Maybe I'm an idiot, but I'd like your help!

[bodia]

So, I've got an HX/DA 30 watt combo, and I think I'd like to swap out the Vintage 30 with something else. I don't know why. That's why I'm an idiot! It just sounds kind of piercing to me lately. I am by no means falling out of love with the amp, I just think I'd like something a little different. Maybe just to shake things up, if nothing else. As for the amp, it's got a full set of NOS Mullards in it, and I am happy with them. I don't have the room to go with a 2x12, or any other type of cabinet. Ideally, I wish it was a head, but it's not. I'm not trying to make it sound like anything it's not. That means classic rock and blues tones are what's going through it. And, it's not in an environment where I can REALLY crank it. I do have a Rivera Rockcrusher that I could use with it though.

What say ye o wise bunch of sages, what speaker would you put in it, and why?

Muchas gracias in advance for your time, and input!

 

[andy474x]

I'm a sucker for a Greenback type with the M-type amps. Timeless tone of rock and roll!

An Emi wizard could be cool too, less mid spike and a little more bottom, though probably looser.

 

[CatStrangler]

Mine came stock with G12H30s and I am very happy with my HXDA 30 2X12 and feel the speakers are breaking in well and it sounds better all the time.

edit: mine is not in an environment where I can crank it either. If I keep the combo away from the wall the bass doesn't travel through the building as much.

 

[AP515]

Here's once out of left field, but worth consideration. I love the Eminence Texas Heat.

 

[László]

I'd try a 2x12 with a set of Scumback's M series speakers that do a late 60's Marshall thing, and keep the stock speaker in the combo cab, to get both the swirl of a multi-speaker cab, and the different tone, but still having the option of immediately returning to the familiar stock tone when desired, or a combination thing.

On the other hand, for something really different I'd give a Celestion Cream 90 Alnico a try. But for the reasons set forth above, I'd do a separate cab to be able to blend, substitute, etc.

 

[Deleted member 5962]

Scumback M!

Less expensive choices... 1) Emi Private Jack (I have two and really like them, A/B'd them extensively with multiple amps with an MIE Celestion Greenback and eventually sold the Greenback). 2) Warehouse ET65- Haven't tried it, but great rep and not expensive.

 

[Jazzedout]

Before doing any swaps, I would give the speaker the playtime to break in and soften a bit.
That said, I love my Greenbacks....

 

[sergiodeblanc]

Keep it.

 

[CatStrangler]

My only concern with the Greenbacks are the wattage ratings for this amp, usually these speakers are 20-25W, no?

 

[veinbuster]

I have no suggestions, but try something else. You can always put the Vintage back in.

 

[Danerada]

WGS speakers are great. I am also a fan of the Cream 90...

Or keep the speaker and play more and play loud and break it in.

 

[László]

My only concern with the Greenbacks are the wattage ratings for this amp, usually these speakers are 20-25W, no?

You'd need at least two, yes.

My HXDA 30 also sounds a lot better to my ears running the 2x12 V-30 cab I now have than the 1x12 with the same speaker, and before I had the 1x12, sounded great with a 2x12 Mesa Recto cab with V-30s.

It was a bit congested sounding with the 1x12. So that may be playing a role.

While I liked it with the DG30 ported cab, it began to feel not quite "HXDA-like" with that combination. I think it simply likes a closed back 2x12 or 4x12 and that's its best match.

 

[Dusty Chalk]

I don't know nuthin' about speakers, but if you go to this page, select 12" and "moderate" or "subdued" high-end response, you get a whole lotta lovely choices, and that's just Eminence. The EPS-12C and maverick both are recommended for 1x12, so maybe start with those.

 

[squirrel211]

I'll echo the sentiments for Scumbacks. I have an "M" type amp, 32 watts, and initially I was like you; feeling the harsh top end.

The original speaker was an Emi Private Jack. After testing a few speakers back-to-back, the Scumback M75-LD was far and away the winner. I am ridiculously happy with the amp now!

 

[pac90]

Well speakers are about the price of a pedal, and just need a screwdriver to change out, and can be flipped, so I am going to 'enable'......... get a Celestion Gold, which I have never heard but think? its a higher wattage blue, which I do have, but the blue is rated at 15watts but good for 20ish. Check out thatpedalshow youtube channel, they have a hamsted and a lazy j running through a blue, to hear tones, clean n dirty

McCartney's guitarist has a G12H30 and a blue together I read somewhere

 

[László]

McCartney's guitarist has a G12H30 and a blue together I read somewhere

He probably knows a little sumpin' 'bout playin'...maybe...

 

[bodia]

Thanks to all who chimed in. Much appreciated. While, ideally, I would like to do a 2x12, I just don't have the room for it. I barely squeeze the amp in where it's at. So, with that in mind, and all of the shout outs with respect to Scumbacks I decided to go that route. I reached out to them with all of my playing tendencies (guitars, amp, pedals, style, etc) to see what they would recommend. Here's what I got back from Jim:

Jim,
Normally I'd recommend an M75-PVC with this amp, but you need a little more
grunt in the low mids and lows with an open back combo. The J75 65w is what
I'd recommend for this rig. It will have the bigger/tighter low end due to
the 5 oz heavier magnet than the M75, and it has most of the M75 mids, too.
It also doesn't have the piercing upper mids of the V30, so you'll get nicer
mids and less V30 spike.
Hope that helps!
Jim

Just placed an order for J75 65w (broken in). Thanks again for the advice! You guys rock!

 

[squirrel211]

Nice Bodia! Mine is a 1x12 open back combo, and by itself, it could use a little more low end.

I love it so much, I almost bought a 2x12 closed back cab to put a couple other Scumbacks in it, maybe mix an H & M?

 

[bodia]

Nice Bodia! Mine is a 1x12 open back combo, and by itself, it could use a little more low end.

I love it so much, I almost bought a 2x12 closed back cab to put a couple other Scumbacks in it, maybe mix an H & M?

Nice! I say go for it!

 

[László]

Cool beans!