How many here use a JBL speaker?

[Larry Behm]

I now have 2, each in their own Quilter TT 15 cabinet. I run them with a ToneBlock 202. Like many players I also have effect units. All of that being said I am really digging the JBL’s.

[Lee Rider]

I use a JBL D-130F with the Stereo Steel amp I bought from you recently. I like it only slightly less than my Altec 418B

[David Higginbotham]

I use them exclusively! Several K-130's mostly but also D-130F & E-130 original cones. A couple D-130F's older recones from a Stereo Steel setup but can't beat the JBL tone. Altec 418 does come really close, though! I just didn't like that it can't be front loaded.

[Raybob Bowman]

Been using a D140F since I got it few years ago. Past year, I'm the only one to hear it because my gig at Bucket of Blood in Virginia City NV, most hear me through the Lo-Z out of my Tone Block 202 to the house system but sounds great to me.

[Tim Whitlock]

I had a JBL D130F in my Twin Reverb for a few years and it was wonderful. I replaced it with an Altec 418B which was even a bit better. I just ordered an original D130 (no "F") for my '61 brown panel Pro and am waiting for USPS to deliver it. I think they must be using Model Ts because it is taking forever. One of the best sounds I've ever heard was a Twin reverb loaded with the orange D130Fs that was loaned to me while my Twin was in for repairs. I'm a huge fan of alnico JBLs for steel guitar. I don't care much for the extremely heavy ceramic E series.

[Dave Hopping]

At home I've been using a 2014 Twin Reverb Custom 15 chassis in a head cab through a ' 64 Bassman cab with 2 D-120F's. I'm happy enough with it I'm thinking about taking it out to a live situation!

[Pete McAvity]

Oh yes. I have two K130s w/ original cones & recently obtained two Altec 418s w/ original cones. A spare K130, 418B & a D130 in need of a recone laying around as backups too. I've been running two K130s for a coupla years, but now like running one K130 & one 418. After a bit of research I found somewhere (not sure where) that the only difference between the 418 & 418B was their intended enclosure- otherwise same driver? I also have a couple of old monitor wedges w/ E120s- haven't gotten into trying those yet as I'm happy w/ 15s.

[Bobby Martin]

Best tone ever was my 135w JBL Twin Reverb bought new in '78, sold recently, too heavy! Still use a Re-issue '65 Deluxe Reverb w/JBL K-120, great amp. For current gigs we hot-rodded a '95 only Blonde Custom Vibrolux Reverb with Fromel mod kit and two perfect JBL D-110F's, tone monster with Show-Pro Lloyd Green and Strat/Tele. Bought a new Blonde Tone Master Deluxe Reverb, will try a JBL when out of warranty, super light weight and great sounding amp with factory speaker. Tempted to put a JBL in my Fender Custom Vibrasonic Steel amp but it's already 70lbs...my 74 year old back says Hell No!!

[Jerry Overstreet]

JBL 120, 130, particularly F series are highly regarded among players. Having said that, I once had a pair of 130s in cabs that sounded just fine. I also had a 'Bud amp with the D130F version and one with an M30 or 31. Also a K130 cab at one time.
They all sounded very good to me.

Different strokes though, I found, for my pedal steel guitar rigs that I prefer the Black Widows for the sound I like.
So I have an assortment of BW 12s and 15s that I use and/or rotate regularly. If I lost them all today, I could do just fine with the James B. Lansings though. Hard to argue with the masses.

[Dave Grafe]

Since 1975, yeah

[Brad Sarno]

Yeah. Depending on the rig, I use a JBL K110, JBL D130, D120F, D123.

JBL's are special. They are uniquely clear and sweet and UN-harsh in the upper mids which I think is their real secret weapon, so smooth thru the often harsh range.

Tom Brumley, John Hughey, and Lloyd Green, among many others, were devoted JBL users.


B

[KENNY KRUPNICK]

I have a Vibrosonic Reverb that I installed a JBL E-130 in. Sounds terrific!

[Tim Whitlock]

JBL's are special. They are uniquely clear and sweet and UN-harsh in the upper mids which I think is their real secret weapon, so smooth thru the often harsh range.

Nailed it Brad! To my ears, Altec/JBL frequency response curve is nicely smooth from the upper mids (around 1k hz) and up. It seems this is the range where other speakers can get spikey.

[Dave Grafe]

JBL's are special. They are uniquely clear and sweet and UN-harsh in the upper mids which I think is their real secret weapon, so smooth thru the often harsh range.

Nailed it Brad! To my ears, Altec/JBL frequency response curve is nicely smooth from the upper mids (around 1k hz) and up. It seems this is the range where other speakers can get spikey.

Altec and JBL musical instrument speakers have a full octave of high end response over ALL guitar speakers currently in production, rolling off well above 6kHz. The only other product that comes close is Peavey's BW series. One reason so many others get "spiky" in the upper mids is the desgners are trying to get all the high end they can with their small voice coils and modest magnets, skewing overall response to the high end in an attempt to make up the difference.

[David Wren]

Interesting comparison Dave. Today, about 15 years after I bought it used (then put away until today).... I tried out a probably early 80s Webb Extension cab (for steel).... I was surprised to find it had a JBL E-130, but 8 ohms (I thought I had read somewhere they were all 4 ohm)......

anyway, wow it sounds great with my 100 watt tube P2P "Bad Dawg" amp... BUT, also sounded just killer with my older Katana 100 SS head.

I may have to try this puppy out on stage soon
I'm a long time 1501 BW fan, but as Dave pointed out, I do hear the upper range better with this E-130.

[Tim Whitlock]

JBL's are special. They are uniquely clear and sweet and UN-harsh in the upper mids which I think is their real secret weapon, so smooth thru the often harsh range.

Nailed it Brad! To my ears, Altec/JBL frequency response curve is nicely smooth from the upper mids (around 1k hz) and up. It seems this is the range where other speakers can get spikey.

Altec and JBL musical instrument speakers have a full octave of high end response over ALL guitar speakers currently in production, rolling off well above 6kHz. The only other product that comes close is Peavey's BW series. One reason so many others get "spiky" in the upper mids is the desgners are trying to get all the high end they can with their small voice coils and modest magnets, skewing overall response to the high end in an attempt to make up the difference.

And the Eminence is mild compared to a lot of speakers, some of which approach 110 db in the 2k range! My take is this is designed to give standard guitars more presence and "cut through the mix" ability, which does not translate well for steel.

[Bob Hoffnar]

After a few long journeys trying different speakers all roads led me back to JBLs. I use mostly D120’s but also have a D130 that sounds great. I recently tried the new Milkman JBL speakers and Tim did it !
I have the alnico 12” and I got to try out his ceramic version when I demoed his prototype half and half. The ceramic version was awesome.

[Tucker Jackson]

I have the alnico 12” and I got to try out his ceramic version when I demoed his prototype half and half. The ceramic version was awesome.

Can you describe the difference in tone between the alnico and ceramic magnets? I know guitar players love the alnico, but is ceramic more pedal-steel friendly?