I like those small inexpensive Kustom KSC12 cabinets that feature eight sturdy corner protectors; a reasonably good grade of Tolex-like covering; large recessed handles on each side, a good pole mount recess; and a tough flexible metal grille. I have a pair of older models, each rated at 80 watts RMS/160 watts of full music power, and they took whatever my Yamaha EMX312SC dished out for over 240 gig hours until one of the 12-inch drivers started crackling after it warmed up and therefore needed replacement.

As a working musician, I ‘m ever mindful of equipment cost and portability. I do a solo gig with home grown CD tracks, a Digitech Vocalist Live Four, a Martin J1 acoustic, a pair of KSC12s, and a single Kustom KSC15 monitor. Everything goes through the EMX312SC. Along with many of my peers, I believe that price is not the best measure of build quality. Today’s live sound marketplace offers a good number of relatively inexpensive equipment options that perform as well as the high dollar stuff. Additionally, like almost every other tunesmith I know, I really don’t care to load a ton of stuff into a venue and spend hours setting it up and tearing it down. Easy to maintain and clean, both of my KSC12s look brand new, so I decided to replace the woofers in each cab with 12-inch Celestion 1220 150 watt RMS raw frame drivers. They are beefier and feature a better build quality than the stock Kustoms. Both drivers required that I do some repositioning and drilling to match their four-hole mounting pattern, but both fit perfectly in the baffle cutouts.

I am very pleased with the results. The Celestions punched the vocal and mid range frequencies through the roof and presented a tighter, smoother, less boomy, bass line. They sound great! My speaker cabinet RMS rating doubled, and I’m sure these babies will sound even better as they break in. The PA elitists are not going to get this at all! The Celestion 1220s are sturdy, inexpensive, responsive, and extremely capable drivers. Viva la KSC12 cabs with the Celestion upgrade!