Replacement Speaker Rec. For Henriksen Jazz Amp?

**StevieB** · 09-13-2012, 08:41 PM

I've had a Henricksen Jazz Amp 10 Convertible for a few years. Recently I've seen some discussion on this forum about swapping out the speaker in a Jazz Amp, but I haven't seen a recommendation for a specific speaker replacement.

I believe the speaker in my amp is an Eminence 10. So my question is what is a good replacement speaker for the 'warmest, roundest tone' from my Jazz Amp.

I should add that I play just for fun, mostly at home. Primarily I play chord melody arrangements 'fingerstyle - flesh & acrylics' on an Eastman archtop or jam along with backing tracks playing an ES-175 with a pick.

Thanks in advance for your input.

**jorgemg1984** · 09-13-2012, 10:19 PM

The perfect speaker is the EV - talk to Rivera, they had some 10s left. It will add a lot of weight to the amp but if it's for home use it's fine,

The Jensen Tornado is also fine. You can for the 16 ohms version which will reduce power to 100w, which is the speaker power rating. The tornado has much flatter mids and sweet highs than the beta but has a 130hz spike that makes the amp a little muddy; I use external eq to solve it.

This two experiences (EV and Tornado) are with 12s but I assume it translates to 10s.

**StevieB** · 09-13-2012, 10:28 PM

Originally Posted by jorgemg1984

The perfect speaker is the EV - talk to Rivera, they had some 10s left. It will add a lot of weight to the amp but if it's for home use .

I'm assuming you mean someone at Rivera Amps. I'm curious . . Why them? Are thy the best or only source?

And does the EV 10 you are referring to have a model number?

Thanks for the input.

**kris** · 09-14-2012, 12:56 AM

Do not change speaker...I think it work OK.is it Eminence 10 Beta in your amp?

**jorgemg1984** · 09-14-2012, 04:11 AM

Electro-Voice 10. They are no longer made, only the 12 version is. Rivera amps had a stock of them some time ago.

I noticed quite an improvement when I changed the speaker but as Kris says plenty of people are happy with the nasal bassy sound of the Betas.

**Jazz_175** · 09-14-2012, 08:53 AM

Originally Posted by StevieB

So my question is what is a good replacement speaker for the 'warmest, roundest tone' from my Jazz Amp.

Do you find the tone of your amp unsatisfactory as it is?

**StevieB** · 09-14-2012, 11:06 AM

Originally Posted by jorgemg1984

Electro-Voice 10. They are no longer made, only the 12 version is. Rivera amps had a stock of them some time ago.

I noticed quite an improvement when I changed the speaker but as Kris says plenty of people are happy with the nasal bassy sound of the Betas.

Thanks. I sent you a PM.

**StevieB** · 09-14-2012, 11:08 AM

Originally Posted by kris

Do not change speaker...I think it work OK.is it Eminence 10 Beta in your amp?

I believe it is. Thanks for your thoughs.

**StevieB** · 09-14-2012, 11:12 AM

Originally Posted by Jazz_175

Do you find the tone of your amp unsatisfactory as it is?

No, I like the tone as it is, although it is a 'one trick pony' mid-rangy amp. But I knew that when I got it.

I'm just always 'chasing tone', if you know what I mean.

**monkmiles** · 09-14-2012, 12:40 PM

The Henriksen Bluesamp is supposed to be the same amp as the Jazzamp except with an Eminence Ragin Cajun speaker: Henriksen Guitar Amplifier: compact, solid state, small, inexpensive, powerful guitar amplifier

What I'm not so sure on is the required speaker power handling. The Jazzamp puts out 120 watts at 8 ohms and 160 at 4 ohms. I would think that might limit your choices on 10" speakers that can handle that power. Though obviously the Ragun Cajun works with the Bluesamp and its specs say 75 watts (with 150 watts peak according to usspeaker.com). The Eminence Legend 1258 is used with the Bluesamp 12 and its specs also says 75 watts (don't now about peak). I like the Eminence Copperhead in my Fender amps and it has the same wattage ratings as the Ragin Cajun, so that ought to work too. Probably worth confirming with an email to Henriksen.

The Eminence Beta 10 (Speaker Detail | Eminence Speaker) that is in the Jazzamp can handle up to 250 watts RMS according to its specs (something like 500 watts peak). It's a high powered, somewhat flat sounding speaker. It's also used by Evans jazz amps. According to Henriksen, they say this about the Beta speaker (Untitled Document):

There are many theories about speaker enclosures and their respective influence on the sound delivered. We selected the Eminence Beta series speaker. Its own specifications call for optimum performance in a closed cabinet with only 0.33 Cu. Ft. of air space. Its response curve is relatively flat for the frequencies we care most about, and the Beta 10 weighs only 5 and half pounds. We can optimize the performance of this speaker in a cabinet which is 14 X 14 X 8.5

**StevieB** · 09-14-2012, 02:19 PM

Originally Posted by hallpass

The Henriksen Bluesamp is supposed to be the same amp as the Jazzamp except with an Eminence Ragin Cajun speaker: Henriksen Guitar Amplifier: compact, solid state, small, inexpensive, powerful guitar amplifier

What I'm not so sure on is the required speaker power handling. The Jazzamp puts out 120 watts at 8 ohms and 160 at 4 ohms. I would think that might limit your choices on 10" speakers that can handle that power. Though obviously the Ragun Cajun works with the Bluesamp and its specs say 75 watts (with 150 watts peak according to usspeaker.com). The Eminence Legend 1258 is used with the Bluesamp 12 and its specs also says 75 watts (don't now about peak). I like the Eminence Copperhead in my Fender amps and it has the same wattage ratings as the Ragin Cajun, so that ought to work too. Probably worth confirming with an email to Henriksen.

The Eminence Beta 10 (Speaker Detail | Eminence Speaker) that is in the Jazzamp can handle up to 250 watts RMS according to its specs (something like 500 watts peak). It's a high powered, somewhat flat sounding speaker. It's also used by Evans jazz amps. According to Henriksen, they say this about the Beta speaker (Untitled Document):

Thanks hallpass. I had never seen that specific document about Henricksen amps. A lot of the contents are on the website, but not all and it is interesting and helpful, as is the Eminence info.

**2bornot2bop** · 09-14-2012, 03:19 PM

Originally Posted by hallpass

The Henriksen Bluesamp is supposed to be the same amp as the Jazzamp except with an Eminence Ragin Cajun speaker: Henriksen Guitar Amplifier: compact, solid state, small, inexpensive, powerful guitar amplifier

What I'm not so sure on is the required speaker power handling. The Jazzamp puts out 120 watts at 8 ohms and 160 at 4 ohms. I would think that might limit your choices on 10" speakers that can handle that power. Though obviously the Ragun Cajun works with the Bluesamp and its specs say 75 watts (with 150 watts peak according to usspeaker.com). The Eminence Legend 1258 is used with the Bluesamp 12 and its specs also says 75 watts (don't now about peak). I like the Eminence Copperhead in my Fender amps and it has the same wattage ratings as the Ragin Cajun, so that ought to work too. Probably worth confirming with an email to Henriksen.

The Eminence Beta 10 (Speaker Detail | Eminence Speaker) that is in the Jazzamp can handle up to 250 watts RMS according to its specs (something like 500 watts peak). It's a high powered, somewhat flat sounding speaker. It's also used by Evans jazz amps. According to Henriksen, they say this about the Beta speaker (Untitled Document):

I'm more than happy to note that my Hendriksen Jazzamp 110 did in fact come with a Bluesamp speaker.

The original owner contacted Henriksen about doing a speaker swap, and the speaker used in the Bluesamp was the recommended change. I've never been happier than the day this Jazzamp 110 arrived with its Bluesamp speaker. I've not fiddled around to have a peak inside, for she suits my needs just as she is. I sold a tube Heritage Patriot with twin Celestion 12's for the Henriksen...never looked back.

**jorgemg1984** · 09-16-2012, 10:08 AM

Originally Posted by hallpass

The Henriksen Bluesamp is supposed to be the same amp as the Jazzamp except with an Eminence Ragin Cajun speaker: Henriksen Guitar Amplifier: compact, solid state, small, inexpensive, powerful guitar amplifier

What I'm not so sure on is the required speaker power handling. The Jazzamp puts out 120 watts at 8 ohms and 160 at 4 ohms. I would think that might limit your choices on 10" speakers that can handle that power. Though obviously the Ragun Cajun works with the Bluesamp and its specs say 75 watts (with 150 watts peak according to usspeaker.com). The Eminence Legend 1258 is used with the Bluesamp 12 and its specs also says 75 watts (don't now about peak). I like the Eminence Copperhead in my Fender amps and it has the same wattage ratings as the Ragin Cajun, so that ought to work too. Probably worth confirming with an email to Henriksen.

The Eminence Beta 10 (Speaker Detail | Eminence Speaker) that is in the Jazzamp can handle up to 250 watts RMS according to its specs (something like 500 watts peak). It's a high powered, somewhat flat sounding speaker. It's also used by Evans jazz amps. According to Henriksen, they say this about the Beta speaker (Untitled Document):

It's not easy to find high powered, relatively cheap and relatively light speakers. It also allows the amp to be used with guitar and bass. It should also be close to the Polytone speakers, which was they were after in the beggining. I've been much more happier with my speakers - but the Tornados demand a 2x12 and the EV is heavy as hell (and they are expensive).

If Jensen would be able to release a Jensen Tornado with 200w and without the 150hz spike they would have the perfect jazz speaker (2 kgs, 150€).

**stevus** · 10-02-2012, 10:59 AM

I expect the jazzamp will be better, but is the Henriksen Bluesamp 10 also suitable for playing jazz? I own an Eastman archtop AR 810. any experiences?

**2bornot2bop** · 10-02-2012, 11:12 AM

Originally Posted by stevus

I expect the jazzamp will be better, but is the Henriksen Bluesamp 10 also suitable for playing jazz? I own an Eastman archtop AR 810. any experiences?

Absolutely!

You want to hear something really freaky!?

I'm in my email box replying to a guy in Malaysia who bought my NYL2 a month ago. He's inquiring what amp I recommend for the guitar. I'm of course recommending my Jazzamp 110 to him, and less than a minute after I've replied to him does this thread pop up in my email box. Now that is freaky!!! What are the odds of that occurring?

**jorgemg1984** · 10-02-2012, 06:18 PM

If I had the 10 I would be all over a Jensen Blackbird Alnico 100w 16 ohm... expensive but I bet it's worth it!

**2bornot2bop** · 10-04-2012, 02:56 PM

Originally Posted by ingeneri

Was that Wan Gigi? Tell him he has to come to my next gig!

No his name is James Chua. He's in Ampang. How far is that from you?

Getting a buyer from Malaysia was also a coincidence especially after viewing your concert poster I knew you too were there. James is ecstatic over that guitar, as he should be...me, I'm ecstatic it made the trip without any issues...triple boxing probably made a difference!

**2bornot2bop** · 10-05-2012, 12:03 PM

Originally Posted by ingeneri

Ha, I live in Ampang too. You should tell him to catch the next show, I may even use my NYL2 instead of the Heritages in his honor

If he's looking for an amp I can give him a deal on my old Jazzkat Twinkat now that I bought the ultralight.

That's kewl. Actually, I should tell him to bring his NYL2 and have you play it. It has a after market Tom Short Steve Bistrow floater on it. That floater blows the stock factory NYL2 away. You'd be impressed. I'd not have sold that NYL2 had I not acquired the SKB. I'll forward James email address to you in a PM. It will be great if you two can connect for he needs an amp.