speaker to go with an astroverb head

[markD]

hi. i was recently given a soldano astroverb head. it's okay, nothing spectacular but not crappy enough to dump...anyway, i use it with an open back 1x12 cabinet. currently the cab has an EVM12L speaker. i don't think it is the best choice for this amp. normally i love the EVM, but it makes the soldano sound "dead".

i like a darker sound, and obviously the soldano is on the bright side (to me anyway). i'm thinking about swapping out the EVM for something else i have lying around. i can and probably will waste a day just swapping speakers, but any opininons anyone can give would be greatly appreciated. here's what i have to choose from:

JBL D120
JBL G12S
Mesa "vintage" black shadow
weber 12A150-T
eminence legend

these are the speakers i have lying around the house. like i said i like a darker tone, but i want the amp to be alive as well. any other suggestions would be appreciated too.

thanks. [img]/images/graemlins/toast.gif[/img]

[jgcable]

Re: speaker to go with an astroverb head

Its going to be VERY hard to make an Astroverb sound dark. I had one. I have 1 x 12's, 2 x 12's, and 4 x 12's some open back some closed with a mix of celestions, eminence, Peavey, Black Shadows and Altec Lansings and I couldn't get my Astroverb to darken up at all. It was as shrill as all hell. Good thing for me.. I like shrill.
Out of your choices, the Mesa Black Shadow is probably the best choice in a closed back 1 x 12 cabinet. Its still gonna be shrill though.

[markD]

Re: speaker to go with an astroverb head

great!!!! not really...thanks though. i guess i'll get that loop installed and run an extra EQ. i'll try the mesa first. thanks.

any other suggestions?

[jgcable]

Re: speaker to go with an astroverb head

[ QUOTE ]
great!!!! not really...thanks though. i guess i'll get that loop installed and run an extra EQ. i'll try the mesa first. thanks.

any other suggestions?

[/ QUOTE ]

I was going to get a loop installed in mine but I was advised against it. It was pretty expensive if I recall and they couldn't even install the "good" loop. Soldano advised against it. I don't think Mike is a fan of effects loops!
Try the Mesa speaker. All of my Black Shadow equipt cabinets tend to be pretty dark.

[jgcable]

Re: speaker to go with an astroverb head

Also, a safe impedance mismatch might darken it up a bit too. If I recall, the Astroverb has a 16 ohm speaker out. Try throwing an 8 ohm speaker in the 16 ohm jack. You will have to turn her up louder but it should warm things up a bit.

[markD]

Re: speaker to go with an astroverb head

yeah i'm using 8ohm speakers now. bill sundt at soldano told me 150-200 for the loop, but didn't advise against it....hmmm....

[Shawn]

Re: speaker to go with an astroverb head

Mark, I really like mine, wasnt it here last time you were here? Actually, I guess I should check my closet before I ask where you got yours.... [img]/images/graemlins/tongue.gif[/img] I play mine through a 4x12 with greenbacks and really like it. The tubes are all Mesa, dont know if that makes a difference or not. It takes pedals like a mother too. I REALLY like mine. (did I mention that?)

Shawn

[jgcable]

Re: speaker to go with an astroverb head

The Astroverb is a nice amp. I miss mine.

[thetroy]

Re: speaker to go with an astroverb head

I have the 1x12 combo with stock speaker which I *think* is the Eminence and it's definitely NOT dark, I personally like it though.

[Firebird V]

Re: speaker to go with an astroverb head

I ran mine (This was JG Cables head at one point (And I miss it too but I had the SLO at the same time and the SLO covered all of the territory so it stayed) with Reverend all tone 1250 speakers in an old Crate Cab 4 x 12 (closed back) (Sounded very full and open with good harmonics), Eminence speakers (2 Carvin 2 x 12 closed back cabs) and with 2 1 by 10 cabs loaded with eminence speakers (Craptacular). THe Astroverb head sounded best with the Carvin cabs. They were the older 150 watt a side carpet covered cabs. It had a Full tight bottom with this setup.Fat with lots of crunch. Not what you are looking for though. With the presence and treble up quite a bit and the mids sunk it got a really nice sizzly crunch. Kind of on the Darker side if I set it up like this but not Rectifier dark by any means. Tight distortion though you will be diming it.

[bluebullet]

Re: speaker to go with an astroverb head

jj tubes might darken it up and those gt mullard reissues are dark sounding those might help.

[markD]

Re: hot mod in an astroverb

well i found a good EQ setting that darkens it up with the EVM speaker. it just need a little more volume. took it to a jam tonight and cranked it and i was in HEAVEN. still like my rivera's better, but for a tiny little amp in a lower enviroment the astroverb is great.

now i have another question....would a soldano hot mod kick this little boy into total meltdown? or would it just be overkill? i'd like to have a little more gain on tap for smoother sustain. would the hot mod do it?