiency, which translates to more output at a given power.

One other thing to consider when picking out a speaker is the dust cap. What does it do?

Tip#3

The differences in size, shape, weight and the material of the dust cap significantly affect the top end.  A small, conical cap can give you a little more sizzle on the top end, but a felt material produces a smoother top end. 

This information alone can help define your search and keep you from buying multiple speakers till you find the right one. If your desire is to clean up and/or smooth out the tone of your combo amp, a higher wattage speaker may be exactly what you need.  

That’s it for now but stay tuned because next time we will cover the other end of the spectrum and discuss adding distortion, and low end to a high gain amplifier. Is your speaker producing what the amp can produce?

Cheers,

Tony J. Pasko