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Need help regarding replacing Kustom speakers [message #8379]

Sat, 10 March 2007 16:24

kustom bassist
Messages: 14
Registered: January 2007

Junior Member

I am considering replacing my Kustom K-250 15" speakers with JBLs
I originally thought that Vintage JBL D130 or D140 would be right route to go. But considering the reconing fees etc. I might be better off with newer JBLs.
Would you place D130 or D140? What ohms? considering the reconing fee
OR
Would you place newer JBLs? and which model and ohms?

Would you consider Altec 421s or Black Widows instead?

Any comments or suggestions would be of great help, and thanks for a great forum
Steven

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Re: Need help regarding replacing Kustom speakers [message #8383 is a reply to message #8379]

Sat, 10 March 2007 17:17

LesS
Messages: 477
Registered: December 2002

Senior Member

Hi Steven,
Hopefully someone will step in with better information, but generally, the D130 was good for lead guitar and D140 for bass.

For the K250 you should get speakers that are 8 ohms each so the pair will load the amp at 4 ohms.

You should search on this website for speaker info - search for "Altec" or "Altec 421", etc.

Do you play lead or bass?

-Les S

[Updated on: Sat, 10 March 2007 17:21]

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Re: Need help regarding replacing Kustom speakers [message #8387 is a reply to message #8383]

Sat, 10 March 2007 20:05

kustom bassist
Messages: 14
Registered: January 2007

Junior Member

Hi Les S
Thanks for your info, that helps a lot. I am now glad I didn't bid on a pair of D140 16ohms.
If I decide not to purchase vintage, then what newer bass speaker would be the same as D140

BTW, I am a new bass player.
Steven

[Updated on: Sat, 10 March 2007 20:08]

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Re: Need help regarding replacing Kustom speakers [message #8393 is a reply to message #8387]

Mon, 12 March 2007 00:48

C4ster
Messages: 686
Registered: June 2001
Location: Mukwonago, WI (Milwaukee...

Senior Member

D140's are alnico magnet speakers that are quite nice. My brother John, also on this site, has 2 cabinets with D140's One at 4 ohms 2x8 Ohms, and one at 8 ohms, 2x16 Ohms. I like the newer, 1980's E140's. They have a much larger ceramic magnet but add lots of pounds to a cabinet. An E140 weighs in at 25 pounds each but I feel the added sound pressure level is worth it. A D series is very similar to a K but an E is close to the 22 series speakers which some are still in production. JBL's are very high end meaning expensive. I have bought blown speakers just for the frames and recone them myself. Don't be surprised to pay $150 to $250 for a speaker. All 140's are bass speakers with a response of 30 Hz to 2500 Hz. They have a copper voice coil with an RMS power rating of 200 watts, 400 watts peak and 800 watts music power. I routinely push 4 E140's with 1700 Watts with great results. 130's are rated at 150 watts with an aluminum voice coils but have a frequency response of 40 to 6000 Hz. Much better for mid range but will give great sound if you play a more current slap bass or pop the strings. The 140's will have great presence but will need a midrange driver for the higher frequencies. Plenty of guys here think the price is not worth the investment. I guess I just have more money to blow. Laughing

Conrad

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Re: Need help regarding replacing Kustom speakers [message #8400 is a reply to message #8379]

Mon, 12 March 2007 07:16

stevem
Messages: 4738
Registered: June 2004
Location: NY

Senior Member

Another great 15" bass driver is the Electro voice EVM-B, they are nearly as efficient as the JBL 140s and handle 150 watts, they go up a little higher in frequency, but are alot cheaper used than the JBLs or altecs.
I have all of these mentioned drivers and it would be hard for me to pick which I like best, if fact in my 2 most used giging 2-15 cabinets one is set up with altec 421A and a altec 418B and the other with a EVM-B and a EVM-L or lead driver.
lake what was mentioned if you play slap or do any popping the JBL 140 serise may be a little on the dull side or even if you play some with a pick and need to get that ringing string tone you will need 12 incher or 10 inch drivers along with the JBL to get it.

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Re: Need help regarding replacing Kustom speakers [message #8422 is a reply to message #8379]

Tue, 13 March 2007 01:25

kustom bassist
Messages: 14
Registered: January 2007

Junior Member

C4ster and stevenm:
Great big thanks, you have answered all of my questions and it is great help. Now I am on the hunt for 2 X 15 140s.
Great forum.
Thanks
Steven

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