D,e, f Series Jbl's

jerry wallace · Post by **jerry wallace** » 3 Jun 2001 11:34 am

Can someone please tell the difference in the D,E,F, JBL speakers and with one is best suited for PSG..

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Jerry Wallace- "98 Zum: D-10,8+8, "96 Zum: D-10,8+5,Nashville 1000,Session 500 ,Tubefex,ProfexII, Artesia, New Mexico

Steve Feldman · Post by **Steve Feldman** » 3 Jun 2001 3:14 pm

OK - I'll stick my semi-informed neck out here. The E-s post-date the D-s and F-s and are supposed to be a little on the brighter side (that right guys?). I have a pair of E-130s and love them, but I don't have a basis of comparison with the D-s or F-s.

I also thought that the D was essentially the same as the F model, but that when Fender specced them (D-s) into their amps, they were labeled as F-s.

[This message was edited by Steve Feldman on 03 June 2001 at 04:15 PM.]

Dan Tyack · Post by **Dan Tyack** » 3 Jun 2001 8:43 pm

The D and K series have alnico magnets, whereas the E series has a ceramic magnet (like a Black Widow). The D and K series will reliably handle the wattage from a twin (100 watts or so), but can blow with the power from a steel amp like a session (this was one of the reasons for the switch to the BW speaker). The E series (either e120 or e130) will easily handle 300 watts (like a BW).

I haven't owned a d series in a while, but I remember that I didn't care for the sound of them at high volume. This is the reason I switched to Black widows in my Sessions. I use JBL e series speakers (both 12" and 15") and I am pretty pleased with them, but I need to retry a D series sometime.

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www.tyacktunes.com

Bob Hoffnar · Post by **Bob Hoffnar** » 3 Jun 2001 10:06 pm

I use a D 130-F in an old Standel amp. It is a "classic" steel sound. Clear brite highs with a transparent quality. Warm full lows without being muddy. It is a great speaker with a beautiful sound to it.

With all that I find that I get a more useful sound for my work with a couple ceramic magnet 12's made by Eminence ( for VHT). I don't need to worry about blowing them up and I get a more focused tone and a stonger mid range from them.

They are very different sounding speakers. Its nice to have both. If I had to pick one I like the sound of my cheap Eminence 12's a little better.

If I was going for a classic steel sound I would go for the old D series JBL's.

Bob[This message was edited by Bob Hoffnar on 04 June 2001 at 07:39 PM.]

Jack Stoner · Post by **Jack Stoner** » 4 Jun 2001 9:03 am

You're right. The 140 is a bass speaker. I swapped out the D120-F's in my Twin for a 15" and the local JBL dealer showed me the spec sheets and the 140 was for bass. I wound up putting a K130 in and it worked great.

Rob Segal · Post by **Rob Segal** » 4 Jun 2001 3:45 pm

D 130: Alnico magnet, all paper cone, very fine voice coil gap for ultra high efficiency, thus low Power capacity (25 watts), as used in HiFi systems, early Standels, prone to blowing with unaware users.

D 130F: Alnico magnet same as d130, all paper cone same as D130, less fine voice coil gap for more power capacity (150 watts I believe), same frame as D 130, as used in Fender amps.

K 130: Alnico magnet same as D 130/130F, cloth edged cone, same voice coil as D130F, more power capacity cause of tougher cone (200 watts), same frame as D 130F and D 130, as used in early Session 400's for example.

E 130: Ceramic magnet, cloth edged cone as in K130, don't know about voice coil gap, even more power capacity, new frame design.

So D130-F's and K130's are the same except for cone. These are typically the preferred JBLs for steel, thought obviously that's subjective.

140's were made for base, cone is different but frame's the same.
Rob Segal

Bob Hoffnar · Post by **Bob Hoffnar** » 4 Jun 2001 6:38 pm

I just looked at the speaker in my Standel and it is a D130-F. I must of had a brain fart just powerful enough to throw me off by 10 of those speaker numbers.

Bob

Gene Jones · Post by **Gene Jones** » 5 Jun 2001 4:33 am

*[This message was edited by Gene Jones on 06 May 2002 at 09:49 AM.]

Grayson Joe · Post by **Grayson Joe** » 5 Jun 2001 6:08 am

I,v been told that the Peavey new s/b 1501-4 speaker gives the same tone and sound as the old JBL speakers and i believe that is right, for i tryed out a old JBL that came out of a older Evans amp and to me the tone was about the same. some say that the BW has a harse tone on the low-end...well, so do the JBL speakers on the low-end.

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Joe Grayson,Monticello ms

Bill Terry · Post by **Bill Terry** » 5 Jun 2001 6:21 am

I've got a D-140F with original cone in my Twin, bought it from Bob Knight right here on the forum. I was having a hard time finding an original cone D-130F (too much $$$), so Bob convinced me I might like the D-140F. He said he preferred it over the D-130F and offered a righteous price so I bought it.

I've been real happy with it. Since a Twin has no shortage of high end response. I've been able to get it plenty bright enough for me and the lows are just really tight and smooth. I've noticed the D-140s seem to be a little cheaper on ebay, might be worth a look if you can't find a D-130F.

BTW, I play guitar through the Twin too, and my Tele really barks with that speaker, I'm totally happy with it for both guitar and steel.

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Ben Jack · Post by **Ben Jack** » 5 Jun 2001 2:50 pm

Could someone tell me about the JBL 15 inch Pro/series, model 2205A, 8 ohms,? I have two of these and they look just like the other JBLs you're discussing. I've had them for 10 years and they were used when I got them. I have never heard them, they are just sitting on my shelf. Thanks for your info.

Dave Zirbel · Post by **Dave Zirbel** » 5 Jun 2001 6:21 pm

Since the D, K, and E series speakers use the same kit for reconing, will they sound the same to each other if all were reconed?

Also, would they all be able to handle 300 watts like the E-130? I would imagine an original D-130 would blow pretty easily in a Webb.

Dave[This message was edited by Dave Zirbel on 05 June 2001 at 09:55 PM.]

Donny Hinson · Post by **Donny Hinson** » 6 Jun 2001 1:34 pm

No Dave...if they all sounded the same, there would have been no reason for constant redesigns. The old D130-F's WON'T take much power (I've fried a couple with my 80-watt T/R). Modern "E" series kits use different voice coil wire and formers (the thing the wire is wrapped around) as well as different cone and suspension-ring materials. Later speakers were rated for higher power, and they had to use different materials. This lets them handle more power, but the sound definitely changes with these differences. You simply can't get that "old sound" and a 300-watt capacity in a single speaker.

Those old speakers with the Alnico magnets and thin paper cones were smooth, alright. And sure, you can put in the later kit and play away, but remember...once the original cone and coil are gone from any D130-F, so is the original sound. As my Pappy used to say..."You can have anything but yesterday." They are nice for playing at home, or recording, but they're certainly not up to today's "high-output" requirements, especially in open cabinets.

Been there...done that. [This message was edited by Donny Hinson on 06 June 2001 at 02:48 PM.]

Ricky Davis · Post by **Ricky Davis** » 6 Jun 2001 9:06 pm

I have no problem with my D-130 F in my twin and no prob with the K-130 in my twin either. I play high capacity gigs with them(of course we play country music)> so I have not experienced any problems whatso ever(not saying I won't); but nobody plays more gigs than I do per year and you can bank on that.
I even did a month with Local Charlie Robison; and it is loud basically Rollin' Stones type music; and never had a problem hearing and didn't blow anything and I had it cranked and actually dropped a few people in the front row.
So it can be done is what I'm saying and I live it man> but with anything; yes you can have problems.
Lloyd Green is now "all the time" playing his ShoBud through a Fender amp with very old speaker in it; and JCH and Peavey are in the Closet; so there's other proof it can be done by the best> since I'm just a nobody speakin' his mind and giving opinions.
Ricky

Donny Hinson · Post by **Donny Hinson** » 7 Jun 2001 2:19 pm

Ricky, playing style has a lot to do with speaker longevity, as does tone. If we all played as smooth as Lloyd, our speakers would probably last forever! But, if you "punch it" on C6th (like Chalker did) with a 30-40 year old D130-F in an open cabinet, very shortly your "vintage tone" might be a thing of the past.

Now, your own opinion is every bit as valid as mine, and you may have indeed had good luck with your speakers. But remember, everyone may not be as lucky as you are. I just hate to see someone kill a vintage speaker like the D130-F by using it in a fashion it was never really designed for. But, if it's your speaker, obviously you can do what you want with it. There are fewer originals left each year, though, and when advising someone I do not know, I always lean towards being "conservative" in my recommendations.

Bruce Griffin · Post by **Bruce Griffin** » 7 Jun 2001 6:02 pm

So what is a K-140 speaker designed for? Thanks!

Mike Bagwell · Post by **Mike Bagwell** » 7 Jun 2001 6:53 pm

Donny,

Im with you this . Ive blown at least 12 JBL D&K series speakers in my 25 years of playing. Loud punchy C6 will do it very quickly. BTW I still have 7 of them, 4 are recones and 4 are original. I think the D and K series JBL were the sweetest sounding speakers ever made for the steel.

Mike

Ricky Davis · Post by **Ricky Davis** » 8 Jun 2001 12:36 am

Hey Donny; "Point Well Taken" on the idea to save those originals. Hell back in my Peavey and playing loud as sh!! days> I blew 5 BW speakers in 4 different Peavey Amps; so yes it can certainly be done with any speaker; and my style these days diffinatly does not blow speakers any more. So saving those original JBL's is a "Point Well Taken" when passing info onto the steel playing generation of "Hard Hitters"

Have fun.
Ricky