Choosing a new speaker for Tweed Champ - 8" Jupiter Alnico, Alnico w/ paper cone or Fat jimmy

[Music&Chaos]

Hello RT,

Anyone have any experience with any of these 8" speakers? There are only a few out there for these various speakers. I have decided I am just into the Alnico sound for the Champ, and am stuck between these 3 choices. What say ye?

Only one has a Paper cone, which could swing the decision into its favor depending if I like that EQ addition or not.

Part of me leans towards the Jimmy and then back to another, etc. Any real world experience would be helpful.


Jupiter 8SA-2 25w @ 94dB: https://jupiter-speakers.com/collec...-vintage-american-small-alnico-guitar-speaker

Jupiter 8SA-2-P 15w @ 94 dB: https://jupiter-speakers.com/collec...l-alnico-guitar-speaker-with-paper-voice-coil

Fat Jimmy A825 @ 95 dB: https://vintagefenderamprepair.com/products/fat-jimmy-speakers-1?variant=39638433136791

 

[DanTravis62]

I am going to be more of an observer for this, as i'm not a fan of 8"s (or 10s for that matter)

I've gotten the best results with champs plugged into big 4x12a and cranking them to kingdome come

I'm interested to see what everything thinks, though

 

[Music&Chaos]

I am going to be more of an observer for this, as i'm not a fan of 8"s (or 10s for that matter)

I've gotten the best results with champs plugged into big 4x12a and cranking them to kingdome come

I'm interested to see what everything thinks, though

I am normally not a fan of 8" speakers either but am surprised a how full I was able to get the stock speaker to sound with NOS tubes.

 

[Music&Chaos]

Something is telling me to go w the FJ. I messaged Mike to gather the speaker dimensions to se if it would fit. They match the Jupiter, which I already know fits via a YT video.

Sounds like I may have made my decision already but we will see.

 

[ChurchHill]

I've been thinking about getting a new speaker for mine, too, but haven't done anything about it yet. Thanks for posting those links!

I think I'd be interested in the Jupiter 8SA-2-P with the paper voice coil. Seems like it might be closer to what was available in the late '50s. Jupiter is made by WGS, Fat Jimmy's are made by WGS, too, which is OK. I know a lot of people like them, I just haven't found any that I've gelled with. I've never really enjoyed any Eminence in a Fender amp, either, but it doesn't mean they're not good speakers.

Weber's got their CVA8, which I did have good luck with in a different Champ. I've heard better, but I've heard worse, too, and the break-up wasn't harsh or fizzy like modern Italy Jensens can be. Weber says that none of their other speakers will fit in the vintage Champ cabs, but they have two others that are listed as 4.00" depth, where the Jupiter is 4.06" depth (4 1/16"). The CVA8 is under 4".
https://www.tedweber.com/cva8/

Has anyone seen a smooth cone 8" that would fit in a tweed Champ? Would be a different flavor, but I haven't found any that aren't too deep.

FWIW, Champs sound best through at least one and preferably four 12". But, as just a grab and go tiny amp or a late night jam, it's hard to beat a Champ with just its built-in speaker. I actually like 8" speakers a little better than 10s but not by much. 12s are my favorite, but I've got a vintage P15N that is just incredible.

Edit: thinking about it, maybe I should be looking for a vintage Jensen or Oxford.

 

[Music&Chaos]

I've been thinking about getting a new speaker for mine, too, but haven't done anything about it yet. Thanks for posting those links!

I think I'd be interested in the Jupiter 8SA-2-P with the paper voice coil. Seems like it might be closer to what was available in the late '50s. Jupiter is made by WGS, Fat Jimmy's are made by WGS, too, which is OK. I know a lot of people like them, I just haven't found any that I've gelled with. I've never really enjoyed any Eminence in a Fender amp, either, but it doesn't mean they're not good speakers.

Weber's got their CVA8, which I did have good luck with in a different Champ. I've heard better, but I've heard worse, too, and the break-up wasn't harsh or fizzy like modern Italy Jensens can be. Weber says that none of their other speakers will fit in the vintage Champ cabs, but they have two others that are listed as 4.00" depth, where the Jupiter is 4.06" depth (4 1/16"). The CVA8 is under 4".
https://www.tedweber.com/cva8/

Has anyone seen a smooth cone 8" that would fit in a tweed Champ? Would be a different flavor, but I haven't found any that aren't too deep.

FWIW, Champs sound best through at least one and preferably four 12". But, as just a grab and go tiny amp or a late night jam, it's hard to beat a Champ with just its built-in speaker. I actually like 8" speakers a little better than 10s but not by much. 12s are my favorite, but I've got a vintage P15N that is just incredible.

Edit: thinking about it, maybe I should be looking for a vintage Jensen or Oxford.

Jupiter speakers are assembled by WGS - same as the Fat Jimmy. The Jupiter and FJ are the exact same dimensions as well - even the magnet. I do think that the Jupiter has that jangle a bit closer to the original Jensens but am just too curious about the Fat Jimmy so....I ordered one.

We'll see how good it pairs with the Champ. I have to say - the tube compliments in this little guy can really change the core voice and gain structure - ready to have a speaker better than this stock Alnico. The magnet is so little bitty on this thing - it would be kinda cute if it sounded better.

I'll report back how my experience with the Alnico Fat Jimmy goes.

 

[Floyd Eye]

Get a 12” ext. cab and put a Cream 90 or a Blue in it.

 

[Music&Chaos]

Get a 12” ext. cab and put a Cream 90 or a Blue in it.

I already have an extension cab to use with it but will think about loading in some different speakers for fun and checking out the ones you recommended.


For this little guy, I more want to just grab-n-go so I am hoping the Fat Jimmy fills it up even more than the NOS tubes already have. We will see.

 

[The~Kid]

I already have an extension cab to use with it but will think about loading in some different speakers for fun and checking out the ones you recommended.


For this little guy, I more want to just grab-n-go so I am hoping the Fat Jimmy fills it up even more than the NOS tubes already have. We will see.

Honestly if you do I recommend the CreamNico too by Celestion at 90 watts. It would sound amazing with this. This or a Ruby or Blue as mentioned but the Cream

 

[ChurchHill]

I already have an extension cab to use with it but will think about loading in some different speakers for fun and checking out the ones you recommended.

Yeah, the Blue is really good with a Champ. If you're into experimenting with a 1x12" cab, I'd recommend trying the Alnico Cream, Jensen P12N, JBL D120, Altec 417, or EV SRO. Those are all alnico. For ceramics, the Greenback or G12-65 are good, too. All of those are interesting speakers with many amps, so not just for the Champ.

All of those reissue tweeds really love NOS tubes. The Champ is such a pure circuit that it really allows the differences between tubes, speakers, guitars, pickups, and strings to become apparent.

 

[DanTravis62]

Get a 12” ext. cab and put a Cream 90 or a Blue in it.

Yeah the best champ tones i've heard have been some variation of this.

One of the best was a champ jimmy rigged into an empty JMI ac30 cabinet with blues

 

[Music&Chaos]

Yeah, the Blue is really good with a Champ. If you're into experimenting with a 1x12" cab, I'd recommend trying the Alnico Cream, Jensen P12N, JBL D120, Altec 417, or EV SRO. Those are all alnico. For ceramics, the Greenback or G12-65 are good, too. All of those are interesting speakers with many amps, so not just for the Champ.

All of those reissue tweeds really love NOS tubes. The Champ is such a pure circuit that it really allows the differences between tubes, speakers, guitars, pickups, and strings to become apparent.

Thanks for the recommendations!

I don't currently own any Alnicos except the stock one here with the Champ.

Avatar also makes Alnico speakers for a decent price so I may try one of those in the future just because they make good stuff in general.

I just really dig the differences each little change makes, it is a lot of fun.

 

[fusedbrain]

Yeah, the champ circuit sounds glorious through the big speakers in a big cab.
I understand the OP's desire to find the best 8" speaker to have a grab and go amp, but its always going to be a compromise.
If that was my amp, I'd try to find somebody to make me a modified tweed deluxe combo cab that would fit the champ chassis, but have a baffle for a 12" speaker.

 

[Music&Chaos]

Yeah, the champ circuit sounds glorious through the big speakers in a big cab.
I understand the OP's desire to find the best 8" speaker to have a grab and go amp, but its always going to be a compromise.
If that was my amp, I'd try to find somebody to make me a modified tweed deluxe combo cab that would fit the champ chassis, but have a baffle for a 12" speaker.

I have a custom 12" cabinet that a buddy built for me that is wonderful, but is kind of sitting around. I may toy with the idea of modifying it in the future. For now, due to my new need for low volume practice late at night - the smaller speaker will do me well.