Current status of WGS speakers?

[Kagami]

The only one I would like to try that they make is the Fat Jimmy GB 65 watt clone. Amparian speakers are made by WGS too.

I have one of those, it's pretty nice, definitely a more subdued midrange-y sound compared to the G12M reissues. I have the FJ C1270UK too which is neat as well, kind of a more generic british sound but it's nice. (I'm not really big on alnico so I ordered the ceramic version) I picked up the WGS Invader HV 65 and it's pretty nice too, it's somewhat similar overall to the C1270UK I'm not sure I really prefer one or the other but I didn't have them both in my cabinet at the same time for long enough to really decide if I liked one or the other more.

I never really was interested in their older speakers and haven't tried any of them.

 

[Dale B]

I have one of those, it's pretty nice, definitely a more subdued midrange-y sound compared to the G12M reissues. I have the FJ C1270UK too which is neat as well, kind of a more generic british sound but it's nice. (I'm not really big on alnico so I ordered the ceramic version) I picked up the WGS Invader HV 65 and it's pretty nice too, it's somewhat similar overall to the C1270UK I'm not sure I really prefer one or the other but I didn't have them both in my cabinet at the same time for long enough to really decide if I liked one or the other more.

I never really was interested in their older speakers and haven't tried any of them.

View attachment 423747View attachment 423748

How would you compare the FJ 65GB to something like a V30?

 

[Kagami]

How would you compare the FJ 65GB to something like a V30?

They don't really too similar, the 65GB is laid back vs a V30 style speaker which can be really in your face with a lot more treble energy.

I think this person here pretty accurately compared to two I have. Also I do think I like the C1265GB better.

https://www.thegearpage.net/board/index.php?threads/fat-jimmy-c1265gb-speaker.2580772/post-39369647

 

[John 14:6]

this vid does a great job of demonstrating the differences between what barefaced cabs sound like versus conventional cabs. in this case they are comparing their FRFR cabs versus a tonex cab but i heard the same differences when AB ing their passive 1x12s with my standard orange and EVH 1x12s.

These guys need to EQ the ToneX Cab and set the Amp Tone knob to about 12-1. It can sound like a real amp. I have seen a few of their videos and these guys make lots of things sound not so good.

 

[Music&Chaos]

I haven't tried a new WGS speaker since back when they first became popular and you could get them for $50 new; so near 10 years ago. I even still have a couple Retro 30's an ET65 & ET90 hanging around. My experience back then was of the ones I tried, they all sounded really good to an extent. They had a tone I liked and up to about medium volume it was WOW! this is a great speaker regardless of the price. But once I turned it up to band volumes that all just fell apart. They became mushy, inarticulate and undefined. To refresh my hearing I gave the ones I still have another go. It was pretty much the same thing as before. I could see where bedroom players would love them because they performed really well at that volume level. When you hit volumes needed for live situations WGS was a big ole nope for me. For comparisons sake it's the complete opposite with my Celestion and Webber speakers. They love volume. The more volume you give them the better they sound.

I've been a Madison Square Bedroom player for while, but still crank things up on a regular basis. I wouldn't mind giving WGS another chance if performance is better than before. So have things changed in the last decade with new production WGS speakers? Can they preform well under high volume or do they still turn to mush past moderate levels?

I went from WGS to Avatar. I like WGS well enough, or I did when I grabbed some several years back, but no speaker I have tried yet gives me what the Avatar AV75 does in my rig.

 

[mentoneman]

These guys need to EQ the ToneX Cab and set the Amp Tone knob to about 12-1. It can sound like a real amp. I have seen a few of their videos and these guys make lots of things sound not so good.

i’ve got exactly zero experience with the tonex cab so not sure how it compares in person, but the barefaced cabs they demoed sounded identical to what i experienced in person. great cabs!

 

[mentoneman]

I went from WGS to Avatar. I like WGS well enough, or I did when I grabbed some several years back, but no speaker I have tried yet gives me what the Avatar AV75 does in my rig.

i had a hellatone gh30 4x12 and it sounded great. i must have passed by their factory 50 times on my way from Spokane through Coeur d'Alene to the Yaak in northern Montana and back while filming Mountain Men for the History Channel and always meant to stop in but never did.

what tones sound best with the AV75?

i’m looking for the old celestion 25 watt sound with some clean sparkle of old jensen p12n cleans. when i heard the first eminence EJ speakers at NAMM i thought i might be onto something but those never seemed to take off.

 

[MusicIsLife]

I wanted to like WGS, but ultimately ended up flipping every pair I tried. They position a lot of their speakers as comparable (or even improved) alternatives to speakers by other manufacturers, and I think that may set up the wrong expectation. If you know what you like in one of the existing big name speakers, I think it's better to just spend the money and go that route. WGS niche is probably whatever gaps aren't covered by the big names. Or maybe OEMing speakers for amps that are voiced around them.

 

[blackba]

This will save a lot of us a lot of time and money. High volume is where a speaker needs to sound its best

I want speakers which sound great a low volumes and great a high volumes. I have more run into speakers like the emeinence ms12 that sounded like a muddy mess at low volumes and really came alive when you got them working. By comparison the Mesa custom 90 changes very little as you push it and is what I am looking for as my opportunity to crank it is limited these days.

I run a pair of wgs et65s with my 65 fender Bf Bassman and like the results. Never compared them to a g12-65. I also have a 112 tone ring with a Blackhawk hp and that sounds great. I have had that speaker really cranking and it sounds great.

 

[Music&Chaos]

i had a hellatone gh30 4x12 and it sounded great. i must have passed by their factory 50 times on my way from Spokane through Coeur d'Alene to the Yaak in northern Montana and back while filming Mountain Men for the History Channel and always meant to stop in but never did.

what tones sound best with the AV75?

i’m looking for the old celestion 25 watt sound with some clean sparkle of old jensen p12n cleans. when i heard the first eminence EJ speakers at NAMM i thought i might be onto something but those never seemed to take off.

The AV75 is exactly as described in the site: lots of extended lows and highs, but the midrange stays present and meaty as well. Also, probably one of the clearest sounding midrange sounds ever.

The treble is very present but has a warmth to it.

I know that nothing I have tried came close.

This is in an open back 2x12. I am certain if all of my testing was only closed back, I would have some different results or preferences.

I play spanky cleans to downtuned metal madness and screaming leads - these speakers handle it all.

Again, speakers are highly dependent on the amp and cab setup.

 

[Speeddemon]

Back in the day, when the WGS speakers were really affordable, they were a nice gateway to getting classic tones, but nowadays, what's their USP?

In Europe an ET-65 costs €130-135 nowadays, while you can get a new, UK made Celestion G12-65 Heritage for €156-160. For €/$ 25 difference, nahhhh....

I had an ET-65, nice speaker, seemed not as deep sounding as the orginals, but at a certain I figured I'd sell it for what I paid for it and just stick to my vintage and Heritage G12-65's.

 

[mentoneman]

anybody tried these with favorable results?

https://mojotone.com/products/mojot...age-25w-speaker-16-ohm?variant=41689744441440

 

[EyesOfTheSouth!]

anybody tried these with favorable results?

https://mojotone.com/products/mojot...age-25w-speaker-16-ohm?variant=41689744441440

I’ve used all three of the BV series. The 25 is my favorite, but all three are MUCH darker and less efficient than their Celestion counterparts. The 30V is ridiculously dark and muddy at lower volumes compared to a Vintage 30……nothing alike whatsoever.

 

[Music&Chaos]

I’ve used all three of the BV series. The 25 is my favorite, but all three are MUCH darker and less efficient than their Celestion counterparts. The 30V is ridiculously dark and muddy at lower volumes compared to a Vintage 30……nothing alike whatsoever.

Hey, didn't you also have some of the AV75 speakers you checked out? I know you turned me onto Avatar when I checked out the AV60. The 60 was cool but not quite for my tastes/rig. I think your clip is what I listened to before ordering the 75s if I am correct.

 

[Kagami]

I’ve used all three of the BV series. The 25 is my favorite, but all three are MUCH darker and less efficient than their Celestion counterparts. The 30V is ridiculously dark and muddy at lower volumes compared to a Vintage 30……nothing alike whatsoever.

I picked up 2 of the greyhound when they were on sale and to me they don't really sound good until you crank them up, mine are 8 ohm version not that it probably matters.

 

[Smash]

I want speakers which sound great a low volumes and great a high volumes. I have more run into speakers like the emeinence ms12 that sounded like a muddy mess at low volumes and really came alive when you got them working. By comparison the Mesa custom 90 changes very little as you push it and is what I am looking for as my opportunity to crank it is limited these days.

I run a pair of wgs et65s with my 65 fender Bf Bassman and like the results. Never compared them to a g12-65. I also have a 112 tone ring with a Blackhawk hp and that sounds great. I have had that speaker really cranking and it sounds great.

I will accept that. But moreso, for me, I dont play amps that sound good at low volume that often. I will just use an IR for that. For me, a speaker needs to sound great at high volume.
My idea of a speaker sounding best at high volume is practical
Your idea of a speaker sounding good at all volumes is awesome
But the idea of a speaker that sounds like shit at volume is.abhorrent.

 

[mentoneman]

I’ve used all three of the BV series. The 25 is my favorite, but all three are MUCH darker and less efficient than their Celestion counterparts. The 30V is ridiculously dark and muddy at lower volumes compared to a Vintage 30……nothing alike whatsoever.

thank you—appreciate the report!

maybe it’s the Jensens i should check out…i had the first reissue 50 watt P12N and the Tone Tubbies Red hempcone variant of that speaker. both sounded great for cleans but a bit shrill when distorted.

@Fusionbear or @Chubtone any thoughts on clean to mean speakers du jour?