Any decent sounding speakers that can handle bass and guitar?

[Spaceboy]

I’m looking for 12-in speakers I can toss in a sealed guitar cab that aren’t going to shred with use with bass, and still retain a guitar speaker voicing.

I’ve read about the Weber Black Shuck but the few examples of this speaker are rather dull sounding. There’s also the EVM12L, but the price is too steep.

There are likely plenty of bass speakers I could look into, but they aren’t going to have a mid-forward guitar sound. I’m not looking for full range at all, but a guitar speaker that has the wattage and build to handle loud bass too.

 

[japetus]

Eminence EM12 might be something to check out. Some JBL D's but...there's the price thing again.

 

[RaceU4her]

copperbacks i think are 250w.

 

[DanTravis62]

12L is the best of both worlds

 

[CDawg]

Another option to consider might be looking for a Mesa Diesel 1x15 with the EVM15L or any TL606 speaker enclosure with that speaker. Not the EVM15B.

15L sounds very similar to the 12L and fits most of your requirements except it's in a different cab. They're usually reasonably priced but might take time to come across one.

 

[MadAsAHatter]

I'm in the same boat as you. When I get my music space properly set up I want a 4x12 with speakers that can handle down-tune, piccolo bass and regular bass. I've been researching for probably the last 6 months and the 2 best options I've found are like you; Weber Black Shuck and EVM 12L. I came across a 3rd option of Celestion Sidewinder 12-150. That's basically Celestion's version of the EVM 12L.

My ultimate pick would be the 12L, but same as you the price is too much; especially for a quad. So that left the Celestion and Weber. I've decided to go for the weber since I've gotten a couple other of their tone cult speakers and have really enjoyed them. (Side note: The quote on the Grey Wolf on their website attributed to Eric S. is me.) The clips that sold me on the Black Shuck are these. I have Grey Wolfs and Silver Wolfs. Even though the clips are IR's they sound almost exactly like mine do in the room. So I suspect the Black Shuck is the same.

Though the last video from @Purgasound of the Celestion Sidewinders still has me slightly considering those if I could find them at a good price.

 

[Spaceboy]

These sound great. I might grab those Black Shuck IRs to play around with and get a feel for the speaker.

 

[7704A]

EVMs, of course. But also the "budget" line EV Force 12's are supposed to be able to handle bass from what I hear, and you can often get those cheaper than an EVM on the used markets. They sound great too, I started a thread recently where I compared V30's to them in the same cab with the same riff if you want clips. Also a ton of Force 12 clips in my 4104 NAD thread.

 

[Spaceboy]

EVMs, of course. But also the "budget" line EV Force 12's are supposed to be able to handle bass from what I hear, and you can often get those cheaper than an EVM on the used markets. They sound great too, I started a thread recently where I compared V30's to them in the same cab with the same riff if you want clips. Also a ton of Force 12 clips in my 4104 NAD thread.

Yeah I’d love to hear those clips if you have them hosted somewhere. V30 and Greenback is home base for me with guitar, so that’s the perfect reference point.

 

[tallcoolone]

https://www.sweetwater.com/store/de...Vc8TyiUMMKPtFoLQO5RL9xzNH0blno7oaAsp1EALw_wcB

 

[Hiwatts-n-Gibsons]

Scumback makes both M and H magnet speakers with 55hz bass cones that sound fantastic for guitar, and should work very well for bass depending.

I have a quad of '80s Celestion 55hz G12-65's that work quite well for bass paired with my Hiwatt Custom 100.

 

[7704A]

Yeah I’d love to hear those clips if you have them hosted somewhere. V30 and Greenback is home base for me with guitar, so that’s the perfect reference point.

Thread 'V30 vs EV Force 12'

Dec 17, 2025

I've been wondering about sound differences between clips I record and clips youtubers record, and have been considering picking up a set of V30's to use as a reference point to compare my rig and their rigs. I was also worried that my EV's might be worn and in need of a re-cone, and figured comparing to a V30 would help tell. So, when a pair of 8 ohm V30'spopped up locally for a reasonable price, I nabbed 'em. Below are two clips. One is the detuned 4x12 with EV Force 12's, and the other is with the two Vintage 30's instead. Just phone in front of the cab until I get time to properly mic...

• 7704A
• Replies: 7
• Forum: Rig-Talk

Clips re-embedded here for convenience.

Same amp settings between both clips, the variable is placement of the phone and maybe direct vs ambient volume levels. The tracks are LUFS-matched.



Below are better clips using a PZM wedge stereo array. The mic array is placed in the same position relative to the cab for each clip. Amp settings are the same between clips, but the volume on the Power Station is slightly lower for the V30 clip so there's more ambient crap. I busted a string before I could tweak the volume or clean up the playing, and haven't had a chance to re-record. Haven't got any SM57 clips of both yet, I've been using the PZM wedge since I can get recordings that sound near-identical to the amp in the room. After the holidays I'll get some 57 clips and post them in the thread I linked. Tracks are LUFS-matched.

V30:


Force 12:


Amp (2204) settings for all clips: Pre 7, Master 10, Treble 10, Mids 4, Bass 5, Presence 6 (or 7?).
Cab: Peavey XXX Slant with two identical 8-ohm speakers up top, and the two bottom holes left open. Parallel wired.
V30 era: Chinese make, 2016. But I've only checked one, will check the other after the holidays.
Misc: Mitchell Donut beam blockers used in all clips.

 

[BeZo]

I hate this recommendation, given the history of the company, but...

The Peavey Scorpion speakers were designed for guitar and bass, and aren't bad. They come from Peavey's glory days if you can find them. My buddy loves them, but I think he's using the 15s for both guitar and bass. I've heard good things though.

 

[7704A]

I hate this recommendation, given the history of the company, but...

The Peavey Scorpion speakers were designed for guitar and bass, and aren't bad. They come from Peavey's glory days if you can find them. My buddy loves them, but I think he's using the 15s for both guitar and bass. I've heard good things though.

There's been a 4x12 of those nearby me for a while. Been eyeing it, but want to put that money towards reconing my EVMs.

 

[Purgasound]

I've done quite a few recordings playing bass through Vintage 30's. You'd never know just from listening. It sounds like a typical bass guitar. It's all about picking the right amp and setting the controls.

G12K-100 is another one that works for lead and bass guitar. Just figured I'd throw some modern options out there. Obviously these aren't going to be thunderous like an SVT810 but they will do the job better than one might think.

And yeah, those Sidewinders are great but I haven't really ever played guitar through them. The 12's would probably work for guitar.

 

[DanTravis62]

Scumback makes both M and H magnet speakers with 55hz bass cones that sound fantastic for guitar, and should work very well for bass depending.

I have a quad of '80s Celestion 55hz G12-65's that work quite well for bass paired with my Hiwatt Custom 100.

Basically everything scumback makes is glorious.

 

[cardinal]

I would just get separate cabs. Some bass cabs like a Bag End S15 are pretty small. Two of those stacked up was the long time bass club rig and hardly take up space.

 

[Devin]

Take the plunge on the EV's; it'll be worth it

 

[blackba]

Another vote for EVM-12L, they work great.

I haven't tried the Eminence EM12 or the neo version the EM-12N, but they are worth a look.

 

[LanBaul]

JBL 12s like the G12M‑B can take abuse and still cut