Reeves Amplification Discussion Group

Steve Bomar · Joined: 18 Sep 2011 Posts: 3 Location: Fresno

Hey Everyone,
I'm new to the forums and new to owning a Reeves.

Has anyone tried a Celestion AlNiCo Blue with their Reeves amp?

I have a Blue available and I'm thinking about swapping it out for the stock speaker in my Custom 12 Combo. Just figured I'd see how it went for other people before I go messing around with things.

BTW... I'm usually playing a Gretsch 6120RHH (TV Jones Classics) or Eric Johnson Strat (stock, except for all the love I've put into it... that should definitely count for some of the extra tone goodness). Pedals: Wah, Keeley Comp, Keeley Katana, Strymon Reverberator, Boss GigaDelay, Fulltone Supa-Trem.

Thanks
Steve

Steve Bomar · Joined: 18 Sep 2011 Posts: 3 Location: Fresno

Amazing!

Admittedly, I didn't give the stock speaker a chance to break in. It sounded good and I'm sure it would only improve beyond that once the break in period was over.

The Celestion Blue AlNiCo was already broken in from a previous cab it was in so I just did q quick and simple swap. It seems to break up and compress a bit sooner (because of the lower power rating?) and the break up can be very subtle and smooth depending upon pick attack.

Before the Reeves I was using the Blue with a Bad Cat Hot Cat 30 run at 1/2 power. Another incredible amp but it is made for hi gain and I was going for more of a bluesy tone. I'm obviously still in the honeymoon period, but I dig the way the Reeves Custom 12 and Celestion AlNiCo Blue interact.

jrush · Joined: 26 Sep 2011 Posts: 1

That's great to hear. I've got an Alnico Blue on the way - supposed to arrive tomorrow. My Custom 12PS combo currently has the Reeves Greenback in it. I'm hoping the Blue will brighten it up a bit and give it more chime.

Steve Bomar · Joined: 18 Sep 2011 Posts: 3 Location: Fresno

Quick update...
I was recently playing through a different amp (head and cab) and really enjoyed the sound I was getting but it was too bright and sharp. I have a few different cabs and decided to try a bunch of combinations. I purchased the Reeves combo version but was able to A/B the Reeves Custom 12 into a few different 1x12 Celestion speakers.

Blue AlNiCo - Good warm overdriven and clean tone but lacked clarity. Just didn't have enough punch on the high end for me. I gigged weekly on the Custom 12 with this speaker for about a year.

Heritage G12H (55) - Much better high end punch than the Blue. I ended up putting this in the Reeves Custom 12 and it really seems to suit my playing style.

The Vox "jangle" was too bright into the G12H and the Reeves was to muddy into the Blue so I just switched them and have found a much better sound in both amps. The Vox still has the "jangle" and the Reeves doesn't sound near as muddy.

I'm sure this isn't news to many out there but I bet the original speaker that came with the Reeves Custom 12 Combo is fairly close to the G12H.

Anyway, just figured I might save someone a bit of time and experimentation.