Fender Tone Master with JBL

[Bobby Martin]

Thinking about a new Tone Master Deluxe Reverb and switch out the stock speaker with a JBL D120F orange frame from my old 135W Master Volume Twin Reverb(too heavy to carry out to a gig). Been using a DR Reissue w/JBL for most gigs, Custom Vibrasonic Steel amp for too loud events. Play my Sho-Bud 6139 w/George L pu or my wonderful Sho-Pro Lloyd Green w/Lawrence 710pu and Tele or Strat. Any suggestions?

[Bob Watson]

I’ve been using a Fender Deluxe TM for pedal steel for almost a year now and I love it! I have yet to be in a situation where it wasn’t powerful enough and the line out on it is exceptional! If you wind up getting one, I would suggest playing it with the stock speaker for a while before you change it to the JBL, you might like it.

[Jonathan Shacklock]

I’d be interested to hear if this works out for you Bobby. You’d end up with something like a 32lb Deluxe… could be worth it. Spend some time breaking in the Jensen in before you make a final call but I suspect you will stick with the JBL if that’s the sound you like.

The stock 23lb TMDR is so easy to carry around I’d be reluctant to add back to the weight. At 33lbs the TM Twin is still heavy enough to put me off. But coming at it the other way, down from 48lbs or so, you are going to notice a significant benefit.

I wouldn’t expect any issues with mounting the JBL but definitely check first!

[Steve Spitz]

I tried my 15” JBL in my Tonemaster twin.
It sounded more familiar, but not better. Not worth the weight gain.

I realize it’s not exactly what you’re asking, but close.
Hope that helps

[Norbert Dengler]

i installed an Eminence Wheelhouse in one of my two TM Deluxe Reverbs. It adds a little weight and sounds a tad better, but the stock speaker works great too to me. A very good amp for a steel guitar in my opinion, never had a lack of headroom.

[Mike Christensen]

Have been playing a TMDR for 2 years in bars now. Have the Blonde with the Celestion Cream Back. Like it very much. You can reprogram through Fender and get the Celestion sound I believe. Would not want to add the weight. 21 pounds is a lot of the reason I bought it. Happy Trails.

[Tom Wolverton]

Has anyone tried the Telonics 8-ohm neo in a TMDR yet? Or the TT12?

[Tom Wolverton]

I tried a Telonics 12” Neo in my black TMDR. There was little difference. About the same amount of clean headroom as the stock Jensen neo.

[Ivan Funk]

I agree with Steve.

I tried JBL K120s in a TM Twin and it didn't sound the way K120s sound in a tube twin. Useable but not worth the weight difference.

I think the stock speaker design is an important part of the whole circuit to get close to sounding like a tube amp. Maybe even the most important part?

[Larry Dering]

And I did a similar test against my tube Twin reverb with it's EV orange frame speakers. I wired it's speakers to the Tonemaster Twin while leaving them in their own Twin cabinets. Maybe a tad better but definitely nothing earth shattering. I decided to leave them as they are. Not worth the weight gain.