Peavey Speaker ?

[Bobby Boggs]

What's the difference in the Peavey Black Widow 1501 Deep Throw and a Peavey Black Widow 1502? Was the 1502 the first BW 15 Peavey offered around 1977? I know differences and time frames of 1501 DT and 1501 SB.

Thanks in advance.

[Jack Stoner]

I don't know the difference in the "deep throw", etc. But Mike Brown posted on the forum one time that the 1501 was designed to replace the JBL that was originally used on the first Session 400 model as the JBL couldn't handle the power. The 1501 was designed to be sonically the same but handle the higher power.

The first 1502 I encountered was on the Session 500. I had one of the original small cabinet models (had the first one sold by the Peavey dealer in Kansas City) and it came with the 1502. That is currently listed by Peavey as a "bass" speaker.

[Ken Metcalf]

Wasn't the SB a paper cone and DT a kevlar or some heaver material.

[Peter Harris]

I seem to remember something about Linda Lovelace and the DT.......

[Richard Sinkler]

I own an '84 NV 400 with a BW 1502 (purchased it new in '84 and the 1502 was stock). For a while, I also owned a NV 400 with a 1501. Mike Brown told me once that the 1502 was originally a bass speaker and was used in the early NV 400's. It has a much warmer sound than the 1501 in my opinion. So when it was time to sell one, the newer 400 was my choice to sell. Just didn't have the same warmth as the older one with the 1502.

[Mike Brown]

Approximately 1997 was when Peavey was developing a Kevlar cone material to withstand the high power Considering that a steel guitar should be "clean, clear and crisp" like you've always heard it at steel guitar jamborees and conventions, I believe this philosophy. However, as I learned and "lent" my steel guitar ears to the R & D process, I, like "HP" had come to learn that a paper cone was the most desirable "voicing" for steel guitar amplifiers. So, the paper cone BW 1501-4 ohm shallow basket is the way to go for steel guitar amplification. However, this is not to say that there cannot be new developements. Nuff said.

As I have mentioned in the past and as HP would say, Peavey strives to improve products and develope new products using new technological advancements. It has been a great experience for me and I doubt that Hartley will rest at this point. That is my sole opinion.

[Bobby Boggs]

Thanks everyone. Is this not a 1502?

[Mike Brown]

That's a Black Widow but the model number/name cannot be viewed in this photo. The model sticker should be located below the red and black spring clips.

[Erv Niehaus]

I am setting a double speaker cabinet together and noticed some difference between the Black Widow speakers. One speaker has round spokes and the other has rather square spokes. Which is which?

[Bobby Boggs]

Erv in the late models my round spokes are shallow baskets. The flat spokes are Deep Throws.

Mike what is the very first series 15 Black Widow that was used in the Session 400's. That's what I'm wanting to know.

bb

[Bobby Boggs]

Duplicate post.

[Erv Niehaus]

Thanks, Bobby!

[Richard Sinkler]

Mike Brown... Correct me if I am wrong. Another way to tell the difference in a 1502 and a 1501 is, the 1502 has a ribbed cone whereas the 1501 has a smooth cone. But looking for the model number label is the best way to tell.

[Michael Hummel]

I seem to remember something about Linda Lovelace and the DT....... Winking

Peter: I often post observations such as this, and nobody seems to pay attention. I just want you to know that I noticed this one, and I love it!


Mike

[Richard Sinkler]

I seem to remember something about Linda Lovelace and the DT....... Winking

Peter: I often post observations such as this, and nobody seems to pay attention. I just want you to know that I noticed this one, and I love it!


Mike

That's because everybody jumps in their car and heads to the video store.

[Paddy Long]

I don't think Linda had a speaker part in Deep Throw did she ??? :-}

[Chris Boyd]

Too funny !!

[Mike Brown]

Richard, yes the 1501 has a smooth cone and the 1502 has a ribbed cone.

[chris ivey]

bobby..that black widow spider web model you show is what came first in my ltd400. mine was a 1501..i thought they all were.
i did change it out eventually for the next era bw 1501, which had a slightly domed silver mag and sounded a little better.

my nv400 has the 1502 and also sounds great.

i love the old spiderweb mags... the way they look. i've got a 1201 bw 12inch in a bandit and it kicks butt.

but to answer your question, i think the spiderweb 1501 first replaced the jbl.

[Rasmus Broegaard]

bobby..that black widow spider web model you show is what came first in my ltd400. mine was a 1501..i thought they all were.
i did change it out eventually for the next era bw 1501, which had a slightly domed silver mag and sounded a little better.

my nv400 has the 1502 and also sounds great.

i love the old spiderweb mags... the way they look. i've got a 1201 bw 12inch in a bandit and it kicks butt.

but to answer your question, i think the spiderweb 1501 first replaced the jbl.

The 1201 bw 12inch you refer to here, is it the model with the spider web print and alu dome ?

I see these different models around:

1201 spider alu dome:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/296784158716?_ ... R9DF9_fbZA

1201 spider paper dome:
https://reverb.com/item/1937831-vintage ... 8-shipping

1201 silver mag alu dome:
https://reverb.com/item/63226840-peavey ... ooks-great

I LOVE the sound of the 15" 1501-8ohm spider web with alu dome and I wish to find the "same" sound in a 12".

So I was thinking that the 1201 spiderweb alu dome would be the one. But I do see people who say it is a PA speaker and not for guitar.

Maybe you know ?

[Jerry Overstreet]

Pic #1 and #3 are very similar, #1 being the spider web which is my preference slightly over #3.

Pic #2 has the square spokes indicates the Deep Throw era of speaker baskets. I find it odd to have a spider mag as this era of speakers would not come with a DT basket. I'm also unfamiliar with a paper cone 1201 from that era.

I defer to experts however, I've been studying Peavey speaker models for over 30 yrs., but there's always something I've not seen or am familiar with.

Of those 3, #1 would be my choice for steel guitar. MOF, I have one of those in a stereo rig along with a #3.

I also have one of the later #3 silver mag 1201's in another config.

Those early 1201s work fine for me. Some 80s, possibly early 90s guitar amps had those installed.

The later 21st century ones were indeed designed for PA and have a different set of Thiele/Small measurements.

None of these types model the 1501 however. Many players feel the 1203-4 is the best 12 incher for pedal steel.

One of the earlier ones with paper cone say, 90s era. Peavey even loaded their Nashville 112E cabinets with these 1203-4 drivers so they are the only ones actually recommended by Peavey for steel guitar.

The 8 ohm version, which specs pretty close to the 4, is not a recommended driver for steel, but some players do use them.

There again, it's necessary to know the era because the later one of this model also went the way of sound reinforcement speakers.

Bottom line is you have to study and be educated concerning the different editions, eras and models of the same speaker as they had many upgrades and changes in application over the years and the cone and mag markings do not help to date them. At least I don't know any way to decode them.

[Rasmus Broegaard]

Pic #1 and #3 are very similar, #1 being the spider web which is my preference slightly over #3.

Pic #2 has the square spokes indicates the Deep Throw era of speaker baskets. I find it odd to have a spider mag as this era of speakers would not come with a DT basket. I'm also unfamiliar with a paper cone 1201 from that era.

I defer to experts however, I've been studying Peavey speaker models for over 30 yrs., but there's always something I've not seen or am familiar with.

Of those 3, #1 would be my choice for steel guitar. MOF, I have one of those in a stereo rig along with a #3.

I also have one of the later #3 silver mag 1201's in another config.

Those early 1201s work fine for me. Some 80s, possibly early 90s guitar amps had those installed.

The later 21st century ones were indeed designed for PA and have a different set of Thiele/Small measurements.

None of these types model the 1501 however. Many players feel the 1203-4 is the best 12 incher for pedal steel.

One of the earlier ones with paper cone say, 90s era. Peavey even loaded their Nashville 112E cabinets with these 1203-4 drivers so they are the only ones actually recommended by Peavey for steel guitar.

The 8 ohm version, which specs pretty close to the 4, is not a recommended driver for steel, but some players do use them.

There again, it's necessary to know the era because the later one of this model also went the way of sound reinforcement speakers.

Bottom line is you have to study and be educated concerning the different editions, eras and models of the same speaker as they had many upgrades and changes in application over the years and the cone and mag markings do not help to date them. At least I don't know any way to decode them.

Thank you for the details, great read ! it seems confusing to be honest, but I see what you mean with the small differences, for example with the square spokes.

I actually pulled the trigger on one 1201-8 ohm spider web alu dome (non square spokes), lets hope it sounds great ! - for me the thing with the 1501 is that is just nails a perfect balance between EV and JBl. I own an EVM 15L and a JBL E130, both 15" and they both lack a little bit in areas (JBL is too harsh and mid focused and the EVM is a bit dark/muddy at times), where the BW 1501-8 ohm spider alu dome, just is the perfect mix/balance. I am on the hunt for them now. I really hope I will like the 1201-8ohm as well.

The one I got is smilar to this one (maybe): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=09WSnmxesew

[Jerry Overstreet]

You are most welcome. Yes, it seems confusing because it is.

There were so many variations over the years, it's hard to keep up with it all.

Keep in mind that all magnets except the Spider Web can accept a cone/basket/assembly from any other era so many of what's out there have had component changes due to damage or experimentation and may not be true to the original build.

I hope you like the 1201-8. You will find, as with all speakers, you need to eq your amp[s] differently to find the best sound for this speaker. Good luck!

[Rasmus Broegaard]

You are most welcome. Yes, it seems confusing because it is.

There were so many variations over the years, it's hard to keep up with it all.

Keep in mind that all magnets except the Spider Web can accept a cone/basket/assembly from any other era so many of what's out there have had component changes due to damage or experimentation and may not be true to the original build.

I hope you like the 1201-8. You will find, as with all speakers, you need to eq your amp[s] differently to find the best sound for this speaker. Good luck!

Thank you for the info.

Do you know if it is then not possible to repair the spider web ones ? - you cannot perform a recone on it ?

[Jerry Overstreet]

You cannot buy new factory replacement baskets for Spider Web speakers since many years ago, but we have a forum member who can recone them.

He is Jeffrey Maxwell and he does great work.