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Topic: A darker tone with less high end vibe |
Len Amaral
From:
Rehoboth,MA 02769
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Posted 30 May 2022 3:56 pm |
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Firstly, don't flame me for this question regarding a nontraditional steel tone. I like the Emmons and steel guitar tones we all know and love. However, I favor a darker vibe with less high end. Not dark/boomy but more subtle with less treble and midrange. Also, seems like many steelers are using 12 inch speakers but I find the U-12 is more expressive with a 15 inch speaker. I recently came across an EV 15L from the 90's and removed the JBL K-130 in my stereo steel cab. The JBL is a nice speaker but accented the highs and the EV tamed it down and has a different timber.
Just posing this question and interested other opinions.
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I survived the sixties! |
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b0b
From:
Cloverdale, CA, USA
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Posted 30 May 2022 5:35 pm
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The JBL K-130 has a scooped midrange that appeals to a lot of steel players. I'm not one of them. I used an EVM 12L with a Mesa/Boogie tube amp for many years and was very happy with it. I could scoop out the midrange with the amp to the degree that I liked, and get a fuller sound on the overdrive channel when needed.
Lately I've added a Strymon Iridium as the last thing in the signal chain, just before a Milkman Half-and-Half with a Telonics 15" Eminence speaker. The amp is set up fairly bright and scooped a bit to get that classic steel sound. I set the Iridium "FAVorite" to a clean Fender amp sound with two 12s for swing, and then turn off the "FAV" button and dial in a Plexi overdrive sound for rock. This makes 3 very distinct sounds:
Iridium OFF for the natural steel amp tone.
Iridium ON for overdriven rock tone.
Iridium ON with FAV ON for clean, full-bodied tube tone.
This would probably be hard to do with a JBL K-130 in the amp. The mids are scooped on the amp, but not nearly as much as a K-130 does. I can easily counter-balance that with the Iridium midrange knob on the rock and jazz tones.
Bottom line: the JBL K-130 is great for "that sound", but it's a one trick pony. Other speakers are more versatile.
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Dave Mudgett
From:
Central Pennsylvania and Gallatin, Tennessee
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Posted 30 May 2022 5:46 pm
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EVM-12L/15L are great full-range speakers. I've used them off and on. Of course, it matters that the cabinet is matched to the speaker. One of my bass players was using a Thiele cabinet with a 12L and blew it. First time I ever saw someone blow one of them. He plays very hard.
I also like the Lawrence 910/912 series of pickups. I find them warm-sounding, but still with a nice upper-midrange bump that helps them cut through. And of course, humbucking.
But of course - everything in the signal chain matters. One pickup might sound great in one signal chain + amp, mediocre in another, and vice-versa for a different combination. I also find the Sarno Freeloader, set appropriately, can be useful to tame a strident treble-end sound without taking away all the sparkle. |
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b0b
From:
Cloverdale, CA, USA
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Posted 31 May 2022 6:59 am
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| Dave Mudgett wrote: |
| EVM-12L/15L are great full-range speakers. I've used them off and on. Of course, it matters that the cabinet is matched to the speaker. One of my bass players was using a Thiele cabinet with a 12L and blew it. First time I ever saw someone blow one of them. He plays very hard. |
For one season, I used my EVM-12L in a closed cabinet for bass. Not a good idea. It now breaks up at high volumes. It never did before.  Lesson learned. The speaker had served me well on stage for nearly 30 years. Now it's delegated to retirement in the rehearsal room, open-backed once more.
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-𝕓𝕆𝕓- (admin) - Robert P. Lee - Recordings - Breathe - D6th - Video |
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Len Amaral
From:
Rehoboth,MA 02769
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Posted 31 May 2022 4:52 pm
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b0b, I agree the JBL K-130 is a one trick pony. The EV 15L is better suited and maybe even a Black Widow 1501. I have a Peavey NeoMag but having a difficult time locating a replacement basket. I also have an Eminence NeoMag speaker in my Steel King I may try in the stereo steel cab. Been chasing tone for decades and too old to stop now 
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I survived the sixties! |
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Donny Hinson
From:
Glen Burnie, Md. U.S.A.
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Posted 31 May 2022 5:58 pm
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The EVM12L or 15L has a lighter (ribbed) cone. The EVM15B is their best bass speaker as far as power handling, but either should be in a properly designed (sealed and ported) cabinet for the best sound and power handling. I have two EVM15B's in a cabinet that is almost 8 cu./ft., built to Altec-Lansing specs. And that was the smallest cabinet they recommended.  |
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George Redmon
From:
Muskegon & Detroit Michigan.
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Posted 1 Jun 2022 9:27 am
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| Quote: |
| The amp is set up fairly bright and scooped a bit to get that classic steel sound. I set the Iridium "FAVorite" to a clean Fender amp sound with two 12s for swing, and then turn off the "FAV" button and dial in a Plexi overdrive sound for rock. This makes 3 very distinct sounds: |
B0b I wish I were closer to you, i'd love to hear your setup. Describes my setup some what. I use a bit of compression as well. |
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Lee Baucum
From:
McAllen, Texas (Extreme South) The Final Frontier
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Posted 1 Jun 2022 1:09 pm Re: A darker tone with less high end vibe
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| Len Amaral wrote: |
| However, I favor a darker vibe with less high end. |
Perhaps a Sarno FreeLoader?
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Lee, from South Texas - Down On The Rio Grande
There are only two options as I see it.
Either I'm right, or there is a sinister conspiracy to conceal the fact that I'm right.
Williams Keyless S-10, BMI S-10, Evans FET-500LV, Fender Steel King, 2 Roland Cube 80XL's,
Sarno FreeLoader, Goodrich Passive Volume Pedals, Vintage ACE Pack-A-Seat |
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Len Amaral
From:
Rehoboth,MA 02769
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Posted 1 Jun 2022 3:17 pm
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I was listening to Curly Chalker on his renditions of Gordon Lightfoot songs
"Nashville Sundown" His tone is not biting but very smooth. I know, tone is in the hands but the vibe Curly gets on this album is inspiring.
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I survived the sixties! |
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Len Amaral
From:
Rehoboth,MA 02769
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Posted 1 Jun 2022 3:23 pm
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| Donny Hinson wrote: |
| The EVM12L or 15L has a lighter (ribbed) cone. The EVM15B is their best bass speaker as far as power handling, but either should be in a properly designed (sealed and ported) cabinet for the best sound and power handling. I have two EVM15B's in a cabinet that is almost 8 cu./ft., built to Altec-Lansing specs. And that was the smallest cabinet they recommended. |
Thanks Donny for replying. I know cabinet design is important but at my age, the size of the closed back Stereo Steel cab is portable even with a heavy speaker like the EV 15L. What a massive magnet on that speaker.
I want to thank Jerry Overstreet for contacting me and offering a Peavey 1501 basket for my Peavey Neo Magnet. I have 4 Stereo Steel cabs so it will be an interesting shootout with the EV 15L, Eminence Neo Mag, Peavey 1501 Neo Mag and the JBL K-130.
Let the tone party begin 
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I survived the sixties! |
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