Celestion Blackbacks 1978 price check..

[lespaul6]

How much is the going rate for a quad of these? any issues or advice on these speakers? last, how do they sound and whats the consensus out there overall. thanks

 

[SpiderWars]

I recently bought a '78 Marshall slant with 4x Blackbacks for $600. Unfortunately one of them was bad (makes sound but doesn't sound right). I think I read that they were Meuller cones until around early '79 and then they varied. My cab had 2x '76 and 2x '78 and all had Meuller cones. Mine are M magnets and 75Hz cones, there seem to be a lot of 55Hz out there.

Mine have a little more sizzle than the early 70's G12M/75Hz Greenbacks I have and seem to be tighter in the lows but they still have lots of G12M mid-crunch. I immediately thought they sounded kind of early VH-ish. I like them a lot.

 

[ChurchHill]

I've got a '78 Marshall 4104 that came with G12M/75Hz Blackbacks. I agree with SpiderWars… a little more sizzle, a little tighter, but very much like a Greenback. I really like mine, too (had them in the combo, then paired with 2 mid-90s Greenbacks in a 4x12, now back in the combo).

I'd love to find some G12M/55Hz, either green or black. Not sure why, but I've always been fascinated by that combination of low resonance cone with a medium magnet. Last time I A/B'd the G12H30 55Hz vs 75Hz, I liked the 55Hz cone better (I have a 4x12 with G12H30/55Hz, but don't own any G12H30/75Hz). So, I'm wondering if I'd find that to be true with the medium magnets as well. Just curious, I guess. I do have a Scumback M75 and M55 and I slightly prefer the M55. That's a close as I've come, though.

Sorry, but I have no idea what a quad of Blackbacks are going for these days. I'm fairly sure that, many times, finding a cabinet with them in it is cheaper than buying them by themselves. I have seen some late-70s Marshall cabs, supposedly with Blackbacks, going for around $600 lately.

 

[paulyc]

I would be stoked to find a cab with four good ones for 600...

 

[Racerxrated]

I would be stoked to find a cab with four good ones for 600...

Look at GCs used cabs, from 3-500 on up and find one that may have those. Have them pull the back and take a pic for you. Or, have them describe the magnet cover. Then hang up and buy it online and they will ship to you for 35 bucks. If they are toast or just not very good return the cab.
My experience with old school GBs is this: I don't dig the blackbacks near as much as the RIC cones that came before them. They are raunchier and have more sweetness to me, where the BBs are kinda sterile in comparison. I've had 3 BB cabs and they all had that quality. Better than the Chinese RI but not as good as another great speaker, the 90s 6402 cones or the RIC cones. They are almost identical to the RIC cones. I've played one pre rola cab and they are cool but really not as great for high gain IMO compared to the rest. I can see why pre rolas are sought after, for blues to some hard rock but they kinda mush out with higher gain.

 

[ChurchHill]

Look at GCs used cabs, from 3-500 on up and find one that may have those. Have them pull the back and take a pic for you. Or, have them describe the magnet cover. Then hang up and buy it online and they will ship to you for 35 bucks. If they are toast or just not very good return the cab.

^^^^ This, exactly. If you're diligent, you'll find them. Shipping for used 4x12s from them is stupid cheap, too.

 

[psychodave]

I’ve seen prices of the H30 blackbacks sell for $150-200 a piece.

 

[lespaul6]

thanks for the all the good intel everyone