12" Bass speaker recommendations

[kilowatt]

I had some time, so I pulled out my old Bag End 2x12 cabinet loaded with JBL E120's. 13 Ply Birch, stained cabinet, in excellent shape. It's a sealed cabinet with a single banana jack connector. The E120's sound a little thin to me, so I am contemplating replacing the drivers. I would be using the cabinet for strictly bass. Thoughts?



Regards,
Pete

[rv_bass]

If you are looking for replacement speakers and not a full cab, how about Tone Tubby? 

https://www.tonetubby.com/product-category/bass-speakers/

[JimmyJ]

Speakers are so subjective and personal that's it's hard to make suggestions.  Are you sure those JBLs working properly?  Are the cones moving freely?  I suppose traditionally for bass they would have been K120s instead of the E120s.  There are a couple K120s for sale on reverb but they're not cheep. 

For alternatives, look here:
https://usspeaker.com/homepage.htm
and click on "12" Woofers" for a very long list.

If you're just asking what people here are using for bass, I have an old pair of EVM12Ls (also guitar speakers) in Thiele cabinets that I still lug around when I need a live amp. 

Jimmy J

[kilowatt]

I did check the JBL's out, and they are moving freely, and are in really good shape. They are the 16 ohm versions, and the way they are wired net an 8 ohm load.
I do realize that speakers are extremely subjective, but everyone here understands that, and are great about giving their opinion, without judgement. I also realize that the cabinet has as much to do with the sound, as the speakers do, just like to get everyone's opinion. I'm definitely looking for more bottom end than top end. I'm going to see what comes of the responses and do some reading. Thanks for the advice.

Regards,
Pete

[edwin]

I would suggest looking into these: https://usspeaker.com/faital%20pro%2012pr300-1.htm
Or this: https://usspeaker.com/faital%20pro%2012pr320-1.htm (bigger Xmax before destruction but a bit lower efficiency)

The JBLs are great speakers, but they aren't the greatest bass speakers (I know from experience. And ended up with a bunch of blown up ones in the process). A sealed cabinet can sound thinner than a ported one, but with the right cabinet/speaker match and enough power, they can go deeper with a tighter bass sound, which is very nice.

You probably want to do some research and calculate the volume of the box and try to get some speakers that are well matched to a sealed cabinet of that size.

[sonicus]

I have been using FAITAL speakers which are made in Italy , in my bass guitar cabinets for the last 4 years . I have played many live shows with them over the 4 years . I replaced all of the 10s in my four SWR Goliath Jr cabinets with the FAITAL 10PR300 Neo . That is a total of 8/10s . I usually only need two cabinets for inside gigs and have used all of the four cabs  at outside Festivals .  I recently acquired a 2X12 cabinet and promptly installed 12" Faital Speakers in that cab as well with Faital Model 12FH500 . I am very impressed with those Faital NEOS as well , I HIGHLY recommend Faital speakers . Over the course of my 50 years of playing the bass I have played through : JBL , GAUSS, EV, ALTEC, EMINENCE and many others .
FAITAL is my current first choice !

Check them out here ;  https://faitalpro.com/en/

[keith_h]

You don't say how much you want to spend but the Eminence Legend line has a 12" bass speaker for $90 - $100 street price. They are somewhat middle of the road sound wise but have a decent reputation for their cost. Knowing your budget could help narrow down more suggestions.

[kilowatt]

I just calculated the volume of each section at 2.76 cubic feet. It's essentially two separate cabinets in one, as there is a complete division between the sections. I got the cabinet, with a road case, loaded with the JBL's for $200, back around 1984. I have a 2x12" Schroeder cabinet that I really like, but I wouldn't mind being able to use the Bag End as a stand alone cabinet on occasion, so I'm willing to put some money into this, if the results are worthwhile. I can sell the JBL's to offset the cost. Loving all the suggestions, so I will spend some time on the US Speaker site, as they have quite a bit of information available for each speaker.

Regards,
Pete

[lembic76450]

You could always check out Bag End 12's, they are a match for the cabinet.

[xlrogue6]

Eminence Delta Pro or Kappa Pro are worth checking out.

[cozmik_cowboy]

Recommendations for 12" bass speakers?  Trade them for 18s!!  (nyuk, nyuk).

Peter (who is a firm believer in huge air columns)

[sonicus]

Since 18s were mentioned I will digress a little . I apologise if it has the appearance of a Hijack

I actually also   still have two 18s . One is a Cerwin Vega B-48 Dual throat folded horn cabinet loaded with a JBL K-151 . I used that quite a bit in the 1980s in a Country band that opened for Johnny Pay Check once . We were the house band . It was powered with a SUNN 2000S ( long gone now ).  The last time that I gigged with that rig was in 1988 when I played bass in another band in front of City Hall in San Francisco . Those cabinets were great outside,

 The other 18 is a rare unit that was sold by Alembic as an A-18 . It has the machined aluminum speaker clips . That one is loaded with a GAUSS !    I would consider selling the Vega but the Alembic A-18 is connected to my Roland  electronic drum kit and lives in my studio ,

[kilowatt]

I have a pair of 15" Gauss speakers, that are in A-15/WOS type cabinets. I've had them since the 80's, and got them from a guy who said they came from Little Feat, but had no way to prove that. I didn't care, I got the two cabinets loaded with the Gauss's, and a road case for next to nothing. Maybe I will pull them out as well, and see how they sound. Need a roadie first, or a new back!
Thanks for all the help.

Regards,
Pete

[sonicus]

I also have a few GAUSS 4580 15s . Two of them are  also in some  Alembic  / WOS /A 15 type  cabs .  One of them I installed in a MESA - BOGGIE road ready cabinet  . Yes ,  they are all very heavy ! I installed high quality wheels on the Mesa and  took it to a gig last year and it worked quite well .  Those GAUSS speakers can produce a distinctive lower mid- range growl that I like .

[edwin]

With the sealed Bag End cabs, I wonder if it's worth looking into an ELF processor. They can seriously extend the low end. Of course, it would be helpful to see a picture of the cab.