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| | Speaker Tips & Tricks
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- Put a piece of gaffers tape on the cabinet grill cloth directly above the center of the speaker cone. This will diffuse the highs, and as Gerald Weber puts it, "reduces the ice-pick to the brain" syndrome. SRV was known for using this trick.
- When purchasing new speakers, I've always kept the packaging in case I decide to sell the speaker on eBay. Speakers are tough to audition, since they have to be installed first of all, and second it takes time for that new speaker to break into how it will actually sound. Quality used speakers tend to hold their value fairly well on eBay, they hold their value even more if you have the original packaging. This allows you to try that speaker for a month or two, and get almost all your money back if you decide that the speaker isn't for you.
- When shopping for speakers pay close attention to the dB sensitivity, it's the most useful number for determining how loud a speaker can be. A 3dB difference between two speakers is the same as doubling the wattage of your amp. For example, a 100dB speaker through a 50W amp will be about the same volume as a 97dB speaker through a 100W amp.
- Save yourself some time and headache and upgrade to metal handels and jack ferrules on your player Marshall or Marshall-style cab. It's just a matter of time before the plastic replacements fall apart like the originals. Unless it's a vintage cab that has collectible value, you'll appreciate the upgrade.
- As a rule of thumb, the louder you play the faster a new speaker will break in. Next time the band tells you to turn down, just tell them you're breaking in some new speakers.
- Using solderless terminals makes testing much easier. It allows you to test out different speakers and speaker combinations, as well as wiring styles. When I've found the sound I like, I snip off the terminals and solder the speaker wire correctly.
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