Hi,
I have a '94 PR266 Fender Twin-Amp. It has P.N 026488 Special Design 12” 8 ohm
speakers (Eminence OEM). I bought the amp on a whim primarily because I got good price on it but I haven't used it much. I find it sounds decent at lower volumes but when I turn it up it becomes harsh, ice picky and directional. I was thinking it could possibly make a good clean pedal platform with the right set of speakers. I don't need bone crushing volume but think 100 watts is a good thing from a head room perspective.
I was wondering what speakers you would recommend as possible replacements?
I was also wondering about different magnet materials and what makes sense for this type of amp; alnico, neo, or ceramic. Or anything else I might consider.
I appreciate your help,
Thank you
Do a SEARCH on this site (upper left box) for LOTS of info on Fender Twins!!
Short story: go with a pair of ET65s ... FOR SURE :-)
Hello ashtelecaster,
I can understand asking for the twin. If I am right you are talking about the quite versatile The Twin Model, which was also known as Evil Twin and is more or less what is called a Red Knob Twin, even if it doesn´t have red knobs by itselves?!
These sound a bit different to what is the common idea of a Blackface or Silverface Twin. These sound quite bright and brilliant, but maybe a bit less organic, some call it sterile. I have one myself and really really like this amp. I tried to sell it... but my bonding was stronger and I could not part. If you know how, these can deliver really wonderful cleans, especially with singlecoils.
The originla speakers are on the bright side and tend to sound harsh when driven. Although they are not as bad as some call them, they are also efficient beyond any sense! I tried a cab with a G12C/G10C mix, which worked fine at gigvolumes. BUT I think the G12C being much too bright for this already bright amp. I also tried a G12C/ET65 mix, which doesn´t do the job. The upper range of the G12C seems to dominate because of the frequency response.
Vaughn is right with his pair of ET65s, I think. This just sounds plain perfect. You could also take in consideration a pair of G12C/S with the smooth cone. They might deliver a more woody tone, which could be a good match for that more "cold" sounding amp, BUT it might also cost some of the dynamic response, which is great on this amp, combined with brighter speakers. Another thing that might sound perfect is a pair of G10C, but you would need a 10" converter! But it will give fat and warm american sounding, sparkling cleans. Maybe a combination of G10C with the ET65 could be right on spot. I like them playing together very much.
As well the G12A could be a good choice. But in my experience the G12...s don´t work right in 2x12 sets. At least I didn´t like mixing up G12Cs as a pair or with any of my other twelves. A bit more with my G10C. But to me they worked best in 112 cabs.
So I´d get two ET65 or pair an ET65 with a G10C and use a 12to10" converter.
Hope this helps.
Yep ... your spot-on mate!
I was just swapping speakers on my Red Knob, because I wanted my ET65 back for my other cab... I tried to use my pair of Jensen CH10/50 in it with an converter. But I realized that I would not get two converters into that smallish cab. So I tried out the G12C together with one of the tens.
I have to say that I could get some really convinving tones out of it - not only cleans, but really nice breakup tones. The beautiful G12C overpowers the poor Jensen in everyway (95.8db) and behaves more like I am used to hear the G12C in a 112 cab. The Jensen always sounded dull to me and seemed to be very much about midrange. It seems to fit quite a bit to the G12C. The Jensen MOD is not such a great speaker to start with, but fills out just a little bit in the midrange, where I always had the impression lacking something in the lower mids.
I can still get bright and snappy tones - and for one speaker being overpowered it doesn´t feel like fighting one against the other. Not bad. (the ET65/G10C would still rock some more, I think)
Hi guys, I know this thread is 2 years old but just wanted to comment... I put an ET65 and a G10C in to my Red Knob Twin a year ago and have been very happy with it.. I went to play a song with heavy reverb and noticed the tank was developing feedback above 6. ( I usually go no higher than 4). Cut a long story short, the magnet of the G10C sits just lower than a 12 would causing the tank to feedback. Unfortunately I am limited by the castor posts as to where I can secure it down on the amp floor further away form the speaker magnet.. My questions are is there something I can cover the tank at that end with to reduce the pull, and secondly have you any further recommendations for this amp with 2 12's in it based on your experience with it ? I am thinking of running it with 2 ET65's but would be open to mixing an ET65 with another WGS 12 if I knew it would be a good match. I'm not really looking to keep a pure "Fender sound" just looking for emphasis in the lower mids which this amp lacks.