Fender MD-20 speaker replacement?

[Keebo]

I installed a 9 volt portable Fender MD-20 Mini Deluxe amp in my first home made guitar (see the gallery section for pics) and can't get as much clean volume as I like before distortion sets in even with the gain control on zero. It is about the same as it was in its original cab.

I would like to know if any of you think changing the cheap looking paper coned speaker with a better one would help with cleaner tones at volume. If so, any suggestions on a replacement? It is a one watt amp with a two inch speaker. I haven't found the ohms rating for the speaker anywhere.

I thought about cutting a hole in the back cavity plate and installing another speaker grill but am not sure if that will help or hurt the sound. I suppose I could try taking th cover off and seeing if that helps any before cutting.

Thanks for any help you may provide.

[sumgai]

Keebo,

Reviews across the 'net are varied - some guys like the MD-20, others don't. So the first thing to do is, plug in a set of reasonably good headphones, and check for tone and volume. Are those two characteristics good? Or at least, are they good enough for what you want out of the thing? If not, then I humbly suggest that you abandon the project, or at least the use of the MD-20, and search around for a different, and hopefully better, circuit/speaker.

OTOH, if you do like what you hear from a set of headphones, then you might, conceivably, hog out some more wood, and insert a larger speaker............ For your purposes, they don't make 2" speakers that can do more than distort the moment you apply a milliwatt of power (unless you want to spend some very big bucks). Remember, the original Pignose portable amp had a 5" speaker. That should be a strong clue right there, yes?

HTH





sumgai

[Keebo]

Thanks for your reply, sumgai. I ended up cutting a hole in the back cavity and installed a screen mesh cover. That helped with a little more volume before breakup occurs.

I'll try plugging in a set of headphones and see house the amp sounds through them. Wood estate is rather slim but I could possibly route for another inch if I can find a better speaker that will fit.

Thanks again.