Humbucker Soup
Should I change the speaker in my amp?
Options for getting more volume from your amplifier
Before running out to buy a new amp, you may want to explore changing the speaker in your amp. Quite often, the speaker that came in the amp is either under-powered, or perfectly matched. Changes are, if you have an amp of 50 Watts or higher, you may be able to get more headroom out of the amp with a higher-powered speaker, or even one of higher quality. The end result will depend on your wattage.
Low wattage
If your amplifier has a low wattage (i.e. under 20 watts), this approach has less of an effect. 20 Watts simply isn’t a lot of power for electric guitar. Less wattage (i.e. 10-15 watts) makes the point even more moot. Because of this, changing the speaker will have a minimal effect.
Medium to High Wattage
This is where this idea can really give life to your amp. There are two reasons for this:
A: Quality – Companies often skimp on the speaker to save you money. In most cases, with the exception of high-priced “Boutique” amps, the companies buy low-end speakers in bulk, and pass the savings on to you. This is one of the ways that they can make the amp a bit less expensive.
B: Voicing – Stock speakers usually have a voicing that is very generic. This makes it possible to please the masses in general.
So, when you replace your internal speaker, using a higher-wattage speaker can allow the amp to really give you all the headroom and volume that is possible. Also, if you do a little research, and you select a speaker that fits your style of playing, the speaker will “Respond” to your tone and playing with more sensitivity. The net result is a substantially better sound and in many cases, more volume that you thought we possible with that same amp.
So, when you replace your internal speaker, using a higher-wattage speaker can allow the amp to really give you all the headroom and volume that is possible. Also, if you do a little research, and you select a speaker that fits your style of playing, the speaker will “Respond” to your tone and playing with more sensitivity. The net result is a substantially better sound and in many cases, more volume that you thought we possible with that same amp.
Summary – The main concern with rating is to be sure to use a speaker that is NOT rated LOWER than your amps total output. For example, if your amp is 60RMS, don’t use a speaker that is rated for 50Watts. You will blow the speaker quickly. Using a speaker that is rated higher is generally fine. Also, have a qualified professional replace the speaker for you. The hourly rate should be low and they can best handle some of the tricky twists and turns inside the amp cavity when replacing the speaker.
Best to make note of your amps total output (i.e. “Watts, RMS”) and the kind of speaker you have.
Also VERY important: ALWAYS be sure to correctly match the Ohms of the speaker with the Ohms of the amp. NEVER mix and match.
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