Modifying a Guitar w/internal speakers, need HELP with SPEAKER choices!!!

[nickvasallo]

I have a project I want to start. basically I want to modify one of the best reviewed travel guitars - The Squier Mini Player w/internal speaker/amp:


I've read fantastic things about this guitar (Fender Squier Mini Player Electric Guitar Review | Best Travel Guitars), and how it was not promoted as much as it should have been. Sadly, it is now discontinued. The only criticism that I've read has been about it's internal amp/speaker combo.

I want it to be as loud and good sounding as possible and don't mind spending more on the mods than the actual guitar itself. I found this on Guitar Fuel: SD-MAH3 Amp Harness.

It looks pretty cool, three levels of distortion and comes pre-assembled.

I am also thinking of building a 2nd (crazier) guitar with this internal amp:

It's 22W and can handle 4, 8 or 16 ohms.

Also, does anyone know if these Squier Mini Players use regular sized humbuckers? Any specific spacing required? I am thinking of getting a DiMarzio Crunch Lab.


Lastly, I want the best speaker I can fit. I think it's a 4" speaker. Either way what do you guys think of a higher end full range driver? Tang Band W3-315E 3" Aluminum/Magnesium Full Range Driver

or
Fostex FE103En 4" Full Range: Madisound Speaker Store


If the cavity in the guitar body is not deep enough for the speaker, I may have to also custom order a replacement plastic cover (from a plastic fabrication company) that protrudes a bit more.


I am hoping to end up with the best sounding/playing travel guitar ever.

What speakers would go BEST with this guitar? I need a 4" speaker for a 5w and 22w amp.

thanks guys!

[benb]

Dunno about the speaker - you may be on the right track, OTOH a full-range hifi speaker may be too "clean" for this application. I'm thinking a less expensive speaker that can handle the power would "sound" better, though it's still not going to sound like an 8" or larger speaker. Well, maybe you could add a DSP-based amp/cabinet simulator.

One thing for sure, you're gonna need more than that 9V transistor radio battery to power the thing. I'd go with a small Class D amp for efficiency and have all the tone/effects/distortion happen before the power amp. I'm surprised that "5 watt" amp is powered from one.

[Greg B]

Way way too clean. Those drivers will all sound horrible. You want a cheap paper speaker, not coated. Response to 6khz is all that is needed, more and it will hiss, buzz, etc. Best for hifi and best for electric guitar are very different things.

[mondogenerator]

6k?????


even the famed celestion greenback (read VERY WARM speaker) manages to get higher than that......6k is just about good enough for a bass combo.......hence why 10" is common with 15" for 5 string players....


but response to 15k is not required. best advice i have?

cheapo guitar amp speaker.....Kustom 6" 10 watt guitar amp. £30 new, light enough for a backpack, and can be adapted to run on 12V lead acid very easily.


OR.... just get a decent DSP or other effects/amp simulator pedal and use headphones. I got a Vox tonebank SE, it wasnt cheap, but its the best thing ive used so far with headphones and for DI-ing.

p.s. those Squires really arent much good at all, whatever you may have been told, or indeed ANY Squire guitar.

Besides....THINK OF THE FEEDBACK

[ChrisA]

Originally Posted by nickvasallo

I have a project I want to start. basically I want to modify one of the best reviewed travel guitars - The Squier Mini Player !

Your problem will be the speaker. Guitar speakers are NOT flat. not even close to flat and that is intentional. They basically have nearly zero output below about 80 Hz (because your low open E string is 81Hz and anything lower must be AC mains or fluorescent lighting hum) and they roll of the highs for pretty much the same reason. Many speakers are also "mid scooped" meaning the mid range depressed.

One could use a full range speaker and build an EQ network to whack off the bass and kill any sound over about 8KHz too. Either way the final result should have a range from 80Hz to 8KHz. Some caps and inductors and you can do that.

What I'd look for is the most sensitive 4" you can find. and then work the tone with an EQ network.

I think you would be best to look at automotive speakers. These will have specs closer to what you need then small HiFi speakers. Also they will service beer being spilled and what not, most are build to take minor abuse.

"Pignose" amps use car speakers

My opinion of this: I use a headphone amp. Mostly while traveling you come back to the hotel room at night and can't play an electric guitar in your room unless you want to be thrown out of the place. Use headphones and a headphone amp. I have one of those "am-plug" amps, works well but they are one trick amps. Get a floor multi-pedal unit, most of them have a headphone jack. I also own a Martin "backpacker" acoustic. Good tone and low volume.

Have you ever held one of those fender travel guitars? It feels like a $100 kids toy just like their 7/8 scale kids start.

[ChrisA]

Originally Posted by Greg B

Way way too clean. Those drivers will all sound horrible. You want a cheap paper speaker, not coated. Response to 6khz is all that is needed, more and it will hiss, buzz, etc. Best for hifi and best for electric guitar are very different things.

+1 on that. The problem is not that an expensive HiFi speaker is "to clean" it's that guitar players and guitar amp designers depend on the speaker's roll off to shape the sound. Even a very clean "jazz guitar" tone needs that or else you get finger squeaks on the strings, fret noise clicks and hiss.

If you can fit a 6" speaker in there then you have some great options. One is Weber. They have some 6" models and can custom build for cheaper than you might think as they build everything they sell to order. I think Jenson has a 6" I think in their MOD line

Actually it is the home HiFi speaker that is unique. Other kinds used in PA or music only have to produce sound of one instrument or from voice only. These are customized for just that one single use and can be very, very good at that one job. HiFi has to play kick drums, female vocals, flutes, piano and whatever even the best ones ($$$) are never 100% convincing.

[nickvasallo]

Wow, you guys are all awesome. I came to the right place!

I really want to maintain the internal amp/speaker aspect for this guitar. So I won't be going the headphone amp route.

Thanks for steering me away from the Hi-Fi speaker stuff. So basically I need a cheap speaker? Can I post some on here and you guys can comment? Maybe even car speakers?

Also, Squiers are awesome. My first guitar was a Squier Strat, then got a real Fender, picked up a Squier Duo Sonic to modify and toy with. I use the Duo Sonic still, for all my needs. They are highly underrated guitars IMO.

[nickvasallo]

They have arrived, both in pristine condition! Bought both of them for $300. Surgery starts soon...