Who is the A12Q for?

The A12Q is designed to perform exactly like a vintage AlNiCo Jensen P12Q (1958-1963+) and as such is ideally suited for use in low wattage amplifiers, especially Fender's 5E3 Tweed Deluxe as well as the 5D3 and 5C3 models. Any other amplifier that specifies a 12" speaker rated at 20 watts maximum output at 8 ohms can utilize the A12Q.

What Does the A12Q Sound Like?

The A12Q frequency response is midrange centric, providing a very round spectrum with smooth highs and tight lows. The overall response if very big and full, with plenty of authority. Some may say it sounds "American." Importantly (and particularly) the highs are not extended (like a Celestion G12M Heritage, for example) instead, they roll off nicely providing plenty of definition and bite, but without any of the edgy, high crispness that might be best described as sounding "Blackface." Put simply, the A12Q is not too bright, nor too bass heavy, and is perfect with a Tweed Deluxe - as it should be.

Speaking of Performance:

The A12Q compresses nicely at all volume levels and provides a beautiful piano-like, glassy clean tone when paired with a single coil neck pickup; overdriven with Humbuckers, it results in classic Leslie West full-on meanness. In between, there's Larry Carlton, Don Felder, Joe Walsh, Billy Gibbons and Neil Young tones waiting to emerge. It's a great speaker for the studio as well as it's easy to get a great sound without much fuss. 57s, E906s, 421s - they all work well with the A12Q. Mic it from about a foot away off the center of the cone and it's right there, cutting though and sitting nicely in the mix. Or, put 2 mics right on the dustcap and blend. Of course, an additional room mic will fill out the picture beautifully.

More About Frequency Response and the Tweed Deluxe:

Frequency response is a real balancing act with a Tweed Deluxe as the amp has to accommodate single coils, humbuckers, P90s, etc., and sound great at all volume levels and pickup positions. This means the amp has to perform well and the speaker has to complement that performance; otherwise, you can end up with an amp that is a one-trick pony, or less.

Amplifiers like the Tweed Deluxe are notoriously soft in low end response, depending heavily on the pickup, amp and guitar settings, as well as the guitar itself. The A12Q will sound loose and bass heavy in some situations as this is part of the Tweed Deluxe DNA. While frequency response can be tailored, you really never can dial out all the low end response, for you would cripple the amp for use with single coils and/or brighter guitars.

Moreover, because the Tweed Deluxe circuit does not allow for much room to adjust frequency response, it is extremely important to install the right speaker for the widest possible performance and tonal variations. However, home-brew Tweed Deluxes - as well as some boutique 5E3s - can often be heavy in low end response and/or harsh in high-end response; and while the A12Q may help any similar amplifier perform to it's maximum, it cannot solve frequency response issues that are systemic. In other words, the A12Q will make a good amp sound good - or better, but it cannot fix a bad sounding amplifier.

Demos:

While there are only a few videos for the new A12Q speaker at this early date, I feel confident to also recommend any of my other videos featuring vintage Jensen P12Qs as reference to the performance of the A12Q - it is that close.

Lastly, the A12Q may not be for everyone. That is why I have done my best to describe it in detail and outline its performance here; as well as provide demo videos (with many more to come) to highlight how it sounds and performs (with a Tweed Deluxe). Please spend some time watching a few of my video demos prior to placing an order for the A12Q. This will help us keep returns to a minimum.

A12Q Break-in:

Please allow for at least 50 hours of break-in time where the A12Q will begin to loosen up a bit, exhibiting slightly more nuance and complexity, with a slight increase in high end response as well. From there it will only get better. Note: For proper break-in, please just play your guitar and avoid any schemes involving tone generators and variacs. The A12Q sounds really good right out of the box.

Fair warning: If the A12Q is not working for you right away, please do not count on break-in to make enough of a difference to change your mind.

A12Q Specifications:

Magnet Type: AlNiCo
Rated Impedance: 8 ohms
Sensitivity (estimate): 94dB
Power Rating: 20 Watts
Voice Coil Former: Nomex

Weight: 4.85 lbs
Diameter: 12.125"
Depth: 6.25"
Cutout size: 10.75"

Shipping:

The A12Q ships directly from Weber Speakers in Kokomo, Indiana, USA.

Warranty:

30 days.

Warranty Returns:

Contact Weber Speakers for an RMA# and return the speaker to them.

Non-warranty Returns:

A12Q non-warranty returns will be accepted by the Speed Shop for a period of up to 30 days from date of delivery, subject to a 25% restocking fee. Returned speakers must be in perfect working condition and show no signs of having been mounted. Contact the Speed Shop to schedule a non-warranty return.

"The Speaker arrived today. It nails the mid '50 P12Q perfectly; extremely great job. We tried a Weber 12A125A, Weber 12A150, Jupiter 12LAP, Celestion Blue, Celestion Cream Alnico, Eminence SC59. Only your speaker had the original sound and feeling of the old Jensen in our '56 Tweed Tremolux. Best regards and thank you." - J. M.

"I got the speaker a few days ago -- it made such a difference. The Legend the Victoria 5112 came with was kind of muddy withtout much definition on the notes. The A12 Q makes it sound like a different amp. The speaker is as good as you described. Thank you for taking the time and research to have this speaker made. I was going to sell the amp or trade it for something else. Now with this speaker, it's one of my favorite amps. Great speaker for this amp!" - G. M.

"Speaker arrived last night (friday), played the p12n I had in my pandemic Mojo build 5e3 (sat afternoon), swapped in the a12q real quick same settings, wow! Straight out the box improvement! Better lows, better clarity with note definition, and chime that is to die for. Speaker is fantastic!" - E. E.

"Man, that speaker after a couple years of playing pushed, just sings! I love that amp!!!" - C. S. (5E3-P2P)

"Rondo - just wanted to drop you a line to say that I installed the A12Q and it was an amazing improvement over the lousy ceramic Eminence someone had stuffed into this ‘59 Tweed Deluxe. It’s more than I could have hoped for. Thanks so much for making such an awesome speaker - I love it. In fact I kind of want four of them to put in my Super Reverb!" - J. H.

"Sounds great right out of the box Ron - lows are tight tight tight and highs nice without being too bright Can’t wait to break it in." - M. G.

"What an amazing speaker!! I can’t believe how close it is to my friends vintage p12q and it’s not even properly broken in yet. I bet it’s just going to get sweeter and warmer with more play. Incredible job, just incredible." - J. B.

"The speaker is amazing Ron... definitely worth the wait. It sure beats the tweed reissue speaker that I had as a placeholder." - S. S.

"Put the speaker in my old deluxe today and I’m pleased with it. Really nice breakup right out of the box without that harsh buzziness I haven’t liked with the celestion (Blue)... cleans up nice with a wide harmonic and tonal range. I think you nailed it man." - J. B.

"Just wanted to let you know I got the speaker and it’s awesome!" - R. C.

"Just wanted to let you know the A12Q is fantastic. Loved it from the first note, and I know it will be even better after some break-in. Thank you so much for everything." - J. F.

"This is my second speaker order. Going in a 2x12 open back... it's the sound I remember as a young man. Thanks so much for making this speaker. I've been looking for 20 years trying to capture what I remembered." - P. M.

"I owe you an email on this speaker. It's great! I don't quite have it broken in yet, so it will only get better I'm sure. It sounded great right out of the box though. The best thing anyone has said is, 'I don't know what the big deal is...it just sounds like a 50's Tweed'. Yeah. Exactly. Thanks for all your hard work helping with the development of this time machine." - S. D.

"Hi, I just wanted to tell you I ordered your speaker a couple months ago, And it is the best speaker I have put in my 5E3, And I have replaced a few... This one will be staying in for good. I love it !! - D. T.

"I have been through many speakers over the decades from vintage to modern - Jensen, Tone Tubby, Weber, Celesion, etc. This A12Q is so perfect for a tweed deluxe it is mind blowing. Sounded great right out of the box and is still not broken in, so I am looking forward to that. I tried other speakers that I have in different amps and cabs and none sounded even close to the A12Q. If anything, they sounded bad and would have definitely changed my view. With the A12Q, sounding so sweet at all different settings. You nailed it with this one. Thanks for doing that." - R. F.

"Just a quicky to say, the A12Q is great. I will recommend you to everyone that hears it, superb work mate! You've created a real piece of art!" - S. H. (U.K.)

"Just received the speaker today. Blows my mind. Really nice! Thanks for making this!" - M. T. (Perth, Australia)

"This A12Q is perfect. In a word, consistent and very well balanced in the lows and pleasant high end response as well. I love the way it overdrives and the cleans perfect. I’m really happy with the speaker." - S. M.

"Hi Rondo, received your A12Q speaker today - played it for about an hour now! WOW - absolut fantastic fresh out of the box! Amazing! Now my 5e3 sounds like the real deal! Thank you very much! All the best." - K. S. (Switzerland)

"Let me just say, straight out of the box, this thing [A12Q Speaker] sounds AMAZING!!! Wayyyyy better than the late 60’s P12R I had in there prior. I can’t wait to hear how it sound as it breaks in!!" - M. M.

"I’m actually shocked by how amazing this speaker sounds." - K. G.

"I ordered one of these a few weeks ago and loved it so much that I got a 2nd! Thanks!" - Jeff

"Just recently got my A12Q to replace an italian made jensen reissue p12q in my Fender 57 custom deluxe from the earlier run of the reissues Fender did. I cannot say in words how dissatisfied I am with the jensen. I cant understand how anyone would like how that thing breaks up. It is so un pleasing and fizzy. I am emailing you to tell you just how amazing the a12q speaker is. I was ready to give up on this amp because no matter what I could not get anything but a good clean tone out of it. The louder it got, the worse it sounded. I was convinced I had a “bad apple.” Now, since installing the a12, it sings just as you describe. The louder you turn it up the better it gets. Its quite amazing actually. It responds better to my overdrives and fuzzes, and is an overall much warmer sound. I could not be more pleased and I now own a “real” 5e3. Thanks!!!" - Ted

"Hey just wanted to say outstanding job on the A12Q! I’ve only got about 5 hours on it so far and it sounds fantastic, exactly as described, and needed... just ordered another for my second amp." - Peter

"I am hard to impress and have been around for ever, this speaker is one of the best. - Thanks again, John"

"...we recorded an album last month. I tried 5 different amps, 2 different cabs, and 4 different speakers. I could not get the recorded tone I wanted. ...I put your A12Q in and paired up with the 5E3. Ho-lee smokes... ...All I can say is wow. What an amazing speaker and what a difference it made. So much so that I went from having mixed opinions on the 5E3 to the point where now it's all i use. No exaggeration, for the record, out of 9 songs the 5E3/A12Q combination got me all the tones I needed for 8 of them, no pedals required. Clean, dirt, compressed - whatever, it did it all. It's hard for me to overstate just how much of a positive impact your speaker had. For as long as I've had my 5E3, I've never heard it sound like that. To wrap a long story up - I never thought such a simple little amp with the right speaker could sound so good and be versatile. Just wanted to say thanks for sharing your knowledge and working to make the A12Q an offering." - R. M.

"Your A12Q is in my opinion probably the best speaker I have ever put in one of my 5e3's. I can now play without worry that my speakers voice coil will have some sort of meltdown. I would put it up against any of the P12Q's I have, and would choose it hands down. I can't even imagine what it will sound like once I have it fully broken in! (Only have about 20 hours in so far.) Thank you!" - A. R.

"Hi Ron! Speaker came and I put it to my Deluxe. Wow, it sounds so good even new!! Definitely best speaker I have tried to my Deluxe, right amount of bass and so percussive attack!" - T. V. (Finland)