Class 5 speaker swap - Greenback 10"?

[DODmad27]

I'm thinking about swapping out the stock speaker and wanted to get people's opinion and thoughts of what they may have tried. I modded my amp too according to Lyle Caldwell's suggestions.

I'm thinking the 10" greenback but am a little concerned it may be too dark. Any suggestions? I'm only interested in 10" ones.

Thanks :chug

[JCM900MkIII]

If you can get one, try a G10L35 (loaded cabinet).

[ClassicRock88]

Check out AmpRiser's videos on YouTube. He put a Greenback 10 in his Class 5. I did ask about this on the Class 5 page on Facebook. I was told that you lose a lot of volume from the different speaker and there is a bit of modification that needs to be done because the Greenback is physically deeper than the G10F15. People say that the stock speaker is greenback modeled (I don't agree with this - I think it is Alnico Blue modeled) and that it is a good match for that little amp (I do agree with this, just take time to break it in and tweak the EQ).

[DODmad27]

JCM900 Thanks for the suggestion, I'll look for a used single one on ebay. I'm not going to get a cab because I already have a nice 4x12 cab with celections G12L 75 watts I think.

Guitar Rock, thanks I did see his video, didn't really help me much in deciding but it did sound good. As long as the Ohm rating is the same and the power rating isn't more then 25 watts I can't see it lowering the amp. Clearance shouldn't be an issue because I can mod it, that's good pointing it out.

I like the stock speaker but I just looking for that last thing to put it over the edge. My speaker isn't yet fully broken in either.

[ClassicRock88]

DODmad, the issue isn't the speaker's resistance or its power handling, but rather its sensitivity. The sensitivity is the volume producing potential of the speaker and is usually quoted as decibel level one foot away from the speaker at one watt of power. For instance, a G12M Greenback has a sensitivity rating of 98 db. A Vintage 30 has a rating of 100 db. So when the speaker is getting one watt of power, the SPL one foot away from the Greenback is 98 db versus 100 for the Vintage 30. That is a pretty big difference. The G10F15 is supposed to have a high sensitivity rating similar to that of a Vintage 30 or an Alnico Blue, but I have had trouble finding exact numbers for it. Because the Greenback has a lower sensitivity (or efficiency) there will be a perceived drop in volume with the Greenback versus the stock speaker.

I say this because I thought of doing the exact same swap but was talked out of it by many people who told me that the stock speaker is really well matched for that amp in its semi open back cabinet. I have heard that the closed back is a different story, but if you have the combo almost everybody I have talked to says leave the stocker in it.

[DODmad27]

ClassicRock, thanks for the detailed explanation. I wasn't looking at the whole picture and didn't consider that. Seems like you talked me into leaving the stock speaker in there too.

[FullMetalHippie]

Hey DOD, from what I've heard on YT the stock speaker is probably the best 10" for the combo. (I have the C5 head). And since you have that already, I'd also consider getting a 2x12 or 4x12 (or iso cab with a 12" speaker) for additional tone options.

*btw, Once you can make a fair comparison, I'd like to hear how you feel about your Class 5 compared to your Blackstar HT-5. The Blackstars had all the features so I tried to like the tone (the HT-1 and HT-5), but they sounded homogenous and thin, and lacked character.

[alltrax]

Hey DOD, from what I've heard on YT the stock speaker is probably the best 10" for the combo.

I totally second that, the G10F15 nails it

[DODmad27]

FullMetalHippie, I'll do an a-b comparison and get back to you. My HT5 is the head version while my class 5 is a combo so for comparison sake I'll run them through the same cab loaded with celestions. My HT5 is mainly my practice amp and I can get good tones with it but it may true comparing it to the class 5. I'll let you know. As of right now the HT5 is stock but I plan on eventually modded it and I've already modded my class 5.

[FullMetalHippie]

I look forward to it

[DirtySteve]

I tried a 10" Scumback SA10M75 (GB clone) and a WGS Veteran 20 and I ended up with the stock speaker back in it. It sounds so good once it settles in.

[DODmad27]

DirtySteve, that's awesome to hear, I'll keep the stock speaker. I believe it's starting to break in too. Already sounds good cranked although I don't think it's fully broken in yet. Thanks for chiming in guys!

[FuzzMonkey]

[youtube][/youtube]

A little late, but I found this today.

[DODmad27]

Metal Hippie:

"*btw, Once you can make a fair comparison, I'd like to hear how you feel about your Class 5 compared to your Blackstar HT-5. The Blackstars had all the features so I tried to like the tone (the HT-1 and HT-5), but they sounded homogenous and thin, and lacked character."


I'd have to agree about your assessment. The HT5 is cool and has off the features but doesn't beat the vintage tone (both clean and dirty) of the class 5. Not to say the HT5 doesn't sound good but not as sweet. The HT5 has more gain which is good if you play heavier stuff too. As a beat to hell practice amp I'd get the HT5 but for recording I'd get the Class 5. The added features of the HT5 make it a winner (2 channels, FX loop, 8 and 16 ohm taps).

The C5 is more vintagey whereas the HT5 is more modern. I ran both amps through the same 4x12 lanely cab with celestions. Both amps are modded by me though. I replaced the chips in the HT5 and modded the C5 according to Lylie schematic and changed the tubes to a V1 Mullard 12AX7, V2 JJ 12AU7, and TAD el84

[FullMetalHippie]

Thanks for reporting back with your results DOD