I do not currently have any amps for sale. With the massive amount of inventory I acquired, I intend to construct only 25 at the outset. They will be the Steel Guitar Amp, model 614-E. Jim Webb built 3 other amps, two being guitar amps and one was the 614-E steel amp, but without a graphic equalizer. All three of those amps utilized a 12" JBL speaker. I'm putting those amps on hold while I concentrate on the steel amp.

I mentioned on the Announcement topic that I did not intend to change the electronics. There are two minor exceptions to that commitment. I have always hated "dishonest" volume controls. I've been told that the Peavey Company started this by using linear pots for adjusting the output volume. The consequence of that is having 80% of your volume between the settings of 1 and 2 on the control knob. It gives the allusion that the amp is far more powerful than it really is. I'm told that Mr. Webb resented this also, but felt that he couldn't educate the whole world to the fact that if an amp produced, for instance, 200 watts, no volume control in the world was going to make it produce more. With the intelligence of steel players, I feel they can be convinced of that fact, and accept a volume control that is honest. The result will be a consistent range of volume between zero and ten (on the control knob). Zero will truly mean that your volume is off, while 10 will mean it is fully on. In between will result in a steady increase all the way from full off to full on.

Next, I mentioned in the opening announcement that the JBL Speaker Company has ceased building speakers for guitar amplifiers. Just recently, a new-age speaker magnet has been developed. It is called the neodymium magnet (pronounced nee-o-dem-e-um...and it is hard for me to say too). Frankly, I can't tell the difference between this new speaker's output sound and that of the 15" E-130s (8-ohm) that Jim was putting in the 614-E amps. Several of my friends have said they feel it has a better sound. Maybe I can get them to post here and they will confirm what I'm telling you. The speaker weighs 13 pounds LESS than a JBL E-130. So, for those who have always complained about amps being too heavy, you can knock off 13 pounds from any complaints you ever had about the previous weight of a Webb. The speaker is an 8-ohm, Eminence Kappalite.

I always wanted an adjustably ported speaker cabinet. I have fulfilled that desire by my intention of offering such a speaker enclosure with the new Webb. However, the traditional wooden, open-back cabinets will still be available. I never liked the complaints from drummers telling me that my Webb amp's back noise was too loud for them. Therefore, I've corrected that for players who want to have all their sound projected toward the audience. These closed-back speaker cabinets will be made of powder-coated aluminum, insulated and with 4 ports on the soundboard of the cabinet. Each port is about 2 1/4" in diameter and can be opened fully or adjusted down to fully closed. With a totally enclosed speaker cabinet, the user will realize a brighter sound from his steel. If fully opened, the sound is deemed to be a bit louder and with a more mellow tone. This option permits a degree of "personalization" to the amp's output. And the answer is "no", there is not a change in tonal output by using an all-metal cabinet for the speaker. I too was surprised at that outcome; maybe because of the insulation used. Lastly, as previously stated, Webb's traditional 1/3 open-back wooden cabinet models will continue to be made.

The amp will still have an 8-ohm speaker. I don't have a source for a 4-ohm neodymium speaker, nor do I feel it is needed. With the Webb amp rated at 250 watts with a 4-ohm speaker, it is just too easy to screw up by the volume control being inadvertently in a full "on" setting and accidentally picking a fat guitar string. The result is a blown 4-ohm speaker! With an 8-ohm speaker you don't risk that outcome with 200 watts (at that ohm rating). And, you can still blow the windows out of your practice room, or run off the crowd at a dance hall!

Could that be a possibility someday?

Dave Z

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With the Webb amp rated at 250 watts with a 4-ohm speaker, it is just too easy to screw up by the volume control being inadvertently in a full "on" setting and accidentally picking a fat guitar string. The result is a blown 4-ohm speaker!

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Oh no Tom! Don't go with an 8 ohm speaker. Use an Eminence Commonwealth 15 in 4 ohm. They are very warm speakers. People will have to learn to be responsible with their amps. You should not have to be responsible for someone elses' carelessness. Don't make those of us who would appreciate a 250 watt 4 ohm amp, have to put up with a lower output, because an "accident" could happen.

Tom really glad you are involved with this as many of us love the amp and were saddened that it would be gone forever.

I agree a smaller enclosure with a 12-inch speaker might be a nice light optional model, Tom.

Best of luck with your new venture, I'm really thrilled that this treasure of the steel world is in your hands, and that the legacy of the mighty Webb will continue, no doubt better than ever. I like your innovative ideas, too.

------------------
E9 lessons
Mullen D-12/Carter SD-10/Webb amp/Profex II+Lexicon MPX-110 OR Line 6 Pod XT

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I bought my Webb from Tom in 1976, came with that wonderful JBL K130-4, but after blowing 2 cones, generally with my MSA built-in fuzz tone on and careless volume pedal technique...I had it reconed at 8 ohms, and no problems since.

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Yes, but remember John, the JBL K-130-4 was rated WAY lower than 225 watts. It was not meant for that kind of power. The Commonwealth is rated at 225 watts, and while ANY speaker can blow, if used carelessly, the Commonwealth 15 will hold up like a Black Widow.

It is my opinion that instead of putting an 8 ohm speaker in the amp, and losing power, Tom should start out using the correctly rated speaker (like a Commonwealth) to avoid speaker failure in the first place.

Since opening and closing ports will change the way the cabinet breaths,
it will also change the resonaces without recourse.

You might consider friction or pin held
slidable tubes within you port tubes also.

Not only can you add more or less porting
to any of the 4 ports,

but also change the port tube depth,
allowing a change in internal resonances,
and most importantly PHASE returning
through those ports.

Likely quite useful if you close two
and leave 2 open.
Then adjust the open ports tube depth
to suit taste.

Food for thought.

[This message was edited by David L. Donald on 13 September 2006 at 05:10 AM.]

Perhaps the most common technical problem I've seen with the Webb is that silver toggle switch on the front that switches in/out the graphic EQ. Jim Webb used a Carling DPDT high-power type switch. Those are not good switches for audio signals, and they invariably go bad in the Webb and cause intermittence or distortion. There are lots of very good, DPDT, gold contact, audio type switches that will fit that hole, look the same, and should perform flawlessly for decades. Just a thought.

Best of luck on this venture. It's nice to see the great Webb amps live on.

Brad

Here's a link to a good switch for this:
http://www.mouser.com/search/ProductDetail.aspx?R=MTG206Nvirtualkey50660000

It is more delicate, but it's a good audio switch and shouldn't cause the troubles that the old stock one did.

[This message was edited by Brad Sarno on 13 September 2006 at 11:53 AM.]

I'm planning on calling you, or emailing you, maybe thursday, to discuss.

I agree that there is no need to "redesign" or change components on something that has been proven and is so well liked as it is.

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Unfortunately, one reality has reared its ugly head: the JBL Company is no longer making instrument speakers! Thus, the renowned "JBL" is gone, except on the "used speaker" market

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IMO, it's taking a big risk to replace a JBL with an Eminence and suggest it sounds as good or better. What about offering a choice from the currently popular speakers out there?

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Well Barry, no one is suggesting the Commonwealth speaker sounds better than a JBL. IMHO, though it is the most logical replacement. It has warmth and it is rated at 225 watts 4 ohms. If you want to keep the Webb as original as it was, then you need a high power 4 ohm speaker. Simple.

BTW, who said the Eminence sounds better?......................

It would be taking a bigger risk putting an 8 ohm speaker in the amp, when it originally came with a 4 ohm.

Barry, what other "currently offered speakers" would you suggest?.......The 1501-4 Black Widow? That would be the only other one I could think of. I doubt Peavey would go along with someone selling an amp new with their speaker in it. They might though. If I bought one of Tom's Webbs, I would definately put a Black Widow in it.

[This message was edited by Curt Langston on 13 September 2006 at 09:18 AM.]

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When I hear the word 'Eminence' my knee-jerk reaction is "screaming rock guitar amp" NOT steel amp.

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Well, the Commonwealth is a whole other breed of speaker! Check them out, you'll be surprised. Click Here It's at the top of the page.
Look at the frequency response. This is not your typical Eminence speaker. I have two of them. One is in a 1999 Nashville 400, and it will not break up. Plus it is VERYwarm sounding.

[This message was edited by Curt Langston on 13 September 2006 at 01:39 PM.]

In any event, great to hear this news Tom, and glad to see you're still playing an active role in the world of the PSG player (what else would we expect?).

------------------
Dave Wren
'96 Carter S12-E9/B6,7X7; NV 112; Fender Twin Custom 15 ('65 reissue); Session 500s; Hilton Pedal; Black Box
www.ameechapman.com

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I'm just wondering if there is a possibility that this speaker is a JBL 130 in Eminence clothing, clothing that no one else has ever worn or seen on someone?

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The Eminence Kappa Lite 3015 has a frequecy range of 40Hz-4 kHz

It is only offered in an 8 ohm version.

It is recommended by Eminence as a bass or PA speaker.

I doubt it will even come close to the "sweetness" of a JBL or a Commonwealth.

To me though, it seems like such a waste of power and most importantly head room....................

In one sense it doesn't seem logical to put a speaker with mismatched impedance in the amp to prevent speaker damage. You would then be carrying around a heavey amp that is unable to acheive the maximum headroom of competitors' amps of the same size and weight. The conventional solution is to use an impedance matched speaker with power handling that matches the amp's power. A 60 watt JBL in a 250 watt amp was a gross mismatch.

On the other hand, the Deltalite knocks of 13 lbs. in weight. So that maybe compensates for the unused weight and power. I believe the Deltalite is only available as an 8 ohm speaker. An interesting possibility for those who want to open up the full power of the amp would be to get another Deltalite in an extension cabinet. If that is run in parallel with the internal speaker, it will be a 4 ohm load, and the two speakers and correct impedance will really boost the output.

I own 2 of the 614-E. I'm glad to hear you're going to try and bring WEBB back to life. It is a fabulous amp... construction, tone, reliability. I'd recommend to really test the waters before making to many changes... and consider offering the original setup for a while as well. I have *never* had a volum problem with the 4ohm speakers.

FYI: I play in stereo. The other amp is a Fender Hotrod Deluxe. This is an amazing combo for a fat clean tone.

------------------
Jeff Hyman
jeffshobud@yahoo.com
Sho~Bud LDG
WEBB and Fender Deluxe
www.HatCreekCountry.com
www.cactus.com

The 8 ohm speakers allows an amp rated at 4 ohm minimum impedance to also run cooler.

Go get um Tom. I agree with the 8 ohm is better than 4 ohm theory. I've never had a speaker that sounded bad due to being 8 ohms, I prefer them. I've blown too many 4 ohm speakers over the years.

I see no problem offering the amps without a speaker. If you utilize one you purchased or one that was 4-ohm and it blew for some reason, it would be your speaker, not one that I supplied. I know that 4-ohm speakers cause an amp's power supply to run warmer. However, the heat sinks in these amps are good. I've not heard of anyone over-heating a Webb amp because of using a 4-ohm speaker. It appears apparent that a 4-ohm speaker blows more often than an 8-ohm. Maybe if you used two 4-ohm speakers and wired them to achieve 2-ohms, that would present a heating problem with the amp. Again, no one has posted a complaint about that.

About offering a variety of speaker models for all customers; that would present a problem. Speaker manufacturers require "original equipment manufacturers" to purchase 50 identical speakers in an order. With all the speaker models mentioned here, I would have financial problems if I bought 50 of each just to accommodate the preferences of all buyers. The best plan is for the buyer to purchase his own.

I've been having discussions with Brad Sarno. Brad is well known here on the Forum and an expert in electronics. He demands quality components in everything he buys, makes and sells. I like his point of view. I hope to use his input in making certain everything about the Webb measures up to his expectations. He recognizes the sound characteristics of a Webb and wants to maintain it. His demand for the highest quality of components in amps meets my expectations perfectly.

I've already discovered that these are expensive amps to build. They have never been built by machines or on a high-output assembly line. Other than the manufactured electronic parts, the amps are put together by human hands. The first 25 I finish will probably turn out to be less expensive than the ones built in the second run. That is because I don't know much about what I'm doing and will not know how to price them out. I'm a novice at this. I've got a lot to learn. Those making the decisions about the amp will be experts and probably over-qualified. They will save me.

If you want to learn when that first 25 are available for purchase, please send me your name and email address. I will add you to the "Interest List" that is already accumulating. I'll send everyone an email of the owner's manual when it is finished, along with other pertinent information. I'll be reactivating the web site that was on line a couple of years ago. It will contain periodic updates as to how production plans are progressing.