Some notes on Goodmans speakers in the Vox solid state range

A list of Celestion speakers used by Vox, 1967-1973 can be found on this page.

Goodmans normally described its speakers in three ways: (1) by a model or range name; (2) a code for "type" on a paper slip stuck to the speaker's label; and (3) a purchase order number (in case a replacement was needed) also on a paper sticker.

The speakers used in Supreme cabinets (and some Multi-Link speaker cabinets) are for the most part members of two Goodmans ranges: "Audiom" and "Power Range". "Type" was a three-fold designation: code number for frame / code number for cone / impedance - for example 241/1205/15. "241" is a heavy-duty frame, "1205" a type of 12 inch cone, and the impedance obvious. As Jennings / Vox generally removed any labels that had been affixed to the dust-covers by suppliers, stickers designating "type" are lacking - or at least none has come to light so far. But a few survive on identical speakers supplied to other amplifier manufacturers.

On the other hand, purchase order numbers, glued onto the frame beside the solder terminals, have survived better. The form of words on the sticker is normally: "For replacements quote P/O" - then the number. These P/O numbers were presumably recorded by Goodmans in its log-books along with the name of purchaser, size of order, and number of items purchased.

From late 1967 / early 1968 through to 1972 Goodmans supplied Vox with three different types of "241" (heavy-duty) speaker, all with an impedance of 15/16 ohms, here called "A", "B" and "C" simply for convenience.

An overview of Supreme speaker cabinets can be found here.

A

Late 1967 / early 1968 through to mid to late 1969

Black plastic dust-cover initially with smooth outer rim. The rims of later batches had diagonal striations. Early and later versions both have a sort of spider's web pattern in the sunken roundel; and at centre, an oculus.

One of the speakers from the cabinet accompanying JMI Supreme amplifier section serial number 1094. JMI did not number its speaker cabinets. Smooth dust-cover rim.

One of the speakers of "Vox Sound Equipment Limited" Supreme speaker cabinet serial number 212, issued from factory with Supreme amplifier section 2231. Dust-cover rim with diagonal striations.

B

Between late 1969 and early 1971

A species of "241", now and again with a hammerite blue frame. Drivers of this type were fitted in Supreme cabinet serial number 272. The accompanying amplifier will have had a number in the low 2300s.

1969 certainly, possibly the 40th week, though it is not clear how the "6" should be read.

These blue hammerite units were were evidently originally made by Goodmans for Selmer (but for whatever reason sent out to Vox instead)

One of the two Goodmans drivers in the speaker cabinet of a Selmer Thunderbird 50 Mark II combo from early 1968.

C

Mid 1971 into 1972

Still a black dust-cover, but now quadrants of "furrows" radiating from the outer edge, and a square panel at centre. The square panel normally had the green Goodmans "Power Range" label.

"Vox Sound Limited" Supreme speaker cabinet serial number 474.

Below, an example of the same type of speaker, not from a Vox amp, with its Goodmans "Power Range" label - and sticker designating "type" - in place.

The sticker reads: "241/1205/15".

A speaker that is almost identical externally to the one above, but of a different Goodmans "type": 241/1235/12.

Given the impedance of 12 ohms, this speaker was probably produced for WEM. The difference between a "1235" cone and a "1205" is not known for certain at present, but it may be that the former is lighter.

Type 241/1235/12, probably for WEM.

Impedance

"Vox Sound Equipment Limited" Conqueror and Defiant cabs had two 8ohm drivers wired in series for a total impedance of 15/16 ohms. Supremes used four 15/16ohm drivers wired in series/parallel also for a total of 15/16 ohms. 15/16 ohms was the impedance required by Vox amplifiers across the solid state range.

As mentioned yesterday, the various types of speaker with "241" frames produced by Goodmans in the late 1960s and early 1970s are often difficult to tell apart. There are however the stickers indicating impedance.

A detail of one of the Goodmans 241s in the speaker cabinet accompanying Vox Defiant serial number 2494.

In the absence for the time being of a good photo of a "241" in a Supreme cab, a couple from a Multi-Link 1. The full type is: 241/1214/15.

Impedance 15 ohms.

Goodmans cone code "1214".

Just to add that pairs of Goodmans 8ohm speakers (type 241/1214/8) wired in series were used in Vox Gyrotone 2 and 3 enclosures as well as in Vox Defiant speaker cabs.

Below, a couple of details of an early "Vox Sound Equipment Limited" Multi-Link 1 speaker cabinet (4x12", 15ohm impedance) - probably mid 1969. The original drivers have been replaced, but still present the impedance transformer, wiring harness, and printed input jack wiring schema.

On the right-hand side of the schema, the jacks one above the other, the two wires from the upper one leading up to the speakers. At left, the terminal block and transformer.

The wiring is arranged such that an amplifier plugged into either of the two sockets would (1) drive the speakers and (2) any other speaker cabinet plugged into the second socket ("daisy chained").

It is not clear at present exactly what effect the transformer would have had on the overall impedance of the Multi-Link 4x12" and a second - perhaps mis-matched - cabinet.

The serial number on the plate is unfortunately not readable definitively, but it looks like "00x" - possibly "004".

18" drivers

Second, 18" Goodmans speakers for Vox solid state amplifiers. In late 1967 / early 1968 Goodmans designed a new type of Audiom 91 for JMI - 15/16ohm, cone 1803/78173, type 95062. These were used in Foundation Bass and single-speaker Super Foundation Bass cabinets. Some were sold in late 1968 / early 1969 by "Vox Sound Equipment Limited", which put its new-style serial number plate on the back panels of the cabs concerned.

A Goodmans 95062 in a Foundation Bass speaker cabinet sold by "Vox Sound Equipment Limited", the cab's serial number unusually not stamped with a number.

In early 1969, Goodmans provided VSEL with a new 15/16ohm 18" driver - type 93170, but with the same cone as the 95062. Standard VSEL labels were affixed to the dust-covers.

For twin-speaker Super Foundation Bass cabinets, VSEL contracted Goodmans to produce an 8ohm 18" driver - type 03CiF / H17 and H28. Two were wired in parallel for a total of 15/16 ohms.

In at least one "Vox Sound Limited" Super Foundation Bass speaker cabinet, however, two 15/16ohm drivers are wired up in series for a total impedance of 8ohms (SFB amplifier sections required 15/16). But it is not clear what type of amplifier the cab was intended for, or whether the resulting impedance was simply an old-fashioned error.