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6 ohm speaker wanted

Posted: Wed Jul 28, 2004 6:24 am
by teeder
I recently acquired an old Gibson amp from about the 1940's. The 12 inch speaker is shot. The sticker on the magnet says "Utah". Does anyone know where I might find a replacement?

PS. I'm open to offers if anyone is interested.
Thanks

Posted: Wed Jul 28, 2004 12:21 pm
by jps
Since it is a tube amp, an 8 Ohm or 4 Ohm speaker will work fine in it. Given the choice I'd opt for an 8 Ohm as it will let the amp run a bit cooler than the 4 Ohm will.

Posted: Wed Jul 28, 2004 5:18 pm
by rictified
Kevin, does the speaker say 6 ohms on it? If so I've never heard of one. I wouldn't use a 4 ohm speaker with it if it calls for a 6, a tube amp has transformer taps for certain impedances usually 2,4,and 8. they are supposed to match. If you use a speaker that is less than the correct impedance the amp can run hot and actually lose power sometimes, you're better to go a little over rather than under.
Is the voice coil open? If not I'd have it reconed rather than use either an 8 or a 4, with the 8 you'll lose a little power.
And actually 16 ohm speakers were common back then, look to see if there is a faint 1 in front of the 6. If it takes a 16 ohm speaker you don't want to use an 8 either.

Posted: Thu Jul 29, 2004 2:53 am
by teeder
Thanks guys! I'll look closer to see if has a "1".

Posted: Fri Jul 30, 2004 3:01 am
by teeder
It is stamped "6 Ohms" on the speaker frame. It doesn't look like the "1" was rubbed off.

Bob,

I sent email back to you.

Thanks
Kevin

Posted: Sat Oct 16, 2004 6:05 pm
by philco
The proper power resistor wired in series to a 4 ohm speaker, or in parallel with an 8 ohm speaker, will get you your 6 ohms of impedance.

Bob is right. 16 ohm speakers are more common than 6 ohm speakers, but you can make your own 6 ohm speaker if you need to.

If you don't need an original sound, you could upgrade to a Celestion or Eminence speaker, or call up Weber VST and see in they have a copy of your old Utah speaker in stock.